A surprise I actually liked.

I hate surprises.
Hate, hate, hate them.
My worst nightmare?
A surprise party.
I am fairly easygoing, but I need to know what is coming up next.
Really, really need to know.
Panic if I don't know.
I smelled a surprise on the horizon.
I started panicking.

Jason, knowing I was nearing a total meltdown,
let me know we were going away for the night.
Panic subsided and I packed a bag.


We headed south and stopped at my favorite restaurant ever.
Kono's in Pacific Beach.
It is worth the drive alone.
There is always a line out the door.
It's that good.
Seriously, it is unacceptable to be in San Diego without eating there.
The best.
I would have been a happy girl if that was my whole surprise.
But it wasn't.
As I was waiting in line, he snuck over to "get a brochure".
He came back with a key.
A place that I have wanted to stay at forever.
Did I mention that it is not really a hotel?
They are cottages. On the pier. Over the ocean.

Janey was our mascot.
In the cottage.
On the pier.
Over the ocean.

While we ate our lunch from Konos,
she sat in her happy Bumbo,
on the pier.
over the ocean.
This is the view.
From the cottage.
On the pier.
Over the ocean.
Those are waves.
From the deck.
Of our cottage.
On the pier.
Over the ocean.
I could live here forever.
With the wood ceilings,
and beachy feel.
If this quilt was turquoise it might have accidently fallen in my bag.
Just saying.
This is the one and only time you will see this curly girl's mess sans flat iron.
Because I was staying in a cottage.
On the pier.
Over the ocean,
and I didn't care.
Janey's all...
"I'm on a table,
at to a cottage,
on a pier,
over the ocean!"
Sunset.
From the deck.
Of the cottage.
On the pier.
Over the ocean.

The End.

Best. Anniversary. Surprise. Ever.


Posted in

45 Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2009 at 6:14 PM

    what a wonderful suprise.. looks amazing

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  2. SusanSeptember 14, 2009 at 6:20 PM

    Wow - we've vacationed just down the beach from there! We walked right by Crystal Pier and the restaurant! Makes me miss it so much more!

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  3. TriciaSeptember 14, 2009 at 6:28 PM

    wow!! I SO wanna go there!! I am SUCH a "water baby". Great Anniversary present!! I'm digging your curly locks, BTW.

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  4. meg duerksenSeptember 14, 2009 at 6:39 PM

    that picture of janey on the table is AWESOME!!
    what a great surprise. :)

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  5. DrewBSeptember 14, 2009 at 7:01 PM

    Every single one of your posts cracks me up! Glad you had so much fun on your cottage on the pier over the ocean. I think I would have had an anxiety attack because I don't like the piers so much.

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  6. emily hopeSeptember 14, 2009 at 7:27 PM

    love, love, LOVE it. how could I have never heard of this place - my husband's a sd native, for cryin out loud! hmmm ... our 10th anniversary's coming up, so I'm thinking this would be a perfect place to spend it. thanks for all the fun peeks into your time there :)

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  7. HeidiSeptember 14, 2009 at 7:41 PM

    wow! what a beautiful surprise!

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  8. mel @ the larson lingoSeptember 14, 2009 at 7:45 PM

    what an awesome surprise!! What a fun place to stay! That is so neat! I want to stay there next time we go to SD!! And, I am LOVING that picture of Janey with the gorgeous sunset in the background! Glad you had a great anniversary!

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  9. Krulls in HaitiSeptember 14, 2009 at 7:46 PM

    Amazing! And by the way, your hair is gorgeous, you may just want a vacation every now and then from the flat iron, you are beautiful with curly hair!

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  10. JennySeptember 14, 2009 at 7:51 PM

    That was an awesome surprise! I like your curly hair.

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  11. Marta @ Haus of GirlsSeptember 14, 2009 at 7:52 PM

    Love it! Your hubby is so sweet! And Janey is TOO cute for words. PS I love your cute hair! You have the best of both worlds. You can wear it curly or straight. Not fair.

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  12. SarahSeptember 14, 2009 at 8:16 PM

    How super fantastic! What a sweet hubby you have :)
    I love that surprise, (I typically hate surprises as well.. I'm a planner.) AND those cottages. on the pier. over the ocean. I could probably stay there forever as well. I love the ocean, the sounds the smell, everything. so jealous.

    And Janey. Always smiling. I can't get enough!

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  13. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2009 at 8:29 PM

    Glad you had a great time!!!! I hate surprises too but my husband always has them for me and I am clueless that it is about to happen, LOL

    The pic of Janey in the yellow dress in mid air was too funny!!!

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  14. Gorby family blogSeptember 14, 2009 at 8:37 PM

    What a great surprise! And a cute baby, too! Question...did you make Janey's pinafore? If so, do you mind telling what pattern you used? I have a pattern that I use but it buttons at the shoulders and I don't really like that. Thanks!

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  15. Heather @ Glitter and GlossSeptember 14, 2009 at 8:59 PM

    What a great surprise!! And, I love your curly hair!! I *wish* I had curly hair! Janey might be just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. Ever.

    PS - I'm passing on an "Honest Scrap" award! http://leilasmom.blogspot.com/

    PPS - Happy Anniversary!

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  16. BecaSeptember 14, 2009 at 9:34 PM

    you are 10 blocks away from me right now...if you're there right now....so cool! I'd love to meet you in person...but i guess that'd be weird since you're celebrating your anniversary! :) i run by the crystal pier every morning...yes i'm one of the crazy runners pushing a double jogger! :) i hope you had/have a blast...we LOVE it here in San Diego!

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  17. Polka Dot MoonSeptember 14, 2009 at 9:38 PM

    What a wonderful hubby and surprise! And the baby. in the bumbo. at the cottage. on the pier. is adorable!!!

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  18. PaigeSeptember 14, 2009 at 9:45 PM

    Ohhhh wow that is one great surprise!!! And seriously your hair is super duper cute curly!! And your daughter is just about the happiest baby I have ever seen! happy anniversary!

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  19. AshleySeptember 14, 2009 at 10:42 PM

    Her bumbo matches the water!

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  20. Carol BSeptember 15, 2009 at 12:10 AM

    aaah so lovely!
    great that the gull was in the sunset pic.
    PS i think your hair is gorgeous.

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  21. EllenSeptember 15, 2009 at 4:53 AM

    Wow! What a beautiful place. Maybe if I keep hinting for the next 5 years, I'll get that for my 11th anniversary.

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  22. Ms. BrightSeptember 15, 2009 at 5:46 AM

    What a wonderful mini-cation!!
    Your pictures are beautiful and your narrating is, as always, great! Janey is one of the most photogenic babies, ever! Great post and here's to many many more happy years for your family!

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  23. Kelly O.September 15, 2009 at 5:52 AM

    wow! that is one sweet surprise!

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  24. CristinSeptember 15, 2009 at 6:06 AM

    I live in Ohio, so you have NO idea how jealous I am of your little trip! Janey obviously had a fabulous time, and her DRESS is to die for! ;-) Just had to say it!
    Your husband is one good man, thats to be sure! Congrats!

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  25. SoSoBellaSeptember 15, 2009 at 6:23 AM

    that is my mom's favorite place. what a great guy jason is. happy anniversary. so happy you were
    in a cottage on the pier over the ocean :O)
    And baby in tow. love it.

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  26. AuroraSeptember 15, 2009 at 6:38 AM

    How FUN! I have ALWAYS wanted to stay there!! I have been going to San Diego every year for my whole life and actually lived there for 4 1/2 years and I have NEVER {gasp!} eating at Kono's! I will have to go when we are there in October!

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  27. LoriSeptember 15, 2009 at 6:39 AM

    That picture of your girl with the sunset is the best! Glad that you had a great time!

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  28. Rach FairchildSeptember 15, 2009 at 6:59 AM

    Wow, I would love that. Glad you had a good anniversary! I will have to tell my sis-in-law about that place, she lives in San Diego.

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  29. TheresaSeptember 15, 2009 at 7:42 AM

    I'm so jealous of your anniversary
    in a cottage
    on a pier
    over the ocean!

    *Lol*

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  30. Beki - TheRustedChainSeptember 15, 2009 at 8:07 AM

    Hmm, so I should probably cancel that huge surprise I was planning for you next weekend...

    I love surprises! And I love San Diego. We have a lot of family there and I'd love to live there.
    In a cottage.
    On a pier.
    Over the ocean.

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  31. KatieSeptember 15, 2009 at 8:12 AM

    Awwwww! What a great husband. :) And a PRECIOUS baby!

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  32. Love Being A NonnySeptember 15, 2009 at 8:13 AM

    What a great post! I too hate surprises...but THIS surprise I could learn to like!! Thanks for sharing the pictures!!

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  33. JingleSeptember 15, 2009 at 9:04 AM

    That sounds wonderful! And your post is to cute! I love the pics with Janie looking all cute and stuff!

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  34. JenSeptember 15, 2009 at 9:09 AM

    Ok, so how is it that I spent my whole live in San Diego county and never knew about that place??? Now I've moved (unwillingly) and I will HAVE to go there when I get to go home. Looks like a dream!

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  35. JessSeptember 15, 2009 at 10:04 AM

    Yay...you were in my neck of the woods! Can you believe I've never been to Kono's? We've been trying to get a trip to Hodad's in but the line is always out the door as well. That's an AWESOME anniversary gift!

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  36. Sonja HoyleSeptember 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    You are such a lucky girl!!! Your pictures are so amazing!! Your daughter brings a huge smile to my face! Not to mention, I am partial to baldy babies (as both of mine were baldy's!)! And the Bumbo is like the best baby invention ever!!! I think your hubby should talk to my hubby and drop a few hints with "what women really want"! LOL!

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  37. Tegan | Celebrate Twelve13September 15, 2009 at 11:20 AM

    Ah San Diego... Pacific Beach... I want to be there now!!!

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  38. MariaSeptember 15, 2009 at 12:04 PM

    Great surprise and I would so love to go there.

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  39. HB, The Impulsive MinimalistSeptember 15, 2009 at 12:18 PM

    Can I just say that I love, Love, LOVE that you took Janey with you!?! Awesome pictures for what sounds like an equally awesome time...Glad you had fun!!!

    -Heather
    www.crafteegyrl.wordpress.com
    www.crafteegyrl.etsy.com

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  40. TashaSeptember 15, 2009 at 4:30 PM

    What an apsolutly fabulous husband. Definatly an awesome surprise!

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  41. PorscheSeptember 15, 2009 at 6:46 PM

    I wanna kiss that cute baby's cheek!

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  42. TeresaSeptember 15, 2009 at 6:46 PM

    For a girl who has no real care to ever leave the East Coast, this makes me want to go all the way to the other ocean! And, it has to be said, that last picture of Janey is SO, SO, SO, SO spectacular. l-o-v-e it!

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  43. CalleLillyCafeSeptember 16, 2009 at 1:09 AM

    Absolutely love those pix. Also would love to stay in that cottage. On the pier. Over the ocean.

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  44. JenniSeptember 16, 2009 at 6:37 AM

    This blog post consisted of just about all my favorite prepositional phrases, ever.

    Jealous! So....very....

    But happy anniversary! And I don't understand why you don't just go with the curls...they look awesome.

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  45. DeniseSeptember 16, 2009 at 7:27 AM

    sweet fun!
    i hide my curly (frizzy) mop too unless i am at the beach where i lose all control over it.

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