Summer in the USA 2013

First stop: California. I left Hong Kong the last week in June and split my time between California, Utah and Oregon. I will let the pictures do most of the talking for this post. And I will not post chronologically; rather, I will post all the pictures in the area I visited.

When I first landed in CA, Erica and the girls were not in SoCal yet. Ryan and Erica had moved from Atlanta, GA to CA because of a new job for Ryan. Erica went to her parents in Sacramento, while Ryan stayed with Greg and Lindsey in San Clemente while looking for a house. I stayed with Greg and Lindsey for a little while until I headed to Utah. I will post my Utah pictures first.

UTAH

 

Utah makes my heart sing. The mountains literally move me to tears!

















Kim took me to the Kamas rodeo. We had the best time!

 

I went to Tooele with my best friend (who happens to be my sister in law), Shawna. We stopped in on my "GREAT" niece, Sydney, to see her cute little family.

I was thrilled when the girls flew to Utah, staying a little over a week. Camryn was thrilled to see me at the airport. Reagan? Not so much.

 

However, it did not take any time at all for the girls to get comfortable. First stop: Panda Express

 

They loved playing in Grandma and Grandpa's downstairs toy closet....

 

while Erica endured a KILLER wisdom tooth infection she had extracted right before she came. It was awful, but she did not let that stop the fun.

 

Walking to Kneaders on more than one occasion for their amazing French Toast.

The girls spent a lot of time in the hot tub and shopping.  Modeling new school clothes by Camryn.

Camryn's favorite time in Utah may have been going to the Buckaroo Rodeo in Coalville. No, she didn't love the events, or really even the horses, but she did LOVE the rodeo queen and princesses and all of the "glittery and shining outfits". Reagan loved dancing to the music.

 

 

And we had a lot of fun playing on the playground across the street at Willow Creek in Park City.

 

We went on hikes....well "hike" with Camryn. She hated it. The only thing that made all the walking worth it was the flower halo and bouquet that Aunt Lindsey made for her.

We also went to "This is the Place" monument. We met up with Shawna and Jade's family. The girls enjoyed seeing the log cabins and how school used to be. They also enjoyed panning for gold.

 

 

 

There is a house in Park City that keeps a buffalo and other random animals. I was excited to take the girls....until I saw the size of the buffalo. I kept the girls far away.

 

Going to our property in Oakley and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows is always a highlight.

 And S'mores of course!
 

 

 

 

Our time with the kids ended with Lindsey driving back to California with Erica, helping with the girls on the road trip. A great time was had by all!

David flew in to see the girls for a few days, and stayed until Cody brought Cassidy and Warren to see us. We took advantage of our few days together and hiked Lambs Canyon (with my friend Kim Wade), and Blanche Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Beautiful!!!

 

 

 

We picked up Cody and the kids at the airport. Cassidy was very happy and latched right on to me. Warren was a little skeptical. We figured the best way to win them over was taking them to the zoo. 

We were right.

 

 

David and Cody hiked the following day and I got to watch the kids. A win-win.

 

 

No rules when grandma baby sits.

 

LOVED the hot tub!

Playing at Willow Creek Park and at our Oakley property

 

 

 

 

We went to Tooele to see Grandma Tate, but no pictures with her in it.

 

Cody found "The Frog Costume" in Grandma's garage. The frog is a family joke in our family. I put Ryan through hell because he HAD TO BE THE FROG in the play. I sewed the costume and made him wear it (and the younger boys as well) MANY years for Halloween. And I'm expecting my grandkids to wear it until it falls a part.

After we exhausted the kids, they headed home to Corvallis, Oregon.

California

 I played "hair dresser" with Camryn and Reagan. Camryn was Diamond and Reagan was Rose. Camryn talked and talked while she did my hair. She told me all about the people that come to her because she is the best and has all the right "tools". She said that other hair dressers use "hammers and things", but that she has the right tools.

 

The girls were excited to "exercise", mainly so they could wear their exercise clothes and running shoes. Camryn gave me instructions that we were only going to exercise until our lipstick came off. 

I like that rule.

Reagan turned two years while I was there. She was very excited to blow out her candles. She enjoyed all of the pretend make up, high heels, and jewelry that I gave her.

The girls loved playing dress up, dancing and singing.

 

Reagan stayed home with me while Erica took Camryn to check out her new school.

 Cute girlies in their pajamas. Can't get much cuter.

Camryn showing me her favorite ice cream filled snow cone place. 

 Keeping the girls entertained at church.

While in California, I drove to San Diego to visit my old boss and dear friend Tiffany. I was thrilled to spend some time with her. One of the smartest ladies I know!

And speaking of Smart ladies, I visited my friend Angelica and her two adorable twin boys Leo and Charles. Shauna and Lindsey accompanied me to cuddle those darlings.

Lindsey took me to a darling restaurant, The Ramos House, in San Juan Capistrano. We had a great afternoon!

Oregon

Cody and Whitney have a wonderful life in Philomath. It's one of those places that when you are out on a walk everyone waves. People stop by just to shoot the bull. And the only thing waking you up are the sounds of the cows and roosters.

I know that the garden is not up to par for Whitney, but I think it is incredible. One night we made Shepherd's pie from the green beans and potatoes from her garden. The beef came from Whitney's mom's cow. Now that's a home grown meal!

Wherever we went the kids seemed to find water to play in.

I told Cassidy we could go for a walk when she got dressed. She promptly went to the house and got a dress....only to be drugged through the dirt, into the stroller, never to be put on her body.

Cody and I took the kids to a play ground one day. Cassidy is meant to climb.

Who said you need snow to make angels....gravel angels, wood chip angels; they are all acceptable.

This little man stole my heart!

The kids use Cody as a play toy.

Cody and Whitney's house is amazing and in an amazing setting.

 

The house is decorated with mainly white and wood. Stunning.

 We spent a day at the farmer's market. I love Oregon farmer's markets. The musicians make me laugh.

A must stop is Jillicious. A family friend that opened a bakery full of amazing goodies.

Cassidy isn't the best at brushing her teeth with all of the sweets she eats, so I bought her an electric toothbrush. It did the trick. She was reminding me when it was time to brush.

 

And as you can see, she has a sweet tooth like her grandma.

 

White powder donut lipstick. 

Cute kids ready for church.

 

 

Hiking Bald Hill. I love this little hike. I love all Oregon hikes.

I love Oregon

My last week in California I split my time between Greg and Lindsey's and Ryan and Erica's. 

 

 

Hiking with Greg and a delicious BBQ at Greg and Lindsey's house with my niece Erika, her husband Jensen and baby Ollie. Ryan, Erica and the girls made it complete for our last get together.

Ryan put together a super cute 30th birthday party for Erica. They had several of their good friends over to cook S'mores. He's a great husband and Erica deserves to be spoiled.

My last meal was at my newly discovered favorite hamburger joint, that just happens to be in walking distance from Ryan's house: TK burgers.....until we meet again!

Hong Kong....Home again