Double Snowman!

This past Sunday, we celebrated my grandmother's 88th birthday - a double snowman! We gathered at my uncle John & aunt Jan's house for a low-key dinner and celebration. Quite a good chunk of the family was able to make it - my parents from Eugene, my aunt Susie and cousin Matt from Long Beach and my cousin Mackenzie and her husband Matt who live in Mountain View. It turned out to be quite a rainy day, but uncle John was able to produce his signature hamburgers (one of gram's favorites) despite the rain. We had a really wonderful time chatting and eating (always glutenous amounts of food when the family gets together!).  Despite our proximity to the Los Altos, Mountain View & Long Beach clans, we don't get to see them nearly often enough, so it was nice to catch up. Grandma seemed to enjoy herself, as she always does when her family is together. 

The Cooper Clan

My parents spent the rest of their visit, dutifully carrying out "baby tasks" and hauling furniture to and fro in their Jeep. We have most of the basics together for the baby's room - crib, glider, and now a dresser.  We just need to paint the walls and put it all together.  It would help if the little one would let us know what "flavor" it is, but I have grown quite fond of calling it Baby J.  I might even keep it up when we know the sex/pick out a name. When their was a break in the weather, mom and I would get outside for some exercise (her more than me), but we spent a lot of time just hanging out, something I'm relishing more and more as my belly expands.  It was really fun to share my baby things, books, experiences with my parents while they were here.  Sometimes they seem more excited than Tom and I, so I don't feel bad talking about baby 24/7.  They are going to be the ever devoted grandparents, and it's going to be a lot of fun watching them enjoy grand parenthood.

On Monday, I took the day off from work and we took my Grams out for a birthday lunch and walk around Shoreline Park.  It was the first time any of us have ever been (despite the fact that we are all native Californians).  It is quite an expansive wildlife preserve with miles of biking/walking/running trails.  You can rent boats to take out on the lake and their is a golf course in the park that runs along the water.  Grams requested we eat lunch at Michaels, which is right off the bay.  They had very yummy cafe food - sandwiches, salads, burgers, etc. We were all very pleased with our food choices.  After lunch, we took a stroll around the grounds and took in the sites.  It was a bit chilly, so we didn't stay out as long as we would have liked. I'd love to go back when the weather is cooperating better and take a walk or ride my bike along the paths. 

Michaels at Shoreline

Family visits are always too short. We're going to have to figure out a way to spend more time together now that baby J is on the way.  Whether that means moving closer to family in the Northwest or convincing them to move here, I'm not sure.  Tom and I often talk about moving up north, but we are blessed to both have good jobs and low rent - which is something that's hard to give up in this economy. For now, it just means more plane/car trips.  Hopefully this is something we'll become accomplished at doing with an infant.  Family is such an ever-present joy in my life and I want our baby to soak it up.