July Lately...Everything We've Been Up To

Summer is always SO busy, just constantly go go go!! This summer we started our surrogacy journey again for my sis Ash and her husband Bryant. My embryo transfer was on July 6th, and afterward I was on strict bed rest for a few days while we waited. There’s not a lot to do on bed rest…besides eat…online shop…and of course binge a couple shows on Netflix, hahahaha!!

If you're looking for some of our favorite California hotels, restaurants, and family-friendly vacation spots...I'm sharing everywhere we stayed and ate over the last couple weeks!!

Since I wasn't supposed to be doing much after the transfer, Bryce and I decided to spend some time nearby before we had to get back to work and meet up with the kids. Every summer my parents take them to Pismo Beach for a few days while Bryce and I sneak away together. This year just happened to line up with my transfer, so our trip looked a little different than normal...a lot slower...but honestly it couldn't have worked out better.

Our first stop was Santa Monica, since it was so close to the transfer location. We stayed at Shutters on the Beach. I was pretty much bedbound the whole time, so Bryce kept me stocked with DoorDash and made sure I didn't have to do a dang thing.

I think we ordered everything under the sun, but Hot Dog on a Stick was absolutely necessary!! We also finally tried Din Tai Fung...which I know everyone has been telling us to try forever. Honestly...it was really good. I feel like it probably would've been even better eating it fresh at the restaurant, but everything we tried was good. I'm still not totally sure it lived up to all the hype though...I'll definitely have to try it again - just to be sure!!

After a few days, I finally got the okay to be up and moving around a little more, so we headed down to Newport Beach and checked into Pelican Hill. If you've followed us for a while, you already know this is one of our absolute favorite places to stay. I don't think we'll ever get tired of it. The property is gorgeous, the pools are incredible, and the whole place just feels so peaceful. I swear every time we leave we start talking about when we can come back.

Of course we had to stop at Javier's and order our Mi Casa because if we're in Newport (or nearby)...it's basically a requirement. We also wandered around Fashion Island for a while, which is always such a great place to shop. Somehow we always leave with more bags than we came with.

From there we headed over to Huntington Beach and stayed at Pasea, which is another hotel we always find ourselves coming back to. The location is seriously hard to beat. We loved walking around Pacific City, spending time by the beach, and just continuing to take things slow for a few days. While we were there, we grabbed food at Ola and BJ's too.

Then it was time to switch into work mode...kind of.

We headed up to Capitola for our Kutie Fruity Staykation Kollection photoshoot, and you guys...this place is SO cute. If you've never been, it's this adorable little beach town with the prettiest row of colorful condos right along the water. It honestly looked like something straight out of a movie. We rented one of the colorful condos for the shoot, and it couldn't have been a more perfect backdrop.

The entire day was so much fun. We were shooting content, laughing nonstop, and finally getting to see this collection come to life. Those are always my favorite kinds of work days because they never really feel like work.

We stayed nearby at La Bahia Hotel in Santa Cruz, and it was such a great location. We also rented a couple Airbnbs in Capitola so the rest of our team could stay close by, which made everything so much easier!!

One night we went to Ivéta Downtown for dinner, and it was SO good. After being on our feet all day, a big Italian dinner was exactly what everyone needed…and the garlic butter…gonna need that every day of my life.

Once the shoot wrapped up, it was finally time to meet back up with the kids in Pismo Beach. I seriously think this is my favorite part every year. My parents take them for a few days every summer, and by the time we meet back up they're bursting at the seams to tell us every single thing they did. They have the best time with my parents, and it's become one of our favorite family traditions.

We stayed at The Cliffs, which is always so good to us. We've stayed there several times now, and it never disappoints. The ocean views are beautiful, it's so relaxing, and it's just one of those hotels that feels like home every time we visit.

And obviously...we had to go to Wooly's . If you've been around here for any amount of time, you already know this is my favorite place to get fish and chips. There is seriously nothing like it. I order the exact same thing every single visit, and somehow it's just as good every single time.

From Pismo, we headed over to Paso Robles for the last stop of our little California adventure. We stayed in one of the cottages at Cava Robles while some of our family and friends brought their travel trailers. Everyone parks right next to each other, so it ends up feeling like one big neighborhood for a few days, and the kids absolutely LOVE it.

One day we all spent at Ravine Waterpark, which was such a fun way to cool off. The kids went nonstop from the minute we walked in until we left. Back at Cava Robles, we squeezed in a full pool day too. Their pool is huge, and honestly the kids could probably spend the entire vacation swimming if we let them.

We also had dinner at Su Casa, which is one of our favorite Paso Robles restaurants and always ends up on our list whenever we're there.

Normally we'll plan this trip around the California Mid State Fair and catch a concert or two, but this year we skipped the fair and just enjoyed spending more time together. Honestly...after the emotional few weeks we'd had, slowing down with family felt exactly like what we needed.

Then came the phone call I had been anxiously waiting for.

While we were in Pismo, I went in for my blood draw to see if our embryo transfer had worked. I don't think there's any way to truly prepare yourself for that moment. You spend days hoping, praying, and imagining every possible outcome...and then suddenly you have your answer.

Unfortunately, this transfer wasn't successful.

Sharing that out loud still doesn't feel real.

Walking through this surrogacy journey has already shown me so much about the emotional side of fertility. Before this, I don't know that I fully understood just how much waiting, uncertainty, heartbreak, and hope can all exist at the exact same time. My heart hurts for Ash and Bryant, and for every family who has walked this road.

Infertility affects so many families...far more than most of us probably realize. Behind so many smiling faces are stories of loss, endless appointments, medications, procedures, waiting, disappointment, and heartbreak that often stay completely private. If this journey has taught me anything already, it's to have a little extra compassion because you truly never know what someone else might be carrying.

Right now we're taking some time to process everything, lean on our family, and figure out what the next steps look like for Ash and Bryant. Thank you, guys, for following along with us through every chapter. Your love, prayers, messages, and encouragement have meant so much. Whether you've walked through infertility yourself, are in the middle of your own fertility journey, or have simply been cheering our family on from afar...thank you!! I seriously have the best little community here, and I'm so thankful for every single one of you!!