In which is recounted our San Diego holiday...

Oh, my! It has been a while. Since my last post, we have traveled to San Diego, celebrated the birth of our Savior, done a couple of small projects, enjoyed the sunshine, played in the park, and babysat Josiah.

Our trip here was interesting, but uneventful. We arose at 3:45 AM on Christmas Eve. Michael picked us up at 4:45, as big fluffy snowflakes descended. There was about 1/2" of new snow on the ground when we left the house. The drive to the airport took about 45 minutes: double the usual time. Although the lines to check baggage were long, they moved quickly and soon we were going through the security checkpoint, on our way to the boarding gate. It was just then that my cell phone chose to ring. I was in the process of unloading my computer, my pockets and my shoes, while I attempted to answer the call from Michael. He wanted to make sure we were going to be able to fly out and to let us know that he had made it home safely. His call was welcome, if untimely.

Once aboard the aircraft, we were pleased that we backed away from the gate a few minutes early. The snow continued falling, and we soon learned that we would have to wait for the de-icing truck before we could take off. That put us about 30 minutes behind schedule, but it was Christmas Eve, and people were feeling jolly. As we taxied out to the runway, we had to wait for a couple of other planes. I noticed that some snow had collected on the wing, and then one of the pilots came back into the cabin to check for icing before take off. We all held our breath, hoping there would be no more delays. At last the pilot disappeared onto the flight deck and we were moving again.

As we made our final turn onto the runway, the snow was falling harder than before. The engines began to roar and we rolled down the runway, faster and faster, for what seemed like a long time. And then the nose tipped up, and we heard the landing gear stretch out to its full length. At last we were airborne! The cabin erupted with spontaneous applause from the grateful holiday travelers.

The rest of the flight seemed to go quickly. We were seated next to a gentleman whose name was familiar to me, because he is a dental practice broker. His wife is the Executive Director of the Oregon Dental Association. Her name was familiar, too. In fact, many years ago, she had been an insurance broker and sold me some life insurance.

Arriving at Lingbergh field, in San Diego, we were met by daughter Laura and grandson Josiah. It was good to see them, and to know that we would be celebrating Christmas the next day as a family. Daughter Tara had flown in from Denver the evening before, and son-in-law Tim came home from work at mid-day. We had a lovely Christmas Eve repast of pot roast, with vegetables, before we went to church for Christmas Eve services. It was a lovely day.

Christmas morning was a joy. Josiah is three and a half, the perfect age for a kid on Christmas morning. He was so excited, and we adults reveled in his joy. Later in the day, Tim served a beautiful ham with a brown sugar/cola/bourbon glaze. Accompanied by green beans, asparagus and mashed potatoes, it was a fitting holiday feast. After dinner we went to the neighbors' house across the street for dessert. They are a couple about our age, who have adopted our kids, much as we have adopted Julie and Aaron and their kids next door to us. Don and Char are lovely, generous people, and we all had a good time.

On Boxing Day, also known as St. Stephen's day, Jill and I made a trip to Home Depot and to Target to pick up a couple of items for small projects around the house. As I was attempting to run my debit card through the scanner at Target, my phone rang. What is it with my phone ringing at the most inopportune moments? It was Laura calling with directions to meet the rest of the gang at San Diego Fish House, a restaurant and fish market on the bay. We dined on seafood and the marvelous view of the bay from the restaurant windows. Food for body and soul.

Satisfied with our luncheon, we moved on to Shelter Bay Park. Josiah played on the swings and slides until his heart was content. There were lots of kids, parents, grandparents, and who knows, perhaps even some shirt-tail relatives there enjoying the sun and the sea.

Saturday noon found us dining at In N Out Burgers, at Tara's request. Following lunch, Tara took Josiah to Chuck E. Cheese's next door for some gaming. They had a ball. Jill and I did some shopping, and Tim and Laura got some much needed couple time. We all met back at the house, where Tim and I watched a couple of gridiron shoot-outs.

In the evening, Tim and Laura went out to dinner with some friends who are in town visiting relatives. That left Josiah to fend off a doting aunt and two adoring grandparents. We played and had some dinner; and then we gave the boy a bath, read some stories and put him to bed. Tim and Laura had a pleasant couple's evening, and Josiah was a perfect angel the whole time.

All of which, dear reader, brings us to this morning, which is a sunny, if cool, one. We haven't any firm plans for the day, except to get Tara to the airport in time for her flight back to Denver. Stay tuned for further developments.