* The Big Trees in Big Basin
A great day trip with Ashley, Chris, Jax, Raegan and Chris' parents, who came to meet Raegan and attend Google's "Take Your Parents to Work Day" with Chris, took us to the big trees -- the majestic redwoods.
It was a spectacular drive and wander through the mammoth trees; some are estimated to be between 1,000 and 2,000 years old! One, "The Father of the Forest" is 250 feet high with a trunk diameter of 16 feet, 9 inches! "Mother of the Forest" is 280 feet tall (was 329, but the top snapped off in a storm); some others now are up to 328 feet tall. They're stunning and it's such a peaceful and inspiring place to walk.
We strolled the paths through those wooden giants, took a short wander to the beach by the Santa Cruz Boardwalk (where we used to take Ashley when she was a toddler), and ate at a favorite haunt -- Pizza My Heart. What a wonderful way to spend the day together and enjoy parent/grandparent time with Marlys and Jim, as well!
* Happy Hollow
It was a spectacular drive and wander through the mammoth trees; some are estimated to be between 1,000 and 2,000 years old! One, "The Father of the Forest" is 250 feet high with a trunk diameter of 16 feet, 9 inches! "Mother of the Forest" is 280 feet tall (was 329, but the top snapped off in a storm); some others now are up to 328 feet tall. They're stunning and it's such a peaceful and inspiring place to walk.
We strolled the paths through those wooden giants, took a short wander to the beach by the Santa Cruz Boardwalk (where we used to take Ashley when she was a toddler), and ate at a favorite haunt -- Pizza My Heart. What a wonderful way to spend the day together and enjoy parent/grandparent time with Marlys and Jim, as well!
* Happy Hollow
Can't even tell you how fun and wild it was to return to this neat park/zoo/animal petting farm I used to take our kids to with my grown-up "kid", Ashley, and her kids! Passing it along the generations! What fun we had playing, finding the animals and just sharing the adventure -- and it was a beautiful day! Jax ran and climbed, pushed buttons, laughed at monkeys, sized up the jaguar, and can't wait to go back. Raegan slept happily in the front pack the whole time.
* Raegan's Blessing
* Raegan's Blessing
It was fabulous to be there for the very special ordinance of Raegan's blessing at church. She looked angelic and it was especially meaningful that she wore the same dress Ashley wore when she was blessed -- made from fabric from my wedding dress. Mike came from London & Justin, Elise, Tyler and Chris' brother, Ryan, flew in from Utah to share in this sweet milestone event. California family of JaNean, Jeff, Josephine, Brian & Dagen and dear friend, Nina, joined us, too. Chris pronounced a beautiful blessing on Raegan. Thrilling to see my "guys" -- Mike, Justin, Tyler and Chris cradling her in the priesthood circle and surrounding her with support and love.
A wonderful bagel bar breakfast awaited at Ash and Chris' house following the service. Such special family times.
* San Jose Shark's Home Opener Hockey Game
A wonderful bagel bar breakfast awaited at Ash and Chris' house following the service. Such special family times.
* San Jose Shark's Home Opener Hockey Game
From their beginning in San Jose, we've been at games and stood by our San Jose hockey team -- even when they're lousy! In fact, we're such Sharks fans, we've road tripped it and cheered loud and proud as some of the only fans at other home arenas and stayed up 'til all hours (1 a.m., 2 a.m. or later when the games go into overtime or a shootout ending) to watch them on TV in our time zone. Yeah, crazy!
So, when we got a chance to go to the 25th year home opener on home ice at the SAP Center with our whole bunch, we seized it! We broke out the teal and black and cheered them on to a victory against the Ducks. It was Jackson and Raegan's first hockey game and now they're fans, too! Noise cancelling head phones for Jax and ear plugs for Raegan kept their ears happy and we all had a blast!
* Misc. Family Fun
Being together is the best -- no matter what we're doin'!
* Friend Fests
It's always terrific to get together with treasured long-time friends when I visit California, too! We've all known each other since our oldest children were tiny and we've been through it all together -- highs, lows, worries, joys. They are each lovely ladies and have been such a strength and happiness in my life. XOX
* And the wrap-up for now . . .
Hugs and lots of tears as I leave them for now. Thankful for this time together and the love we share. Looking forward to being in one place again soon!
Funny things I want to remember about Mimi's grandkids:
Jax loved his blue suckers, puzzles, having everything taped together to form looooooooong "poles" he can pull around, swinging, trains, "Nems" (M&Ms), inexplicably giving me a container of pumpkin pie spice every time he was at GG's (Mike's Mom) house and his plane, Dusty (which he gave me when I left to keep for him. Yeah, I cried harder!).
Sweet, mellow Raegan was becoming a wonderful sleeper, loved snuggling and being held, was a terrific and quick eater, started to track and watch things, and was beginning to coo. She adored kicking her feet, wasn't a fan of her car seat, has such a happy temperament and is too adorable for words.
So, when we got a chance to go to the 25th year home opener on home ice at the SAP Center with our whole bunch, we seized it! We broke out the teal and black and cheered them on to a victory against the Ducks. It was Jackson and Raegan's first hockey game and now they're fans, too! Noise cancelling head phones for Jax and ear plugs for Raegan kept their ears happy and we all had a blast!
* Misc. Family Fun
Being together is the best -- no matter what we're doin'!
* Friend Fests
It's always terrific to get together with treasured long-time friends when I visit California, too! We've all known each other since our oldest children were tiny and we've been through it all together -- highs, lows, worries, joys. They are each lovely ladies and have been such a strength and happiness in my life. XOX
* And the wrap-up for now . . .
Hugs and lots of tears as I leave them for now. Thankful for this time together and the love we share. Looking forward to being in one place again soon!
Funny things I want to remember about Mimi's grandkids:
Jax loved his blue suckers, puzzles, having everything taped together to form looooooooong "poles" he can pull around, swinging, trains, "Nems" (M&Ms), inexplicably giving me a container of pumpkin pie spice every time he was at GG's (Mike's Mom) house and his plane, Dusty (which he gave me when I left to keep for him. Yeah, I cried harder!).
Sweet, mellow Raegan was becoming a wonderful sleeper, loved snuggling and being held, was a terrific and quick eater, started to track and watch things, and was beginning to coo. She adored kicking her feet, wasn't a fan of her car seat, has such a happy temperament and is too adorable for words.
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