Jackson's CA Trip May 2009

May 2, 2009: Captain's log book Saturday May 2... Jackson and I flew from Houston to Ontario, CA on board a Continental 737... we were blessed to fly first class (gotta love those frequent flyer miles)... He was so good on the plane... only fussy for just a few minutes and walking first class corrected that! The flight attendant was so sweet and she offered to hold him while I went potty and had a glass of water... as any mom who has ever flown with a small child knows: this is an incredible blessing! Auntie Jessica picked us up and we went straight to Miguel's Jr in Norco! YUM! That is always the first stop... as long as we arrive during an hour that they are open...

Good evening just chillin' at the Endresen home in Elsinore...

Sunday May 3rd started at 530 am for me, Jackson was UP... on Texas time... and he barely napped more than 15 minutes at a time the whole day... needless to say, it was a long day. But, we did have Del Taco... and hung out with Josh & Jess. Noni came over in the afternoon to visit a bit... Sorry she got all the pics with her camera, so unless she sends them to me, I have nothing to share from that visit.

Monday May 4th was a great day! But, the great treat, besides getting to shower for me, was that my awesome sister (in law) Kellie brought over Del Taco!!So I got to get my green burrito with fries... the junk food in CA is really good... laughing!

Tuesday May 5th Desarie came out from the farthest point in Riverside possible to Elsinore to take me and Jackson out to lunch and shopping... we also visited Auntie Kellie's work, ate some burgers... Desarie's son Ethan is just 3 weeks younger than Jackson and so he buddied-up for some good times. What a sweetheart to come all the way out to get me on the town. Then, we went to Miquel's Jr (again) for dinner... with Josh, Jess, Kellie and Tanner and Trenten, and the Shadwick's: Fara, Steve, Drew, and Stevy. What a great way to end the evening.

Wednesday May 6th was a quieter day... I had originally planned to go to Scott & Mina's... but Jeff invited Kellie, Jackson, and I to Parker's Lighthouse in Long Beach to see the Evans'. So, it turned our evening into a really, really busy one.... (after another Del Taco lunch from Kellie). So, we picked up a rental car that Jeff reserved for us, Kellie was so amazing taking the entire evening from her family to drive me to Long Beach from Elsinore... but, we got the rental car, stopped by her house to start the boys' homework and dinner, we were on the road. And the "gods" were with us, no stopping in traffic.... although there are LOTS and LOTS of cars on the road. What a great evening with my sister.... we were able to laugh and spend time together... we chatted all the way there and laughed all the way home about the dinner conversations. It was a complete hoot and we both are blessed to have so much time together. Auntie Judy (Jeff's aunt on his mother's side) was soooo excited to see Jackson. The photos reflect that excitement ad she even said he is the most beautiful baby ever!!! We agree, but her granddaughter isn't due until September, she may change her mind then.... I feel certain she will! Jackson got to meet his great-grandparents Mary & Cleo Evans and that was worth the business and commute...

***as a side note*** it is the one year anniversary of getting "pregnant" with Jackson... one year ago (5/6/08) Jeff & I were at the fertility doctor getting our "needles" and creating this little guy in a petrie dish.... amazing that year has been so full of blessings!

Thursday, May 7th was mine and Jeff's 21st wedding anniversary. Jackson and I slept in a bit and got ourselves ready.... Jeff came home around 11am, took us to Miquel's Jr for lunch (I know, Mexican food again!) and then we were off to LA to see some friends and family... we visited the Evans' office and it was great to see Dawn & Sandy & Candi... we laughed and caught up on old times and older friends... and the only thing bad was how blazing hot it was both outside and at the office, where the air conditioning went out! UGH! We returned to Elsinore where Josh & Jess babysat our favorite little dude and Jeff & I headed to an awesome and amazing dinner at Mario's Place in Riverside with George & Tina... the food was amazing,the atmosphere eclectic, the service good, but the friends and laughter is the best!!! The traffic was horrific almost all day... and I was so glad I decided not to drive in LA. Being in the backseat with Jackson was the best place for me! Jeff took a break from his work schedule and slept over with Jackson and I at Josh & Jess'... but he was back to work at 430 in the morning!! YUCK!

***if you get to Riverside, CA, I would recommend Mario's to you:

http://mariosplace.com/mariosplace_menu.html it was super yummy and we are forever grateful to our friends for treating us on our special day!!!***

Friday, May 8th Jackson and I relaxed in the morning... Jeff got "home" around 2pm... and then Noni & Grandpa came to visit Jackson. I got a few photos this time with Grandpa, but none with Noni... I always using her camera and forgetting to grab mine... so unless she sends me pics... I am out of luck for the albums I am making. UGH! Its like forgetting you have a camera! I hate that... after that visit, we went to Willy & Marissa's house in Wildomar... just a few minutes away and they treated us to some yummy take out and a walk down memory lane. The thing that will always stick in my mind is how much Jackson LOVED Marissa's Dad... Jackson's abuelo now forever! It was so cute!!

Saturday, May 9th started out very early... which was fine with Jackson still on TX Time... we were at breakfast at Mimi's Cafe (our closest one at home is Dallas, about 3 hours away)... My cousin Janelle drove out to meet us and take time from her schedule to play with our new guy... from there we were off to the Arnold's, where Gavin helped feed Jackson, Bailey wasn't too sure of Jackson and even thought he was smelly (which he was)... Mina took some amazing photos of Jackson and they are posted on our facebook site! She is so talented and their new home is gorgeous! Then, we were off to the Shadwick's to meet Fara & Steve's granddaughter, Skylar, just two weeks old.... and super sweet. We stayed for some scrumptious meatball sandwiches, then had to get "home" for company... Back at the Elsinore Endresen's Auntie Di came out from Long Beach to see us. This wonderful and awesome lady worked all day and still drove like 60 miles to see us and meet Jackson. H didn't disappoint her... there were lots of cuddles. Auntie Kellie and the boys came back over and she got tons of auntie kisses, too... then a few girlfriends from the high school days: Carol, Dianna, and Chere, joined us for some yummy grilled chicken and a night of gossip, chatting and chaos! It was tons of fun and thanks to Josh & Jess for opening their house to us and our friends for a great evening... we are so blessed!!!

Mother's Day: breakfast burritos at SS Burger Basket (since we only have breakfast tacos in Texas)... then a great flight home. Jackson is such a good traveler... looks like we may be flying back out to Cali in June.... for just a weekend or so... but, Jackson was really SO WELL BEHAVED, I am not worried to travel with him by plane.

Overall, it was a great and relaxing week... I needed the break from home, got some rest, visited tons of our friends and family and feel so VERY, VERY GRATEFUL for each person who made the effort to come see us... with such understanding and love in their hearts. They rearranged their lives for a day, an evening, a few hours, to come see us and meet our new son... we feel blessed and really happy that they did!!!