Early last Friday morning, the three of us began our exciting journey.
Screens everywhere! Peter was a fan.
And the first family members we met were...
Yes, bizarrely, Nana and Grandpa Sean were flying to Tucson, 20 mins before us and 2 gates down.
Peter on the plane, getting ready for takeoff:
Some great views on the way:
Peter did so well on the flight to LAX. Thank you to everyone praying for us--it couldn't have gone better. He played well, ate well, and slept well. In truth, the trip there flew by.
And then, we were in California, with Uncle Steve and Grandpa to meet us. It was a really sweet thing seeing Peter finally meet these wonderful guys who love him so much.
Driving from LA to Aliso Viejo, Peter got to visit his first In & Out Burger.
Here's Grandpa playing with Peter from the back seat.
Fast friends...
Waiting for Peter at home were Aunt Kosal and his 3 very own cousins, Brianna, Jon, and Kate. Here is a shot of Dave Martin, patriarch, and all his grandchildren together at last:
The next day was another great introduction: Grandma and Grandpa Bruce, just in from Arizona.
Peter was continually surrounded by doting family. His naps were the only break in the action. Here we were at the delicious Lucille's Barbecue. Sorry, buddy, you really miss out when you don't have teeth!
The girls were exercising their great skills in balloon animal creation. They gave Peter an orange dog, and I winced waiting for the inevitable.
They traded it in for a more expendable and perhaps sturdier creation. Peter was enthralled.
Too enthralled, of course, for it to last. The transformation surprisingly didn't upset him--just momentary bewilderment followed by interest in the new toy (which was soon taken away.)
Pretty representative shots of Peter's stimulating time at Rockrose.
And just a sweet shot of Peter and Grandma from that day:
Pet shop trip #1. Steve went to get crickets for the frogs and we all tagged along. Peter was quite taken with the fishes.
He was also excited by all the dogs, getting groomed or whatever.
We went to the park on a beautiful afternoon, and Peter had a ball on the slide with Grandpa!
...and walking around with Aunt Kosal and Uncle Steve.
Peter's beautiful Aunt Kosal
Our last day, hanging around the house:
Jon and I did some dominoes...
Peter warily trying out the massage chair; some of the menfolk playing chess.
Another lovely park down the street. We borrowed the umbrella stroller left over from the kids' infancy, and the kids took turns pushing it. Thanks, Steve, for the family portrait!
Our last night in CA, we hit Fashion Island in Newport Beach. One of the big draws was a great water fountain sure to delight Peter (it did.) Equally spectacular was Dad's monumental lifting feat.
And there was another pet store, where Peter made a friend:
The koi pond.
And just some choice shots of my two favorites:
Finally, and sadly, it was time for us 3 to head home. Here's our seasoned traveler starting out his flight.
...and practicing his raspberries.
So that was 58 pictures (if you've made it this far), snapshots of a crazy, fun, unambitious yet intense, really meaningful, way too short time with our dear family. We loved talking and playing and eating and just doing life with you guys, and we miss you a lot. Peter had a great time, and it was so sweet to see your love and enthusiasm for our little boy. We love you so much, and really look forward to the next time we can be together!
