07.19.2015: When it Rains it Pours

No, literally....

We all woke up fairly early and started the trek back to the Phoenix area....after of course Avery performed quite a few piano solos, along with singing some of her "original" songs.  It was amazing.  BTW...the piano was not plugged in, and did not work...but she made the noises it should have, and ghost played it while she was singing.  Barrel of laughs that one!

Vince and I originally planned to go back to Huntington to see Christina, Lex and Lennox again...but Vince wasn't feeling great.  Felt like he was catching a cold...I am sure the wet & humid weather mixed with the heat, then the indoor AC didn't all help.  Decided not to risk getting the baby sick.

It was a good call, heading back early.  About 2 hours after we passed the Desert Center area, the roads collapsed from all the rain & washed away!  We got NO rain the entire drive, but it was right behind us and CA was getting hammered....like torrential rains that were flooding everything. Anyways, it was CRAZY!  The road closed down...and is still closed.  There is some ridiculous detour that adds about an hour to the trip.  They aren't sure when it will be able to reopen!

This could have easily been us!!

07.18.2015: Riverside Night Swimming

After getting back from Bill's memorial service, we all just hung out at the house the rest of the night.   Scott Spark came over for a bit and we caught up on all the gossip with each other and filled each other in on what's been going on in life.  We hadn't gotten to really visit with Scott in a while so it was nice that he stopped by for a bit.

 

Mom & Dad ordered some pizza from our favorite place...bacon cheeseburger pizza, garlic chicken alfredo pizza...garlic bread, and just regular pizza too.  YUM!!  And don't forget the wine to go along with that....

 

Kids couldn't wait to night swim...even though it was a little chilly and still sprinkling.  Oh, and the kids didn't bring their suits, so they went commando...well, kinda...they basically swam in their comfies!  They loved it though...the more drama the better!

 

As the evening went on, we had to light up the fire to warm up and just generally gather around....and drink wine.  Some of us stayed up chatting...others crashed early.  I am sure we fit in an Angels game at some point too!  A trip to Riverside is not complete without an Angels game on TV!  (Even if it is a rerun).



 

 

Drake

Andrew

Covering up like a lady!

Doing Drake's hair

Such a sweetie..both of them!

Dad's ready for bed!

Gorgeous night!

Ken & Kelsea's "save the date" photo...ya, prob not!

 

07.18.2015: Bill's Memorial Service

Today we had Bill's memorial service out in Murrieta.  Gina had asked that Vince be the officiate for the service, which was a HUGE honor for him/us.  I know that Bill truly loved Vince and that Vince truly loved Bill...however, out of all the people she could have asked, it was so special that she asked Vince.  Scott had called me a few weeks ago to ask if it was ok and to see what I thought.  To have him on board, as well as Mike and Chris was equally special. 

I had prepared the slideshows for before and after the service, as well as a special "memorial" slide show that was going to play during the service while Vince sang Amazing Grace.  This was kind of an addition that we threw in there after the Lake Mead trip.  As I was going through our pictures from the trip, and reflecting on the memorial cross that Scott made, and we put in, it just hit me.  The sounds of Amazing Grace just played in my head as I was looking at the pics...and it just fit.  So, I put this little show together, and Vince sang the song to it.....here is the link:

https://youtu.be/1X_NdsrhOVE

Aside from this, Vince did an amazing job coordinating the service.  I had mostly prepared the script for him to read, and most of the dialogue to recite...however, he did great with pulling it all off.  During the service, a few people got up to speak, including Chris and Mike...who both did awesome!  Bill would have been proud of both of them!  Brent got up and shared a few special stories of ours with Bill, and also read a poem that was special in that it was "from Gina".  It was a beautiful poem, from one who lost her lover.  Very appropriate and touching!  A few of Bill's colleagues got up and told some very crazy stories!  It was special to see the Bill we knew, was the same Bill to everyone.  The common theme was that there was NO ONE that did not dislike Bill.  No one.  He was very much loved, and respected, and will be very dearly missed!!!

After the service, we all went back to Gina's house for a reception.  It was nice catching up with everyone there....and everyone brought food, and drinks and generally just enjoyed the moment of celebrating Bill's life.

07.17.2015: Meet Baby Lennox

 

What a little cutie!!!  Baby Lennox, of course!  He is one week old today and it w since as the first day to come see him!  We were his first visitors too which was super special!!!  According to Christina, he eats, sleeps & poops.  Which is basically what he did when we were there. 

 

We got there around lunch time and brought some Greek takeout with us.  Lennox took a little snooze while we chowed down...then he left to go chow down for a while.  After chowing, he was wide awake.  Drake enjoyed holding him and watching him and his google eyes.  I got to feed him and hold him...a lot, which made me happy! :)  We didn't stay too long since their schedule revolves every 2 hours or so.  We tried to make it home before the major traffic started, but ended up right in the middle of it.  Oh well!

 

Vince with his newest grandbaby

Me with mine

Love baby fingers

Uncle Drake