Cali.~Part 2:

Part 2:

Post wedding (actually a few of these are pre-wedding but I didn't want to include them in the wedding post, as they weren't directly related!)

Mondo Burrito

..one of the Hendersons favorite eating places!  

Similar to a Qdoba..but they don't have those out there!

Disclaimer: 

I realize no one should have to see a 89 year old grandma in her swimsuit..but this is what my family has to deal with on a regular basis.  Grandma E modeling! Get out the camera and watch her go!  I'm NOT kidding!!!  If you can't change things, embrace them!

Linda, Janice & Julie working on Bridesmaids gifts.

Carissa did a lot on these, she just wasn't there when I took the picture...actually on second look I see her leg...lol! 

Grandma E & me...behaving! 

She really looks great! 

We walked up to a corner gas station and I spotted this...isn't that great!...I think I could eat the whole treat...love these! 

Julie & Janice embracing their 'vices' to get through the wedding 

Joel, Dad & Linda 

Tod & Julie have a beautiful home!  

A BIG thanks to them for letting us all hang out there! 

The day after the wedding,

we were all so well rested we went to an outlet mall on the way home....it's kind of an open air/semi enclosed fortress.  It was so packed with shoppers, we had to park in a field and hike in!  And the Food Court was packed! 

We always play Euchre! 

One morning we went to IHOP to celebrate Joel, Cailin & Dad's birthday 

more Euchre! 

getting ready to go for a walk 

On Labor Day, we went to the Scott's new home...they are good friends of Tod & Julies...they obviously have a beautiful home...Randy & Eileen are some of the nicest people you would want to meet...thanks for sharing your house with us!

the ladies playing Croquet! 

On Tuesday, we said good-bye to Grandma E, John, Lurinda & Janice..after dropping Janice off at SFO airport..Julie drove Linda & I and the kids to Half Moon Bay....it's a cute little town with shops along the main street...similar to Ludington or Grand Haven.

AND it's on the Pacific Ocean!  So we got to experience the ocean too!  Ryan was a little unsure of the waves..but we got a few pictures! 

Nana Julie, Ryan and GREAT Gma Linda 

Cailin 

We went to Pluto's for dinner ..that's in the Santana Row shopping area..and then got ourselves some Gelato....mmmm! Best stop all night! 

Grandpa Bill, Joel & Ryan 

Santana Row 

Carissa, Cailin & Ryan in the pool at Tod & Julies 

Tod with 2 of his favorite things..Ryan and anything Michigan! 

a few photos before Joel and Carissa headed back to their home in Oregon 

Sisters...and Ryan's hand ..lol

If you think that looks like great fun...wait till you see Cali part 3!

Cali.~Part 1

Part 1 

will consist of my nieces wedding ~ the reason we were in California to begin with!

We (Dad, Linda and myself) arrived on a Thursday at SFO.  We found our way to the rental car area (escalators, elevators, people movers & trams) and headed for Santa Clara (where my BIL & sister live).

The next day we started in with the wedding festivities!

at the hotel

Father-of-the-Bride looking oh so relaxed

Hannah (the Bride) getting all gussied up!

Random Pictures....

in and around the Venue!

 The wedding was held at a working vineyard in Livermore, CA

It was a beautiful back drop (a little hot..lol) for a beautiful wedding!

My sister, Julie and Hannah spent many many hours covering each detail and it paid of!  

Julie isn't called the Kraft Queen for nothing!

Pinterest wedding all the way....

the seating arrangements

Ryan was the ring bearer (although he didn't care the rings??) he is my nephew,

 (Hannah's nephew) Joel's, son.  He did an awesome job...with all kids, it's always a gamble whether they will actually go down the isle the day of the wedding (he hem-Joel) or not.

He did and was so cute with his little sign!

Here is Cailin with my nephew Joel...She turned 1 while we were out there!

Joel and Grandma Elsie!

Joel, Dad & Linda

Joel (he was a busy guy!) & Julie

Oh! and here comes the bride!

Tod and his little princess, Hannah!

~Isn't she beaming~

Eric getting ready to take her arm!

Rings!

Mr & Mrs Eric Elmblad!

with the parents

the Sisters!

Cute! Cute! Cute!

Julie, Hannah & Me!

Hannah's side

Grandpa Bill & his only Granddaughter

Daddy~Daughter dance

It was very special occasion!!

 I'm so glad I was able to be there in person to watch Hannah make her way down the isle to her love Eric!

They make a wonderful couple!

May they be blessed with many years (and little Eric & Hannah!) together!

I hope *someday* I can witness them moving to the Upper Peninsula and raising their little Eric & Hannahs!!

The Monkeys go to the Zoo

What happens when the zoo offers $1 admissions....the WHOLE city and surrounding towns attend!...and that's no joke!  

The only saving grace was I didn't have a stroller, wagon or wheelchair to maneuver around!

Hahaha..I just looked at the picture and realized their is not a soul in sight...lol..no really, this was on our way out!

John Ball has been climbed on for years!  

Good thing he has strong shoulders!

John Ball (1794-1884) is memorialized by a bronze figure of himself seated on a granite bench with two children. The figures of the children were modeled by Virginia and Albert Ellis Ball, great-grandchildren of this Grand Rapids pioneer.

because we got in for $1....I let the boys do the High Ropes Course...they really enjoyed it ....11 year old boys have NO fear!!!  I was scared just watching them!

Carson & Trent 

all smiles! 

I got a bird 

String Rays 

Grizzly Bears 

We went back in the bird cage...they were having so much fun getting the birds on their sticks 

It won't be very many more years I can go to zoo...