After 5 weeks of marriage we finally journeyed back down the 101 to say hello to good ol’ Carpinteria. We conveniently made it just in time for Friday traffic to greet us with a big hug and a halt. (I love the place I call home, but I definitely haven’t missed that 5 o’clock bumper to bumper.) David and I have been so spoiled up north. There’s literally never a glimpse of slowing. I actually got frustrated the other day having to wait a few minutes at a red light…So our, mostly my, patience was tested as we got off the freeway and took the side roads into Carp hauling-butt to our favorite Thai restaurant where my beautiful Isabella was waiting for us.

(A little precursor to what I will be telling you next: It had been 5 weeks since I had seen my best friend, FIVE WHOLE WEEKS.) So you will understand when I tell you that the minute I saw Isa I started moving so quickly in her direction that I almost body checked a grandma in a wheelchair. Luckily, I pulled myself together and stopped just in time before we collided body and wheels. You should have seen the look on her poor little face. Normally I would make a huge ordeal, embarrassing myself and everyone around me, by over apologizing, but in the seriousness of the situation I skipped over all of that and held my Isa tight. We enjoyed our favorite dishes to share, tom-kha-gai, yellow curry, and sticky rice. Lots of girl talk was made while David sat quietly, eating ‘Pad Prik Thai Dam’ (one of his favorites) and adding his protective side notes here and there. It was good to be home.

That night was The Portion’s big CD Release so after we ate our fill we ran over to The Llama to grab a coffee and listen to some beautiful sounds. I can’t tell you how proud I am of this band. Three awesome people Aaron Feeney, Justin Sinclair, and recently, filling the place of Katherine Nixon, the lovely Deborah Goulart. You should definitely check out their songs.

On top of the show, the evening was filled with huge smiles, insane girly laughter, catching up with friends, hugs galore, the occasional bird poop from those beloved blue herons nesting above in the Torrey Pine, and of course Llama Coffee (mmmm-mmmm good). What a way to be reunited with Carpinteria. I’ve never understood how incredibly blessed I am to call that place home. The night was capped with drinks at Sly’s with my two crazy sisters; a Dark n’ Stormy for Jessica and I, and Mai Tai for Ellie.

Reuben sporting Llama Gear — Reuben sporting Llama Gear

The next day was just as grand. Starting with a huge breakfast at Cajun Kitchen with my cousin Jo – coffee, cornbread, biscuits, muffins, eggs, bacon, Louisiana hot sausage, weird Hipple-Rans conversations, and lots of fun – then a quick trip to the beach, just to say we did! Next thing we took a walk to the Llama with Isa and Ella, following with an ice latte, hammerhead, and gibraltar. Hunger hit again and we drove over to Taco Grande for nachos and guacamole and then grabbed coconut bars at Albertsons, which we never ate…

Finally it was time for Hannah’s 20th birthday-pool-party-bash at the Weber's house.

The evening was filled with flips, flips, canon-balls, and “Sean” dives, lots of yummy food, good friends, and a bonfire at Hammonds. I headed home to a heart warming movie with the Hipple fam. The day was full to the brim and before we knew it we were jumping into Aunt Patty’s huge, luxurious blow-up mattress and called it a night. It was safe to say, Saturday was a good long day.

Sunday was spent fixing my mom’s iPad. Go iFixit for all your handy tools. We should have bought the wifi antenna. Unfortunately, we had to rip that sucker out of my mama’s hands and take it up to SLO for more dabbling.

Iv’e got to say, it’s good to be back in our little square of a home.

Happy Carp Days!

Hi, my name is

Natalie

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