I♥CALIFORNIA

Our U.S. trip began in my home sweet home, California.  The trip was far FAR too short, but we crammed a whole lot in.  Here are the highlights:

My sister and her family met us there for the first few days.    

Grandma with 6 of her 9 grandchildren

Carmel & Monterey

Fenton's Creamery

Wicked at the Orpheum in San Francisco. I LOVED IT!

The Academy of Sciences in San Francisco (highly recommended)

(Events not pictured- A's game, a day of shopping at Santana Row, Pink Berry frozen yogurt (my new fav), and of course visiting friends I spend much too little time with)

Thanks Mom and Dad! We had a wonderful time. I'm so glad you'll be here in 2 weeks!!

N.C. or bust!

 The week before Jen's wedding, we all (Grandma & Grandpa J, Great Grandma Jackson & Great Grandma Amon, Great Auntie Sonja, Great Auntie Lark, Lissy & Abe, Morgen, Mariah, Glen & Kim, Jen & Jordan) stayed in a BIG beautiful beach house in Corolla, N.C.  So FUN!!! I don't know what more to say other than it was a perfect week and none of us wanted to leave.

The house was awesome! It was a 2 minute walk to the beach, plus it had a pool, spa, pool table, and my personal favorite, a theater room. The best part by far, was having so much time to spend with each other.

 We surprised Morgen and Jen by bringing the kids along. Origionally, Matt and I were coming alone (international airfare is not cheap people!) I'm so glad we changed our plans.  It wouldn't have been the same without them!

Rach and Auntie Mariah

Rachie quote- Aunt Mariah sees Rachel struggling to put on her shoes. She tries to help and Rach says, "This is none of your concern."

Ocean kayaking

Enjoying bumbleberry pie on the balcony. I've thought about that pie everyday since. Yum!

It just wouldn't be a Jackson Family get together without Grandpa J's famous pancake breakfast!

Celebrating Ingrid's birthday

Grandma J's favorite birthday present!

Crab Hunting

Kill Devil Hills

Where the Wright brothers took their famous first flight

Favorite Rachie quote from this day-I was taking her to the bathroom (she is now fully potty trained by the way. Whoo Hoo!) Her Grandpa J said, "Don't let your mommy flush you down the toilet."  She got a worried look on her face, turned to me and said, "Don't do that mommy or you not have any more daughters!"

Oysters at Awful Arthur's

And that's how I feel about oysters

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

Duke Botanical Gardens




Sun bathing squirrel

The video is of my crazy hubby doing a little stair kayaking.

                                                

After this trip, N.C. is now in the top 3 of places I'd like to settle in the U.S. Loved it!

Thanks Jackson Family for an unforgettable week! 

Jen & Jordan's Wedding Jamboree

We just got back from a fantastic, though far too short, trip to the U.S. We spent the first week in California visiting my parents (pictures coming soon), but the main event was Jen and Jordan's wedding in North Carolina.

Poor Danny had a high fever and sore throat that day:(

Fortunately, after a quick trip to and urgent care center, he was ready to party...

...and EAT!

The stars of the wedding were of course Jen and Jordan, but Rachel had a few shining moments along the way...

She loved the live band. You couldn't keep that girl off the dance floor. The band even sang a song just for her. Listen for her name in the song and be sure to watch the whole thing. She gets more into it at the end.

Oh Little Rachel, Rachel Corinne

                                             

                                            

This video cracks me up. After the second "how does this smell" she laughs and says, "I tooted!"

Haha! Joke's on you Uncle Morgie:)

Congratulations JO-JO! We Love You!!!