Ashley! (the college graduate)
Thursday afternoon my cousin Ashley picked me up at the hotel in San Diego and drove north to Leucadia/Encinitas for some quick stops. We had to stop at Las Olas for some fish tacos and drinks...she just graduated from college and it was fun to catch up with her...she did do some of the talking, not much though, I felt the need to talk about a million miles an hour! We made a quick stop to see Grandma at her new retirement home apartment. She was happy to see me, I did give her quite the surprise, but after we both settled down a bit, well we did what we do best...talked each other's ears off! It was so great to see her, hear her and give her hugs. Later, we stopped by to see cousin Shea (while she was cutting hair), cousin Codi (at the skate, surf, ski shop) and picked up a hat for CJ and then finally to Encinitas Surf Shop for the obligatory purchase...zip-up hoody! Ashley was a great driver and we made it just in time for happy hour at my other cousin's house (more on them later). The next day cousins from my mom's side dropped me off at my grandma's and then took us both to a yummy Mexican restaurant. Just the two of us! Boy did we talk! We ate some great food and talked about the old times (over and over) and a little bit of some new stuff...but most importantly I enjoyed hearing my grandma's philosophy on life. She went on and on (and on and on) about how she has lived a perfectly happy life, she believes the happier you are the better life you are going to lead and that being happy is the key to a long and happy life. I heard it many times, in many different ways...she told me what she was feeling right then and there, from the heart. That lunch with my grandma will stay in my heart for a very long time. My aunt picked us up and we all chatted for a bit then we went back to my aunt's for some more chatting and catching up.
Saturday was the BBQ at my other aunt's house with all the cousins and grandma! I felt like such a guest of honor...they all made me feel so welcome, they were all so loving and we had (again) some fabulous food, drinks and laughs! What a blast. We all had to talk a mile-a-minute, laugh loud, tell bad jokes and remember some old times. It was fun, fabulous and exciting to be around everyone. It had been too long since our last visit!
After the BBQ oldest cousins (Zach, Dustin and I) went out for some drinks and more laughs! What a funny and crazy few hours with those two! Did I mention that they are so cute? So funny? So personable? (Must run in the family!)
Uncle Gary and Aunt Jeanne...laughing it up!
Garrett...the baby cousin. There are four great-grandkids, but Garrett is the youngest grandson!
Codi, Paige, Ashely, Shea, Garrett, Dustin and Zach
(Troy, Katie, Bobby, Britney, Bryce and Bree not pictured)
Aunt Jeanne, Paige and Aunt Mary...looking so Hollywood in our shades!
Ha! I think Craig is a bit jealous!
Uncle Craig and Aunt Mary...Zach, Shea and Codi
Uncle Gary and Aunt Jeanne...Dustin, Ashely and Garrett
Uncle Craig and Zach
It must be noted that Zach is "big Zach" because my Zac is the baby and the youngest great-grandchild. Yes, they have the same first and middle name...hey, it is a great name! He just needs to learn to spel it correctly!
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