Hello California!

Kate, Kenneth and I were in California last week.  We had a wonderful time!  Kenneth had work in Livermore, just a half hour away from where we used to live out there, so Kate and I tagged along to visit friends.  Kate was a wonderful traveler.  She slept and napped in a different place the four nights we were there, but she did great!  Our first stop after landing in San Francisco was to see my Aunt and Uncle in Berkeley.  We hadn't been to their house in 11 years!!  And sadly, we only saw them one time during our 2 1/2 years living in California, so I wanted to make it a priority.  We had a great visit and they were delighted to meet little Kate.  She didn't really want them to touch her (that is normal for her), but she was cute anyway. 
Our second stop was the temple in Oakland- just a few minutes from my Aunt and Uncle's home.  Unfortunately, we didn't call, just assumed, we could go Saturday evening, but the temple was already closed.  We enjoyed walking around a little and just being on the grounds, though.
We visited the Milpitas Ward, spent time with great friends, had lunch with other good friends.  It was just fun to talk and glean ideas from each other.  It felt like we had never left!  Everyone missed the kids, but it was too much to bring everyone out on this trip.  The last night we were there we also went out to a fantastic restaurant called Dish Dash.  It was Middle Eastern food and amazing.  We loved it.  (It was, I guess, a celebration of our 10th Wedding Anniversary a week early- can you believe it!!!!  10 years!!!!) 
Kate even slept on the plane on the way out and the way home.  She is such a good baby!  (Except that she's not so much of a baby any more.  She is really growing up!)  She even learned to say, "no" on the plane ride out.  Great. 
I didn't bring the camera with me, so I just have the pictures from my phone.  I didn't do a great job taking pictures of everyone, just some people =(. 
One memorable thing was: Little T Riker wanted us to sit with them in church, so we did.  At one point he was having a hard time being quiet and G leaned over and said to me this is why we don't usually sit with friends.  T immediately said, "They are not my friends, they are my cousins!"  Later in the week when we hadn't returned to his house he asked his mom where his cousins were and why they hadn't come back.  So sweet.  I feel very privileged. 

Here are the pictures:

Kate at the Oakland Temple

Kenneth and Kate at the temple, overlooking the city

Kate and C- M and I were both pregnant with these two when we moved.

Kate hanging out with the Hills.  We had so much fun visiting!

V and P- oh how we miss doing Mighty Kids Co-op with these boys!

Kate and L- these 2 were little hambones together!

K and D with Kate and me

Kate showing her mad trampoline skills with L.E. and T.R.  I am amazed at how well she manages on the trampoline.  She loves it!

We had such a great visit.  I am very grateful for the dear friends I made in California.  I know that we were supposed to be there at that time in our lives.  I learned so much from my friends there- things that will bless me for the rest of my life.  Thank you, dear friends!