We're Goin' Back to Cali, Cali.....

A Much Needed Vacation Coming Soon


We are eagerly counting down the days until we return to our homeland. Although we have grown to love Texas, my heart is still in CA. What can I say, I'm a CA girl and always will be. If you can get past the liberal domination, the traffic, and the silly wanna-be-laws like "no spanking your children", it's really a beautiful place.

The mountains, the beaches and the desert (if you like the desert) are at your beck and call. There is such a spiritual awe when you're standing at the edge of the ocean, watching the waves come rolling in over your feet. Or smelling the fresh aroma of the tall pine trees as you're hiking through the mountains of Yosemite National Park. My heart is welling up with joy as I think of the beauty of where I was born and raised. And, to top it all off, I will be reunited with family, whom I miss so very much!

Here's what our itinerary will look like:

Saturday, May 26th we begin our long journey through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and into CA. We will probably drive straight through, mostly because that's what we've always done out of pure eagerness to just get there. Our first stop will be Uncle Gary's in Redondo Beach. We will spend three or four days with him, but will be driving back to San Bernardino and the surrounding area during one of those days to visit my Grandmother and many aunts, uncles and cousins. My mom will be flying into LA to meet us, and to visit all of her family as well. Another one of those days at Uncle Gary's will be reserved for the beach! Ohhhhh yeeeaaah! The kids are already talking about the beach.....they're very excited!

From Redondo Beach, we will travel to Sacramento to spend time with Greg's sweet grandparents. After we drive them crazy, we'll head to Modesto to see Greg's mom, the Denbraves and the Hess Family. It will be so good to spend time with precious family and friends. From Modesto, we will head up the mountain to the quaint town of Sonora, where my brother Jason, my dear SIL Tara and their three beautiful children live. I am SO excited about seeing my brother and his family.

After having a wonderful time with my brother, we'll end our trip in Mariposa to stay with Grandma and Grandpa. We'll also be seeing Uncle Andy and Aunt Julie who also live in Mariposa. My grandparents live on a beautiful ranch bursting with trees and mountain views.

With my grandparents, we will spend a day in Yosemite National Park, where they lived and worked for sixteen years. I practically grew up there.  I also had the privilege of working in the park when I was fourteen and fifteen years old. I've probably explored, hiked, or swam in every inch of this beautiful creation. I even hiked up Half Dome (about a 12 hour hike) at the age of fifteen. Whenever visiting Grandma and Grandpa in the summer, I would sleep outside on a lawn chair so that I could stare at the stars all night long! The stars were so thick and glorious.....it was like getting a small glimpse of heaven. Actually, just BEING in the park was like getting a tiny glimpse of heaven. I can't even fathom how much MORE beautiful heaven will be!

I'm so thankful that my children will get to see so much family after such a long time, and see all the wonderful places we will be revisiting. I'm positive we will create memories for our family that will last a lifetime!

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