From Dad (12 April 2017) California Trip

Hi gang, 

Here is a summary of the past three days:

10 APRIL 2017 

Scottie arrived about 9:30. We loaded our suitcases and he drove us to the airport for our flight. The flight had been delayed for some unknown reason. We got through security, and got seated at our gate. I took a long walk in the airport, and checked out all the other concourses. I returned and then Adria and I walked some more. We had an uneventful flight. It was quite full. We got off the plane and got our one checked bag. Shane called Alicia to come pick us up. We drove to the Westra residence and unloaded the car. We rested up a bit and had lunch: hot dogs, nachos, quesadillas, etc. Then we went for a long walk, to the Bay Shore trail, and along the trail. Calder was on his bike, with training wheels, and we couldn’t keep up with him. Back to the house, we played lots of games: Rummikub. Shane and Alicia took us on a tour of schools, church, Shane’s work building outside, etc. Back home, they fixed a great meal, chicken and rice. We cleaned up and Shane set up his lap top for us to use. Some of the gang watched a Fantastic Beasts movie. I got on the lap top and had to learn how to use the MAC. 

11 April 2017 – Tuesday 

We slept well in the couch bed. It was much more comfortable than roll away beds we had used in the past. We had breakfast, bacon and eggs, very good. We all piled into Shane’s car and took a big day-long tour: across the big San Mateo bridge to see the Oakland Temple and its great visitor’s center. We drove from there to San Francisco, across a different bridge, the Bay Bridge. We went to Pier 39 and walked around a bit, and then stopped there for lunch. I had the chicken salad, very good. We got back to the car and toured more, very crowded city: Chinatown, and across the Golden Gate Bridge and took pictures at Vista Point, and had ice cream in Sausilito. Lovely green hills and pretty plants. We returned back to the house. The gang played some games of Rummikub. The gang then watched the rest of their Fantastic Beasts movie. I joined the gang for more Rummikub. 

12 April 2017 – Wednesday 

I updated my journal and had a nap. Calder eventually came down and snuggled and gabbed. Shane came down later and we had breakfast, oatmeal and fruit. The gang played more games of Rummikub. I got out for a long walk, along the sea trail, south. I walked out to a levee jutting into the marsh, and then back by the tennis courts and back to the house via the main road. We played more games, squish balls, juggling with Rella and then with Adria. We had lunch: hot dogs, and I did more kitchen cleanup. We waited for high tide, 2:30, and then went for another walk, to the Bay Shore trail, and along the trail, north, and back via the street. Calder was again on his bike, with training wheels, and Adria was on her roller blades. Back to the house, we played lots of games: Rummikub. Shane took Calder to a swimming lesson, and Alicia took the girls to an orthodontist appointment. We got on Alicia’s computer: journal update and letter to kids. 

We are having a great time. They love games as we do. Tonight the girls are tending while we go out to an Italian Restaurant.

love, Mom & Dad

This ^ seemed like it was from Dad, this next one seemed more like Mom ... wrap up recap of the trip (also included in "Messages from Mom")

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Scott picked us up at the airport--thanks, Scott! Normally we would be hosting our Easter brunch and egg hunt right now. Our yard looks beautiful for Easter.

We had a wonderful time with Shane and Alicia and the kids. They took us many places to see the sights. We slept well on their sofa bed.  They have a nice place. I don't dare get on the scale, as we ate well!

Since my last quick note: They took us out to an Italian restaurant---the kids stayed home this time.

Yesterday they took us to some lovely gardens to see the pretty flowers. Ice plants (about 10 times larger than our ice plants) are everywhere. We went to the beach at Half Moon Bay and to a light house, then we stopped at a Mexican restaurant.

We took a tour of Shane's work one night----------Derek will be envious of the laid-back atmosphere------scooters if you didn't want to walk from office to office--a small putting strip, arcade game, foosball (sp?), treadmill, another exercise thingy, 2 stocked kitchenettes..........Shane goes to work in teeshirt and jeans without having to shave... No, Derek, don't move there!

We watched the movie "Sing," which is cute if you haven't seen it--animated, fun music I want for my water aerobics. Last night we watched an episode of "Relative Finder" from Season 1. It is on BYU TV. A reality show/race finding relatives around the country (that you don't know you have).

We played lots of speed rummikub and a couple games of PR, plus other games. They love games like we do.

We had a wonderful time with them. Thanks Shane for taking a week of vacation this past week and for coming last week to do a long "honey-do" list last week and visit with us-----and fun to be with Adria one on one too--and for the escort back to "teach us the ropes" of airports, since we hadn't done it since Hawaii.

Now we are more likely to do it again and go places with my siblings.
We are going to Easter dinner tomorrow at Chris and Kim's.
I just found the photos and notes that Shane sent!

While we were just into security at the SF airport, we heard "Why, there's the Westras!" It was Kathy Hirst in our ward and New Haven neighborhood and we were on the same flight! She works for
Morris-Murdock Travel and was just returning from Singapore (18-hour flight!)

Our flight home seemed so quick! We discovered the flight tracking and Sudoko, etc. on the little screens. Happy Easter! Love you all, Mom and Dad