Grandparents are the Best

Jill's Journal: We’ve had so much fun being with my parents during our time in Tehachapi and have gotten a million things done, including steam cleaning our carpets, defrosting our fridge and freezer, and all those satisfying things that take a ton of time and effort but can be hard to find room in the day to do.

But if Rob and I have enjoyed being here, it doesn’t compare to the happiness it’s given the girls as they’ve pretended to be farm girls and soaked up time with their grandparents.

A ride with Grandpa…

“Farm” chores for Grandpa…

Photo by Beppy

And more work for Grandpa. These girls are trying to earn money for some big purchases they have planned and caught on pretty quickly Grandpa pays more generously than anyone else when it’s his granddaughters. Boy, oh boy, has he been popular as they’ve clamored for their turn to “work” for him!

Photo by Beppy

The girls have had an equally wonderful time with Beppy indoors. Just look at this fruit salad Beppy and Erika made for dinner one night. Isn’t it the cutest thing?

Ahhhh, grandparents. There’s not much better than grandparents.

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*

Logan Admiration Society

Jill's Journal: While I promise this little spot in cyberspace won’t be solely spent in basking in the Logan glow forever, that little sweetie is the focus of our days right now. Here’s the two grandmothers meeting their new granddaughter for the very first time, about three hours or so after she was born. What a special moment.

And the next day, our girls finally got to meet their one and only cousin.

Madelyn, who has always had a soft spot for babies, is head over heels in love.

It’s safe to say they’re all pretty smitten.

Even Erika, with all her talk about wanting to be an only child, would very much like her little cousin to just move right in with us.

Beppy, Kristi, and Logan…three generations of special ladies.

Grandpa has had so much fun with his older three granddaughters that he was kind of hoping for another one. He got his wish! Four granddaughters for Grandpa and Beppy…that always makes me think of my Grandma (the girls’ Great Grandma June and my Dad’s mother), who had four sons and would have been over the moon at the prospect of her son having four granddaughters. I can just see the smile on her face if she were still with us today.

What a cutie! Yeah, we’re definitely all smitten. And Rob and I are so proud to finally be an uncle and an aunt! :)

It’s a Party!

Jill's Journal: One of our first orders of business up on the Central Coast was to attend my sister’s flip-flop/beach-themed baby shower, thrown by some sweet friends of hers. It was the girls’ first “grown-up” party and they were so incredibly excited to attend, especially since parties are few and far between on this RV trip. The women were all very gracious to the little girls and we ended the day with them feeling like little ladies indeed.

Aunt Kristi certainly had her share of helpers during present time.

Here are the two proud Grandmas-to-be, Beverly and Beppy. We’re not the only ones eagerly awaiting this baby of Kristi and Adam’s!

This photo of a spinning Erika was taken by Madelyn…

…but Erika wasn’t the only one dancing. The mama-to-be at nine months along can still shake it!

Desert Fun

Jill's Journal: After basking in the sunlight and warmth of Palm Springs for the last couple of days, even my cold weather-loving Rob is starting to see the appeal of the desert. We did live in Phoenix long ago, so he’s no stranger to it, but it’s taken him this long to appreciate it. Yay! My work is done. :)

Our girls were thrilled to finally unpack their summer clothes, so they’re pleased as punch to be here also. Isn’t it amazing how a little sunlight just makes everything happier?

We’re enjoying exploring Palm Springs (this picture was snapped on the main drag, Palm Canyon Drive), which isn’t large at less than 50,000 residents, but seems much bigger when combined with surrounding cities like Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, and several others. It’s a resort town and even now, in the "slow" season (the busy season is winter), there’s still a great deal of out-of-town traffic and visitors. Here’s something interesting: Palm Springs alone has over 125 golf courses and over 2,250 holes. At 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego, it’s truly Southern California’s desert playground.

Palm Springs was a favorite getaway for celebrities for several decades and the Palm Springs Walk of Stars is reminiscent of the one in Hollywood.

Downtown is peppered with the sidewalk stars of major celebrities who made Palm Springs home or had a major impact on the community. Bob Hope was one of them.

We took a little side trip to neighboring Cathedral City and Desert Memorial Park…

…where Frank Sinatra is buried…

…as is Sonny Bono, Palm Springs’ best-known mayor. I think of him as a goofy 1970s singer; this town loves him.

Speaking of celebrities, Elvis and Priscilla spent their honeymoon tucked away in this house.

It’s right in the middle of a neighborhood (the same one Liberace lived in!), but it’s peaceful.

Enough of celebrities. We’d heard Sherman’s Deli and Bakery was the best place in town for breakfast or lunch, so we had to try it. “They” were right. If you ever make it to Palm Springs, put this on your list. It doesn’t look like much, but the food is marvelous.

We toured the McCallum Adobe, the oldest building in Palm Springs. It was built in 1884 for the first white (non-Indian) settler to stay permanently.

Ruddy’s General Store Museum is next door to the McCallum Adobe. Stepping into this place is truly a step back in time.

A recreation of a 1930s general store, Ruddy’s has shelves filled to the brim with authentic 30s-era merchandise. The showcases are also original, as are the fixtures and the signs. And the merchandise! Over 95% of it is unopened and unused, filled with the original 1930s contents. The store's namesake, Jim Ruddy, spent 35 years amassing this collection. He opened the museum 30 years ago after buying the stock of a depression-era liquidator who had similar merchandise left untouched in his basement for 40 years. Ruddy’s makes up one of the most complete (and largest) collections of unused general store merchandise in the U.S.

What fun to feel like time travel is possible for a few moments.

Our highlight over the last few days was definitely a trip up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

It was a highlight because these two – my Mom and my brother Adam – surprised me for my birthday! I was trying to ignore the day, but they made it really special by driving hours just to be there and surprising the heck out of me. How awesome are they? Thank you so much, Mom and Adam (and Rob!); I felt so loved and blessed! I was so stunned to see them I don’t think I even squealed or anything…it’s not too often I’m struck mute.

Here’s Beppy, Uncle Adam, and the girls in the tram. It’s really something: the world’s largest rotating tram cars (the floor is constantly rotating) ascend from 2,643 feet to 8,516 feet in about 10 minutes. It’s a 2 1/2 mile journey to the top of Mt. San Jacinto. It’s chilly that high up, which I’m sure is a welcome relief for visitors in the heat of summer.

On the ascent…that’s a long way to the ground.

The destination is the “Mountain Station,” where one can hike and enjoy nature or dine in a really fancy mountaintop restaurant. Another surprise for me: Rob had reservations at the really fancy restaurant and we all splurged mightily. My Mom then surprised Rob by taking the check (and probably considered giving it back when she saw the total!). I think we could have all eaten for a week on what dinner cost that night, but it certainly was memorable. A lot of birthdays I don’t remember, but this one I’ll definitely never forget!

This is the view from the top; that’s Palm Springs way, way down there.

Fallbrook Memories

Jill's Journal: About 50 miles north of San Diego is the sleepy little town of Fallbrook, which just so happens to be where Rob and I got married 15 years ago. We thought it would be fun for the girls to see it for themselves.

To the left of the girls, in the far background, is the pond and gazebo where we officially tied the knot.

Our reception was held inside this adjoining mansion.

The girls were very intrigued and wanted to see pictures of the actual day, so for fun, I’ll share a few here too. Oh, memories!

This has always been one of my favorite photos. My parents are on the left; Rob’s are on the right. I absolutely love this picture! Sadly, Rob’s Dad passed away two years later.

These leggy ladies, from left to right, are Rob’s sister Wendi (now in Kentucky), Bridget (now in Arizona), Jennifer (now in Texas), and my sister Kristi (still in, or actually, returned to California).

Not to be outdone, but sporting slightly hairier legs, are my baby brother Adam (who was truly a baby at only 15!) and Rob’s longtime friend Pat, whom we recently got to see.

I will forever love my friend Elizabeth for capturing this shot of all our surviving grandparents at the time. Those are my Dad’s parents on the left, my Mom’s mother in the middle of the three ladies, and Rob’s maternal grandma (Great Grandma Lili) on the right. My two grandmas have since passed away, but I’m so thankful our girls have gotten the chance to know my Grandpa and Rob’s Grandma on this RV journey.