I have crammed a lot of living in these past 6 months. The Brit and I attended a Gulf Canada reunion in Kannaskis Country. He had not seem most of them for over 15 years so it was a lot of fun catching up. From there to Calgary where it was supposed to be the beginning of summer. Not so much!! Early Canadian summer is downright COLD! We were able to spend time with friends that are like family so aside from the chill that was great. We even managed a quick trip south to Bigfork, Montana to visit with Curt and Jan who we had not seen in years. We really loved their home in the woods and the great food.
On to Los Angeles for what was often called "The party that ate LA" or my fathers 80th birthday party. I am very lucky to have a father that is 80 in years and decades younger in health, spirit and outlook. Over 100 people celebrated with our us. Family from as far as Chicago and friends from all over the state. A lovely garden and margaritas made for a festive evening! It is a rare and wonderful thing for our whole family to be in the same place at the same time right down to all 11 grandchildren.
We then put our boys on planes for Montreal and New York and Gary and I escaped to the Napa Valley. We enjoyed wine tasting and biking and even managed a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards. It was amazing. We then drove the 7 hours back to LA and had enjoyed dinners with friends there that we don't get to spend nearly enough time with. Thanks for all your hospitality. You know who you are!!
Home for a bit and then off to Northern Ireland and NYC. I had not seen the Irish relatives for 14 years so it was high time for a visit. We spent 4 days in Newry living with Aunt E. in the farmhouse where the Brit's mother grew up. The cousins could not have made us more welcome and as they say in Ireland "the crack was grand" and it was!! Aunt E.+cousins+ food+whiskey=fun! A quick drive around Dublin and on a plane again. The Brit to London for a few days and me to NYC with him to join me.
The Oldest has finally made NYC home and I went so to see where he is now calling home. He is out in Brooklyn right off the "L" train and doing fine. A new job, a new home and pretty much a new life. While we were there we walked the city from one end to the other, went to see Momma Mia on Broadway and a trip to the MOMA. I LOVE NY!!
More sooner rather than later...........hopefully!
