Major update [Picture Heavy]

Ok. I know this will take a while. *sits comfortably*


There are a lot of things I wish to post about today. Hopefully once I am 'caught up' I will get in the habit of posting more frequently. *Sips Lemonade*



Pictures to tell a story:


We went on quite a long trip to California recently. We were celebrating my Grandma Nonie's life. We visited many places that she loved and spent time with family (one of her favorite things to do). The above picture is traveling toward Nevada- as Grandma LOVED gambling.

We stayed at Primm, Nevada. Some of my favorite memories with my Grandma take place here. We'd travel from SoCal to Stateline and there was always plenty for me to do. What with crazy rollercoasters and an awesome arcade. Not to even mention the pools.
Here we captured a PRICELESS look on my hubby's face:

"Me? Ride Desperado? LOLWut?"
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Next stop: Disneyland. Now this was not so much a part of the memorial trip as a chance for us to do something with the kids that will probably not happen again until they are MUCH MUCH older. My parents graciously provided for all of us on this trip- including Disneyland. Amazing generosity!
We stayed at a low priced (but amazingly beautiful) hotel nearby and spent most of a day in the park.

On our way in, Joseph caught a little snuggle with Donald Duck. Donald looked sad that he didn't want to hug him, so Joseph decided he wanted to make him feel better.

"Why do you have such a big nose?"

Joseph did not quite understand why we had to stand in lines. This picture was taken just after we rode Alice's ride and were in line for It's A Small World

Somehow the local critters were turned into hedges there.

So

Much

Fun.

We were so busy having fun that we did not get very many pictures.

Mom and I escaped to ride the 'fun' rides. As in the rides that are actual rollercoasters ;-) We waited in a very long line for Space Mountain. We also rode the Matterhorn. Later on JOSEPH rode the Matterhorn with Nana and Pop-pop. Can you believe that!
Later on we got tired, and there was so much more that happened... it was so very fun!

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The next day we headed to LAGUNA BEACH!

First I shall put in the pictures of the memorial we had at Pacific View Memorial Park.

Grandma's Ashes. This is a picture of her when she was much younger.

Here we all are (Left to right): Dad, Mom, Uncle Randy, Me, Juliet, Aunt Valerie, Kim (top), Julia (bottom) Aunt Carol, Kyle, Joseph, James, Emily, Aunt Lynn, Uncle John. Ellie is in her mom's lap, but you can barely see her (her mom is Aunt Valerie). Matt is not in this pic because he was behind the camera.



We miss her very much.

The cemetary is simply gorgeous. And it does have a view of the pacific ocean.

My Cousin Emily and Joseph had great fun together:





My handsome daddy.

Ellie with roses.

Julia with flowers

Julia praying.

Juliet 'improving' the arrangement on my Uncle Gary's grave.

Matt and Julia

Kyle and Ellie


Grandma's Gravesite, and the flowers we all brought for her.

The graves are: Uncle Gary, My Pop-Pop, Grandma. Then there's my biological grandfather and his wife.
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back to the beach!
We stayed at the Capri Laguna and enjoyed many wonderful days playing at the beach.
Playing at the beach makes little children tired:





Joe was unsure of what to do when he was being fought over by two beautiful girls.

One of The Beautiful Girls and her Beautiful Mama

The view from our room:



To BE CONTINUED: The rest of the trip, and what has gone on since then.