Our Inspired Journey

We were so thankful to have spent time with both sides of our family while in California. Even though both our families live in CA, they are still 9 hours away from each other! I was thankful to find a good deal on plane tickets from LA to Sacramento where John's Dad picked us up and then drove us 2 more hours north to their home near Redding, CA.

We were so thankful Auntie Erin could join us for a long weekend up north before having to go back to SoCal...here are pictures of us in the plane up to Sacramento...I will add that these pictures show the FABULOUS 50 minute flight we took up north in the middle of our stay in CA. We even had space to spread out! These pictures in no way depict our 4.5 hour flight to LA from Chicago or our 4 hour flight from Sacramento back to Chicago both of which were PACKED! They even offered people vouchers to take another flight! John was a saint to have both boys in one row (Cole on his lap since he can still ride for free since he was under 2) and Ryder next to him. They wouldn't let our family of 5 sit together since each row has 3 seats and only 4 oxygen masks in case of an emergency...Cora and I were across the aisle from them, passing string cheese and sippy cups across the way when they needed it!

Auntie Erin, John and Cole...Ryder LOVED sitting next to the window and when we took off, he raised both hands in the air and shouted, "Woo Hoo! We did it!!!"

Erin, Cora, Papa and Cole sitting on the edge of the pool...

Ryder swimming across the pool without floaties for the first time! He had lots of good practice at Gramma and Gramps house and was reay to go when we arrived up north! He loved swimming so much and told me recently..."Mom, someday, I want to have a pool." A boy after my own heart :)

Sailing on Whiskeytown Lake on Papa's Hobie Cat...

Ryder loved it! Especially getting to steer and laying on one of the hulls while Auntie Erin laid on the other one, tummies down and hands paddling! You do what ya' gotta do when the wind is low and it's time to go in!Auntie Erin and Cora on the beach :)

Here are some pictures from when John's Aunt Teresa and Grandparents came up for a couple days before Erin left to go back down south. It was so much fun to be together again and especially in warm weather! We usually see each other at Christmas when it's chilly (nothing compared to IL, but chilly none-the-less!) We had a wonderful time sharing meals together, swimming, going to church and catching up! We have the most wonderful family!

Cora and Aunt Teresa...watching the boys swim :)Cole and Grandpa "Fuzzy"Family Pictures taken after church before they left to drive back to the Bay Area...

The girls after a delicious lunch at "The Rivers" restauraunt...I'm still thinking about the Korean pulled pork sandwich with sweet potatoes fries I had! So yummy and such great company! (We missed you Emily!!!!)

After Erin and the rest of the family went back to their corners of the world, we spent the next week exploring in the beautiful North State...Here are a few pictures from our adventures, all within 45 minutes of Grammie and Papa's house...

We took a picnic lunch up to the mountains and ate at an empty campsite...brought back memories of camping with our friends the Glucks at the same site 3 years ago and 2 children lighter! :)Redding "Sundial Bridge" over the Sacramento River...Just having fun, helping Papa cut the grass! Cole loved to play on it when it was off, but as soon as it turned on, he preferred watching this LOUD machine with a serious stare from a safe distance! Fresh turnips from Papa's garden...Ryder's pointing to the dirt!Cole LOVES playing "dress-up" with anything you'll let him try on! Especially glasses and hats :)Cherry picking! Papa's trees were ripe for the pickin', so we had fun with fresh cherries the whole time we were there! I can still taste the fresh cherry pie hot out of the oven...yummm!Cole ate them straight from the tree and even figured out how to take the pits out!

Our friends the Eckley's came to visit one day! Here are some pictures with Laura's son, Jackson and daughter, Ella. Ryder and Jack are very close in age and had a blast together! Cole and Ella...He was so loving toward her! I think it was the big brother in him coming out!

Ella and Cora...

Alyssa and I having breakfast together! So fun!Joshua and Ryder...so close in age and loved playing together!!! It was so fun to watch their relationship develop!The only day it rained during our whole trip was the day they came up, so Grammie had a great idea to set up the tent with toys in the garage for the boys to play in! Thanks for the idea, Grammie and for setting it all up Papa! They had a blast!Papa took the boys cherry picking and then they used the cherry stoner to remove the pits...judging from the number of pits found in the pie that night, it's safe to safe they missed a few!
The boys in the hot tub...
The boys after taking a walk to feed carrots to the goats and horses down the road...

We had a blast visiting family and friends in California! I hope these posts have helped you catch a glimpse of the blessing we have in our community in California. The most amazing thing, is that though we live halfway across the country now, the people we love back "home" seem closer to us now than ever. Every moment we spent was precious, not taken for granted. May we all be that way with those we love everyday! Thank you family! We love you and can't wait to spend more "moments" and make more memories together soon...