Memories

After spending New Year's Eve at a party with friends, we borrowed Gunner for a hike in the Berkeley hills. The is one of our first photographs together, and from there, the photos didn't stop.

About a month and a half into our relationship, we went on a weekend getaway to Mendocino.

The day after we got back from Mendocino, Jen fell off a horse and badly broke her wrist. Patrick left work early to meet her at the hospital.

Matching shoes on our first flight together in February 2020! On our way to meet Jen's sister in San Diego.

Patrick thinking, "I could get used to this" as we drove through San Diego with the top down on the convertible.

Enjoying the sunset on Pacific Beach.

Goofing around in Balboa Park.

Jen's family has been going to Miguel's restaurant on Coronado for as long as Jen can remember. Katherine, Neil, Patrick, and Jen continued the tradition.

Moving into the new apartment in Dublin! Little did Patrick know, this would be the only day he was the sole lease-holder.

Sharing Jen's love of horses with Patrick.

In April of 2020, Patrick got another call. Jen lost her balance and tried to land on her feet, but snapped her ankle in the process. Patrick picked her up from the barn and wheeled her into the ER.

Keeping ourselves entertained in early-Covid days. We each styled the other's hair.

Patrick tricked out Jen's scooter with a unicorn head and tassels. It also included a cup holder and cellphone mount.

Roadtripped back down to San Diego to surprise Jen's parents who were visiting Katherine and Neil. We celebrated Patrick and Diane's birthdays that weekend.

Enjoying Putterball in the San Diego sun.

The Platon boys playing pickleball in the cul-de-sac.

Patrick enlisted Brian's help to create a custom desk for the living room, since there was no end in sight to the pandemic!

Patrick built and planted a beautiful planter for the patio. We grew tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, basil, cilantro, and sage.

Our first trip to Yosemite together! We were unable to hike due to Jen's broken ankle, but we scooted around the valley floor and took in the views by car!

A broken ankle didn't stop Jen from trying to scramble up some rocks.

The finished product! Working from home isn't so bad!

One of Diane's friends took us on a boat ride during a weekend stay in Lake Tahoe!

Jen and Patrick perfected the art of paint pouring during lockdown. Katherine and Neil wanted to get in on the fun!

We returned to Yosemite once Jen could walk again. We spent 4 days camping in Yosemite and Big Trees State Park for Jen's birthday.

We hiked the perimeter of Lake Tenaya then relaxed on the beach with some PB&Js.

The size of the Sequoias was incredible. Here is Patrick with the roots of a downed tree.

Our campsite in Big Trees!

Hiking the hill across the street from the apartment. It was a lot harder than it looks!

Jen may look like she is having a peaceful moment in nature, but after her ankle injury, her endurance was way down and needed to stop and catch her breath along the way.

Taking a short trip to Berkeley to do some outdoor rock climbing!

Getting our first Christmas tree together!

Jen was able to teach Luke his first horseback riding lesson with special help from Keely and Pumpkin! Jen had started a new job as an Administrative Assistant, and it felt good to teach again!

After both moving to remote work, we upgraded to a 2-bedroom apartment in the same complex. This apartment will always hold a special place in our hearts!

The best Santa around!! (It's Patrick).

Enjoying unseasonably warm weather for a hike in Sunol.

Ringing in 2021 with a homemade cheese fondue.

January 17, 2021, Avery was born. Jen was able to meet her after she came home from the hospital. Being an Auntie is Jen's favorite thing!

Patrick turned it up for Valentine's Day and made a ratatouille a tian with a goat cheese polenta base!

Borrowing Katherine and Neil's family for a walk around the neighborhood.

The matching Road Trip shirts come out again. One of our traditions is to stop for In N Out Animal Fries along the way.

We went down to visit baby Avery in March of 2021. Patrick and Avery had many naps together over the course of the next year!

We took a ferry to Angel Island in May. The views of the city, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz were incredible!

Having fun in the photo booth at Meghan and Brandon's wedding!

Dancing the night away!

We call this one 'Modern American Gothic.'

Visiting the Platons in Dallas after Jeff and Dina left Danville. We celebrated Patrick's 30th birthday.

Dancing to the live music at The Rustic!

Making homemade ice cream with Luke to beat the Texas heat.

Double date with Chase and Lisa!

There are no rules in Mother/Son games of Ping Pong.

A quick dip in the pool before heading back to California.

Annual white water rafting on the American River!

Camping in Lotus for the rafting trip.

Patrick bought himself a project car! 1987 Pontiac Fiero.

One last trip to Yosemite before moving away.

The views from Sentinel Dome were spectacular!

10/10 recommend visiting Yosemite at least once.

Tai supporting Dad at his new job!

"Hanging" out with our climbing crew one last time before moving away!

The night before moving day, we stayed up till midnight cleaning the apartment!

Jen is pretty proud of herself for backing the Fiero onto the U-Haul trailer.

Patrick drove the U-Haul while Jen loaded up the SUV and the cat. Tai wouldn't stop screaming for the first few hours of the trip.

Made it to San Diego!

Jen beat Patrick by about 15 minutes. She waited for Patrick so they could pull up to the house together.

Move in pizza in the sunroom.

We got right to work remodeling the kitchen!

We met up with friends from the Bay Area for pizza on the beach.

Katherine and Neil were in town for Jen's birthday. We went for a dinner cruise in the San Diego Bay!

Celebrating Andrew and Sam's engagement in Dallas!

Uncle Patrick's first diaper change! Avery was a patient participant.

Sleepover Squad! Avery' first full night away from Mom and Dad!

In October 2021, we went to Joshua Tree. Our first stop was the Joshua Tree Tavern for some dinner and crib. Our cribbage board has come with us on all our camping and road trips.

The next day we woke up to watch the sunrise over the desert.

Patrick snuck this picture while on a hike hours before he proposed.

We hiked up to an decommissioned mine. The views were unlike any other!

Patrick relaxing in the cowboy tub.

While Jen was getting dressed for "sunset photos," Patrick set up for the proposal.

Patrick picked the perfect spot to pop the question!

The happiest moment.

Patrick picked out Jen's dream ring and used one of his mom's diamonds as the center stone. It's beautiful!

Patrick came prepared with gifts from the family. Personalized "She said yes!" champagne flutes from Jeff and Dina, and a Mrs. Platon ring dish from Chase and Lisa!

The next day was spent basking in that engaged glow throughout the National Park.

The weekend after the engagement, Patrick suprised Jen with both sides of the family coming to San Diego to celebrate! It was such a heart filling weekend to have the families come together.

So grateful the girls were there when Jen said yes to the dress!

Making friends.

Enjoying the view. (Pssst, you might recognize this view on September 16).

Don't forget to snap a photo at the swing at Sacred Mountain Julian!

Taking advantage of being so close to Disneyland!

The feature churros were appropriately titled "Bride" and "Groom." Ears were custom made by Jen's friend Meghan!

Day 2 of the Disneyland trip--this time, California Adventure! (Ears again made by Meghan).

Patrick couldn't wait to hang Christmas lights on an actual house!

Keeping the tradition of a live tree!

Patrick's first taste of the Winnipeg cold.

Double Christmas! After spending the days leading up to Christmas in Winnipeg with Jen's family, we flew to Dallas to spend a few days with Patrick's family! Platon tradition dictates matching PJs.

Trying on Dina’s wedding dress from 1987.

Puppy heaven!

This face melted our hearts. Meet Rowdy.

Puppy is growing fast! We think we are going to have a BIG dog on our hands!

In the square of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico after a delicious dinner!