Quick California Trip

We got an invitation to go to Corey’s paternal grandmother’s 80th birthday party.  We (meaning “I”) decided it would be good to go, for a few reasons.  First of all, the kids aren’t going to have all that many years left to get to know their great-grandparents, and whether they like it or know it or not, every opportunity they get to spend a little time with them is important.  Second, a good portion of Corey’s side of the family went as well, and we don’t get to see everyone all together like that very much.  And finally, I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to do a little letterboxing in the area.

 

The lovely couple in the middle are Bertha (the Birthday Girl) and Willard Hamilton, Dave’s parents.

 

This is Uncle Danny’s extension of the family:  Brett, Valerie, and their little girl Lily, Uncle Danny and Aunt Lindy, and Jeff.

 

This is one of my favorite in-laws that I never get to see, Cousin Vicky.  She has a great sense of humor and an easy-going attitude that reminds me a little of my side of the family.

We did get to do a little letterboxing, just Corey, Alex and I this time.  Mercedes wanted to go shopping with Grammy.  We went to William B. Pond Park on the American River Parkway.  There were 4 letterboxes planted in a relatively small area, and we were able to find all of them!  It’s a beautiful area, although we kept having to put ourselves between these guys and Alex:

 

And this is probably the HUGEST flock of mallards I’ve ever seen (sorry it’s such a big picture, but it’s hard to see what they are otherwise!):

 

  All in all, considering how rushed the trip was, we had a very nice time.  There was a slightly emotional moment between Mercedes and Grammy, but they came out of it okay, and I think I handled the situation to the very best of my diplomatic abilities.

Tags: reunion, Grandmother's Birthday