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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…