When is it prudent to invest in straight jackets for my children (or ME, for that matter)? My boys are special, special little creatures. We just spent 8 1/2 hours with them in the car... And, while I am exceedingly grateful that they get along so wonderfully, I would almost take bickering and fighting to the goofy, silly, hilarity that inevitably ensues any time these boys get bored together. Hayden has this high-pitched giggle that seems strangely out of place with his deeper-than-average voice. Nathan loves to get the giggle going... and keeps it going... and going... and going... (You get the picture). So imagine our journey through Memorial day traffic: I am losing my voice because I have come down with a stupid cold on our trip to San Diego,
and Wayne is trying his hardest to drive through L.A. traffic without flipping off every tailgater that crosses his path (...a trait that is deeply ingrained in him from his many experiences hunkered down in the backseat of his Dad's car. I actually only saw him let the bird fly one time during this trip, though I'm sure his trigger finger was tucked away out of my sight on more than just that solitary occasion). Gas prices suck! (Yup. That sign says $5.10!!!) And from the backseat: "Hee! Hee! Hee!" all the way home! It was a joyous celebration of family togetherness, let me tell you!
(Never mind the bug guts that may show up in this picture... I took this through the windshield as we zoomed along I-5 .)
The main reason we went down to So.Cal again was to attend a fabulous fiesta in celebration of Amy's graduation (and I'm lame because my camera did not accompany me to the party, so I don't actually have any pictures of said accomplished graduate). She just completed her master's in Speech Pathology, and can now be referred to as "Master Gold." Way to go, little sis! Given the tremendous obstacles in your path, you have achieved a minor miracle. I am so proud of you! We had a great time with you guys. Thanks for your hospitality, and we'll see you again very soon!
Grandpa Steve also made it down for the occasion. It was so great to see him with all of his grandkids this weekend. 
Random little tidbit here: We had yummy BBQ the first night we were there, and THIS was the packaging we found:
Well, I don't know about the other seven, but there were two dentists that seemed pretty satisfied this weekend. (Though I prefer the sauce termed "Devil's Spit." I like it spicy!)
All in all, it was a flavorful, fantastic, family-filled, fun-fest for Memorial Day weekend.
14 comments:
Shanana, are you trying to ruin my angelic reputation. I would NEVER flip off a fellow driver. It is simply not in my nature. I am deeply wounded by this post...
That sounds like a wonderful weekend! I think it's great that your boys love each other so much. Cherish it and all its accompanying annoyances. ;) ha ha--easy for me to say, right?
Reading about the $5.10 gas and LA traffic made me re-think about where we want to end up some day... that is just nuts!
We had so much fun with you guys! We are really looking forward to getting to spend a little more time with you for the next couple of years. We love you and can't wait for YOUR graduation!
Wow that really brings back repressed memories of being tucked snuggly in the backseat on our roadtrips to SoCal. There are some important distinctions though:
1. No smoke
2. Less giggling (we would have been left for dead alongside the cow pastures)
3. No fun whatsoever.
Wayne flip the bird? What? That's insane!
Sorry I meant lots of smoke.
And for the record I can go months without swearing in every day life. But driving is a completely different matter. Every A-word is a tribute to my dad. I like imagine it makes him proud.
Indeed.
I never swear, I just call everyone a "JERK"! My kids think that "jerk" is a bad word.... poor little sheltered kids. Sanders worst habit driving is telling me to stop calling people jerks... that puts him in enough danger while driving. He smiles at people who give him the "finger". I also have some suppressed memories of dad pulling (or rather causing)offensive drivers to pull off the road so that he could physically attempt to scare their stupidity from them. It always worked. As we would drive away, I could remember seeing several grown men, their white faces and their glazed eyes, thanking God that they lived to see another day (and wishing that they had an extra pair of clean underware)! Oh the childhood joys of family road trips.... my ears still burn!!!!!
One day, while traveling on the Merritt is Connecticut, I turned around to see my then "angelic" 2 year old flipping some driver off...right from his car seat. Dang those nannies for teaching him such naughty behavior.
Glad to see I am not the only one lacking in the importance of capturing great family moments because we FORGOT THE STUPID CAMERA!!!!
LOL! Dang, those Nannies!
It never ceases to amaze me how all the other drivers on the road besides me, are total morons! I mean, what gives?
And tailgating a guy (me) who's already driving 80-90 mph is complete (insert choice explative)!
Fortunately I'm a tad nicer than dad was. I've never actually pulled (run) anyone off the road, though... oh man... there are times when I'd really love to, but not with my family in the car.
If I'm going to risk my life doing something stupid, I'm not taking my family with me...
How noble of me.
Words of wisdom- never flip off white, windowless vans. I did that once...then as I drove by staring him down I noticed the state seal...
What a fun trip. I love the bbq sauce. That is hilarious!!!! You know long trips tend to bring out the wierd in everyone!!
LOL! Diana, only you... only you.
LOL. You've gotta love road trips. We do lots of them and the crazy thing is that it's us who look like that in the car. I don't know what it is about being locked in a car for a few hours that makes you go crazy. I'll spare you the pictures.
Post a Comment