I Heart Family

Adrian and I drove up to Albany by Berkeley to visit our family. Our trailblazer in life, Peter, just turned 70. Yes. An amazing age. But shouldn't he be old? He goes sailing in San Francisco bay whenever he can. He and my sister travel because they can't stop. He did finally retire from his real estate business last month. Don't you agree that a celebration was called for?

My brother Jeff and his wife, Sandi, flew up from San Diego. They are the new grandparents of the adorable Aydin. It was amazing to see them there. Family is very important, so anyone who could be there was there. In fact, Julie flew down from Eugene OR to celebrate her dad's birthday. She had to leave her boys because they had just been down the month before. Julie and I don't usually get to visit this much because she has had two little boys to watch out for. Her husband, Adam, is wonderful with the boys and tries to keep them entertained so Julie can visit, but it really does take two parents most of the time. I loved this time together.

Adrian is on a new regimen that has been building up to a full month without carbs. This month. And he was our chief chef for Saturday's dinner. Karen requested the pizza that I had raved about. Adrian is a trooper and baked 4 of them. They were good again, even though he didn't get to taste any of it. I'm not sure what he ate that night because I made the pear in chocolate dessert mentioned before. Not on Adrian's diet. Julie was going to help me peel pears, but was deep in conversation, so Tara helped me. Tara is now working as a lawyer for the immigration courts and is loving her job. She has a newish boyfriend who she adores. So LIG there. Francisco is teaching her how to cook. Cool. I thought I would get to do that when I moved up north. So I got a more experienced cook to help me.

Speaking of helping and amazing things, Chris and Gabriella were the first to arrive on Saturday. Chris is always late. I'd say "Brava, Gabriella." I don't know what magic she worked to get him there early, but I think it could have included a request to help her prepare fabulous cheese rolls. I'm not sure what all was in them, but they had to roll them into balls when they got there. Chris did a great job of rolling and the results were delicious.

Mark and Trina hosted Jeff and Sandi for the weekend. Mark hasn't had a moments rest because he's been traveling to Pittsburgh every week on a new project. You may have heard of it. They shoot objects from space with their air-to-air system. But it is wearing. He is gone Monday through late Friday. It makes a lonely house for Trina. I'm so glad they were there. I'm sure they would have loved to spend the time alone, reconnecting.

We did have one little one at the party. Our little Maggie brought her parents. She is a delight and I love to see her with Karen. They enjoy each other so much.

We went to her house the next day for a Valentine's day lunch. Natalie fixed a pink delight of a meal. She didn't know about Adrian's new diet when she was shopping and planning, but was able to regroup with ease. Karen and Peter took Julie to the airport after lunch and took Maggie home with them to spend the night. Kevin and Natalie were going on a swing dance date for Valentine's Day. But before they left, we four played a new game. It's Apples to Apples. They have the children's game to play with Maggie. I hear there is an adult version. Can't wait to play it because we had a lot of fun with the kid's version.

Good weekend. Good people. I am so glad they are my family.