1 post tagged “friends”
We drove for our Christmas vacation from Phoenix to the San Francisco Bay area, then to Portland for a few days, up to Seattle, and then made the trek back home. 2 adults, a 16 year old, an 8 year old and a 4 (no Mom! I'm 4-1/2 now!) year old, as well as 2 large dogs made for a very packed Eurovan. While Jeff and I put on a brave face about the drive, we were secretly dreading the trip. I was so pleased and surprised that not only was it a tolerable drive, it was even enjoyable.
The kids spent a lot of time like this:
They also colored, read books and played Electronic Battleship. Lindsay slept, listened to her iPod, and read trashy novels as a 16 year old will do. We looked for happy cows on hillsides, we watched way too many movies, we commented on the terrible driving habits of others (because we are perfect drivers! Perfect!) we talked about life. We all enjoyed each other's company. At a time in our lives when every child is in a different school and we all go in so many directions, it was a real gift to just be together in the car.
Our first stop was at Uncle Jay's house in Fremont, CA. We loved hanging out with this little guy. The kids were so happy to see their cousin.
We ate pizza and talked and watched Nacho Libre (again). Little Casey watched our dogs play in the back yard. My kids found their inner toddlers and had a great time playing with the noisy baby toys. Got up the next morning and hit the road for Portland.
We have always had a firm policy about spending Christmas at home. We made an exception this year for a very special person. Grandma Mavis. My grandma spent Christmas Eve with her 3 children, her 5 grandchildren, and her 5 great-grandchildren, as well as the assorted spouses. Great-grandchild number 6 was still baking in the oven, so he missed the big day (edited to clarify: my cousin Christine is the happy mommy to number 6, aka Drew, born on January 10. Not me). I was so happy to break the rules to give that gift to my grandmother and to all of us. That day is one that we'll always treasure. Here's Lindsay with her great-grandma.
Santa did manage to find us at Grandpa's house. The kids were delighted. We scratched our heads wondering how we'd get everything home.
From Portland, we made our way to Seattle in the stormiest, nastiest, LONGEST drive between those two cities that I have ever experienced. 5 hours? It was awful. But we were thrilled to get there and see all of our friends and family. The highlights?
The big super-secret surprise part of the trip was a 40th wedding
anniversary party for Jeff's parents. We plotted and we planned and we
pulled it off. The worst part was the night before when only 3 families
came to the open house that they held for everyone to come and see us.
Terry was so sad and disappointed and was putting on such a brave face.
We felt soooo guilty but kept telling ourselves that it would all be
okay the next day when this happened (see stage left). They walked into the banquet room at Maggiano's and Terry burst into tears. 40 of their closest friends and family were there to celebrate their 40 years of marriage. And they had No Idea. Thanks to everyone who kept their big mouths shut so this could be a proper surprise!
Paul and Terry - your marriage is a real testament to the power of being friends, loving each other, and forgiving each other day after day. You set a powerful example for the rest of us.
We went back to Portland the next day for a rousing night of Pink Martini with my dad and Donna. Carol Channing was the surprise opening act, which made the night even more amazing. She's 85 years old and still shakin' it. Thanks Dad!
Back to Fremont for a good night's sleep and an early morning start to Phoenix.
Home to sunshine and our own space. Our own beds. Whew!
Would I do it again? Yes. But not for a while.
Our first stop was at Uncle Jay's house in Fremont, CA. We loved hanging out with this little guy. The kids were so happy to see their cousin.
We have always had a firm policy about spending Christmas at home. We made an exception this year for a very special person. Grandma Mavis. My grandma spent Christmas Eve with her 3 children, her 5 grandchildren, and her 5 great-grandchildren, as well as the assorted spouses. Great-grandchild number 6 was still baking in the oven, so he missed the big day (edited to clarify: my cousin Christine is the happy mommy to number 6, aka Drew, born on January 10. Not me). I was so happy to break the rules to give that gift to my grandmother and to all of us. That day is one that we'll always treasure. Here's Lindsay with her great-grandma.
Santa did manage to find us at Grandpa's house. The kids were delighted. We scratched our heads wondering how we'd get everything home.
- Unwinding every evening with Jeanne and Rob. Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! for taking all of us in.
- Seeing Sarah and the boys. Sarah gave me the yummiest handspun yarn. The kids were so delighted to see each other. It's amazing that 4 year olds will remember each other after a year and just hug and run off and play.
- Meeting Shane. Andrea and Max, you have the loveliest baby. Sorry Annika dropped him...
- Jeff & Sandi's Christmas lights. They never fail to blow our minds. Sorry no photos - I was too overcome to take them.
- Seeing the old neighborhood friends. Playing with baby Drew, drinking wine with Jeff & Eric, hanging out with Sallyn in her drywall and heat-free home. I expect some walls next time!
- A wonderful evening and meal with my mom and Papa Don
- Spending time with the rest of the Jackson clan
Paul and Terry - your marriage is a real testament to the power of being friends, loving each other, and forgiving each other day after day. You set a powerful example for the rest of us.
We went back to Portland the next day for a rousing night of Pink Martini with my dad and Donna. Carol Channing was the surprise opening act, which made the night even more amazing. She's 85 years old and still shakin' it. Thanks Dad!
Back to Fremont for a good night's sleep and an early morning start to Phoenix.
Home to sunshine and our own space. Our own beds. Whew!
Would I do it again? Yes. But not for a while.
