Alisal: Part 1

I just got back from a great vacation to California. It was my first trip to the annual House family get-together at Alisal, a resort ranch in Solvang, California. The family has been going there every June for almost 30 years. In that time, babies have been born, grown up, gotten married, had babies of their own, and now a new generation is experiencing Alisal for the first time. I am a proud member of that generation- 8 of us so far. I will post pictures of all my cousins in the next blog.

The main photo above is me seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time, and I loved it! We drove down PCH and stopped to take a picture and smell the breeze. In March 2009, we have planned a trip to the Bahamas and I will get to see the Atlantic for the first time.

Here I am on the plane with daddy heading out to California. Mommy had to stay one more night in Iowa for a special dinner with her department (to honor the late, great Dr McCabe). So daddy and I flew together. I had my beloved panda doll with me to keep me company. I tried on the airplane seat belt and panda and I together could barely fill it!. Daddy kept me on his lap for most of the flight and I did fine. But the airplane was delayed in leaving Iowa and we (just) missed our connection in Denver. So we stayed overnight in Denver at a Doubletree hotel. I liked it- they gave me a crib and cookies and a great buffet breakfast in the morning. I got to eat pancakes- YUM!
This is me at the Saturday night barbecue in Alisal with Grandad. I loved the music they were playing, especially the Creedence Clearwater Revival. I just kept dancing and never got tired. I will ask daddy to put some CCR on my Sophie mix on the iphone.
And here's me with Boppy at the barbecue, showing off my latest in summer fashion. A pink and yellow sundress accessorized with a white sweater, hat, and sandals. It is very Hollywood, don't you think?

Here I am with 4 graduates of the USC medical school, including my beloved Uncle Steve and Auntie Beth. They are visiting next week as they drive out to Michigan to move for residency. We also had three other USC MD grads at the ranch: Cousin Nicole, Uncle Ken/Rainbow, and Grandad! Apparently, Steve had his photo taken as a baby with his Grandfather, father, and aunt at her graduation from USC med school. Maybe this photo is a portent . . .