A Family (plus friends) trip to visit our boy

B and Ads didn't have school much of last week, so we packed up and headed to visit LT.  His good friend from high school and girlfriend were both there as well.  It was a weekend that was packed with all kinds of adventures and so many good memories.  The best part was seeing these three and LT reunited with his girlfriend.

Lots of good meals together.

An 8 week old puppy at breakfast was a hit.

4 buds from East.

Rare pictures of just mom and dad.

We stayed in a neighboring town of SLO, just on the beach.  

Cal Poly is a big Ag school, so we got fresh made ice cream while the cowboys were hosting a car wash.

B noticed this enormous beautiful tree as we were just walking through town.

A photo with Einstein was a must.

As was a visit to the most impressive and digestible periodic table I have ever seen.  And below B teaching his brother all about said table.

These two together was such a highlight.

As was having these three together again.  B has struggled with talking on the phone, but in person, he was beyond happy to be back with his brother.

                 

And we were just so happy to be there and see everyone so overcome with smiles and joy.

Tattoo for my girl

After years of thinking about what and where to get a tattoo for Elsie, it finally happened.  It was all meant to be.  My friends daughter designed it, a teacher at our schools friend executed it and two of my friends were with me when I got it.  Plus its all in October.  

 

Some (not as many) big guys

Bs friends left about 10 on Saturday morning and then Ads and his swim buds showed up for breakfast (which was perfect because we had made WAY too much). 

 

Bs Birthday

B had some summer swim buds and some friends from Stanley over to celebrate his birthday.  A couple of them stayed the night (note, I did not say "sleep" over because that is not what they did.  

 

SLO First Trip

My good friend and I went out to SLO to visit our boys a few weeks ago.  It was such a fun weekend.

We did lots of coastal exploring, hiking, eating good food and just hanging out.

                     

Random End of Summer

The routine of hiking once a week is so nice.

R, our neighbor, is so good with B (and our whole family, we all love her so much)

Long time friends rented the rooftop of a newly renovated motel on Colfax, such a fun adult evening.

Having our pool close each summer is always tough, but my VV bookclub started a tradition of an end of year brunch which was so great this year.

And the pickleball twins that rarely win, but did this day!

 

First day of 13th, 11th and 5th

 

Cal Poly Drop Off

We were all supposed to go to California for a family trip and then to drop LT off.  However, with B's injury, he wasn't able to fly so we pivoted.  I was originally going to stay with the boys, but Ads offered and as one of my friends said to me, "You have one chance to drop your kid at college, don't miss it".  I'm so glad I went, and also so glad B wasn't there struggling to keep up with a very long, hilly and tiring day.

But the goodbye between the brothers was heartbreaking.  They all cried, I cried watching them say goodbye.  

Our flight getting to Cali was an adventure in itself.  What was supposed to be a 2 hour flight, turned into a 6 hour flight.  Because of the flight delay, our car ride went from 4 hours with no traffic to 6 hours.  We ended up arriving in SLO at 9:30PM.  We all slept well and then headed over to campus for his 9:15 AM move in slot.  

He's not in a traditional dorm, rather an apartment.  While he thought he was just having two roommates, he now has 5 others.  I think in the end, while different than envisioned, there is a lot good to this situation.  But, its on a mountain.  The furthest place from the main campus.  

It has a full kitchen, and the moms fully stocked it for them.

A living area.

2 bathrooms, 4 bedrooms (1 with desks, 3 with 2 people each in them).  LT is in the back bedroom with his roommate, Jake (in the apartment is also Blake and Drake, no we didn't make this up).

This is out of his room window.  We even saw deer out there!

LT and his roomie Jake.

Lucas, LT and Drake.

Drake, Lucas, Lucas's brother, Landon, us, Lucas's parents.  Ray and Blake had not arrived at the time we said goodbye to Landon.