There's no place like home. It really is true. There is something about being in the place of your roots that is so comforting. It's a rare thing to grow up in entirely one place these days (just ask my kids!), but I'm one of the few even in my generation who never moved once until I left for university at age 18. And my parents still live in my childhood home (after more than 40 years!). For all the moving around I've done as an adult and all the change and transition that my own family has routinely made as a result of our many moves, it is so gratifying returning home to people and places I know and love.
Cousin pool party
Helping grandma with her hair
Bike rides with my brother
A too brief, but wonderful, lunch with my bestie who drove down from Reno just to have lunch with me. No matter where we've lived across the globe, we haven't missed a year seeing each other.
Backyard picnic with the cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's house, the same place I remember spending many Sunday afternoons with my brother
Yes, that tent was used for a backyard campout for the week my brother's family and my family both were in town. 15 people in my parents' tiny house, but we made it work and even had fun!
My dear friend, Afsoon, from high school. It's been a wonderful life-long friendship.
At my aunt and uncle's gorgeous Italian style estate in Santa Rosa
So much fun chatting for hours in the back garden with my aunts and their families. I love my aunts so much.
My mom and two of her three sisters. I still cannot believe, after 10 years, that my aunt Dorothy is not with us. I miss her so much, and our family never feels complete without her.
A Monroe family trip to Alcatraz. I hadn't been here since I was a small child. It was a beautiful summer's day in San Francisco.
Bay Brigde
Golden Gate Bridge
Pier 39 for a yummer sour dough infused lunch!
And of course Ghiradelli Square for ice-cream!
The Golden Gate, there's nothing like it!
Playing at my childhood park around the corner from my house
My brother, probably day-dreaming about cycling
Off on a ride in triple digit temperatures!
Grandkids giving grandpa some gadget tips
Fun with cousins in the pool
Getting to that stage where our kids are soon going to be taller than us, Dallin nearing aunt Brooke's height
Happy 14th birthday, Tanner!
Interesting look at family genealogical charts together.
Just hanging out in Grandm and Grandpa's Christmas house
A great day out with my childhood BFF, Dana. How many people have a BFFTW?
A family self-portrait after church
Such a fun evening with friends in Palo Alto . . . Ronna, Suzi, Julia and Deanne
After JR left, Gordon, Erik, Scott and Jim.
4th of July! Our first 4th of July in the US in 5 years! We had to do it right . . . started with a family flag raising, a local fair, a movie, family BBQ and fireworks!
Trevon's second 4th of July in the US in his life. It was so fun to see him so enthusiastic.
And that's it . . . Southern California up next!
4 comments:
Looks like such a fun trip filled with family and friends. One thing I noticed in a lot of the photos was how adoringly everyone looks at that sweet baby girl! Very cute. Camping in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard sounds like a great adventure for cousins.
By the way, I'm so glad you continue to blog. So many have given it up, but you just have too many beautiful photos and amazing adventures to share, so don't ever stop! I may get behind (WAY behind), but I'm committed to catching up and continuing...someday. :) I love staying up-to-date with your family through Ashton Archives!
Such wonderful memories! We all loved looking at the pictures and reliving our adventures. We miss you guys. We look forward to when we can do this again!
Such wonderful memories! We all loved looking at the pictures and reliving our adventures. We miss you guys. We look forward to when we can do this again!
Beautiful No. Cal. trip. What a great way to spend a chunk of the summer. So grateful we got to see you too. I'm loving your aunt's place in Santa Rosa...Gorgeous! America is pretty awesome and you captured that in your photos.
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