californ-i-A

we usually average 1 trip to cali per year. i love going back to visit and everytime we do, we leave feeling like maybe we should move back there. but then we get home to the mountains and the space, and we fall in love with where we live again. already this year, we've taken 2 trips back to the motherland.

in january, we took an unexpected trip back home for my grandfather's funeral. i can't believe it, but it was the first funeral i have ever gone to, (memorials excluded). it was super emotional, but such a good experience to say goodbye and be with family, especially my dear grandmother. the woman has now outlived 2, count them, 2 husbands. despite everything though, she is such a strong lady and is doing just fine.

my grandfather served in the military so he had the full military funeral.

[US Marines standing guard and shot their rifles during the ceremony]

[folding the flag that draped the casket]

[giving my grandmother the flag]

the next month, in february, we went home again. this time, for my grandmother. it was her birthday. HER 90TH BIRTHDAY! what an amazing lady, and i was so glad we could be there to celebrate her on that day. this is the kicker, she still drives, and has to retake her driving test this year. we'll see if she passes :) she has been such a huge part of my life, growing up years especially, since my dad wasn't really around. i can only hope to grow old with the grace and good looks this woman has.

[happy 90th birthday nana!]

[she even skyped for the first time to talk with her "norwegian son" and his family. Egil was an exchange student when my mom was in high school and they have kept in touch all these years]

[birthday girl blowing out her candles]

[the mr. and me with the birthday girl. by this time she was slosshed, as evidenced by her sweet party hat :) ]

and before the trip was over, we had to take the pupsters to the dog beach. marley used to go with me when we lived in california, but this was jack's first time. i think he was a fan.

[the hubs taking a dip in the cold pacific]

[jackster running his little heart out...]

[...to catch the frisbee. pretty good job little buddy]

[marley prefers to run along the waters edge, rather than go IN the water]

[jack on the other hand, can't get enough of the water]

great trip home and we can't wait for the next one, though we were glad to come home to the mountains and snow :)