Emma's last free flights

Emma and I flew down to California on Friday the 9th - two days after she turned 23-months-old. We had a great visit with family. Thanks to Becca and Isaac for letting us stay in their house again. :) Emma had a BLAST playing with her cousins and I certainly enjoyed [most of the time] her being distracted with them and their toys. I'm glad for the time I could spend with my mom and dad and Pat and Becca and her family.

On Wednesday my mom drove Emma and I to Fairfield to visit the Jelly Belly Factory which was really fun (even for a non-jelly-bean-eater such as myself). We met my friends, the Carlsons, who we met up in Washington but whom moved back down to Sacramento-area where their families are. Their son, Skyler, was Emma's best friend for the year we got to know them and she still talks about him often (as in says certain things are his - like the car seat and chair we have that he used a few times).

SO MANY Jelly Beans 

Emma was somewhat enthralled.

Their Santa was AWESOME - so nice.

Jelly Belly bacon guacamole burger. Yum.
(There were no beans in it.)

 Jelly Belly art

She was so worn out after our excursion she actually slept in the car.

Within a day of coming back I was missing the weather down there since the cold has certainly blown in here in Washington (temperatures in the 30s). While I was in California I could walk outside with just a sweater or light jacket depending on the day and time of day. It was nice.

As an aside, the Southwest crew let Emma help fly the plane. ;) Or, you know, sit in a pilot's seat after we landed. So cute.

I'm grateful for the valuable time and conversation I could have with family, for the delicious food, and for the blessing of good family relationships. Although it would have been nice to stay there through Christmas, Emma and I were happy to return home to Bry so we can spend the holidays together as a family.