California

Charlie and I needed to go to California.  Do you ever need to go to California?

My parents had tickets to come visit us here in early November, but had to cancel last minute.  So I started looking for tickets for me to bring Charlie to them in California.

Paul's been really busy and I hadn't had a chance to talk to him about it until Monday, November 21.  It was his day off and that morning as he was headed to the shower I mentioned to him that I really would like to be on a noon flight to California that day.  And would he please be prepared to talk about that after his shower.

Thirty minutes later I was packing!

Do you know my husband?  He is a very understanding, kind, and loving man.


 

Relaxing in the airport.

Layover in Las Vegas where a cup of Starbucks water

provided our entertainment.

 

 Oh, did I mention my parents were camping.

At the beach.

In southern California.

Yes, we were happy to be there.

 Charlie had his first trip to the Stone Steps,

a sentimental beach for me.

And we shared an old fashion donut with chocolate icing

from Leucadia Donut Shoppe,

as is our family tradition.

"Donuts on the beach!"

Saying good morning to Korea

across the Pacific.

 This is the view from the campsite.

We just walked right out to the beach.

It was sunny and warm,

I'm just going to tell you.

Charlie and I went for two beach walks a day

for his naps.

Here the tide is out, exposing coral and seaweed.

 Here's my brother David and his son Brody.

Their family was camping too,

along with his lovely inlaws.

 Having a chip with Granpa by the campfire.

And here's a demo of how the fire was started.

By a fireman.

With a roofing torch.

 My niece Gigi

leaning back in her chair and being stoic.

 Dueling highchairs.

Charlie and Brody having chips from El Indio.

(Which I stopped at on my way to the airport to buy two bags to bring home to share the crunchy goodness of thick fresh tortilla chips with my boys back home.)

Charlie and Brody about to go for a bike ride.

Night time hats.

Brody is three months older than Charlie.

 I really wanted to go to California when I did

because it was Thanksgiving week and my dad

and brother were off work all week

and we could all just be together at the campground.

And I could eat my Mom's sage stuffing.

Thanks, Mom.

Here's Nick,

the turkey cooker.

Also known as David's father-in-law.

The turkey smoked all day while...

... they watched football.

Yep.

 Here we all are.

Thanksgiving feast at the beach.

Here's a video tour of the Thanksgiving Goodness.

 Brody was hilarious with the turkey leg.

 Charlie just wanted cranberry sauce...

... Until he took over my plate and discovered

his Aunt Nicole's amazing green beans.

Video of

The Eating of the Cranberry Sauce...

(Granny's special recipe)

 The next day another one-year-old cousin arrived.

Meet Micah on the far right.

A final stroll in the sunset.

 We camped from Monday to Sunday,

then I spent a few days at my parents' house with them.

 Charlie and my Dad having breakfast together.

More Aunts and Uncles and Cousins came over to meet Charlie.

This is my cousin Elizabeth.

 Just a few days ago

my Mom drove us to the San Diego airport

where we said goodbye.

Ten glorious days in So Cal with my faraway family.

Did you remember that I am far from fond of camping?

Aha!

I got to be a day camper.

It was great.

My brother David's house was not far from the campground.

Charlie and I got to stay at their house

and sleep in beds and take showers

and scream and cry at 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, and
5:30 in the morning

without bothering anyone else.

The time change can be a bit rough for a tot.

Driving to and fro and stopping at the grocery store
and gas station and Target
gave me the dreamy sense that I lived there.

But I don't.
I did once.
But now I am here.
Which is perfectly wonderful too.