Monday, August 3, 2009

Raubel Reunion 2009

What seems like just a few years ago (in 1998), I graduated from High School. I moved to Utah to go to BYU. My sophomore year, I went on a little study abroad to the Dominican Republic. I'm pretty sure one of the reasons I was destined to go there was to meet Rachel and Aubrey who were also in the program. (Of course the reason wouldn't be to actually learn Spanish...pssssh...that's what college was for). I HAD to meet these girls. When we got home, I lived with Aubrey and Rachel and their other friend who would also become one of my best friends, Eleisha. And thus was the beginning of RAUBEL (Robyn, Rachel, Aubrey, and Eleisha...four names in one! Get it? Dorky? Fine.)

I must still like these girls, because THREE years ago, we chose to have a little reunion over the weekend of my 26th birthday. Two of us had teeny, nursing babies, but we didn't want to miss out on the fun. So we brought them along. We celebrated, and I left even more sleep deprived than when I'd arrived. This year, over the weekend of my 29th birthday, we had another reunion...this time in Vegas. And my present to myself was to LEAVE my children home! I couldn't miss out...friends like these are hard to come by. A weekend away with these girls was just what I needed!

We ate. We shopped. We laughed.

We ate some more, and laughed some more. (What's on your shirt, Rach?)


We sweat. We swam. (And no, Michael, I didn't come home with a spotted tan, thank you very much!)

We saw the latest Cirque du Soleil show, The Beatles LOVE show. We loved it!

Did I mention that we ate? My new favorite chips and salsa are in Vegas...at the Isla Mexican Kitchen at Treasure Island. My favorite birthday dessert continues to be at the Cheesecake Factory. We were even good girls, and went to church...only to find out that it was the Spanish branch! Fitting, since Spanish is sort of what brought us together in the first place. (Even Eleisha, although she doesn't speak it! Her and I wouldn't be friends if I didn't!)

Rachel is getting ready to move her little family to Australia. Here's hoping that our next reunion is somewhere down under!

Problem is, I may never again be able to bribe anyone to watch my kids. While we were gone, my sweet mother-in-law and hopefully-still-friend, Kandis watched my kids while Joe worked.

Kandis made it look like she had a fun day by taking these pictures in our backyard:

But what you don't see is that Avery actually threw up all day long, and Parker decided that he didn't want to poop in the potty anymore. Kandis is going straight to heaven!

Joe's weekend wasn't much better. So thanks to RAUBEL, Mom G., Kandis, and especially my amazing husband Joe for giving me the best birthday present ever...time for ME!

And after one day back...I'm ready for another vacation! (I know, poor me...)

Let's do it again soon, girls!

16 comments:

stacy said...

that is the BEST b-day gift. it has been WAY too long since i have had a girls weekend and i am WAAAAY overdue. happy birthday and i'm so glad you had a great time. :)

Z said...

How will my $10.00 gift card for my wife's birthday ever compare now?

Todavia hablas Espanol, o esto se fue por la ventana?

Your cousin,

Kel

Art and Evelyn said...

You are one super lucky girl! I'm thinking I need an all girl vacation! All my roommates are having babies... what's a girl to do??! Happy birthday again!

Michael said...

I'm a little jealous, especially of the chips and salsa. I need them.

Also, the picture of your sepia tone legs makes them look like cadaver legs or something. JK...kinda.

Annakaisa said...

Oh, it looks like SO much fun!! I'm totally jealous that you got to have a "child free weekend".
I know I'm always about the hair... but those first pictures and your blond long hair. I just can't get over it, probably because that's the Robyn I met in Finland years ago. :)
The food looks so good! Cute pictures!

Lyenna Kemp said...

So fun! I want a vacation without kids. I don't even know what that's like. I will though, Oh yes if I have to paint on the walls, "Lyenna wants a vacation without kids for her birthday" it's gonna happen.

esherman10 said...

It was fun, wasn't it? I'm so glad we could all get together before Rachel leaves...and thanks for documenting all of the fun with pictures. (Except for all of the ones that I don't look so great in...I could have done without those.) :) I miss you guys already!

Christie said...

I like how you black-and-whited the ones of your feet at the pool. Afraid to let us see the white legs Michael's talking about? :-)

Glad you had a weekend away. Looks fabulous.

Erin said...

Looks like an awesome weekend. I'm so glad you had so much fun. Sorry to hear Avery was sick. Guess you would never know by looking at all the pictures of her smiling! How did she do it?

Happy 29th...only one year left in your 20s. Make it count.

Niki said...

What a GREAT weekend!! I am glad you got away and had some time for yourself. Love the hair, too, by the way! You look like a super model! I hope when my daughter grows up, she has such great friends that still get together for girls weekends. It's important!

Kelly and Megan said...

Looks like a fabulous time! You make us all jealous (well at least me!) I look forward to a trip like that someday!

Aly said...

Robyn! How on Earth did I forget to call you on your birthday this year??? I am a terrible TERRIBLE friend!!

You look so GORGEOUS! HOLY SMOKES GIRL! Glad to hear that you had such an amazing time--you deserve it. It has been way too long and both of your children have grown a whole foot.

See ya Saturday!!

Deanie said...

It doesn't get any better than a birthday weekend with girl friends and no kids, good for you! So great to see all of you guys and Aly is right, you and Kimberly looked fabulous at the wedding.

Sarah Beck said...

Looks like fun girls! Sorry I missed it. I guarantee you our swimming adventures in Canada didn't look like yours in Vegas! You all look great!

Aubrey said...

I LOVE raubel-every single second of it. Can't wait to get planning the next raubel reunion.

pzierse said...

Happy 29th, Glad you had time to yourself. It is good to do once in a while. We all need to recharge our batteries. Love ya