Sun, Sand, and Family

September brought the beginnings of travel. On the 18th I headed out to California to spend two weeks with my family. Gail was accepted to UC Davis and this was a chance to get to see the beginnings of her life there. We took family photos before she left with all 4 generations and those are what I started these pictures off with.

Here is the college girl and Abigail who we adore! She knows all of our names, knows what she wants and loves to be tickled by her Aunts who pretend like they are the infamous 'Crusher'. We love to make Abigail laugh:)

The 'Crusher' in action!!

Since Will died I feel as though I am a bit back in the family that I grew up in, different last name, different person in some ways, widowed now, but back in the flock in a sense. We decided to take a few pictures of the 4 of us and below are some of  what we got! 

We spent the Sunday before Gail moved into college at my sister's church. Below is my sweet niece. She looks cute in he Sunday dress and cute teaching the raccoons how to go to the potty like she was learning. 

Here are the three sisters before we made the trek to drop Gail off at college. The next step for her new 'American' adult life. 

University of California in Davis (UC Davis) is in a town called Davis near Sacramento. The sky is nearly always blue and the grass green due to irrigation. Gail's dorm is a remodeled motel with a middle courtyard equipped with laundry, computer rooms, and of course the college essential - a hot tub and pool! Blow are just some assorted family photos of our campus invasion. Even the grandparents came on one trip making it really a special time! 

Below is our family and the Jessica's (Gail's roommate) family. They are town nearby Lynn and although Gail and Jessica are very different (ex. Jess is not into sports) she has been a great roommate for Gail and a sweet friend. 

Gail and Jess are below. They share a bedroom and a sink with each other and a bathroom and living room with two other girls. Davis is a very culturally diverse college making Gail feel right at home! We lofted Gail's bed to let her have more room. None of us could believe we were actually moving the baby into college!

Abigail playing in the pool. She thinks college is great!

We had lunch at an Indian/Nepali place. We all enjoyed the curries and lots of good spices.

My Grandma had her 84th birthday while we were visiting! Lynn came in and we went out for lunch with a wonderful family friend, Kathy Dean, who brought her 1940s car named Milly to transport us to lunch. It was a beautiful day in CA to ride with the top down and just celebrate my Grandma's life. 

Of course there was plenty of chocolate cake for lunch....

.......and dinner!!!

This is what my dad calls a Will picture ~ taken with one person's arm stretched out. He never understood how Will could take such good photos with one arm:) 

Another highlight of the trip was getting to spend a day in the city with Marcelle. There were beautiful sunsets and just a gorgeous day to lay in the park, eat sour frozen yogurt, and talk about life. 

We ended up at the beach across from where we used to live and just enjoyed the view and each other. I really had a fantastic day getting to be with my cousin. I am thankful for my family.

After Gail was moved in I kind of enjoyed being the only kid for little bit. Mom, Dad, I spent time just messing around Novato where my grandparents live eating breakfast and spending time around the house. 

We took the ferry into the city and just acted like tourists all day. We started off a Fisherman's Wharf eating clam chowder in sourdough bowls and then headed off to Lombard street to walk up the most crooked street in the USA.

It was another beautiful day full of sunshine and lots of walking which my dad was a good sport about. We enjoyed some treats at Ghiradelli Square and then kept on walking:0 

We ate some delicious sushi in the city and established that I really am a pescatarian vs a vegetarian. 

After two weeks in San Fran it was time to head back to Kansas City for a week of work before heading to have some more family time. 

Putting and Skiing

After returning from Branson our good friend from Nashville Emily Ann came in to play in our Willis P memorial golf tournament. It was a hot day, a really hot day but tons of fun. Molly and Adam came out with all the Renos and friends. Mom, Gail, Emily Ann, and I were on a team and we were terrible but it didn't matter because it was a great day to be outside and to be together!

Look at that swing!

Did I say that it was hot!

The next day a good friend at work had a baby girl named Emma June. She is absolutely beautiful and healthy. Her big brother Riley is a proud sibling!

That afternoon was my 26th birthday and everyone came to the Gardner water park to celebrate. We had dinner and played which made for a great birthday. I of course wish Will was here to celebrate with us. Some of the sweet girls game me a rock star 'build-a-bear' complete with gold shoes and embroidered jeans. 

That Sunday was spent on the lake reminding Gail, Emily Ann, and Mom how to ski. Below is the crew at the Miller's lake home. 

Mom and Gail were here for almost two weeks and it was a blast. Shortly after they left I had an intruder in the garage who was not scared of me at all. The neighbors got involved and we chased him into the engine of Will's truck. We had to put the truck in neutral and back it out of the garage. Still we could not get the pesky possum out so my next door neighbor was kind enough to scoop him up with a snow shovel and throw the possum into the lawn. I was glad to see him go!

One morning I was watering the plants and there were three of these in the backyard. What a beautiful sight to wake up to! August quickly floated into September and before I knew it fall was on its way, my house is on the market, and I am in California to visit the folks!