Time Well Spent

Besides getting Chip back, catching up with loved ones really summed up our trip. We met 3 new nephews/cousins, and spent cherished time with family and friends.

Some of our wonderful California friends.....

who are missed very much....

some of them unfortunately, we weren't able to see.

And one more nephew I haven't introduced that we couldn't wait to meet...

Ethan - Eric and Leanna's little one!

Isn't he cute?!

I wish we had gotten more pictures of everyone hanging out at Mom's house!

We had a great visit and a yummy lunch with Gramps and Grammy, I always enjoy walking through Vicky's garden. And of course Rocky and Beau are always a hit!

Oh, and who knew that mom's Student ID card maker at school would be such a big hit?! The kids think their own ID cards are SO cool! She even made a second one for Aubrey because Aubrey thought hair didn't look quite right in the first one. Thanks, Gramma!

We couldn't get enough of Ryan, Beck, and Ethan - all born within just 3 weeks of each other!

What a fun time we had in CA. It was the first time we had been back in 3 years! It was so strange to drive around and visit where I had lived for 30 years! Although it was fun to see all the familiar sights and ooh and aah at the kid's old school and good ol' Katella High where Chip and I fell in love, and our home(s) - etc., it's oddly comforting to say that it just didn't feel like home anymore. Soon after moving to Idaho, I worried about when I went back to CA to visit because I was afraid I would feel homesick and miss it too much. I know our family belongs where we are, because while I was having fun visitng there, I DID yearn for home, but it was our home now, right here is Boise.

And to finalize,


a super slobbery kiss from Beck...


and Ethan's final thoughts...