The Lou says, "Put on your boogie shoes! It's time for the Johnson Family Reunion!!!"
We arrived a day early for the reunion and after an 11 hour drive, it was nice to turn ourselves over to the hospitable hands of my brother, Scott and his wife, Cynthia! They had their trailer parked at "Paradise by the Sea RV Park" which made it convenient and affordable to avoid a hotel.
The RV Park had a private walk to the beach that cut through a park and by a pond. The Lou loved watching the ducks and listening to the frogs.
What a cutie!
Other than all the bums sleeping in the park, The Lou loved it! HAHA! I have become so sheltered in Utah. While I am happy to say we don't have the homeless issue we did at home and by the beach, I was a little sad that I was so surprised by it.
The Lou loved almost everything about the beach. The sunset, the water, the sand, the people and animals....but NOT THE SEAWEED. For some reason, seaweed scares her to death!
My little Wahine at O'Side Beach, California.
I really love this place. I easily could have stayed longer.
My other Wahine! What a hottie!
This really was a great family reunion. Not as well attended as some of the past reunions, but that is understandable. My Grandmother is the only surviving sibling of her parents and I think that the interest of her nieces and nephews may have died off with some of her siblings. They were missed. Hopefully they can attend the next reunion. That would be great.
The Lou enjoyed everything about the sand. of course, it got everywhere! She did not enjoy Pooh trying to wash it out.
My Great Grandma Johnson used to make two kinds of cinnamon rolls. Both were represented as the family is apparently split as to which is their favorite. My vote is for the messier brown sugar and butter variety.
My brother Jimmy is stoked to give both a try!
Mady is such a great cousin and guardian angel for The Lou. Thanks, Mady!
Jim and his love, Samantha, eating rolls!
My niece, Leilani! She is growing up too quick!
My Mom's cousin, Janet Johnson.
The oldest member of our branch of the Johnson Clan. My Grandma. I love this lady so much and I don't just say that in case she reads this! She is so full of spunk and energy. I have always appreciated her values and principles. We are all so lucky to have her. Her husband, Herb, was not feeling well and spent a lot of time in the car to avoid the cold and wind. Even though he was there, he was missed.
Cynthia and Gracey Grace.
The Lou hamming it up!
Scott and a new found cousin, Adam. We met some new relatives and reintroduced ourselves to those relatives we have since lost contact with. For this reason, reunions are important. Apparently, I didn't take many pictures. There are so many our camera missed.
Not this one though. The Lou was photographed at every turn.
Pooh and Q's Mum
Leilani and Samantha
Jim in his wet suit. I gave him some advice, but he put the potato in the back instead of the front!
Hitting the waves!
"SHAKA!"
Mady with The Lou's favorite thing in the whole world....SEAWEED!
Mady and The Lou checking out the lineup.
I am truly blessed.
Leilani again
My Niece, The Little Gremlin, again.
The Lou and her Grandma
My cousin Philip and his fiancee Veselka
The Lou loves sand so much she even tried eating it!
That didn't work out too well for this little supergirl.
My brother, Scooter, with a flat Elder Storm. He is serving in Brazil until December of this year, but he was still representin' in O'Side!
Scooter on the grill. We had a great meal provided by everyone. The Tri Tip was supplied by Cousin Bob and cooked by Cousin Steve. Everyone chipped in with salads, sides and desserts. It was a great meal.
Cousin Steve Storm
Cousin Philip Bliss and Scooter
The Lou is a goofy foot like her old man.
Uncle Bill and Aunt Susan Nietfield drove all the way from Colorado, but my cousins Jared and Lori Funk traveled the furthest from Columbia, Missouri.
I miss the ocean so much.
The Blisses were well represented. Uncle Brock, Aunt Carmen, Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bill
The Bliss Family (minus Bill Sr, Jimmy, Karen and Becky)~ Bill, Leslie, Vee, Lynette, Susan and Brock.
My family: Leilani, Pooh, The Lou, Q, Mum, Gracey Grace, Jimmy, Mady, Sam, Cynthia and Scooter
Lots o' love!
Here is an another example of how blessed I am. I have a great Mother and Father, two great brothers, two great sisters-in-law and three great nieces with one more on the way!
Brock and Carmen. When I go to the beach, I often remember my Uncle Brock and Aunt Becky in their younger days. I remember going surfing with Uncle Brock and was reminded of this as I naturally listened to Joe Jackson's greatest hits as I drove to the beach. I think I remember Brock listening to him too. I have great Aunts and Uncles. I love you Lynette, Susan, Becky, Bill and Brock. I miss you Aunt Karen.
Another example.
This extended bike dressed up like a horse had every possible accessory on it, so imagine there was no surprised when we learned they were from Tijuana, BC.
We also hit the Oceanside branch of the California Surfing Museum while we were there. It was really small and needs much work and contribution. We had fun nonetheless.
I loved this skateboarding advertisement.
The Lou really enjoyed the pier, though her Mother was cold the entire time. The weather was nice, but just not warm. 60-65 degrees.
The Pacific Ocean is just another reminder that God loves me. It is also evidence that it is more than likely that God is a surfer!
The Lou enjoyed watching the Pelicans. She has little fear though, which scares me.
I was immediately tempted to recreate this bike.
Oceanside, California
Eye Heart U too!
There were so many great places to eat in O'side. I forgot how important breakfast is around these parts. They had some killer breakfasts at the Beach Break Cafe (highly suggested), The Breakfast Club and The Longboarder Cafe. We were sad that Kealani's was closed on Sunday so we didn't get to eat there.
The one downside to traveling is the alter ego we get from The Lou after her routine has been upset. She becomes this whiney, rude and demanding little girl. I prefer the polite, cute and funny princess myself.
Pooh and I got smoked at shuffleboard by Scooter and Cynthia
So we drowned our sorrows at the pool. Leah is learning to swim fantastically. I am so proud of her. Definite gold medals in her future!
All in all, the weekend was rushed and crammed full, but we had a fun time. A special thanks to Marcy Storm and her family for all their work on the reunion. It was such a pleasure to see everyone again. The reunion was perfect. Don't get me wrong, the talent shows, activities and such are great and all, but really it is the personal interaction that everyone remembers anyway. This reunion seemed simple and that is what made it great. With that said, I am sure it seemed monumental to Marcy as she prepared. Thanks again, Marcy! I was very grateful, as I always am, to see my brothers and their families. My Mum was there and that was great, but I was upset my Dad didn't get a chance to come by and visit or vice-versa. Next time for sure. Thanks again to my brothers and their wives for their hospitality. Two better brothers I could not ask for. Better looking and smarter, yes, but better no. I love you, Grandma! I hope to see you at these get togethers for many more years.
Does the adventure end here? No. As a testimony to our lack of sanity, we have agreed to take our nieces, Hailey Leilani and Madyson, home with us for a couple weeks! Sarah has lots of fun activities to enjoy the coming week. Other than a long drive home...(Thanks to The Lou)...it should be a fun time!
Again, The Johnson's rock!
