What a trip!

Well, I've drawn in out as long as possible. Two weeks ago today we returned to Texas, so I guess it's time to wrap it up. We got to celebrate Joshua's 6th birthday on the last night of our stay in California. We don't get to spend birthdays with our family, so this was definitely a treat. There was more swimming and more food, homemade chocolate ice cream made the birthday cake taste so much better. Again, I didn't get many pictures, but here are a few.

This birthday celebration came complete with a pinata. This was Ethan's attempt to break it, couldn't quite get it. It was fun to spin the teenagers at the party around and then see them try to knock the heck out of it, only for it to be moved right before they swung! It never gets old!

This picture is a replica of one taken in 2004 on our last long trip to California. I have hard copies of the previous picture, but I could not find it on my computer. I wish everyone could see how much Mark and Jakob have changed in 3 years!

This is a picture of Ethan and Kevin in my dad's toy! He has a replica of a Mercedes-Benz, if I told you what year it was I would be lying, so I won't try. The best part was the horn that is on the panel right in front of the passenger. There are about 10 different choices of songs to play while youa re driving down the road, Ethan had his fun pushing those buttons!

WOW, what a trip. We can't thank our families enough for letting us come and go like a hurricane. We had a blast. My parents were perfect hosts (as always), Charlotte runs her home like a 5 star bed and breakfast whenever we are there. Rod and Julie rearranged their schedule to spend more time with us, we felt so blessed because of that extra time with those girls that we miss so much. Our nieces and nephews put up with me talking about "when they were little" they are still very cute kids, but man, when they were little...! Ross and Connie made us a wonderful dinner that gave us time to sit and relax right in the middle of our crazy vacation. Grandpa and Grandma taught us a new game and spent an evening with us that we will not soon forget, we will have so many things to laugh about for a long time. We also were SO happy that the Swanson's came with us. We always talk about our lives in California, and all the great people we know and the fun things we used to do, now they got to experience a little of it for themselves.

For 10 days we were able to have our WHOLE family in the same place, what a blessing!!!