A California Thanksgiving

Driving is becoming a way of life for us now.  Since everyone we know and love is far away, there often seems to be no other way of connecting.  Especially when we have lots of stuff to transport.  I'm happy to say that I am done with family Christmas gifts.  We filled the back of the car with them.  There are times when the space provided by a comfortable car is such a luxury.  So, on Wednesday, a week ago, we headed for California by car, to spend Thanksgiving with family and prepare for our Nutcracker performance.  We munched our way through Oregon, Nevada and then California, arriving at a comfortable 6PM at Mountain House, where Audrey and Cliff now live.

It is so different to be in our children's space instead of having them in ours, as it has been for so many years.  The local family gathered at Audrey and Cliff's for Thanksgiving.  We had people from our side of the family and some from in-law sides.  It was a bundle of humanity here, and fun.  I love being surrounded by people that I know.  Not so much when the bunch are strangers.  It is a great blessing to have family.  I'm reminded of that almost daily, but especially when we gather together.  It is somewhat magical to think that Layne and I have managed to produce such an abundance of progeny.  I can't help but feel joy in it.

Since we are here until Monday the 9th, we have some open time.  I have pressured Layne into visiting some of our friends.  Layne, you see, is perfectly happy just spending time alone, reading or some such solo activity.  Not that he isn't social.  He lights up when in a group.  But he doesn't seek it.  So I had to make the arrangements for various visits and then urge him to accompany me.  We've spent the last day or so visiting our Fremont neighbors and a couple of others.  Once with them, pleasures bubble to the surface as we visit and catch up on their family news.  Connections and affections are renewed.  Making the time to visit is so worth it.

Today we begin Nutcracker rehearsals in earnest.  Performances come up this weekend.  I'm feeling pretty calm about it.

Daughter in law Dorothy on right with her sister Emily on left.
Do you think they look alike?

Reed and Dorothy's youngest, Bruce, enjoying
Thanksgiving goodies.

Ben and Jessica's Zachary, celebrating his December birthday
early, with family.  Brother William is on the left.  Reed and
Dorothy's son Timothy is on the right.

Ben and Jessica's youngest son, Jonathan.

Benjamin and youngest daughter Victoria.

Alexis and Abigail, two of Ben and Jes' daughters.

Our Nutcracker buddies, Howard and Sandra Burnham, with Layne
just after a delicious Japanese feast in Dublin, CA.

Audrey and Cliff's suave son Isaiah, mixing
up a sour dough potion for his own special batch
of sour dough bread.  Mother's sour dough
starter lives on!