Wednesday 10/20
We flew in around noon on Wednesday, and the afternoon was spent grabbing the rental car, stopping for some groceries, and getting settled into the hotel at Seal Beach. We walked down to the pier, hitting some little shops along the way.
Jeff, Uncle Ron, Dad, Meredith, me and Brent on the pier at Seal Beach:
Getting closer to sunset:
Dad, brothers and me:
Sunset over the water:
Sunset over the water:
My aunt Nancy joined us for a nice seafood dinner:
Meanwhile.... back at home, Chris had strict orders. I wanted (at minimum) a picture of her all dressed for the day, and a picture of her doing whatever they were up to while I was gone.
All ready to go to her Sitter's house:
Having supper with Daddy (on the table in front of her is the candle she made at her sitter's house):
Thursday 10/21
Later, I met up with the others, and we decided to visit some places from long ago when we lived out here.
First stops: Sunset Beach and Huntington Beach
Next stop: Our old church--
Next stop - our old house!
Our former across-the-street neighbors welcomed us with open arms, and it was fun to reminisce with people that knew us kids when we were just little ones.
We went back to the hotel to get freshened up and such, and then later headed back out to go to Long Beach.
The men, ready to head out:
The family, with the Queen Mary in the background:
Looking back at Long Beach:
Send the ashes down to the water:
It was a lovely little memorial, a great time as a family.
Meanwhile.... back at home, Chris had strict orders. I wanted (at minimum) a picture of her all dressed for the day, and a picture of her doing whatever they were up to while I was gone.
All ready to go to her Sitter's house:
Having supper with Daddy (on the table in front of her is the candle she made at her sitter's house):
Thursday 10/21
One year from the day my mom passed away.
My poor body never adjusted to California time, but the result was actually a blessing. The first morning, I woke at 4:30am. This allowed me to talk to my girl before she left for her sitter's house, relax and watch some tv, have a leisurely breakfast, and (best of all) walk down to the beach before 7am.
My poor body never adjusted to California time, but the result was actually a blessing. The first morning, I woke at 4:30am. This allowed me to talk to my girl before she left for her sitter's house, relax and watch some tv, have a leisurely breakfast, and (best of all) walk down to the beach before 7am.
It was so quiet that time of the day, and I had the most wonderful time reading, singing, talking to my mom (in spirit).... just the most glorious personal time.
Seal beach at 7am:
Seal beach at 7am:
Later, I met up with the others, and we decided to visit some places from long ago when we lived out here.
First stops: Sunset Beach and Huntington Beach
Next stop: Our old church--
Next stop - our old house!
Our former across-the-street neighbors welcomed us with open arms, and it was fun to reminisce with people that knew us kids when we were just little ones.
We went back to the hotel to get freshened up and such, and then later headed back out to go to Long Beach.
We took a charter boat out into the harbor, past the break waters, to scatter my mom's ashes.
The boat:
The men, ready to head out:
The family, with the Queen Mary in the background:
Looking back at Long Beach:
Send the ashes down to the water:
It was a lovely little memorial, a great time as a family.
And back at home..... our girl all ready to go to her Sitter's house:
Later, Amelia and Daddy met up with friends for dinner:
Friday 10/22
Another nice (EARLY) morning of reflection:
We all hit the road and went on a ride down the PCH to Laguna Beach:
Later, Amelia and Daddy met up with friends for dinner:
Friday 10/22
Another nice (EARLY) morning of reflection:
We all hit the road and went on a ride down the PCH to Laguna Beach:
The beach there is beautiful:
And the best part - the tide pools:
And the best part - the tide pools:
Dad and me:
The family:
The family:
Next, we drove back north to Newport Beach and then crossed over to Balboa Island:
And I stumbled upon a restaurant with a lovely name! This sounds like our house -- it's pretty much always Amelia's restaurant!
We drove back to the hotel and got cleaned up for dinner.
And I stumbled upon a restaurant with a lovely name! This sounds like our house -- it's pretty much always Amelia's restaurant!
We drove back to the hotel and got cleaned up for dinner.
We met up with my aunt and uncle, and my cousins Eli, Oliver and Sam:
And back at home....
And back at home....
After work, Daddy and Amelia went downtown to walk around:
And a nice little ice cream stop:
Did some window shopping:
And a nice little ice cream stop:
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