The Last Days

Times up! We flew home from California the other day. We're getting over the jet lag, the wash is done, and it's snowing outside.

Before we left, we were able to make a couple more side trips. We traveled over to Oceanside, about a half hour ride, west through the mountains, from Temecula.
It was a beautiful morning to wander around the San Luis Rey mission and gardens - the largest of the old missions in California.
Another ten minutes drive and we were at the Pacific Ocean and the Oceanside Pier.
It was fun to finally reach the Pacific shore. We ate lunch on the beach by the pier and walked in the surf along the shoreline.
The water was cold, but the waves were eight to ten feet, and great for surfing.
We watched, we didn't surf!
The next day was a trip down to San Diego with Rachel and Ellie. It was fun to wander the area.
The following night we babysat Elliana while Aaron and Rachel went out on a date. I'm sure their minds were more on what was going on at home than on their time together since it was the first time to leave their daughter with anyone.
We all survived!
Though Ellie didn't always think so, "Tummytime" is fun each night, and she's holding her head higher these days!
When we went to the Outlet malls one day, Gramma picked out a Valentine's Day outfit and Grampa chose her first doll.
We had a delicious Valentine's dinner together, and spent our last night at Aaron and Rachel's house.
All too soon, good-byes were being said , and our "Ellie Time" was up. No more cuddling or spoiling, but lots of great memories!

Without waking anybody up, we sneaked out at three-thirty the next morning to drive to the airport and catch our flights back to Michigan. I thought we'd be the only ones on the interstate at that hour. Ha! It's LA, and there were hundreds of cars on the road!

Once again, we are learning to apply that verse from Philippians 4 - "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content."