I never would have thought I would ever "back pack" through So Cal after growing up there all my life. However, when you come back for the holidays and you want to see and spend time with so many people, back packing seemed ideal. Needless to say it was.
The trip started with landing in Orange Country and mom picking me up and heading to our first dinner of the holiday season. We enjoyed a lovely dinner with life long friends, past neighbors of ours. The next day I was greeted by my baby sister waiting at the window for me as I arrive at my dads house where we went shopping and had lunch. That night the back pack was opened and shared a bed with the sister. My little brother is not so little any more and is about as tall as me and on my next visit will offically pin me down because it took all I had to pin him down this trip. (future body guard in training)
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| Childhood friend: Lisa |
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| Spending time with my favorite little people! |
Enjoyed the next day with a dear girlfriend, Megs, and ended the wonderful day with a Christmas dinner with all my high school friends in town. (Emma, Travis and Caitlin we missed you) A lovely breakfast with Matt and Megs and headed back to moms for a few nights. Christmas was approaching and I just couldn't wait to see all my family.
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| High School Family Christmas Dinner |
Christmas Eve was here and that morning I had coffee with one of my past roommates, Jenn Nelson, from college who also was in town for the holidays. After returning to moms, the house was quickly filled with love and laughter. For most of you reading this blog you may have never known my wonderful grandmother, Ramona.Well this insert is to share a little about the traditions she started and have been carried throughout the lives of the grandchildren (32+ years and counting). My grandma Ramona passed away in 2000. Not to bring sad news but the traditions that we share on Christmas Eve holds a special meaning and I knew my grandma was smiling when I sat next to my Papa that night and watched his seven great grandchildren open gifts and play with all the new toys. As we have gotten older we started a new tradition of playing a white elephant trade game with whomever wanted to partake. It is so much fun to watch people go for some crazy gifts! The night wrapped up and babies were getting tired.
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| Jenn and I |
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| Three Generations of love |
After moms house clears out, we as an immediate family open presents. After enjoying watching the reactions on each others faces and being thankful for God's provisions we all went to bed. Christmas morning arrived quickly and my Baba made her french toast and bacon breakfast- which is a must on christmas morning. :-) Typically I pack a bag and stay at my dads after we have our Christmas but this year I came back to moms because the following morning I woke up early to drive my Papa back to Nevada. Papa and I arrived at his house, unloaded the car, I took a nap and then hit his local casino: the Virgin River, where we played Craps and Black Jack and ate dinner. The next morning I was back on the road to Cali to see more family and friends.
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| My little sister- Riley |
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| In no time my baby bro is going to be taller than me. |
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| My little cousin- Ryder |
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| My Little cousin- Brody |
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| The Howard's |
Visited more family and friends, hit the South Coast Winery Spa with my mom and Judy. New Years Eve came and I prepared home made Mexican food and drinks for my best friends and their spouses. We played games until the early morning. A great night! I caught up on sleep on new years day! It was needed!!
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| Playing games |
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| Megs and I ringing in the New Year |
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| The Duncan's |
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| The Cynaumon's |
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| The Hardeman's |
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| Lisa and Danny |
On my back packing tour, I was able to see my great Aunta Betty, aka Baba 2, and Cathy and Deanna my cousins. We went to dinner and just chatted about life and caught up with all the new things going on in each others lives. I just love them. That night Aunta Betty and I chatted again and then decided to hit the pillows. Waking up to stories of family memories of growing up with my papa. I just love hearing about the family, where I have come from and the family roots. My Aunta Betty is an amazing historian of the family. Loved spending time with her.
Next the back pack tour took me to another girlfriends house from college where we caught up and watched a movie. Love girl time! That next morning I headed back to moms to beat traffic. That night my dancing shoes went on and line danced the night away in celebration of my cousin Craig's birthday. Let's just say: this New Year resolution of line dancing more frequently is running through my veins and I just cant wait to get back on the floor.
My last Saturday in Cali was spent visiting life long family friends. Home made tamales, beans and rice: yes please! That night I ended at my dads where we had a popcorn party and watched a movie. The next morning I rough housed with the sbilings and took Riley with me to have lunch with another special friend, Rachel. Rachel and I grew up together and loved catching up with her and seeing where she is in life. Loved it. That night I headed back to moms to spend a little time with my Baba and pack the bags to head back to Texas.
Morning came quickly and drove my mom into work in Orange County where I then took her car to meet up with another dear friend, Loreli, for breakfast. Went to my dads after to spend time with my step-grandma and aunt. Picked up the kids from school, helped with homework then went to have dinner with the girls: Emma, Megs and Melissa and watch the season premiere of the new Bachelor. Said my goodbyes and meet up with mom at work. A few hours of shut eye and I was up and getting ready for the trip home to Texas. No travel issues until I got stuck on the runway for a good thirty minutes in Dallas but overall an easy journey home.
Loved seeing and spending time with everyone that I was able to catch up with. For those that I missed I will plan to see you when I come back on the next visit. Happy New Year Y'all, I pray God blesses you and your families.
P.S. Excited for all the visitors that are coming this year!!
