Vanderpump Weekend

Leigh is turning 40. While she has great judgment in every other way, she has a soft spot for reality television and, in particular, a show called Vanderpump Rules (it's a spinoff of Real Housewives with Lisa Vanderpump). So, some of the mom's from our mother's group found ourselves on a pilgrimage to LA for a Vanderpump weekend.

 In the air with these ladies: Jen, Debbie, and Nicole.

We met up with the wonderful Leigh in LA.

Hiking up Runyon Canyon looking for stars. (We didn't see any.)

The Hollywood sign is back there.

Leigh is pointing to it.

Time for a light lunch at Greenblatt's Deli.

As a birthday present, I asked my friend Beth for a favor. She works on Real Housewives and I asked her if she would be willing to get me something from Lisa Vanderpump that would be a treat for superfan. She did better than that. She provided a video that may have made Leigh's head explode. This video includes the video that appeared on Leigh's phone and her reaction. It was a perfect start to our Vanderpump night out. If you are having trouble watching video you can click the direct YouTube link.

Our first stop for the Vanderpump night out. We are at PUMP.

Nicole and the birthday girl.

Fancy martinis to start the night.

The whole gang.

Now we are at Tom Tom where we were convinced to eat these flower buds that make your mouth go numb. It was weird. 

Having fun with the birthday girl.

This is some famous guy from the show.

Dinner at Sur. 

Canadian Parks and Friends

Our last full day in Montreal starts with a trip to a beautiful park with Leigh and Scarlett, continues with Francois, and ends with sushi.

 At Parc du Mont Royal.

The view.

Amazing.

So happy to be with this lady. We miss her and her family.

 Figuring out our plan.

Kids.

Park lake.

Friends since a few weeks after birth.

Canadian fields.

Playground. 

Next it was off to find a friend who recently left us for Montreal.  We found him at a coffee shop.  Todd was thrilled to see Francois.

Todd manages to completely freak out and confuse ILMers back home by showing up in a video chat from Francois' company, Hybride.

Hanging out at an empty employee hang out space on the roof at the Hybride/Ubisoft building.

Our crew back by the hotel posing for our album cover.

Fancy sushi night for our last supper in Montreal.

Montreal? Oui!

We started our one big trip of the summer with a visit to Montreal to see fabulous friends and check out the sites.  For reasons not worth explaining, we started our adventure in Boston where we got a care and drove across the border to Montreal.  

First, a quick stop at our cool hotel in the heart of the Old Montreal.

 Then a very important visit to Leigh, Kyle and their whole family to say hello after far too long.  I also was charged with delivering this baseball signed by SF Giants pitcher, Bumgarner.  You could say that Leigh is very excited about the baseball and mildly excited about having us there.

Dinner with the family at their Montreal home.

The next day we started exploring Old Montreal.

Amazing pastries for breakfast.

Living the cafe life.

Yum!

In front of the old bank.

Having fun.

 Montreal's Notre Dame.

 Impressive inside.

Dexter thought of someone he wanted to send love to and lit a candle.

Reunion

Our friend Leigh moved to Canada last year and we are all trying to figure out how to live without here.  She and a few of her close friends trekked to San Diego for the weekend for a reunion and a chance for her to get a dose of California sun. We also got a chance to meet her baby, Rose.

 Leigh and Ellie on a beach walk.

Nicole carrying baby Sam.

Leigh and Rose.

Ellie, Leigh, Nicole, Debbie and Kearsley.

Rose and Sam becoming friends.

Two cuties.

On our way to the airport after a fun weekend.

Dex's Backyard Party

Dex enjoyed a fun backyard party for his 4th birthday.

 Dex does some pre-party reading.

Balloons ready.

Brother and Sis.

Ready for a game of pass the parcel.

Successful party marked by pinata casualty.