Category: Family

There are about 6 plastic crates in the garage that house favorite items from Raun and Austyn’s childhood.  In one of those  crates are Raun’s legos and transformers.  Transformers from 25 years ago are much different than the one you buy now.  They would have to be to last 25 years.

Raun and Chase made their way to the garage, selected the crate that said “Raun’s Toys” and opened it.  Chase sat next to the crate, excited to see what was inside.  As Raun pulled each transformer out and talked about it Chase seemed almost hesitate to touch them.  These were precious items.  Even Chases voice changes.  He spoke as if he were in the presence of greatness.  “Aren’t toys wonderful, Raun.”, he said.

There were new toys upstairs only about 24 hours old but they just didn’t compare to this box of the most amazing, wonderful toys – the Transformers.  There isn’t a phone call that goes by where Chase doesn’t bring up the transformers in the basement.

Going to the beach during Christmas vacation is part of the fun of living in California.  We made it to the beach every day.  Sage said we live in an upside down world.  She also said she wanted to come back in the summer when it would be winter here, that’s what happens in an upside down world.  We walked along the beach and three small children made their way into the water, we found sea shells and explored the dunes.  Sand dunes are great fun with children.  They can run, jump, slide, roll and build the most amazing sand objects ever.  To a kid the dunes look as large as mountains.  Grandpa Jeff helped make sand cars, sand castles and even sand mermaids.

At the entrance to the sand dunes is a restaurant with a statue of a large pirate out in front.  As the kids stood for a picture I nick named them “the pirate children”.  From that point on all I had to do was refer to the “pirate children” and they knew we were going to the beach.

Our days were filled with sun, sand and water and our evening were filled with baths to remove the sand, dinner to fill those little pirate stomachs and the Muppets.  Every night we would put on an episode of the Muppets and laugh and sing ourselves to bed time.

New Years Eve came and we all stated our goal for 2009, toasted each other and watched the Muppets.  The car was almost packed, they would head out then next day.  The biggest problem with making such a long road trip is the thought of having to return.

Jeff and I were planning on spending Christmas alone.  Travel for any of us was just too costly to fit it in this year.  Austyn and Brian would in Colorado for Christmas and spend New Years in California, but Christmas would has Thanksgiving had been – just the two of us. About a week before Christmas Raun called to inform us that we were renting a car and driving to California for Christmas.  We were excited at the thought that they would be here but concerned about the thought of them driving in December two-thirds the way across the country.

They were packed and loaded.  We followed along on the map anticipating their time of arrival.  We planned to drive north to meet them and drive them into back to Pismo.  As we sat  on this unique Christmas Eve in the Starbucks parking lot the time pasted.  Just around sunset in they pulled. Tired, hungry and sick of being in a car, we loaded them back in and drove home.

Christmas morning was as it should be.  Early risers excited that Santa had found them in California.  We opened presents in pjs.  As apprehensive as we had been about the long drive we were thrilled that they were with us for the holidays.

SKYPE  What is this thing called skype, I wanted to know.  There must be a way to talk on the computer and see the person you are talking to.  We bought a camera and downloaded the program and made our first call.

There on the computer screen was Raun.  We were sitting in California talking though our computer to our son in Wisconsin.  I knew there had to be a way.  As each of the kids realized what was happening they made their appearances.  “Hi Grandpa Jeff”, Chase proclaimed as he sat 4 inches from the screen allowing us to view only the top of his head.  Brianna shouted out her greetings as she jumped on the bed behind the group.  Sage sat quietly for a few moments and then slid off the chair making it appear that she had simply vanished.

We spent about 20 minutes taking, asking questions and laughing.  For the entire length of our call someone what jumping, twirling, dancing, swinging or sliding off the chair.

As we clicked the red button to disconnect, I felt as if the room was spinning.  Next time I think I’ll take sea sickness spills…I’m a bit whoosie.

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.