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We woke early on Thursday, October 30.  Made our way downstairs to the breakfast room to load up on pancakes, oatmeal and everything else that was on the buffet.  After breakfast we granted the kids their wish to go swimming.  The day was unfolding and instructions were given out.  Jeff was with Raun most of the day.  Austyn was doing her picture thing which kept her close to Pam for most of the time.  I would be in charge of the children.  I had greatly underestimated the magnitude of dressing three children and myself for a wedding.

We made our way to the sandwich shop connected to the hotel for lunch.  Spilled juice, tears over not getting the cookie we wanted and Chase pointing out the Chicken Birds (pigeons) that were walking around outside.  Back to the room to get dressed.

Three beautiful children and one grandma emerged for the room to make our way to the street to catch a cab.  Elevators, smiles, winks, congratulations and announcements that “Our mom is getting married today” followed us the entire way.  As we made our way outside the doorman hailed a taxi for us.  All climbed into the cab.  Climbed is just what they did.  Chase was stepping on the Sage’s white dress.  Brianna was sitting next to the door and I was sure she was going to open it and get out the other side.

The cab driver kept looking back at the sight.

“We are going to a wedding”.

“Our mom’s getting married”

“I want to hold the money”

“You are driving too fast”

“You almost hit that bus”

“You should watch were you are going”

Most of the comments made the driver laugh.  I tried to explain that some drivers drive slow and some go fast and some honk the horn.  We looked for street numbers to help pass the time.  This ten minute cab ride seemed as if it were taking us 30.  Cabs are large, you don’t wear seat belt and there is enough room to walk around on the seat if you are three.

The comment that made the most impact was Brianna’s announcement that “Today I get a step dad!”  That’s right.  Today this small family of 4 would be welcoming in a new member and he would be welcoming them into his life as well.

We located our building and the cab driver pulled over to let us out.  Chase gave him his money and he wished us a sincere congratulations.  I’m sure that the rest of the day he talked about the ride with the three kids and their grandma going to a wedding.

We had told family that we would be eating at Buca di Beppo’s for dinner and if anyone was available they should join us.  We bundled the kids up and headed out of the hotel exploring the streets of Chicago.  Buca’s is a great family style Italian restaurant full of pictures and statues.  It was a fun place to visit and would provide entertainment for the kids.

Several family members were able to join us.  Seated at a long table the conversation was lively.  Chase needed to use the restroom and Grandpa Jeff was elected to take him.  20 minutes later they returned.  “Any problem?” I inquired.  “No. We were just talking to the monsters in the air vents.”

Chase believes monsters live in the air vents, especially in restrooms.  These apparently are not scary monsters because he likes to sit quietly and listen for them.  One day while doing this Raun hid behind the door and called out “Chase”.  With excitement and delight Chase said, “He knows my name.”

Sitting a few seats down from Jeff and I was our nephew Wyatt.  Wyatt was having fun throwing spit balls at the kids and pretending that he didn’t do it.  At one point Jeff raised his voice and said “Do I have to come over there and kick your ass?”  Apparently it hadn’t sunk in that we were surrounded by three young children who were very comfortable calling us Grandma and Grandpa.  I quickly turned to remind him of his audience.  There was no other choice than for him to apologize and put himself in a time out.  Scooting his chair over to the corner, Jeff sat quietly for a few moments.  Somehow a grandpa sitting in the corner, smirking about what had just happened is funnier than the situation that put him there.

October 30^th was the date of wedding number 2.  Jeff and I flew into Midway Airport.  We had not intended to be back so quickly.  It was only three months ago that we had packed up and headed west.  Chicago was welcoming; however in the short time we had spent on the coast we were already feeling the difference in climate.  It was cold and windy just like Chicago should be.

We were not sure how many family members were going to be able to attend.  For most of our family, Austyn’s wedding in June had been the big family trip.  To our surprise and delight almost everyone made it.  We all checked into our hotels, greeted the late arriv als in the lobby.  I had planned to spend most of my time with the children in order to allow Pam and Raun freedom to be with their bridal party.  As we gathered little suitcases, a bag of toy and miniature wedding apparel, we brought Brianna, Sage and Chase to our room to settle in.  What was I thinking, settle in?  Three children don’t settle in especially on the weekend that their mother is getting married.  Jumping on the bed, playing on the computer, looking out the window and asking a thousand times to go swimming is what three children do…and we did it all.

Jeff had been very clear with both kids to warn against having children too quickly. He had told both Raun and Austyn to wait a few years.  Take time to get a little settled.  Austyn had said for months that she was afraid that she would get pregnant right away, this was not something they in any way were planning and she was fearful of what would happen to their life style if it did.

Many years ago Jeff was asked by my cousin about birth control.  He said it really wasn’t an issue because all he had to do was to think about babies and he would hear them crying “That was enough.”  Mention the phrase “I hear babies” to my cousin and he’ll relay the entire story.

Austyn and Brian had made it to Anchorage Alaska.  It had taken them almost 10 day to do so.  They had camped along the way, it was their wilderness adventure.  Both had found jobs and were settling into their new life.  Alaska was part of their five year plan. Finish school, make connections in the aviation world and explore the north.  After that they had planned to take a year and travel; hiking, camping, exploring.

Babies have way of changing our plans.  Austyn was pregnant.  This wasn’t a honeymoon baby but it wasn’t far off.  Her delivery date was somewhere in April.  Plans were changing.

Rumor had it that a ring had been purchased.  Not just any ring, one that would last a life time.  Raun was asking Pam to marry him and yes there would be one more wedding these years.

The date was selected and a beautiful venue was chosen in Lincoln Park, a short distance from where we had lived in Chicago.  This wedding would not mirror Austyn’s.  There were bride’s maids, tuxes, flower arrangements, a DJ, a bartender and deep dish pizza for the reception.  What most brides take a year to organize; Pam had put together in a few short weeks.

We had been in our new home about three weeks before we began to venture out. Less than a half of a mile in front of our home lies the Pacific Ocean. Less than three miles behind our home are the vineyards and they are beautiful. Most of them have a tasting room that for a small fee you are allowed to sample 5 to 10 different wines produced from that specific vineyard.

I was will very uneasy and struggling with panic attaches so when Jeff suggested that we check out a few vineyards on Saturday afternoon I was hesitant but knew that unless I was planning of never leaving my house I would have to force my self to do so.

Saturday afternoon arrived. Jeff had planned out where we were going. It appeared on the map that we had some driving to do. Mountains, foot hills, winding two lanes roads are never very clear on a map. To our delight we were less than 10 minutes from the first tasting room. Edna Valley. The view was breathtaking. Edna Valley’s tasting room is positioned so you are looking out over miles of vineyard surrounded by rolling mountains. Wine does not settle with me very well, so Jeff was on his own when it came to the tasting. We talked to the host and interacted with a few of the other guests. We looked at each other several times and said, “We live here.”

We made our way to the car and headed to the next winery. A short two miles up the road and we were there. The tasting room are staffed with several hosts that walk you through each tasting, give you history of the vineyard and answer any questions you have.

When asked if we were visiting, Jeff informed them that we had just moved from Chicago. Ironically the owner of this winery was also from Chicago and just happened to be walking through. We were introduced and chatted a bit about the Big City.

Jeff tasted the wines on the list. He must have shown a bit more enthusiasm then most because our host kept bringing out bottle of some of their finest wines. Seventy, Eighty dollar varieties for Jeff to try. He enjoyed each one and shared with me their flavor profiles.

As we walked out of the tasting room I held my hand out for the car keys. He may had been only tasting today, but between the two wineries I figured he had consumed a bit too much to be safe. Jeff freely handed me the keys. His expression was priceless, pure contentment. “I’m in heaven.” he said “and we live here.”