Our Trip to California and Home Again

Sorry it has been so long since we have added anything. And even though we took our camera we didn't do a very good job at taking pictures.
We were headed to California in the middle of July for the rest of the month and Elizabeth had several quilts that needed to get finished before we could go. (SHE DID IT!) And then when we returned to Iowa it took us a little while for us to get back into the swing of things.
Our flight from Des Moines to the Twin Cities was delayed Sunday July 13th so we missed our connecting flight to San Francisco, but have no fear Northwest Airlines took care of us! :) They put us up for the night at the Raddisson Hotel that had an indoor water slide park right in the middle of it (no we didn't get a chance to play, but think that it would be a fun place to go back to someday) and got us on another flight to San Francisco Monday.
So after a good night's sleep, Elizabeth getting fully screened at security (we think it's because we changed her last name on the ticket) and an on time flight we made it to San Francisco along with our luggage and were able to hop on BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) right there at the airport and meet Elizabeth's dad in Walnut Creek.
Tuesday John and Dad Byrne went to Costco so John could buy lots of Bicycle brand playing cards for his many magic tricks with cards and for a hot dog (Elizabeth refuses to cook them at home, but encourages John to eat them whenever he gets the chance). Elizabeth and her Mom went shopping. Dad brought home Chinese for supper! :)
Wednesday we started packing for Family Camp up in Lake Tahoe. That evening Elizabeth went to pick up her friend Teri at BART and spend some time with her.
Thursday we went out to breakfast with the Zentners and then over to Mom-mom's to pickup cookies and our first night's supper for Family Camp. We also went to see Rob and Andrea's new condo before heading back to Elizabeth's parents to begin packing for Family Camp.
Friday we were up early to load the last few things and then were on our way. We were in Lake Tahoe Friday until Thursday and enjoyed our time with family and friends from Northcreek Church.
Thursday we came home a day earlier than everyone else to clean up and get a good night's sleep before our busy weekend with Tammy and Jesse.
Friday we did laundry and got ready for the surprise shower on Saturday night and waited for the van and trailer to get home so we could help unpack from Family Camp before it was time for Dad to take us to the train in Martinez to meet Tammy after work to go to Sacramento to hang out with Jesse and enjoy supper out at the Melting Pot (pricey, but yummy!)
Saturday morning we hung out in Old Town Sacramento and took our annual old fashion photo before going to In-N-Out for lunch and back to Jesse's to play Ticket to Ride. Then it was time to head back to Pittsburg and the surprise party for Tammy. We were successful in surprising Tammy and John and Jesse went over to hangout with Rob and Noah until the party was over.
Sunday we went to church in Northcreek's new sanctuary and then took Mom-mom out to lunch for her birthday.
Monday was a lazy day.
Tuesday we drove down to Reedley to see Uncle Robert and Aunt Norma Jean along with Marlin and Michelle, Micah, and Mandi with her friend for lunch and then stopped to see Eric and Liz in Fresno on the way back for supper and so John could talk about magic with Eric.
Wednesday we did laundry and packed up to leave. We had a birthday supper for Mom-mom over at Uncle Jim and Aunt Kendy's before going to the airport.
Our flights home were on schedule and John's dad met us at the airport Thursday morning to take us home. Mom Neely invited us over for supper that night and to spend some time with Jane, Caleb, and Emily before they went back home to Omaha.
Since then we have been grocery shopping, doing Spring Cleaning, Elizabeth back to work filing and on those days John has gone into Hawkeye to begin preparing for classes, and enjoying being back home and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China (GO USA!).