Back in the USA: June 2009

We flew into San Francisco via Aukland. The #1 question we were asked was, "How did Roxy do on the flight?" She did just fine, thanks to the bassinet on the plane. After we reached cruising altitude, we put her in her jammies, filled up her tummy and placed her in her own little sleep zone. She slept longer than she had ever slept before. We should make a "Sounds of a Jet Plane" lullaby CD - we'll be millionaires!

Hanging out in her sky boat.

My sister picked us up and that night we enjoyed a Mexican meal (our first of many) for dinner with my family. We met our nephew Ethan and introduced Roxanne to a lot of her extended family.

With Daddy, Uncle Mark and cousin Ethan (just a month older than Rox, but about twice her weight). Stripes are in for babies this year.

The next day, Becky graduated from law school!

Taken in her bedroom before the ceremony. Nate and I didn't attend the commencement because we had a jet-lagged baby who wasn't too chipper the morning after her first trans-Pacific flight.

Becky organized a picnic in the park and we all enjoyed a lot of delicious food and games.

Delicious food.

Games.

Merriment.

The next day, my mom's side of the family caravanned to a duck club outside of Los Banos to scatter some of my grandmother's ashes.

Duck Club. Poker table off to the right (not visible).

Following in each others' footsteps.

Just the spot.

We then drove onto Kingsburg and spent the week visiting with family and friends. My dad spent a lot of time filling Nate up with Mexican food. One memorable meal was a lengua burrito!

After a week in Kingsburg, we drove up to Davis for a stopover and to introduce Rox to our Davis amigos.

Here's Roxy getting her mind blown by Fran. Roxy never had so much fun in her entire life. Seriously! It was awesome.

Diego and Rox. Best Hair Ever.

Tara getting to meet the baby she felt kicking months ago. :)

We stayed the night at our PhD advisors' house in Pleasants Valley, just outside of Vacaville. Nate and Rox took a dip in the pool and we sat outside and enjoyed dinner on a cool summer night. The next morning I lounged in the hammock and watched the birds.

P & P's beautiful backyard on Sunday morning.

Alas, we had to leave their beautiful spot in the country and we drove over to the Bay Area to pick up Nate's family and begin the second half of our California visit.

Sunday night, we stayed at Becky's with our kitty-cats. I was hoping that they would remember us right away and curl up on our laps, just like old times. I was wrong. They have adjusted to condo living and could care less if they ever saw us again. Boo!