I'm back. In case you didn't even know I was gone somewhere to back from, I've been in California. We (my family and I) left the Saturday before last and I just got back this past Saturday. We had a good time. I tried to journal while I was there, but there was only one computer with internet, and that was Tim's, so I didn't bother. But I did start an entry. It went like this: Well, we’re here! Balboa Island. Our much anticipate family vacation began Saturday morning with a disturbing forward worthy of a stomach ache. I spoke to Jackie on the phone about it. “I was going to call you and warn you,” I said, but Jackie had already spoken to mom and got the crude briefing from her. I elaborated, painting more of the stormy picture and added in my advice to just let them be and enjoy yourselves. Come Saturday morning mom said dad had decided not to go. Great, I thought. But 8:30 rolled around and dad was loading his suitcase into the car. Goodbye Grandma, goodbye Cody. Off we go. The ride was a long one, but not too bad. Actually, it seems like ever since we crossed the California boarder, we have—They have—been much better off; happy, you might say. At least, agreeable. Last night I even caught them holding hands as we walked around the neighborhood. Anyway, as for this place; We laughed in great surprise to how narrowly built and utterly packed in everyone is here; the roads have become one lane because either sides are loaded with cars, parked so close they nearly kiss. The house is beautiful, cozy, and I love the fact that all the windows and doors are open all the time. I’ve been spending most of my time on the porch, reading in a whicker rocking chair with Pony and Joey sniffing around the small, white-fenced garden. Or I am inside on the window seat, cooled by the breeze through the open window and the room is always full of us, relaxing in front of the tube or sleeping. That was all I got. On the first day we were there though, Jackie handed my parents a scrapbook. It didn't have any pictures in it, just a sort of flashback of her childhood decorated with cute stickers and stuff; a reflection of bath time, girl scouts, first day of school, and then the last page went something like this: "Guess what? You get to do it all over again because...(turn page), We're pregnent!" And there was a picture of an ultrasound with what is soon to be my first niece. : ) Of course we're all very excited. Mom lept up in tears and we all hugged and celebrated. I'm going to be an aunt. :D The rest of the week was very nice and lacadasical. We walked so much my legs hurt. I fell in love with pink peppermint ice cream; we had visited Maggie Moo's every day we were there. Tim bought bikes, mom bought a purple one for me, and so we rode bikes a lot too. One day Kris and I went out on Walt's jetskis and I saw a seal. We went to the beach and saw dolphins, played smashball, and all got awesome tans. On Wednesday we sat in beach chairs by the bay and watched fireworks. Thursday we went to Disneyland, that was a lot of fun--a bit too crowded, but I didn't care. I love that place. Anyway, it was a lot of good nothingness. I think I'll leave it at that. I have a lot more to say, a lot more news and emotions I need to spill, but this is a happy entry that I don't wish to spoil, so this will be the end of it. Happy, sealed with my name and a smile Carrie : )