California

We just came home from sunny California. We had a wonderful time visiting my brother Kenneth and his family. Kenneth has 3 children and adding Ben to the mix was stressful at times (i.e. 4 children 5 and under) but we had a grand time.

We were hoping to help Kenneth and Heidi as he was having his 4th round of Chemotherapy. Kenneth was diagnosed around Christmas time with Lymphoma. It has been a difficult time for him and his family. We were lucky to go and visit. We really wanted to look for ways to help. Unfortunately Benjamin developed a cough and miserable "cold" on our way out and I found myself worried about what we were exposing their family too. We did go to an urgent care facility and got an antibiotic but I think that Ben had something viral as he didn't respond to the antibiotic the way he normally does.

Nonetheless we have some wonderful pictures and great memories. I am so thankful for Kenneth and his example to us. He has been an example of faith in times of trial and in the tender moments I find myself so amazed at the depth of his character. I am so grateful that he is my brother. I love him!

Here are some of our favorite shots of our trip. Of course we had to ride the trolley.



Some lazy sea lions were a hit with the kids.

A view of the Golden Gate.

Daddy and Ben playing frisbee in the back yard.
How would it be to have a orange tree in the back yard.

This was a cool teeter-totter that the kids loved at a park within walking distance from Kenneth's home.

This spinner made Ben dizzy but he loved it.
Joseph reading to all the children.
This picture was taken at the toy train exhibit at the redwood state park that we went to on Friday. The train had all kinds of characters on and around it. We even found Manny the Mammoth.

Joseph - solid as a redwood!

Our favorite outing was to the beach. We went to Santa Cruz and the view was breathtaking. The kids loved frolicking in the sand and getting their little legs wet. Ben says it was his favorite part of the trip.







Look at those dirty happy faces.
We came home to rain on Saturday night and a winter storm warning that accurately predicted today's 18 inches of snow.
We are missing the sunny skies of Sunnyvale and Kenneth, Heidi, Emma, Arianna, and Grant -man.