We took a bus from San Felipe to Mexicali, rented a car in Mexicali, and drove to my mom’s house in Brawley. Then we caravanned with Mom and John to Vegas and spent a wonderful weekend there with family for my sister’s wedding. Then we drove to our friends’ house in Redondo Beach and spent a couple days drinking nice wine, shuttling the boys to their friends houses, running Alex around for dentist appointments, and eating nice food. Then we spent one night at my dad’s house in San Diego, then back to Brawley for my stepsister’s wedding. It was quite a trip, but poor Tim had to stay in San Felipe to take care of Exodus. He got so many projects done while we were away!
Waiting for the taxi at the marinaAt the bus station in San FelipeOn the busThe rental car – Alex hopped right into the front seat, because he’s 12 now, so he knew I would let him. He and Andrew called shotgun on each other all weekend.Mmmmm…. ice cream at Gramma Nay’s houseSurprising Papa and Nana (They didn’t know Alex and Brenden were coming)Surprising Andrew! (Andrew took a train and two buses from SLO to Vegas. So glad he made it!!)Dinner at Tbirds. So fun seeing Andrew and Dylan together again.Breakfast at the hotelWe went to the strip for a couple hours. Alex and Brenden complained the whole time because all they wanted to do was go back to the hotel and watch TV. Andrew was a good sport, though.Paris?Caesar’s Palace. The die is cast.They were actually standing like this waiting for me to come out of the restroom. I made them reenact for a photo.Surprising Ethan and Cammy (cousins)Brenden showed us his mad hula hoop skillsAt the rehearsal dinner – The Bride and The Mother of the BrideWe got to the wedding a little earlyFamily was supposed to sit in the gazebo, but the kids didn’t want to, so we put them in the front row with Andrew as supervisor.Beautiful couplePapa and Nana with all the grandkidsMama with all her boysDance floor funAndrew was the only one who could get Alex on the dance floorPlayin at the hotel poolBig good-bye hugs for the cousinsWe made it to Redondo Beach – Brenden and Monkey playing tug-tug-tugAlex with his bud ChrisBrenden with his buds, Anthony and JasonRound Table Pizza!Good friends and good wineKale salad. Mmmmm…. not many leafy greens in MexicoA run on the strand in Manhattan BeachBrenden with his bud NelsonAwesome dinner at Flemming’s. I forgot to take the photo BEFORE I started eating.Alex waiting for his dentist appointmentFro Yo!Helping Gramma Nay with dishes at the churchReading their Big Nate booksAll the stuff staged for cramming into the rental carWhile we were away, Tim hung out with Daniel, an employee at the MarinaHe also designed a part that would allow us to operate our anchor windlass manually. This is the man (and his son) who machined the part for us.Functioning A-OK.
Gresham Family Exodus 