-=*September 10 2011, Westbound Transatlantic from Barcelona to Port Canaveral*=-

[birkner]

Great photos and area Noel. We were always going to go up there next time we got to SF, but not looking likely now.

Thank you. If you ever get to California either north or south, please let us know.

 

[granmaz]

Thank you. If you ever get to California either north or south, please let us know.

Thank you Noel. We were planning to do N California this next time, but decided we couldn't do San Diego and San Francisco at the same time this trip with the time of year and with the higher cost of accommodation. So we decided to go back to Orlando for a few weeks. We are just not sure if we will get over that side of the country again as flight costs and age might get in the way!!! But, never say never, as it is an area we do want to return to and venture further afield. We did the usual triangle in a 3 week trip in about 1998 and did love it.

 

[birkner]

Thank you Noel. We were planning to do N California this next time, but decided we couldn't do San Diego and San Francisco at the same time this trip with the time of year and with the higher cost of accommodation. So we decided to go back to Orlando for a few weeks. We are just not sure if we will get over that side of the country again as flight costs and age might get in the way!!! But, never say never, as it is an area we do want to return to and venture further afield. We did the usual triangle in a 3 week trip in about 1998 and did love it.

I understand but if you are in San Diego, let me know when and perhaps I can fly down.

Let me know if you ever need me to look for good deals for either Southern or Northern California . I know that it can be expensive during certain times of the year but I can often find good deals here in the California.

 

[granmaz]

I understand but if you are in San Diego, let me know when and perhaps I can fly down.

Let me know if you ever need me to look for good deals for either Southern or Northern California . I know that it can be expensive during certain times of the year but I can often find good deals here in the California.

We are in San Diego for 3 nights, from 25th to 28th January. If we do decide to visit again then I will certainly ask for your help, thank you.

 

[birkner]

We are in San Diego for 3 nights, from 25th to 28th January. If we do decide to visit again then I will certainly ask for your help, thank you.

If you are free for dinner one of those nights, please let me know.

 

[granmaz]

If you are free for dinner one of those nights, please let me know.

We have nothing booked Noel, but it is a long way for you to travel.

 

[granmaz]

We have a beautiful day here, though very cold. I think it is downhill all the way from today though. Fog, ice, wind and rain to come. Good job we can be warm and snug inside and chat to friends without having to go out!!!

I got my first Christmas present bought today. At last! 1 grandchild, 7 to go!! Fortunately for me 2 will be money, which is a bit of a cop out, but requested by one, and just sensible for the other as they are in Ireland and his mum can buy what he wants from there.

 

[MandyGirl]

I got my first Christmas present bought today. At last! 1 grandchild, 7 to go!!

Congratulations!! Our DD1 was the first grandchild on either side of the family -- had some very happy grandparents!! DD2 is now the second grandchild... our siblings are not married, with no prospects, so they may end up being the only two total.

 

[granmaz]

Congratulations!! Our DD1 was the first grandchild on either side of the family -- had some very happy grandparents!! DD2 is now the second grandchild... our siblings are not married, with no prospects, so they may end up being the only two total.

We might get one more, not sure, but I really don't think any more than that. They are all gorgeous, of course!!!

 

[birkner]

We have nothing booked Noel, but it is a long way for you to travel.

I would love to visit with you both so let's set a date and time and I will be there.

 

[birkner]

We have a beautiful day here, though very cold. I think it is downhill all the way from today though. Fog, ice, wind and rain to come. Good job we can be warm and snug inside and chat to friends without having to go out!!!

I got my first Christmas present bought today. At last! 1 grandchild, 7 to go!! Fortunately for me 2 will be money, which is a bit of a cop out, but requested by one, and just sensible for the other as they are in Ireland and his mum can buy what he wants from there.

We only have 6 but I have purchased most of their presents over the year. I just ask what they want and try to buy whatever it is with a few small things for their stockings. Usually, each one wants one fairly big present so I can plan over the year.

 

[granmaz]

I would love to visit with you both so let's set a date and time and I will be there.

That would be lovely. We haven't planned our days yet, but thinking probably just walking around on the 26th, and USS Midway and that area on the 27th.

 

[birkner]

That would be lovely. We haven't planned our days yet, but thinking probably just walking around on the 26th, and USS Midway and that area on the 27th.

Please talk it over with John as I would like to take you guys our for dinner one night while you are there. As soon as you have a fixed day for dinner, I will make my ressies. Please let me know.

 

[granmaz]

Please talk it over with John as I would like to take you guys our for dinner one night while you are there. As soon as you have a fixed day for dinner, I will make my ressies. Please let me know.

Sure will, thanks!!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I got my first Christmas present bought today. At last! 1 grandchild, 7 to go!! Fortunately for me 2 will be money, which is a bit of a cop out, but requested by one, and just sensible for the other as they are in Ireland and his mum can buy what he wants from there.

Sounds like you are on the look out for the perfect gift for each of them, not just "any" great gift. For the Ireland-babes; if you don't like "just" giving money, could it be an idea to whisper into moms ear what you'ld like to give the grandkids and/or come up with something they'ld love to do when they come to visit you or you visit them? (assuming it's not like at least 8 months or something from Christmas until you see them again). I remember I loved it when I got a 'voucher' for my birthday that promised me a very special moment with a loved one that I didn't see a lot. As young as I was, it was great to get it, look forward to getting to spend that moment together and have the solotime together. For me it was with an aunt that lives across the country that took me to a Zoo when I was like 6 or something.

Congratulations!! Our DD1 was the first grandchild on either side of the family -- had some very happy grandparents!! DD2 is now the second grandchild... our siblings are not married, with no prospects, so they may end up being the only two total.

The must be so spoiled with all of the grandparental love and attention. Just love it when grandparents basically are in love with their grandkids. I see it happening to my parents as we speak. My SIL is pregnant with her and brothers first child. First grandchild for both sides of the family. It's so much fun to see how the grandparents react. That and become an aunt myself!

 

[granmaz]

Sounds like you are on the look out for the perfect gift for each of them, not just "any" great gift. For the Ireland-babes; if you don't like "just" giving money, could it be an idea to whisper into moms ear what you'ld like to give the grandkids and/or come up with something they'ld love to do when they come to visit you or you visit them? (assuming it's not like at least 8 months or something from Christmas until you see them again). I remember I loved it when I got a 'voucher' for my birthday that promised me a very special moment with a loved one that I didn't see a lot. As young as I was, it was great to get it, look forward to getting to spend that moment together and have the solotime together. For me it was with an aunt that lives across the country that took me to a Zoo when I was like 6 or something.

That is a lovely idea. Not sure how it would work in this case, but something to think about.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

That is a lovely idea. Not sure how it would work in this case, but something to think about.

Any loves, obsessions, whatever they've got? Depending on budget, likes and dislikes you could think about anything ranging from going to a special loved movie together to going to a zoo, doing a beachtrip, picknick, seeing a loved musical, whatever you can think off. You can still give a gift and get to spend some one on one time, if you could manage to visit them long enough and/or have them over long enough to do such a thing.

Only limit is imagination. You can basically come up with anything for any budget that fits a childs likes, loves and desires.

For me those were the best and most dear gifts of all. It showed love, attention and time together.

Add; you could buy tickets or make a "voucher" yourself and have those put into the childrens stockings. For younger kids adding a calender on which they can count down the day also helps them to oversee the time they'ld have to wait to do ............. .

 

[Pinky166]

You are welcome. The tallest redwood tree there is 250 fee. Our old Woodside house was surrounded by redwoods as you can see the tallest one on our website needinfo.

Wow that is tall!!!! We have a few large trees in our garden but nowhere near that tall......I love them except when the leaves fall! I feel like I am raking them up every other day!

We have a beautiful day here, though very cold. I think it is downhill all the way from today though. Fog, ice, wind and rain to come. Good job we can be warm and snug inside and chat to friends without having to go out!!!

I got my first Christmas present bought today. At last! 1 grandchild, 7 to go!! Fortunately for me 2 will be money, which is a bit of a cop out, but requested by one, and just sensible for the other as they are in Ireland and his mum can buy what he wants from there.

It was very icy here this morning, had to defrost the cars. It is frosting up tonight already too.....winter is definately on it's way.


Well done on starting your Christmas shopping! I am going to sort through mine this week & just double check that I have finished everyone off. I wanted to get it done early this year before I go away at the end of the month.

The must be so spoiled with all of the grandparental love and attention. Just love it when grandparents basically are in love with their grandkids. I see it happening to my parents as we speak. My SIL is pregnant with her and brothers first child. First grandchild for both sides of the family. It's so much fun to see how the grandparents react. That and become an aunt myself!

Awwww Congratulations on becoming an Aunt. When is the baby due? Do you know if it's a boy or girl? It is so exciting becoming an aunt for the first time, my nephew (who was the first) is now 19!!!! That makes me feel really old but i'm only 35, I just have older siblings!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Awwww Congratulations on becoming an Aunt. When is the baby due? Do you know if it's a boy or girl? It is so exciting becoming an aunt for the first time, my nephew (who was the first) is now 19!!!! That makes me feel really old but i'm only 35, I just have older siblings!

Grin, just makes you realize what different curbballs life can throw us. We're about the same age (I'm 31) and a "bit" of difference in experience in being an aunt. The baby is due around half of january, actually on my moms birthday. We all know very few babies get born on the due date but she's sure hoping for a birthday present being born!

Brother and SIL know if it's a boy and girl, the grandmas know and grandpas don't (my dad doesn't want to know, other grandpa can't keep his mouth shut ), nobody else gets told. I've got a good idea, think somebody made an "oops". Not that it will matter in the end, I'll spoil the child rotten.

Must be fun though having a teenager nephew! I've got a bit of a softspot for that sometimes a bit awkward time of developping out of a teen into an not-just-yet-adult. You can now do a whole new batch of fun things together.

 

[granmaz]

Any loves, obsessions, whatever they've got? Depending on budget, likes and dislikes you could think about anything ranging from going to a special loved movie together to going to a zoo, doing a beachtrip, picknick, seeing a loved musical, whatever you can think off. You can still give a gift and get to spend some one on one time, if you could manage to visit them long enough and/or have them over long enough to do such a thing.

Only limit is imagination. You can basically come up with anything for any budget that fits a childs likes, loves and desires.

For me those were the best and most dear gifts of all. It showed love, attention and time together.

Add; you could buy tickets or make a "voucher" yourself and have those put into the childrens stockings. For younger kids adding a calender on which they can count down the day also helps them to oversee the time they'ld have to wait to do ............. .

Sounds really good to do!!

I have a friend who gave a book of home made vouchers to another couple who had a young family. One voucher a month for 1 year. It consisted mainly of babysitting, but there were also being asked round for a meal etc. All time things on behalf of the giver, but so gratefully received.