Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Family Festivities

The first stop on our 2021 California trip was Son Tony's. If you've been reading here for a while you would have expected him to be living in Dallas. (If you've been reading here for a long time you would know he once resided in, Phoenix and Tulsa before that. Give yourself a gold star for persistence.) 

Back in January Son Tony accepted a different position in his company which required a move to California. Daughter in Law Ie comes from a large family that's spread out across the Central Valley area, so I wasn't the least bit surprised that's where they ended up. 

This was the first time for Hubby Tony and I to see their new place. To get there from our starting location Google told us we would be on Auxiliary Interstates 880, 680, and 580 before getting off onto state highways. However, at one point there was a traffic tie up and we were re-routed onto a small, scenic highway that turned into a narrow, winding road over a mountain. But we eventually made it.

Tony and Ie's house is large and spacious, with plenty of room for a growing family. Granddaughter Gee was initially shy, but it didn't take her long to warm up to us. Gee celebrated her first birthday in late May. The last time we saw her in October, Gee was scooting around on the floor but not quite walking. This time she cruised comfortably around the tables and furniture. 

Not quite walking yet, but soon!

Hubby Tony and I had plenty of time to hang out with the kids, and we also got to socialize on two separate occasions with parts of Ie's family. Some of her siblings live a couple of hours away, and when they come together tend to make the most of their time. 

On Saturday there was a birthday party for one of her nieces. Some, but not all of the family was there. The next day her oldest nephew celebrated his Master's program graduation with a party. This time all nine of the siblings were together for the first time in a long time. There were also many relatives from the other side of his family. All in all a huge crowd. We knew a very small percentage of them, but felt welcomed.

Before I knew it, it was time to get back in the car and head off on the next part of our adventure.

13 comments:

  1. A wonderful start to the vacation. Kids grow so fast.

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  2. Did Son Tony have to pay $700,000 for a fixer upper?

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    1. Once you get over the mountains real estate is much less expensive....think really nice house in Crestwood.

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  3. Sounds like you got to experience part of our heat wave! Hope you were able to take in some sights in the Valley while you were here.

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    1. Although the days were hot, it was nothing I wasn't used to. And the temperatures seemed to really drop off as the sun went down (which was a lovely change of pace from my area, where it stays sultry). I wasn't able to do much sightseeing on this trip. Next time, though.

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  4. It's so good you had a great time with your son and family. I find driving long distances so tiring. That's why in the UK we put places closer together.

    God bless.

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    1. I hope to visit your part of the world some day and find out for myself.

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  5. How did I not know you had grandkids? She’s beautiful, and I love that age. It’s so exciting the first time they take wobbly steps without holding on.

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    1. I'm hoping that her parents capture the first steps on video so they can share it with us.

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  6. Your trip is certainly a memory maker. Have fun.

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