Our trip to Cali

We just got back from our first out of state trip with little man to California.  About a month ago, our close friends Chris and Hannah Koch experienced one of the most devastating things a couple can experience...the loss of their unborn child late into their pregnancy.  Precious George Joseph Koch was born sleeping, and is in the arms of Jesus right now. God gives, God takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord... Jake and I have sat back and watched this couple and their families praise God through this hard time and I can tell you pretty confidently, I don't think that I would be able to handle it as beautifully as they have.  I admire them so much, and to everyone around them, there is no doubt their faith is placed in Christ.

I felt the Lord telling us that we needed to pay them a visit. I will admit I was very hesitant to take Landry and originally planned to visit by myself just because I wanted to be sensitive to the situation, but Hannah insisted I bring him, and so we began making plans.  Unfortunately, we weren't able to make it to the funeral, but they had the service recorded and we got to watch it while we were visiting, and it was beautiful, heartbreaking, and pointed to Christ throughout.


Day 1
Here we are at the airport, Landry's first time flying.. He did awesome on the flights!

When we got to San Jose, we rented a car and drove 2 hours to Dos Palos where Chris, Hannah, and Hannah's family were and we got to eat a wonderful meal of Tri-Tip!!!

Day 2

we got to go swimming in Hannah's grandma's pool... We had a blast just relaxing that day with them.

 Jake went with Chris later that day to "help" him coach his water polo practice and me and Landry went with Hannah to run a few errands. We all joined up together with Hannah's family and got to enjoy a fabulous dinner, and then went with Chris and Hannah to their bible study group they are a part of.

Day 3

We went to Fresno for my birthday to spend the last day together having a great time! We went to the zoo!  Here are some photos from our adventures there.

Elephants! 

Giraffes

Love Chris' face here...creepin on the birds!

the birds

Kanga!

This sign cracked me up... the proper ways to feed sharks and stingrays, for those without common sense! 

The guys feeding sharks and stingrays...they really are 2 peas in a pod

Landry woke up in time to see the last couple of exhibits... 

the gang. Love them all!

We then forced the guys to take us shopping ;) and when we got home, we enjoyed some homemade chicken fried steaks and visiting with everyone, exchanging hilarious family stories :)

Day 4
we woke up very early to head home :(.... we had a great trip.  traveled all day and Landry did great again on the flight home.. Here is a pic from the airport on the way home. Sweet boy checking out the airplanes!

It was wonderful seeing our friends, even though the circumstances were not the greatest. I don't have many friends that I have remained extremely close with over the years so I treasure those friendships. Hannah and I have been friends since we met at Hidden Falls Ranch my freshman year in college around 8 years ago and God continues to grow and bless our friendship.