California Trip, Part II - Family Get-Togethers

We were really glad to be able to spend quite a lot of time with Stephany's family (on her mom's side). They all live quite close to each other, and they're really good about getting together, especially when family comes into town. It was neat for us, because since we were last there, two years ago, two new kids have been born into the family to two of Stephany's cousins.

One night we got together to play bingo at Stephany's cousin Brian's house. Here's my wife, working the b-i-ngo.



And here is Brian. Technically, he's the oldest of the cousins, but I usurped that position by a few months when I married into the family.



It was a packed house. We had a fun time with everyone.



Here is Nana, Stephany's grandmother. She's a really neat lady - anyone who knows her is blessed. She pretty much totally fed us awesome and delicious meals and desserts while we were there (which we are now trying to work off).



This is a shot of me looking suspiciously at a soft, very pliable wrapped gift, which turned out to be a blue dish towel with a pineapple on it. I later traded this for magnetized notepads (because that's something I can use, man).



And here is Stephany holding Brian and Valerie's new child Adam. He's a big, laid-back dude. Great smile.



Another evening, several of us got together at Stephany's uncle's house to play poker. Here is me, Stephany's uncle Jimmy, Christina (we stayed at Jimmy & Christina's house), and Stephany's aunt Debbie. Debbie & Christina were both first-time players, and Debbie beat the rest of us out (oddly, that seems to happen a lot). It came down to her and me, and she very sweetly took me out.



On Sunday, after attending church with the cousins and Aunt Debbie, we went to Corner Bakery for Mother's Day breakfast. I enjoyed catching up with Brian.



And here is Brian's wife Valerie with their daughter Ashley (she abounds with energy, but she's fun - and she's definitely developing some personality).



This is Brian's brother Kevin (another cousin of Stephany's), his wife Jen, and their little new one Ryan (their first - he's a fun, composed little dude). The first time I went to California with Stephany (in mid-2006, right after we got engaged) was for their wedding.





Lots of kids, lots of fun on the floor.





Here is us with Stephany's uncle Eddie's family: Eddie, Tammy, Amanda, and Nicholas. We celebrated Amanda's 14th birthday that night at a really good pizza place, followed by dessert at Papa & Nana's house.



On the day that Stephany and I headed back to Dallas, we spent the morning with Nana (Gloria) & Papa (Ed), and we got some pictures with them before we left.





We also took a few of ourselves, as we often do.





Still have photos of Huntington Library, a Buddhist Temple, and my first visit to In-N-Out Burger to come!