California

Just got back from a meeting in Sacramento. It was with our group of health physicists, or radiation specialist - a very nice group of people. David and I both went, as did my brother and his daughter, my niece, who is 18 and off to college this very month. It was such a great trip (especially when the work part was over!) - we were done on Thursday and had Friday and Saturday to explore San Francisco! I had some serious quality time with my niece (and husband and brother) and thoroughly enjoyed the sights. We hope to bring Smith and Tate back in January, with our biology group. Smith especially would love Alcatraz!

We found Rick's Dessert Diner and WOW and YUM!

Our elevator in Sacramento - wouldn't that be a great band name?

There's always money in the Icee stand

 

The kids had some time with my parents in Hilton Head - they got a week of grandparent LOVE and ATTENTION and ICE CREAM every night. Smith even got to perform onstage with Greg Russell, who performs under the tree in Harbour Town during the summer - and guess what, I saw him when I was a kid! How cool is that? I wish I had a picture from then to compare. Anyway, Smith did Flying Purple People Eater in front of a huge crowd, and LOVED every minute of it. Go Smith.

However, he had soccer camp start his first day back from vacation and he fell asleep on the sofa at 7pm! That's a highly unusual Smith-occurence. They had a ball, and Tate missed me (also highly unusual!), so I still have some job security in that regard.

I missed them a bunch - by Wednesday, it was a week away from them, and while it was nice only being responsible for us, it was weird. David even said, after we get the kids back on Sunday, that he wasn't used to dealing with kids and need!

Next stop is Smith Mountain Lake - we leave next week for that. I think, at 41, I have finally figured out that I am a lake/mountain girl. While I enjoy (and maybe even deeply like) the beach, I really love being at a lake, or Yellowstone, or hiking. We hope to get back to Yellowstone next summer - we are fortunate with our trips and meetings and adventures, for sure.