"Driving Down the 101, California here we come"

Well we did drive down the 101 a few times, and it's CRAZY. I don't think I could ever get used to that much traffic.

I'm back to the real world. Back to the grind, the routine, back to...Indiana.

It was a GREAT 2 weeks spent with family in Sunny California. It flew by, like all vacations do, but I'm so thankful we were able to spend that much time there. The next few days I will be posting some pictures of what we did. I took a ton (broken camera and all!) and MOST of them turned out (what, I didn't tell you my NEW camera screen cracked and I can't see a single thing I'm trying to take a picture of? Yeah. It did.)

First up, Grandma Jennie's Surprise 7oth Birthday party. This happened the 2nd day we were there. Had to get up early and everything. 3 hour time differences are NOT fun. But the decorating and planning and awaiting our surprise entrance was so exciting, I forgot that we were all running on little sleep!

She indeed was surprised, not only about the party (she thought it was just a family reunion) but that we were all there! I was thrilled that everyone pulled it off and no one let it slip we would be in town.

I have to say (or maybe I don't) that California has the best Mexican food. An amazing catering business came out to make the food. It was heaven on a plate.

I took a few pictures to capture the day. They didn't all turn out the best, but you get the idea. I'm working w/ a jacked up camera after all!

No birthday is complete without a pinata! Grandma taking her swing at it and Ryan taking his turn! (Molly opted out)

After the party, we all got settled and went to bed early. The fun just got started.....

I'm also happy to report no TSA agent felt me or my children up. In fact, both flights heading to California and then back home were a breeze. Praise the Lord!