Boy what a lazy bum I am. Of course I was out of the loop for over a week during my trip to California. But that is no excuse.....sorry!
I did make my trip to Ca to see our son, Todd graduate from Marine Bootcamp in San Diego. The trip was great and Heather, Xavier and I had beautiful weather during our 2 day train trip out to CA. Oh, I am being sarcastic!! We had snow whiteouts all the way to Albequrque!!
We jumped into a rental car in Los Angeles and drove down along the ocean to San Diego. BEAUTIFUL!!! As we waited for the keys to the house, the three of us walked out onto the Beach and Xavier got his first chance to put his toes in the Pacific. He loved the Beach and other than Uncle Todd I think it was one of the highlights of his trip. He would walk out onto the sand and the waves would chase him and he would squeal with delight! Then do it all over again!
My other daughter, Shannon, daughter-in-law, Erin and SIL Elaine flew in to San Diego together. My sister Michelle and her hubby Glenn came in from Maryland. Michelle and Glenn stayed at a nearby hotel, the rest of us rented a beautiful house 2 blocks from the beach and 2 blocks from Mission Bay. It was outstanding and very restul for our 4 night stay. That evening my cousin Steve Dillingham and his wife Vicki and children Alex and Alysa came over and it was wonderful seeing him and his family after too many years!
Of course Thursday morning we all rushed on base to get our first glimpse of Todd with his platton practicing for the Graduation Ceremonies on Friday. It was wonderful to see him, and even better later when he was released to us for the afternoon. We had a picnic off by ourselves where Todd had seen a table. That way his saluting and being harrassed were to minimum and we enjoyed spending time together. He ate like a man who had starved to death. Which of course was not the case, but those cookies and goodies looked darn good to him. We said goodbye early evening and couldn't wait to go back the next morning for his graduation!
The day again was outstanding and we attending the color ceremony, and piled into the stands awaiting the graduation ceremony. One of the highlights of the ceremony was of course seeing Todd in a fancier uniform, but the speaker told us the had one recruit out of the 466 who had served in the airforce and now was enlsted in the Marines and they were lucky to have one college graduate. Yup, thats our boy, the one college graduate out of 466! I am proud of him as always. We hugged and cried after the ceremony, but most importantly we grabbed his sea bags and got the heck out of there. Back at the house hamburgs and all the fixings for lunch followed by a walk down to the beach. That evening we were treated to the Pizza and Cheese Bread meal that Todd had requested by my Cousin Steve. Todd had a great time, said it was exactly what he had wanted and enjoyed meeting some cousins he didn't even know existed! We said goodbye to Glenn and Michelle they were flying out early Saturday morning.
Saturday we all packed up and headed to the San Diego Zoo. If you ever get the chance and you are up to the extreme ups and downs it is sooooo worth it. The botanical side of the zoo is worth the trip all by itself. Absolutely gorgeous! We took our exhausted butts home, made homemade meatloaf and crash and burned.
Sunday....Erin and Todd took Shannon to the airport, the rest of us packed and picked up the house. Then mid-morning we drove down to a beach about a mile away and walked around soaking up the Californai beauty before we said Good Bye to Erin and Todd. Heather, Elaine, Xavier and I drove up historic highway 101 along the beach oohing and aaaahing at the breathtaking views, beautiful houses, and cool stuff along the way. Around Camp Pendleton we got back on highway 5 and drove into La. Our train the Southwest Chief was a couple hours late getting going because of mechanical problems. But we loaded in relaxed and tried to catch some sleep. The views coming home were spectacular, much better than the snow whiteouts we had experienced on our way out. Xavier had shown signs of getting sick before we got on the train and Thank God Heather had stopped and picked up the medications she needed. He was sick and ran a fever on and off all the way across the U.S. But was so good even if he was sick. We had a great time, but were so looking forward to our own beds to fall exhausted into.
A wonderful memory to add to my lifes best things I have done! So glad I could share it with my daughter and grandson. I had promised mountains, palm trees and beaches. Xavier loved them all and smiled though them all. But the squeals of delight as the waves of February kissed his little toes will be one of my fondest memories. Of course the hugs and time spent with Todd are right there too. Today he leaves Colorado after his 10 day leave and heads back to Californai for 28 more days of training at Camp Pendleton. Not quite as strict as BootCamp. But not enough time to write letters, so a few calls will be permited. The next stage will be alot easier on all of us, evenings and weekends free and his phone and laptop will be him. So talking and skype vists are not far away!!
So now back to lifes routines. Treasure trails, beads, working on the house, and relaxing with a good book. Of course our next excitement is that beautiful new grandchild we will be counting down for in August. What a blessihg my family is and I am so grateful to be part of all my kids lives!! This new little one is going to be so lucky to come into a family that will love them so much!! Of course his Papa Binkley will hold up his end of the family tree too!! LOL
I will work a little harder to keep up with this. It won't be long and Todd can keep track of everything on this too. That will be an additional incentive! Take care all, keep warm and spring is really just around the corner. I need to keep chanting that one!!!
Dilly
