The Days Before the Memorial

We got home on Monday night and I've spent the last couple of days unpacking and doing laundry. It was a whirlwind trip and there were a lot of emotions packed into those few days. 

We flew out of Seattle on May 4th and got to the Airbnb around 2:30 in the afternoon. We drove out east and had dinner with my sister, one of her sons and his family. I realized driving back that I didn't get one single picture. 

Everyone else got in on Thursday and we made 3 trips back and forth to the airport before everyone was finally at the house. We've stayed in a lot of hotels over the years plus our timeshare, but there's nothing like coming 'home' at the end of the day.

Our home away from home last week:

 The sun room, master bedroom, and backyard:

My sister Kathy LOVED hummingbirds and this was hanging in the kitchen window. I sent a picture to Deb. It really made me smile every time I looked at it.

Sharaya and Ally wanted to go swimming when they arrived so the rest of us went out to the Ocean Beach Pier. Kathy and I spent some time here a few years ago, just the two of us. When I realized it was possible for me to go again I got so emotional. It was good to re-live that memory. But I had forgotten what a long walk it was to the cafe at the end of the pier!

On Friday we headed to the Los Angeles area to see where Chuck's mom and dad are buried. His dad died in 1961 and his mom died just last year. It took us a while but finally Peter found where they were located. We also found his grandparents and his dads twin sister, who died as a baby.

It was still early afternoon when we left there so we decided to stop at Downtown Disney. Have you ever been there? It's just an outdoor shopping center, but all Disney. And it's free to get in. Shops and restaurants, photo ops... you don't see a whole lot of young families, usually it's the older crowd who wants the Disney magic without the cost and motion sickness from the rides. 😄

We headed 'home' after that and relaxed a little. Played cards. I finished the posters and we all got stuff ready for the next day.

Just Wanna...

...wish all you moms a very Happy Mothers Day!

Me and my mom.

This was taken the day she moved from Washington, back to San Diego.

Sometime around April 1998 I think.

She passed away in 2005.

 

 This is Chuck and his mom.

Taken at Ryan and Sharaya's Wedding.

July 2008.

 

Me and my girls.

April 2013.

Tigger and Eeyore

Diana and I went shopping with Beth and Allison yesterday. It was like shopping with Eeyore and Tigger. Together. At the same time. One was steady, methodical and slow and the other was literally jumping and bouncing all over the place!! Can you guess which was which?!

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Between Diana's 21st birthday, Christmas, and not being able to use our kitchen sink for a few days, this has been such a busy week.

Christmas was great as usual. We shopped at decorated malls and took family photos. The day itself brought lots of laughter, gifts and too much food!

Bellevue Square. This tree was three stories tall! 

The Disney Store had a mini castle with a magic mirror inside!

 

On Christmas Eve Ryan and Sharaya came to our house so Allie could open one present.

New Christmas jammies!

 

Sugar got a new toy for Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

The aftermath. When it was all over, we watched A Christmas Carol.

 

The reason for the season: Baby Jesus

 

When we first put up our tree, I set this empty basket under it. Then miraculously on Christmas morning, Baby Jesus is born! We started this tradition when our girls were little and I absolutely love the fact that it's lasted long enough for the next generation! This made me happier than almost anything else that day.

Do you have traditions that have lasted at your house?