Reasons We Loved 2010: Visits with Nana and "How"

I am so very thankful for modern transportation. I can't imagine what it was like as a pioneer or a pilgrim, or even what it is like today for some immigrants or political refugees, to hug your family, tell them goodbye and know that you may very well never see them in person again. There may be communication via written form, but never again to be able to touch or hug or be in the same room with your family member. OY! I am so grateful that my Momma gets to know my daughter through the wonder that is Skype and to be with her OFTEN thanks to the mad driving skills of and abundant patience in the incredible man that Violet now calls her "How."

Violet was a very blessed girl at her birthday to have so much of her family present for her party. And on her actual birthday she got to spend the day at the Aquarium being doted on and carried around by loving Grandparents. Here Nana and How are pointing out the different Sting Rays to Violet:

February

I blogged about our wonderful, relaxing visit with Nana and How for my mom's birthday here. This is a ridiculous picture from that trip. You can't see Violet's face at all, but I love this photo so much because it perfectly captures how much fun Violet has with Nana and How and what great sports they are about just being SILLY with her:

June

Our next visit was on the very happy occasion of Mr. How and Mrs Nana Hughes' wedding. It was a summer full of weddings, this was obviously, for us, the best of all. It was a hot, Hot, HOT time of year to be in Pheonix, but we played at the mall, played at Target, went back to the mall and swam in the pool. Violet fell asleep during the ceremony (which is oh-so-very funny on film), but I loved that because of her visits, when she woke up Violet was perfectly happy to just cuddle with Nana until she gained her bearings.

August

Even though it was really only a few short weeks between the wedding and our next visit, all 5 of us were happy when Columbus Day weekend arrived and Nana and How came to So Cal for another visit. We had tons of fun visiting Descanso Gardens, playing Wii, and going to the park to feed the ducks and ride the swings. It apparently made a big impression on Violet because a few weeks later when we were preparing for their next visit, I asked Violet about Nana and How and she thought for a bit and said "Go duckies, put bread. Go weee weee so high?!?!" Violet loved to "show" Nana and "How" all of the interesting things to see at Descanso:

October

Our last visit for 2010 was my birthday weekend. It was a bittersweet weekend as I loved having more time with my family, but my birthday is also the anniversary of the first day of Jessica's hospitalization last year. I was so thankful for my mom and Hal's thoughtfulness in coming to spend that day with me and their flexibility and willingness to do whatever I wanted. We honored Jessica by having fun and enjoying each other all weekend, even through the tears. Violet is so lucky to have grandparents who are such great dancers:

December

Here is to a 2011 FULL of long drives between Green Valley, Arizona and Upland, California. Here is to many a meeting in between. And here is to buying stock in Skype to support those weekly play dates between a girl, her baby and a wonderful Nana and How!