I Hate Goodbyes

Jill's Journal: Our whole family gathered from different corners of Southern and Central California for one last time over Father’s Day weekend before we start heading East and leave this clan. We all so enjoy our time together, which we know is a great blessing, so these last days together were appreciated. Of course we’ll share visits in the future, but the chances for us to all be together at once will most certainly be few and far between. *sniff, sniff*

The girls got some last time with their new baby cousin. We tried to talk Kristi and Adam into letting Logan come with us, but to no avail. I want these cousins to grow up knowing each other. *sniff, sniff*

Erika said a special goodbye to her most favorite dog in the whole world, Kristi and Adam’s aging Meisje. She’s never known life without Meisje and had a harder time saying goodbye to her than the people. (I remember moving across half the country when I was about Erika’s age and having to leave my beloved pony behind, so I understand). *sniff, sniff*

It was hard for me to say goodbye to these two. How I love my sister and brother, best siblings in the world. I really, really wanted to be an only child when I was a kid, but now I’m so glad I’m not (thanks, Mom and Dad!). I couldn’t possibly imagine life without these two. *sniff, sniff*

One last shot of my parents with their four granddaughters before Uncle Adam, Kristi, Kristi’s Adam, and Logan had to leave. Happily, we’ll get a little more time with Grandpa and Beppy in the coming week or so, but then we’ll wish them farewell too. I hate goodbyes. *sniff, sniff*

Nieces of Adam

Jill's Journal: Only in California does one spot foreboding signs like this. Since I grew up in California, these signs don’t phase me, but I can see how they might strike a little fear into the heart of someone from another part of the country. And just for the record, I would take an earthquake over a tornado or a hurricane any day. Somehow I’ll bet most natives to the Left Coast would agree with me…and just about everyone originally from other parts of the country would adamantly disagree. Funny how that works.

Also spotted in downtown San Luis Obispo today: one Uncle Adam walking with two of his (now) four nieces.

Spotted yesterday: two Adams in their pajamas making breakfast for the whole crew. Three siblings, two spouses, four kids…our numbers are growing!

Uncle Adam made the long drive up to the Central Coast for the weekend to meet his new niece. Look at her look at him!

Yes, another niece to adore this awesome uncle. And it’s just a hunch, but if his first three nieces are any indication, I’m pretty certain Logan will too adore Uncle Adam.

Introducing…

Jill's Journal: It is my privilege to introduce the precious and perfect Logan Grace, newborn daughter of Kristi and Adam. This beautiful little baby made her grand entrance into the world on Sunday morning after putting her mama, my incredible sister, through a long and arduous labor. True to family form, Kristi did it all without any pain medication and was a complete rock star (us Dutch girls are tough!).

In one of the three greatest honors of my life (the others are being married to my wonderful husband and being entrusted by God to take care of three amazing little girls), Kristi and Adam allowed me to be present at Logan’s birth from start to finish. It was miraculous and phenomenal and magical…and I’m not ashamed to say tears streamed down my face as I was witness to her first breaths and saw Kristi and Adam become parents. I will madly love that little girl –and her parents– until the day I die.

Welcome to the world, precious Logan Grace. You are so loved.

Palm Springs to Paso Robles

Jill's Journal: Goodbye, Southern California. Our last days in Palm Springs were spent admiring those massive wind turbines…

…and swimming in some pretty wonderful pools at our campground. They’re filled daily with hot, fresh water from natural underground springs.

Driving through L.A. with a trailer is never fun. Does there really have to be so much debris on the road? No sooner did Rob say, “There’s so much crap I’m worried we’ll get a flat,” and we had a flat tire.

But, many long hours later, we finally made it to the Central Coast of California. That’s almost a deceptive name since the ocean is 30ish minutes away, but we’re here for the third and last time during our “tour” of the Golden State. We’re currently staying in lovely Paso Robles, which is cooler than Palm Springs, but still sunny and very warm. It’s beautiful wine country to boot.

We’re here to meet our new niece or nephew and the girls’ very first cousin, who will make an appearance any day now. We feel honored and so lucky to be here during this incredibly special time in the lives of my sister and brother-in-law. C’mon baby!

Family Fun (with silly string)

Jill's Journal: It took us a day to dry out and defrost our toes from the Safari Park, but then we enjoyed some fun time with Kristi and Adam (and constantly-growing puppy Cobin) over the weekend. Uncle Adam made the trip down to San Diego to join in the fun as well.

First up? A silly string fight. Uncle Adam is always a good sport when his nieces are involved.

Adam’s friend Forrest gave the girls the silly string; I don’t think he quite expected to find himself a target.

The adults may have had more fun with the silly string than the kids did…

…or maybe not. Erika was on a mission to get Adam. We need to work on her stealth factor.

We always, always have fun with these people. We are blessed to have such great family.

Madelyn is hugging her future cousin. It won’t be long now! Kristi is pretty much the cutest pregnant woman in history. I hope she has 10 more. :)

And we have another sick little one on our hands. Poor Victoria. Here’s hoping no other family members or any of our visitors catch whatever is going around.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Jill's Journal: After nearly two years on this RV journey, there’s a few things I’m pretty confident have been burned into our girls’ memories:

--camping among the wild ponies on Assateague Island
--touring the replica of the Mayflower in Plymouth
--fishing in Maine
--seeing the stars at Crater Lake
--hiking a six-mile portion of the Oregon Trail in blazing heat

--and now our day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (formerly the Wild Animal Park).

However, they’re not going to remember the Safari Park for all the gorgeous wild animals in recreated “natural” habitats. Oh no. They’re going to remember it because we went with April and Cat (who were here from Orange County), plus Aunt Kristi and Adam (who were here from the Central Coast)…and we got drenched.

We knew it was going to rain and we were able to walk much of the park before the showers started, thinking we were pretty clever to save the tram tour of the park for last because it is covered. Well, the tram may be covered, but it’s open on all four sides...and moments after we boarded, the storm kicked in. The wind started blowing, the rain started driving, and we got soaked. Completely and utterly soaked. Rob, Adam, and April survived somewhat unscathed, but all four kids plus Kristi and I were so, so, so very wet! We then had a long, cold, wet walk to the exit in the rain, complete with one little girl in tears because she was so miserable.

By the time we got home, the girls and I were walking prunes and were still soaked to the skin. Now that we’re warm and dry, it was quite the adventure. But yes, they’re going to remember this one for a long time to come. Their misery factor ranked up there pretty close to the Oregon Trail! We didn’t come on this trip with the intent to torture our children, but how funny that the situations where they’re the most miserable are sometimes the ones most established in their memories.

I don’t think we quite got the full Safari Park experience because of the rain, but it was great to see nonetheless and certainly memorable, rain and all. Opened to the public since 1972, the Safari Park was developed as a supplementary breeding program for the San Diego Zoo as well as a place of animal conservation. (The Safari Park is particularly noted for its work in saving California Condors from extinction and reintroducing the bird to the wild). The animals at the park are on display in more of a recreation of their natural environments than in a typical zoo setting. The park is on 1,800 acres in Escondido (just north of San Diego) and features over 3,000 animals (of more than 400 species) from six of the seven continents.

This one may need some explanation…Victoria and Adam were testing their wing span.

A northern white rhinoceros, one of only seven left in the world. Two of the seven are here at the Safari Park.

Goodbye Cat! My girls have SO enjoyed our three fantastic days with you (and I sure have enjoyed my time with your Mom!). What fun to experience amazing places like the Safari Park and the zoo with friends.

Medieval Times

Jill's Journal: If there’s one part of their history studies the girls have enjoyed almost as much as Ancient Egypt, it’s the Middle Ages. We really delved in deeply in second grade history this year, complete with several books in our literature classes to back it up, and skimmed over it pretty nicely in kindergarten as well. Of course, the great thing about homeschooling is that when one child in the family learns it, the others also absorb quite a bit without even meaning to. And so, with visions of knights and castles dancing in the girls’ heads, I knew just the perfect place for us to visit…

…Medieval Times! To our delight, the five other members of our immediate family on my side drove the many hours to join us. We so love getting the whole family together anyway and then Grandpa and Beppy made it even more special by being kind enough to treat us all. There’s eight or nine Medieval Times in North America, including this one in Buena Park, California, and it is so fun to indulge and get lost in another time. If you’ve never been to Medieval Times, it goes something like this... You come to a feast at the castle as a guest of the king. You’re treated to a three-course Medieval-era meal, which of course means no utensils. You eat with your hands, drink your soup, and are served by serfs and wenches. While eating you enjoy Medieval-era entertainment, including some spectacular horsemanship and falconry. Finally, a tournament ensues, with knights jousting and fighting to the “death” with lances, swords, alabaradas, bolas, and all the other deadly weapons of the time. Each section of the castle has its own knight to cheer for and he plays to the crowd, tossing out flowers to selected ladies and choosing one to be his “queen of the tournament.” Beppy got a flower, as did Erika and Madelyn. Poor little Victoria was feeling mighty left out until our knight chose her to be his special lady and gifted her with a keepsake banner. The entire experience is such a grand time. Sure, maybe it’s a little goofy, but that’s part of the fun. I knew Erika would love it – and oh, she LOVED it and is wishing time travel were possible – but Madelyn surprised us all by proclaiming repeatedly it was even better than Disneyland. She wants to go again for her birthday. All our girls can’t wait for another chance to visit.

Have I mentioned the horses? Andalusians, Friesians, Lipizzans, and more. These stunning, beautiful equines are the true stars of the show. Is it any wonder we all loved it?

Of course, pictures and a description don’t do the experience justice and my camera didn’t appreciate the lighting so the snapshots are all a little blurry. No matter; I think the girls will look back at these photos and the joy they felt at the time will all come rushing back to them.