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!

Finishing July and the Branson Gang

Finishing up July brought a bunch of house work in order to get my house ready to go on the market and lots of time outside. Being in the outdoors has to be my favorite pastime and Sonic happy hour was a great invention after any of these days. There is a water park in Gardner, a town south of Olathe. There are water slides and a lazy river. I love the water! Below are some good sports who would go with me.  You might recognize Molly, Linda, and Melanie. Linda and her husband have a boat that they are so gracious to take me out week after week. Slaloming is back on the list of favorite water sports!

My Mom and Gail came in town near the end of the month and it was great to have them in town. We got to hand with Molly, Abigail, and Mary Jane. She is getting used to her crazy Aunt Ruth!

Here though is the munchkin who is adored by her real Aunt Ruth! She is a little crazy herself and so adorable!

During Mom and Gail's visit we were able to celebrate Mom's birthday before taking off on a trip to Branson. 

The great Branson trip started at a local winery called Oovvda run by a husband and wife team. We were able to sample the different types of wine they had as well as take a tour. They were so patient and open. We got to see some of the fermentation process. It was a blast! 

That night we went to the musical production of Noah. It was quite a show but Branson is quite a place so it all seemed to fit! There were animals and the building looked like a mansion. The stage wrapped around the auditorium and animals walked down the aisles!

The next day Mom, Gail, and I found a new way to tour the city in a boat that was capable of floating and driving. It was a blast and we had 'quackers' to make plenty of noise. 

In the evening the water from the lake was cool and the air was warm causing steam to rise. It was a beautiful sight. There was a fire and water show that night making a wonderful finale.

The next day was spent on the lake. We rented space on a Catamaran and went to play in the water. There were inflatable climbing toys and a gigantic trampoline. One the way home we stopped at Lambert's and caught some of their rolls:)