STOPPING IN SANTA ROSA EN ROUTE TO SAN FRANCISCO

For the past several months, Debra and I have been looking forward to a trip to San Francisco with my sister, Judy. We left home this morning and drove nearly eight hours before finally arriving at an old historic hotel in Santa Rosa, the Hotel La Rose.

We checked in, called Judy, and waited for her to pick us up at the hotel so we could all go out to dinner together at a local restaurant.

The Hotel La Rose.

Debra enters our room on the fourth floor.

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Toilet tanks are not built any more the way they used to be.

. King size bed in a non-smoking, top-floor room with a balcony.

From our balcony, we see Judy arrive in her yellow PT Cruiser.
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The three of us end the day with outdoor dining at a downtown Mexican restaurant.


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HAPPY BIRTHDAY BBB

Photos are self-explanatory.


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MOFFIT VISIT (DAY 3)

The third and final day of the Moffit's visit started with a trip to Bear Creek Park where the kids got to burn off some energy and where the adults got to follow them around burn off some energy, too. After about an hour at the park, we headed back to the house by way of the 7-11 store where some among us bought Slurpees and where others among us opted to make an additional stop by Dutch Brothers for more energy-replenishing (caffeinated) beverages.
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After returning to the house, three other grandkids joined us so that all the children had peers instead of old people to play with. And then Shawn and Jessica (Josh's sister) arrived with two-year-old Haydn. Debra capped off the evening by grilling tri-tips and serving her homemade strawberry angel food dessert.

Neo at the Bear Creek Park play structure.

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Swinging sisters.


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The Moffit grandkids (accounting for three of our twelve grandkids, if you count living grandchildren who are not yet born).

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"Ribbit"

(Amazingly, this little frog is captured mid-jump in this photo while Nana watches).


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Grandkids with Nana and Papa.


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Returning from Bear Creek Park to our house, Ashley, Josie, Alexia, Debra and Belinda chat about something that is apparently funny.


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Josh explains to Gordon something that requires that he flap his arms in order to communicate full understanding.

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Baylee and Daisy tame the dragon.



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The dragon appears to be winning the battle.



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Ally and Rylie hot tubbing.



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Four granddaughters: Rylie, Ally, Daisy and Baylee.



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Two four-year-olds in a hot tub.



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Belinda and Ally visit with Haydn, who arrives with his mom, Jessica.



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Makiah, Neo and Haydn make a fort in a folded-up ping pong table.

MOFFIT VISIT (DAY 2)

The morning began with Daisy, Ally and Neo awakening on air mattresses in the covered patio. After breakfast, Debra and Ashley and I took them to see a 3-D showing of "Cars 2", giving Josh and Belinda some kid-free time.
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After the movie ended, we stopped by a nearby 7-11 and bought Slurpees, then returned home for swimming and grilling.

Almost ready to get up.

Morning, for me, began with coffee in my hand, Josh to my right, and Neo playing with trains behind me.

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Nana and Neo.


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Daisy and Ally.


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Neo and Ashley.


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Daisy rides a "horse".



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Daisy, Ally and Ashley racing.



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Ashley pulls ahead.


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Daisy, Ally and the dragon.



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Ally and Nana warming their feet.



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Neo and Daisy riding together.



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Belinda lounging.



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Belinda, Daisy and Neo.

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Papa and Nana grilling cheeseburgers and corn on the cob.



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MOFFIT VISIT (DAY 1)

Since I had to work today, I asked Belinda to arrive shortly after 5:00 p.m. so that I'd be home when they got here for their first visit in about five years. When 5:01 p.m. arrived and they still were not here, I began pacing as a coping device for my restlessness. It worked. about twenty minutes later, two light-haired girls appeared at our front door, followed by their little dark-haired brother and two grown-ups.
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The two light-haired girls greeted me with enthusiastic hugs while their little dark-haired brother greeted me with a question: "Do you have toys?"
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After some visiting, some eating and some playing with toys, we splashed around in the pool for awhile before the day ended.

Ally and Daisy in the hot tub.

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Papa and Neo in the pool.


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Papa holding Neo. Neo holding ice cream cone.