3 Trips to LA/5 Year Anniversary

While my brother and sister were visiting, we decided to head out to LA and visit my grandpa. He had been battling with lung cancer, which had spread to his brain, and he really wanted to see all of us. As I've mentioned before, we loaded up a 12 passenger van with 6 adults, 4 kids (3 and younger) and a dog, and drove to LA.

Ethan has already learned to LOVE Uncle Jimmy.


On the way home we got stuck for several hours because a semi had tipped over across the freeway and spilled containers of pest control all over the road. My fitness challenge requires 30min of exercise/day, so I hopped out and did some running/walking along the freeway. I borrowed the shoes I had just given Lisa, but didn't have socks, not a great idea. My heels took weeks to heal and still show the scars.

My sister got some great pictures of the family while we were there. Here is a picture of Grandma and Grandpa with two of their children and families.

About a week after this visit, Grandpa passed away. Rest in peace Grandpa.

Ethan and I then drove out to LA with my Mom and Gary to attend Grandpa's memorial service.



While there we got to see Grandpa Joe and Grandma Dianne (my dad and stepmom).


The Vegas Knights, a motor cycle club came out for Grandpa's memorial. He helped raise many of them, so it was great that they came out to honor him and Grandma. Ethan is actually posing there, not just caught in a weird stance.

Here everyone is looking at the line of motorcycles in front of "the lodge" (both of my grandparents have been officers at this Moose Lodge and we grew up attending events here). The bikers were really nice to Ethan and let him sit on the bikes and feel the engines start up. Those pictures are on my mom's camera though (I'd love a copy mom). Ethan was exhausted at this point and would only go to sleep with the help of Uncle Jimmy. :)


Ethan slept with me at least part of each night in the hotel and loved it.

He also learned how to hold Katie's leash.


I love these pictures of Ethan and Grandpa when we went out last year, shortly after his diagnosis.

Pokey face!



5th Anniversary

I guess this kind of deserves its own post, but I'll lump it in with LA.

On our anniversary, Mike took me out to Buca di Beppo's. I've been wanting to try it, which was nice of him to remember. Thanks for babysitting, Mom.

We had the hardest time getting a normal looking picture of Mike, weird. Here are a few attempts I couldn't decide between.



Then, Friday morning we drove to LA again! We decided to visit Mike's sister for an anniversary trip.

I was determined to take pictures, and started out pretty well.

Here is Ethan playing with his cousin Christian and a Thomas the Train set! He woke up and fell asleep saying, "choo choo" absolutely in love with this set. (Guess what we purchased from someone on Craigslist this morning for Ethan's birthday?)


Friday afternoon we headed to the beach--Ethan's first time! On the way over, Rachelle (Mike's sister) told us it was only 68 degrees. "The water?" Mike asked. Silly Phoenicians. It was 68 degrees outside and windy, and the water was WAY colder. But we had fun anyway.

Ethan loved the life guard station.


And the water! He ran in and out over and over.




When he got sufficiently chilled, we changed him into dry clothes, and he and Christian played in the sand, for hours.

I'm wondering if Ethan was taking that from Christian, because it looks like he's sharing, which he wasn't very good at this weekend. Although, maybe he was willing to share trucks, just not the trains.

Mike and I played Frisbee for awhile, although, it was largely a game of fetch due to the wind and my rusty Frisbee skills. I ran for everyone though, even when fetching, and got my exercise in for the day!

By then we were warmed up enough to give the water a try. Oh. my. goodness. it was cold! Hard to breathe cold, but then our skin went numb and we had a great time body surfing. We actually caught some waves! And then Mike grabbed a boogie board and rode some waves on it.

Christian, Rachelle, Lexi, Emmalee, Me, Mike, Ethan


We brought wood for a bonfire, but decided we'd rather go sit in a hot tub, so we headed back to Rachelle's neighborhood pool.

Saturday, Rachelle, Lexi, and Michael (one of our nephews who was at football practice instead of the beach) were nice enough to watch Ethan so we could have a free day.

We went and walked around UCLA (where my parents attended college).


Then, this is where the pictures stop, unfortunately, we went out to sushi with Rachelle and Tim-yum! I really like sushi, but had never convinced Mike to try it. He now approves! Then Tim and Rachelle treated us to massages at a spa place near them! What a fun anniversary weekend they planned for us!!! Thanks!

Sunday we all attended church, had an awesome dinner, and made the drive back to Phoenix.

That sums up our travel for the summer. It's great living within driving distance of so much family! And we really appreciate all of our wonderful hosts!

Next stop: Rochester, NY