California Trip

Hi all,
I've been out of commission with blogging for over two weeks now. We went on vacation to Nicia & Joe's over the school fall break from the 15th-22nd and had an absolutely fantastic time! I haven't been able to get to my pictures, which has been so frustrating, so I've been waiting to blog. But it may be awhile before I get pictures up (left cameras at Dave's parents' house and some pics are on a different hard drive - long story). For now, please see Nicia's blog for pictures! We had a lot of snags on our trip down, making the drive 17 hours (should have been around 12!), but there were good things too, like having lunch with our dear friends, the Nissons, in St. George, and eating Tommy's hamburgers in Barstow. Yum! Emily is such a trooper on the road. Singing and playing travel games with us, reading, working in an activities book, taking a nap, and generally keeping pretty well content.

Alyssa was just the star of the show the whole time - absolutely adorable! Since we skype with them every week, I think Alyssa recognized us pretty well, because she was so good about coming to us when we got there, even though it was really late. I forgot how comforting it is to have a baby snuggle up to you! Aunt Emily loved playing with Alyssa too (we have the cutest picture of them laying on the beach visiting together), and Alyssa's Grandma and Grandpa - well we just enjoyed every minute with everyone!! Joe & Nicia have a darling place there in Santa Maria, and the weather couldn't have been better. I'm a beach fan from my growing up days, so I was right at home with all our trips to the beach. A little colder than southern Ca, but still just as beautiful.

From playing Ticket to Ride & Farkle, to beach trips & searching for sand dollars, to going for walks, shopping (I found some darling outfits for Alyssa!), visiting, geocaching (this is such a fun and cool thing to do), and eating the yummiest food (thanks to Nicia we ate lasagna, apple pie, and chocolate molten lava cake - all homemade!) It was all just wonderful!!

On the way home, we stopped to see Dave's Dad & stepmom (near L.A.) It was good to visit with them. We met them in Granada Hills, the town where Dave went to high school. We got videos of them in front of their houses and church, telling memories. Those are going to be some priceless videos!

It was really a joy to spend time with everyone. Truly, family is what life is all about. Thank you again, Joe & Nicia, for helping to make the week such a great memory for us!! We love you!