Category Archives: family

travelogue: los angeles

echo-park-lake-lilies

 

Please pardon the blog + social media silence…we are still in the midst of moving but I’m back with a recap of our time in LA! I’ve never actually done a typical “travelogue” before – I usually prefer to break up our explorations into individual posts. However I feel this approach works best for our CA trip, so here goes nothing. Pardon the length, as I’m covering Los Angeles all in one. Upon arrival (and after a stop at In-N-Out Burger), we checked into our airbnb rental….a modern craftsman in Echo Park. I wasn’t familiar with the neighborhood, but was pleasantly surprised at how family-friendly and welcoming it was – I could totally imagine us living there. Our first outing was to the nearby Echo Park Lake, which enticed us with it’s beautifully groomed landscape, playground, and paddle boats. The kids especially loved the paddling part, of course. Despite the heat, the lack of humidity + predictable sunshine made for a real treat for our entire visit.

 

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cali bound!

toddlers-at-airport

 

The fleurishing family is headed to California! I haven’t had any time to share our plans here, as I’m just now starting to get us packed (#helpme). Things have been just a tad chaotic for us lately, so we’re looking forward to a bit of breather. Of course, traveling with kids (especially toddlers) can only be so much of a breather, but we couldn’t be more excited to take another trip with Henry + Marie. We caught “the bug” bad after our amazing trip to France, which is why we’ve made (and are making) big changes to make more family travel possible. We will be spending time in both LA + SF…and maybe even (ahem), Anaheim! I’ve never been to San Francisco – I’m so thrilled, and can’t wait to share my first Golden Gate sighting + cable car experience with my children. As always, you can follow our adventures via snapchat (@hutchsusan), vine + instagram, and we’re still (and always) accepting family-friendly recommendations for both cities!

an anniversary in paris

anniversarykiss

anniversaryinparis

 

While in Paris, my husband got down on one knee and asked me to marry him…again. As luck would have it, our anniversary (exactly one month and six years ago today) coincided with our trip. I had made reservations at my favorite restaurant, arranged care for the kids with a friend, and imagined us on a romantic midnight stroll along the Seine after enjoying an amazing and memorable dinner. However, between jet lagged toddlers, exhaustion, and not wanting to beg for help, we made the decision to cancel our plans. Our reality was not to be ignored, even in the most romantic city in the world. We chuckled at the stark contrast of it all, compared to the romance and freedom we have known in earlier years. On our anniversary eve, we found ourselves with oven pizza and wine after the kids went to bed. And you know what I realized? Our reality, and our love, is so much richer, deeper, and beautiful, six years later. I live life (and created life) with my best friend. So, in the shadow of Notre Dame, surrounded by our children, I said yes. Again.

many thanks to ashley ludaescher for capturing this unscripted moment!

trois

typography-tattoo

 

This is not a traditional Mother’s Day post. This is the story behind my most recent tattoo. A tattoo that represents many things to me, including my identity, my love story and…my children. The number three (trois, in French) has always been significant in my life, but only became evident to me when I met my husband. Suddenly, it was like the pieces of my own personal puzzle were finally coming together. Fast forward (three) years, and I was pregnant with twins. My body became a sanctuary for two human beings to grow and thrive in. Three of us, as one. While we no longer share my body, my beautiful children, Henry et Marie, will always be a part of me, until the day I die. I still have a hard time comprehending the concept, the reality, the gift–three years later. Yes…as luck? would have it, this happens to be my third Mother’s Day.

happy mother’s day

calligraphy by neither snow | inked by mike ski | photography by ashley ludaescher