CA trip with Audrey

In early November Audrey and I took a trip to California to see everyone she missed during her long sleep in the hospital. It was such a delight to see her excitement about the trip. Here we are at the KC airport and she is watching for our plane to pull in.




We waited on the curb in LA for Shane and Alex to pick us up.



We had a wonderful day with Christy on Thursday. She took Audrey, Alex and myself to the beach for starters, then to the Trump golf course where we took a great walk down to some tide pools. Here the girls are 'descending' to the beach.

Isn't this cute? They actually positioned themselves this way for this great shot.

Did you know sea anemones look like flowers and 'close' their petals if you touch them - and starfish come in colors like purple and orange? We had a great time of discovery.

On Friday Shane drove us up to meet Tyler. Audrey took a shot of two of her uncles for her school journal. While Alex just figured Audrey had finally woke up it was great to see the adults' reaction to a little girl they had last seen on a ventilator.

Uncle Shane set up this shot on some playground equipment.

Natalie is our first official redhead!! You can see a tinge of red in Tyler's beard and my hair has(or had) some red highlights so she comes by it honestly. Her complexion with her burnished copper hair is just beautiful.

Audrey is never happier than when holding or taking care of a baby. Natalie looks like she knows she is in good hands.

Ty, Jerilyn & Jack took us to a minature horse ranch and on to Solvang where we had a wonderful lunch.


On Sunday Tyler took Audrey & I to a wonderful brunch at the Cold Springs Tavern. This actual building used to be a stagecoach stop in the 1800s and each owner takes responsibility for minimal changes. It doesn't take much imagination to think of all the boots that have walked these floors. Our drive was a beautiful quick one through the mountains with power steering and a heater - whole different ballgame with a team of horses, hostiles and a creaking stagecoach!
Oh - and the food was wonderful - thanks Ty!
Early Sunday afternoon, while waiting for Shane & Christy to arrive Ty, Jerilyn & Jack took us to the Santa Barbara zoo where Audrey was able to stand on California and show where Santa Barbara was located.

This is the Santa Barbara version of sledding with astroturf and pieces of cardboard!

The words 'mower' and 'outside' need to be spelled out around Mr. Jackson. He is his father's son and LOVES the outdoors. His favorite thing is to push the mower like daddy does. He'll stop and reverently touch a tire or grill (I said he was his father's son).

While Jackson still thinks I am associated with the IRS he fell in love with Audrey. She was wonderful and they spent a lot of time playing together.

Are you my Uncle Shane?? Here Shane & Christy meet Natalie for the first time.
Family shot with Alex, Shane, Christy, Audrey, Jerily, Natalie and Tyler.

Ty, Shane, Christy, Alex, Audrey & I went to dinner at a wonderful pasta spot in Santa Barbara before we headed back to L.A. On Tuesday morning we rode with Shane to drop Alex off at school and then headed home. I have some videos to upload but need to edit them first. Thanks everyone for a wonderful visit - it was an awesome way to celebrate family & Audrey's recovery.