"Cal-uh-fornya here I come....."

Actually, "California here we came" and now we're back.  A whirlwind but thoroughly enjoyable trip.

Barb and Dennis drove us to the SLC airport (many, many thanks) on Saturday, where we took Jet Blue to Long Beach.  Jet Blue was a new experience for us.


 

 Reserved seats!  Individual TV screens (okay, not particularly large screen...) Headphones were $2.00 extra; we didn't see anyone using them.  Mostly
 we just looked at whatever was on, or changed channels from time to time to find what else we could see but not hear.

But we're such infrequent fliers that it was a lot more interesting just looking out the window, even when flying through clouds like this.

After an hour and a half flight, which ended with a really abrupt slamming of the brakes ("was that a landing or a crash?" ) we realized we were no longer in Kansas.  Palm trees intrigue us.  Nothing says "California" quite so emphatically.  But you have to wonder just how much shade they give.

All airports should be like the one at Long Beach.
Small, outdoorsy, and sunny, sunny, sunny.
We were met by Christopher, Julia, and the star of the show, the absolutely beautiful baby Claire, securely ensconced in her Ellen Degeneres car seat.

We arrived at the Holiday Inn in Anaheim (cue the Jack Benny show: "Anaheim....Azooza...and Kook..........a-monga!"). As we drove up, Julie, Tom and Russell were just returning from grocery shopping. (They had arrived Thursday, along with Ben and Jax.)  Here's a view from our 8th story room.  Can't beat swimming pools and palm trees
for exotic surroundings.

Just to finish up the totally superfluous scenery shots, here are a couple taken from Julia's and Chris's
place.

They have a really nice apartment, about the same amount of space as our condo, but with a better floor plan......and all those palm trees.                                 



We all gathered at the ward house on Sunday. Christopher gave Claire Julia Warren a beautiful, spiritual blessing, and baby Claire was alert and attentive throughout.  Born to be a star!



While at the church we got the picture we were all hoping for...the latest four generation shot. Note the beautiful dress Grandma Julie made, complete with tiny pearls. 

(I just took a look at the preview of this finished blog. In a few moments the comments and the pictures are going to be way out of sync.  Can anyone explain how I can make the "preview" look like what I really did?) 









Mother and child.

















Proud grandparents with first grandchild.

After church everyone gathered at the Warren home for food, fun, and lots of playing with, holding, or just simply looking at baby Claire.











Mom and Dad and baby Claire.












"Who can turn the world on with her smile?"











Grandpa catching a few Z's along with baby Claire.









Later that day we went to a park and got a few more pictures.

(A series of these shots would show that headband getting lower and lower until it completely covered Claire's beautiful blue eyes.)
















"We girls have to stick together...."













"I want to hold my grandchild!"

















"Okay, okay....here she is."














"Isn't she beautiful?"

Yes she is!










After that the Hiatt and Higgins families went back to their respective rooms and watched some good TV commemorating the tenth anniversary of 9/11.

Monday morning  the H&H  bunch had breakfast at the local Denny's. (Do not try to out-do Russell when eating the Lumberjack Special.)  A final treat was having everyone at the airport to see us off.  That was really special.



Jet Blue got us back safe and sound to SLC, where it was so great to see Joe's smiling face at the airport. Thanks so much, Joe.  You're a real pro.
It is now Tuesday afternoon and we are resting up and basking in our memories.  Thanks to one and all for a great California trip. We love you all.