Our flight out there went pretty well. The flight was the smoothest flight I have ever been on, no turbulence and the seat belt sign was only on for take off and landing! Owen was pretty good on the flight. He just wanted to get down and move around so much, so we had a lot of entertaining to do so he wouldn't get upset that he couldn't crawl all over the place! He only slept for about 45 minutes... but it turned out to really help him adjust to the time change better.
We were only in California for about 4 days. With baby 2 coming, Jimmy needed to save his vacation days for his/her arrival, AND we are going to Myrtle Beach this summer. Lucky for Jimmy he got Good Friday off so he only had to take 1 1/2 days off. I was on Spring Break! :) We spent most of our time just hanging around the house with my grandparents, cousins Colby and Shelby, and Aunt Cyndi and Uncle Jason.
It was so awesome to see everyone. I have such a close relationship with my family out there, so it felt wonderful to see them and spend some time with them. I am SO incredibly glad we made the trip. We took walks each day, colored eggs, went for smoothies one day, went on a walk to the local donut shop the next day, played chicken foot, and had so much fun doing it all! Oma also cooked some amazing meals and we stuffed ourselves! Colby and Shelby are the most amazing little kids and we love them to pieces! Just today Colby texted me saying "I miss you!" Just about broke my heart! I miss you SO much little Coco!!! We had so much fun just hanging out with them.
Oma and Opa's party was just amazing. It was at a golf club pretty close to their house. My Mom and Aunts did an amazing job decorating and adding so many little personal touches. I know they worked so hard to make it special and it really showed! They had a band that sang a few special songs, some that brought tears to my eyes. To see a love that began so quickly last for so long is truly inspiring. I think about how my Oma had to endure two children (14 months apart) all by herself while my Opa was deployed and that devotion and strength is so amazing. I have always admired my Oma for being such a good Army Wife (among many other reasons). They moved every two years and my Mom always spoke about how my Oma would have everything set up in their new house as quickly as she could so it felt like home for her family. I can't imagine moving every two years... but I hear so many great stories, maybe it was worth it!
The best picture I was able to get...
My boys at the party!
Just about every family member was at this party, and it was so great to see everyone. A lot of my cousins I had not seen in years. I remember growing up in California we would see them all so much, but when we moved to Virginia, everything changed. My Mom's side of the family is very close, so when I was growing up her cousins always felt like aunts and uncles to me, and her aunts and uncles felt like my aunts and uncles too! I have so many great memories as a child spending time with them. Not to mention all my little cousins who are now adults. I still can't picture Shawn about to graduate college! Now there is a new generation of cousins who all love seeing each other and spending time together, and they are all around Colby and Shelby's age. Seeing everyone again just made me miss everyone so much!
Owen was a little trooper throughout the party. He loves being passed around and dancing with the ladies! I think I only had to hold him for 15 minutes the entire night because everyone wanted a piece of him! He was so good with all the new faces, never once cried!
I was very excited to see my Great Great Uncle Bob. He is my Oma's uncle, although he is only a few years older than my Oma. Bob is the youngest of 8 kids my Great Great grandmother had. Here is a picture of all 5 generations:
The party was the last night that we were there, so we flew back the next morning. The flight back was not as good as the flight there. A little more turbulence, and Owen was a little more cranky. This time he did sleep for about two hours on me, thank goodness! We were glad to be home, but also so sad to be leaving. I always miss everyone so much... it is always so emotional for me when I leave California. Why does it have to be so far away?!?
To all my California family - I love and miss you all so much! I'm so glad we made the trip and got to see everyone. It meant to the world to us! Most importantly, I'm so happy everyone got to meet Owen!
Love,
Judi
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