Fun with Long Lost Friends!

We have lived in AZ for over 6 years now...before moving across the country we said good bye, see ya later, so some very very very good family friends. They have been part of Ryan's life since he was in high school, they loved me from the moment I met them and they have loved on the boys since the minute they came into this world. They are such good friends that we consider them family calling them aunts, uncles and grandma. Long story short...we moved, they moved (a few times) and we lost touch except through cards here and there, texts every once in awhile and facebook....sad but true.

Well...this past November we got back in touch and became serious about getting together...you see within the last 3 years, 3 of the 4 sisters and their mom have moved to the LA area; a mere 6 hr drive from our house. So we decided to take a spur of the moment trip to Cali over Thanksgiving day weekend. We had SO much fun and even though the boys hadn't seen them in a super long time, they didn't miss a beat!

We arrived on Friday afternoon and Colin instantly fell back into his Auntie's arms!

Brendan, Grandma Pam (his Godmother) and Angelina (her granddaughter)

Hannah (Angelina's mom), Ryan & Angelina

Amanda & Colin

While we were there, Aunt Amanda got a new TV...her new baby! Everyone was loving it!

Brendan, Ryan, Emma (daughter of Hannah) & Stacey

Me with Hannah's 2 beauties...we fell in love with these girls the nanosecond we laid eyes on them...the first time Angelina met me she came up to me, took my hand and said "I missed you so much."...my heart melted...
Brendan getting Emma to laugh...Emma Jewel...the jewel of Ryan's eyes...the minute he saw her he fell hard...the little girl he never had is one of his best friend's daughter. No doctor can diagnose Emma; she has the tendencies of an infant at 3 years old, but she is the sweetest little girl with the most beautiful smile.

...to learn more about Emma and her family check out her website...Hope for Emma...you will fall in love with her as quick as we did.

Saturday we hung out at Aunt Amanda and Uncle Sunil's house watching TV, laughing, eating, talking, playing video games...just like old times.

Before leaving we started snapping pictures...
Uncle A.T., Emma, Brendan, Colin, Aunt Hannah, Angelina

Miranda, Amanda, Ryan, Pam, Hannah

Colin, Grandma Pam, Brendan

Uncle Sunil & Aunt Amanda

We had such a great time, and short, that we promised to come back after Christmas for a bit longer...until then...we love you!


Monday December 27, 2010

We loaded up the car and headed back to Cali to spend time with our fav long lost family

Here I am, apparently texting, with Miranda's new Christmas present on my lap...Tootsie!

Colin & Brendan waiting patiently to open {more} Christmas presents


Brendan got Where the Red Fern Grows {book & movie} from Grandma Pam, his Godmother


Colin got his fav NFL team, the Chargers, shirt from Aunt Amanda & Uncle Sunil

Thanks Aunt Amanda & Uncle Sunil

Me, Colin & Tootsie

Auntie Miranda playing Loopz with Colin {the game she gave him for Christmas}

...so much fun...

We had lots of fun...we hung out, went to the movies, played at the park, went to listen to Aunt Miranda and Aunt Hannah sing {they have absolutely beautiful voices} and celebrated Christmas in the 4 days we were there.

The morning that we left

Brendan & Grandma Pam


Colin wanting to take Tootsie with us...Ryan saying..."that is SO not happening!"

both boys with auntie

Ryan & Emma Jewel...the little girl that has him wrapped around her little finger

Thanks for everything...we had so much fun and can't wait to visit again very very soon!

We love and miss you already!