Palm Springs

Well, we got out of town for a few days up to Palm Springs. Of course, so did a lot of other people. It was pretty crowded, but it was very beautiful and a nice time, even if it was a quick trip.

We stayed in Debbie's time share, which were really nice grounds (how were so many people in the actual pool in that 50 degree weather??) but we played bocce ball (I won LOL) and Sophie had fun playing in the dirt and only made the mistake of trying to eat it once.

AJ and I found a fun speakeasy one night while Gebbie watched the baby, and the next day we visited The Living Desert. I'd actually had it on my list of things to do for awhile and it was great to finally visit it - it was pretty awesome.

See you next time!

Holiday Cheer

We've had a few fun holiday activities lately with Sophie (which has really made me realize that she doesn't have really any festive outfits. Oh well) and it included our own family Christmas celebrations. 

She is weirdly obsessed with Enzo

She really got some great gifts too, like wooden clogs from Holland, a super awesome kitchen step stool and a fun little tea set.

While we already have a tree, we like to visit Christmas tree farms to pick up some clippings to put around the house to get the fresh pine scent.

After that we went to the Spectrum (mostly out of boredom) and Sophie just loved sitting and watching (and judging TF out of) the ice skaters. That was fun.

Yeah, she wasn't into these photos

There is also a house in our neighborhood that always has some great decorations that include arches over the sidewalk (they do this for lots of holidays!) and I love taking Sophie on walks in the evening to see the neighborhood lights and walk under the arches. She's always pulling everything off her head these days (even hair ties holding a ponytail up) but she looks warm and cozy for a hot second at least (pun intended).

Only 5 days left until Christmas which is always such a bummer, but hoping to really enjoy these last 5 days!

Dorothea Evelyn

I remember what a big party her 90th was. I can't remember for sure, but it's possible that she was still driving at that point. She was in good shape for so long. I held my breath for her 99th and just a few months later when the year turned, I remember thinking... even if she doesn't make it until Fall 2017 for her 100th, at this point it's pretty crazy that she's seen 1917-2017. So how unreal that after all that, she lived to be 104 years old. 

So many people get so much less time with their grandparents; we were so lucky. And it was a devastating last few weeks, and I was fervently praying for her suffering to end... yet even so, when it happens, it is still surreal, and so upsetting. I had nothing left unsaid, nothing left undone, and yet it doesn't not hurt that she isn't here anymore, and I won't be able to spend any Saturday or Sunday afternoons at her home, and she won't be present for any more milestones in my life. I miss her already.

November 6, 1917 - December 9, 2021

L to R: Laura, Herbert, Dorothea, Eugene and Wilbur
1927

Love you, grandma. Rest well.