Yearly Family Newsletter 2010

Zany Christeson Family Holiday Newsletter – Telling it like it is!

Volume 23 - Copyright © 2010

The tree lights dazzle, the hot cocoa soothes, the music softly penetrates the silence; how blessed to be in a warm, cozy home away from the piercing, cold snow swirling about ... she eagerly awaits her families return.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message to Ash at the close of 2009 …. You’re 19 and every 19 years a blue moon occurs! A blue moon is actually the occurrence of a full moon appearing twice in one month; obviously a rare occurrence hence the song Blue Moon and the saying "It only happens in a blue moon." My gift to you, dear daughter who is a rare find in and of yourself, for the coming year is the magical, blue moon I sent your way last night for New Years Eve xoxo Mom

Fast forward … Another year has now passed and it will soon be New Year’s Eve 2010; some of the incredible, challenging, trying and/or joyful things that have happened to Ashley, as well as with the rest of us, throughout the year include … (Note: no time to write this letter in my usual quirky fashion. As always my letter is actually written specifically for my family as an addition to our compiled family history and then shared with all of you as our yearly update; this is not meant to appear as a brag fest but rather as an informational narrative.)

Ashley babe - You are now taking some upper level division classes at Penn State University earning a duel degree/certification in elementary education and secondary English and you passed your Praxis exams with flying colors! You have been on the Dean’s list several times and nominated for Who’s Who among Students in America. You have been selected as an Orientation Leader, CAB member enjoying many leadership experiences and activities and are the selected resident performer of the National Anthem for commencement exercises. You have also completed 150+ hours of student observation & assisting at an elementary and senior high school, received the female lead role in PSU’s Frankenstein the musical literally mesmerizing audiences with your incredible voice of both depth and range; in addition you have chaired the winter formal working your tail off planning and implementing the masquerade ball and ended the year performing with Michael’s band, your daddy at the ward Christmas party and in A Charlie Brown Christmas on stage at PSU.

You’ve also continued working for over three years part time as a food server, and as a nanny for a few months using you skills in situational education with the children as well as continue to serve as ward Primary chorister; it goes without saying the children adore you as much as you do them! In addition, your living quarters look like a cyclone hit, you’ve wrecked the car, stalked the lead singer from one of your favorite bands while we were in southern California and, had a few melt downs due to all of the stress of being a blazing your trails young adult; all of which goes with the territory for someone as motivated and driven as you are. However, with all of your comings and goings you and Michael enjoy your down time together, combined performances, study time and church.

Mica who also received a lead role in Frankenstein singing killer duets with you, was also an adorable Lynas in Charlie Brown, enjoys performing in his two bands one as the drummer the other as lead vocalist, is working diligently at school and at his part time job as a sales associate, and serving as a Sunday School teacher for teens at church. Ash, you also find time to make an appearance each week for our fabulous Sunday dinners and chit-chat session with your phantom family and shower Missy Belle Buttons with mammoth amounts of affection! All in all I think you’ve had one incredible “blue moon” of year baby doll :) … You brighten our days with your love and energy and as I’ve always stated your ability to live life at the speed of light is both admirable and contagious!

Cam the man - Do you ever stop long enough to take a breath, sip a soda or lie on your back to count the multitude of stars in the sky? NO! You graduated from Utah Valley University in International Business after fitting two semesters worth of credits into one with a desire to seek work in your field almost anywhere in the world. Unfortunately the economy has tanked and your generation is taking a back seat currently to out of work Boomers and Generation Xrs who have first dibs on low paying, no benefits jobs and a radical US presidency who promised hope and change but is trying to sell us down the river (grin). Nevertheless, you have been able to retain your full time position as a supervisor at Jitter Bug, a call center for senior citizens who are high on needing personal care and low on understanding technology helping these dear folks with their cell phone plans and pleas. This spring you look forward to helping your friend launch his intriguing start up business acting as sales manager here on the East coast. Of course we will be thrilled to have you living, for a while, on this side of the country once again hanging out with the fam while seeking to make your dreams come true!

You also discovered that you actually enjoyed camping deep in the breathtaking Wasatch Mountain range with friends, along with taking numerous road trips to Vegas, Seattle and Huntington Beach. You also purchased your first and last motor cycle excitedly enjoying solo rides throughout Utah valley and into the mountains, rides with friends, and on a date that ended in the Twilight Zone!

After a horrifying hit and run accident (by a fellow with several DUI’s speeding approximately 50 mph through a light hitting you and your date then dragging your bike approx., 400 feet then jumping out of his car fleeing on foot); you spent weeks in two different medical centers receiving four different surgeries which resulted in rods and screws from hip to ankle as well as a muscle, artery and vein transfer to your lower leg in order to save your limb! It was a miracle that you both survived the accident but survive you did and we thank the Lord every day for preserving your life sweetheart! Six weeks of rehab, then home health and now a couple of years of physical therapy still looming ahead all the while learning to administer your own IV antibiotics through a portable picc line, initiate electric scooter races down the isles at Walmart and watch every Steelers and Penns game on TV in order to keep your sanity through it all has also occupied your time.

Magnificent Priesthood blessings from your dad and friends, your name placed on temple roles and family and friends from diverse religions endlessly fasting and praying for you resulted in literal miracles too numerous to address in this letter; all of our lives were truly blessed through this ordeal. You are now back at work, finally driving your own car (?!) and enjoying living with friends Brent and Carlene as they so generously insisted on helping to take care of you in our absence. My month spent in Utah by your side was heartbreaking, stressful yet also extremely faith promoting; and dad’s weeks spent with you and I were equally eventful! We were touched by the numbers of visitors and even strangers who came to know you and sense your humble, positive, motivated spirit and of Brent and Carlene’s devotion to you. And here we are three months later, your picc line about to be removed, able to place some weight on your foot with crutches and hopefully you should be able to endure the flight home for the Christmas holidays – simply incredible!

And just like your sister your bedroom in your apartment also looks like a cyclone hit, you wrecked your motorcycle and you cyber stalked your favorite rock star finding his home through real estate records, drove us to his home in Los Angeles, proceeded to knock on his door, surprise his wife, enjoy chatting with his wife and then gleefully jumping back in the car to make a quick get-away! Are we noticing a pattern with our two kidlets?! haha :) Your devotion to your family and friends, affectionate, cheerful personality brings great joy into our lives as well Cameron! And I am so pleased that you and your sister share such a warm, magnificent brother-sister relationship; always having fun together, sharing advice, laughter and prayers. How very blessed we are to be you and Ashley’s parents and partners in crime :)

Jon beloved master of OUR universe - You continue to keep the manufacturing of steel rolling along in spite of ongoing crisis calls and headaches with the company’s outside operations. I’m simply amazed at how you juggle the balls locating and securing commodities from throughout the world at a moments notice, solve unsettling dilemmas and are also able to bail plant managers and others out of unexpected fiasco's. The manufacturing and marketing of steel is quite an intriguing process to say the least; your comical stories make it that much more fun to hear about!

You’ve also passionately attended many Penns, Steelers and Pirates games in ‘the’ coolest stadiums and arenas’ in the country right here in the burg! Enjoy both the pleasure and honor of having you and Cam’s photo inserted into the famed Mario Lemieux mosaic at the new Consol Energy Center, and slipped off to Florida on business and a rocking, fun time attending a Steelers game in Miami. Upcoming is the soon to be historic ‘Winter Classic’ wherein the Penns will compete outdoors at Heinz Field (Steelers stadium) wherein you and Cam will continue your father-son tradition of attending ice hockey games together – Goooooo Pens!

You also enjoy serving as Sunday School president and Teacher Development instructor in our ward, take pleasure in teaching families the gospel along side the full time missionaries, and lovingly take care of your wife and family doing everything from car repairs to laundry with a grin and seldom ever a grumble. I love that you are the most fascinating conversationalist on earth, enjoy lively political debates, share engaging historical accounts and recount mesmerizing stories of your childhood experiences and memories. In addition, you talk to your dog like she is a human three year old chattering, cooing and singing to her in that daddy/doggie language of yours, tease your kids incessantly and zonk out in front of the TV by ten dreaming of sugar plums, ginger bread boys and never having to shovel snow again in your life! haha :) All in all your unwavering integrity, endless acts of compassionate service and ability to love completely with no strings attached due to understanding the Lord’s plan of salvation for all of humanity touches me deeply. Families can be together forever – Over the hill Barbie and mid-life crisis Ken continue to cut a rug! You rock babe!

Rebecca, Becky, Beck – I continue to enjoy my passion for writing, developing and facilitating diverse workshops and presentations for my company in an attempt to compel people to learn and excel while having a great deal of fun in the process; in addition to simply driving people crazy with my sense of humor, zany training methods and sincere appreciation of individuals from all cultures and walks of life.

I also immensely enjoy serving as Gospel Doctrine instructor in our ward having wrapped up this years focus on the Old Testament (whew!) with New Testament soon to follow (yea!). Also, planning numerous fun filled events and adventures for our family; from a terrific graduation party for Cam out West catching up with dear family and friends to an exciting vacation / 35^th wedding anniversary celebration which entailed everything from hanging out at the Santa Monica pier, Disneyland, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the beach to seeking out unique Pittsburgh ice cream parlors, unique restaurants, exhibits, plays, concerts (James Taylor & Carol King, McCartney, etc.) to implementing the many delightful holiday traditions we enjoy throughout the year.

I’m passionately in love with my remarkable family, adore my incredible friends both near and far, I am a pathological photographer, prolific writer (working on my two manuscripts), manic movie buff, and all around eternal optimist! I also love those warm summer nights while visiting outside on our deck, attempting to beat everyone at our plethora of board games, enjoy making delicious crock pot meals when it’s cold outside; and have an affinity for road trips while singing and laughing in the car as a family, Jon’s homemade ice cream and hunkering in to read as many good books as possible throughout the year! PS Facebook is a riot – a terrific way to keep in touch!

Last January found us buried in 20 inches of snow with 10 additional inches three days later requiring Jon to spend an entire day trying to dig us out! This January we fig hey we’ve only got this winter and hopefully one other to suffer through before we relocate to the south-west if all goes as planned; so I think we can endure a few more ice storms before embracing palm trees, swimming pools and endless sunshine after pulling up stakes, closing the book on this particular chapter of our life while singing in unison ‘Happy Trails to You’ as we eagerly move toward another new and exciting adventure!

A few of my favorite quotes this year …

Jon –

I was once a Democrat and then I grew up! (If you dare talk history, civics and politics and are willing to open your mind and learn then Jon is your man to enjoy a rollicking debate with!)

Rebecca –

I can start a fire with two sticks and pure rage! (grin)

All I wanna do is have some fun until the sun comes up on the Santa Monica Blvd.

Every choice we make, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is tied to a consequence. Superior choices breed successful outcomes. © RC.

Cameron -

I swim for brighter days, despite the absence of sun. Choking on salt water, I'm not giving in. I swim.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.

Really Brigham?? Realllllly?! This is the place?? Maybe Lucifer was whispering that in your ear because according to Google maps sunny warm California is only a 9 day and 16 hour walk away! Compared to what you've gone through you couldn't suck up another week?! No, let's stay in this land of desolation and snow. (Referring to Church history and our entire families aversion to enduring cold and snow, haha)

Ashley -

It’s 4 am and I just finished my 80 page paper! (The sure sign of a college coed lol)

Your noblest dreams are not above the workings of the heart.

Left coast envy! (Longing for another trip out west)

Michael –

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen

Go Saints! (Steelers traitor! ha ha)

SURPRISE … I cut my hair!

Missy Belle Buttons – Give me the dog bone, the car keys, the credit cards and I’m out of here!

We wish YUNZ a warm and wonderful holiday season as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Hugs, from the Christeson family

To see many photos and to follow our comings and goings and/or to easily stay in touch throughout the year check us out at the following websites:

www.beccashenanigans.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/rebeccachristeson

www.trainingwithatwist.com

Street Corner Symphony: Hey, Soul Sister

Street Corner Symphony: Everybody Wants to Rule the World

It's a Charlie Brown Christmas

PSU's micro musical A Charlie Brown Christmas with an adorable ensemble cast was a delightful way to usher in the holidays! And the array of Christmas musical numbers at the end were superb!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Snow Globes - Coca-Cola 2010 Christmas Commercial (long version)

Faith ... complete trust in God no matter what the outcome!

From a most horrifying situation initially - comprised of many prayers, tears, pain, and grave concern - Cameron has a bright future in store! We have witnessed remarkable miracles and received so many blessings due to the on going prayers offered in Cam's behalf by so many people throughout the country from diverse religious beliefs. After four surgeries, two medical centers and weeks in a rehab he is now home, working with home health care! His muscle and artery graft have been deemed 100% successful, bringing the blood supply to his leg in order to save the limb, he will now be able to finally put weight on his leg and begin approximately two years of additional physical therapy. He has truly been blessed.

The photos: Dr. Leonard, an inspiring plastic surgeon who is responsible for this outcome.; also of the tissue graft woven throughout Cam's leg. (The muscle (red) which you see will shrink at some point in time as it is no longer an operational muscle in the sense of those we use in our arms and legs, it was needed strictly to bring the needed blood supply to Cam's leg. Dr. Leonard is an expert in the field of micro surgery. The other photo is after two different surgeries required prior to the graft in order to insert rods and screws into the leg)

Other photo's include: Cam's dear friends Brent & Carlene who have become family and who have tirelessly helped in taking care of Cam and continue to do so as a result of the devotion these three friends have for one another. Gregg & Myra, dear friends of our family since Cam was a little boy who drove 4 hours to and from Idaho to visit all of us. (So many more family members and friends visited as well, I only wish I had, had the energy and focus to have remembered to snap everyone's photos!) The beautiful Mount Timpanogos temple; exemplifies the love of our our Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ for Cameron as well as all of us on this earth past, present and future; and of course our precious son whose life was preserved!

Sincere thanks to the extraordinary medical teams in both hospitals and at the rehab including Dr. Bacon, Cam's orthopedic trauma surgeon. Dr. Leonard in whom we simply adore! And many sincere thanks to all of you, once again, for your encouraging words (love facebook!), fasting and prayers.

Cam has actually returned to work part time, takes joy rides in a wheel chair throughout the mall and has even had outings to Utah Lake for some fresh air and sunshine complements of his dear friends. From that heartbreaking call we received in the middle of the night informing us of Cam's accident to now (6 weeks later) it has been an insightful, humbling, nerve racking journey to say the least, however, the outcome was simply miraculous! And thanks to the media lol so that Cam could watch all of the Steelers and Pens games which helped him to keep his sanity through the endless, tedious hours and weeks being held prisoner by a bed, haha :)

We may have missed taking our yearly family photos at our favorite pumpkin patch this year but in lieu of the missed event we received the ultimate blessing of still being able to enjoy our son's presence on this earth. America has THE most advanced, expert medical care bar none! And guess what ... our son who has a passion for running WILL ONE DAY RUN AGAIN!

PSU's Frankenstein (the musical) Ashley & Michael sparkled!

A brilliant romantic terror of a young doctor whose obsession with death leads him to create a life; the creature crafted from bodies of convicts and the brain of a brilliant scientist, is a hideous mockery of humanity. Hauntingly beautiful music creates an experience in which time and space are fluid, coming alive in... the mind of Victor Frankenstein! Ashley plays the female lead of Elizabeth and Michael the secondary male lead of Henry, Victor's friend.

Facebook message to Ashley ... You and Mica brought the house down for the 4th time! Outstanding final performance - you were simply breathtaking sweetheart!! The depth of your voice, the incredible range in which you can sing, your delightful acting skills, and your striking beauty made the role of Elizabeth come to life. A remarkable performance to be remembered! xoxo

Facebook message to Michael ...Mica you were outstanding once again; final performance was amazing! The fact that you can sing a deep, rich baritone to high tenor notes is incredible. Your acting skills were also delightful; loved seeing you express this dark, dramatic side. You and Ashley's duets stunned the audiences; your chemistry in life and on stage is supreme! xoxo

Frankenstein - the musical - staring Ashley & Michael

Ashley and Michael both have staring roles in the Penn State University production of Frankenstein (the musical not the comedy). Written and performed in a similar fashion to Phantom of the Opera with outstanding music it should be an incredible performance!

Ash and Mica have been working long, arduous hours over the past couple of months, along with the other members of the cast, perfecting their vocal numbers, lines, staging, etc. Dress rehearsal is this evening and we plan to be there front and center snapping a gazillion pictures!

Break a leg kidlets! (A theater term for opening night) … well, perhaps considering what Cam is going through DON’T break a leg, haha, but best of luck as you light up the theater with you incredible vocal talent and chemistry! We love you xoxo

Beat the bike!

www.beatthebike.blogspot.com (pictures posted on beatthebike & facebook)

The Lord's loving hands in all of life's experiences

s

Message to Cameron -
"Runners fight the wind continually Cam; runners with a passion like yours fight all obstacles in order to enjoy those sterling moments of achievement and fulfillment that sacrifice, focus and drive bring. The spirit is with you still again in this third surgery guiding expert surgeons - a bright future is in store! We all love you sweetheart ! xoxo Mom, Dad, Ashley, Mica"

Cam and his date were involved in a horrifying accident on his motorcycle; a hit and run wherein the driver drug Cam's bike 400 feet, then jumped out of his car and fled on foot! It was a miracle that they were not killed or received brain or spinal injury! Their protection was obviously of a Divine nature.

Cam's friend is healing and back at school thank goodness, but Cam has endured three surgeries at two different regional medical centers in order to save his leg. Without going into detail it has been a frightening, exhausting yet powerfully spiritually experience for all of us. We have witnessed miracles and a wealth of blessings tied to the faith and prayers of so many family and friends everywhere praying for Cameron and our family. We cannot express how humble we feel, how touched by so many well wishes and strengthened by the distinct power of prayer.

Heavenly Father loves these two young adults and has preserved their lives ,no doubt , as they each still have a mission to fulfill on this earth. Throughout this laboriously draining process of surgeries and healing Cam has retained his positive attitude, cheerfulness and sense of humor. He does not wish ill of the driver, though justice should be served; in fact it disturbs Cam to hear anyone belittle this crazed driver or to make hurtful assumptions. For this man to have literally fled the accident on foot speaks volumes regarding the state of mind he must have been in - enough said.

We have had countless individuals who are strangers to us commend us on Cam's genuine spirit and his ability to remain gracious and thankful for every act of service provided him in spite of the debilitating pain and suffering he has experienced. We are very proud of him and exceedingly grateful that we still have our son with us to love and to enjoy!

All three surgeries were successful, the last one being of greatest consequence, due to the magnificent expertise of the plastic and orthopedic surgeons involved. Cam's plastic surgeon Dr. Leonard is a pioneer in his field of micro surgery and is not only exceptional, but such a warm, engaging man with a terrific sense of humor and ability to explain each detail of the process so that a patient and family can fully understand the complexities of such an intricate procedure. (Transferring muscle, arteries and veins to the damaged area of the body.) We also came to find out that he is a brother-in-law to friends of ours back home in PA!

All of Cam's surgeons, pa's, nurses, aids, etc., have been tremendous. He has been in a rehab center now for close to a week and becoming stronger by the moment. I have not seen him whine, curse, lash out, or even say things such as, "Why me?!" Instead he has only talked about "when" he will run again so as to prepare for the marathons in his future. Defeat is not in his mindset, he is motivated and driven to beat this obstacle; and no doubt he will.

Cam's days of riding his cycle into the canyons and on the trails of the Wasatch Mountains may have come to an end but he will forever have memories of the freedom and excitement of riding along side his friend Brent enjoying nature at its best! Now he focuses on a couple of years of physical therapy after many endless weeks of having to lie flat in bed in order to regain the use of his leg ... but he has the faith (pure trust) in God that he will continue to be blessed and to enjoy a full recovery. He may not be able to run at the level he has up until this point ,as a passionate distance runner, but if all continues at the level it is progressing he WILL run again!

Many sincere, deep felt thanks to all of our family and friends who have provided endless loving acts of service, prayers, visits, meals, and help in all forms! From Loraine , Kurt , Brent & Carlene, and Gayle and Bryan rushing to the hospital as we made plans to fly cross country to arrive here to visits, calls and messages from so many who wanted to come and offer their support and help! And to Brent and Carlene, Cam's dear friends and now ours as well, for their incredible devotion to our son! Young adults who have dedicated their lives to service and who have provided a wealth of assistance helping to put plans into action so as to prepare a living environment for Cam wherein they can help him to recuperate and take his life back. A daunting task still lies ahead for Cam as well as Brent and Carlene but their generous and loving attitudes has simply amazed us and been a great blessing in Cam's life! Friends of this caliber are often rare in life; but Brent has become a brother to Cam and it is apparent the respect and adoration these three Musketeers have for one another!

Once I leave here it will have been a solid month I will have spent back in our home state seeing Cam through this ordeal. I could not have achieved everything I needed to as a mother without Jon's physical and emotional help and strength of testimony during so many pain wrenching moments of silent screams and streams of tears. Jon is our rock and was able to accomplish a great deal in Cam's behalf while here; and Ashley and Michael back east at home keeping the home fires bringing in our absence has been a great help as well. We are so very blessed to have such a tight knit, loving family.

Tomorrow Cam returns to see his surgeon in Salt Lake wherein we will once again be able to hear the life blood flowing into his leg through the Doppler attached to his leg and then later a visit to his orthopedic trauma surgeon in Utah county to see how all of the rods and screws are doing in his leg. It is breathtaking seeing the modern miracles of medicine which allow people such hope!

We may never be able to repay each of you for your individual words and acts of service in our families behalf; but know that you "our earth angels" have inspired us and we WILL pay it forward ! Our impetuous will be your fine example of Christ-like service as we seek to help lives that we, also, find have need of comfort and service in what ever manor :)

Thank you Heavenly Father for the bounteous blessings you continue to bestow upon our family. And thank you for allowing us to learn from challenging mortal experiences; which compel us to become more humble, more teachable, and to learn and grow into more caring, appreciative individuals. And thank you for further helping to strengthen our testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ as we rely on the power of the Priesthood, as well as the empowering ability to serve others, and of our knowledge that families can be together forever!

Post Script 10/19/10 - Cam's surgeon proclaimed magnificent progress today! The transplanted tissues are thriving and now he can even sit up and walk on his good leg up to 30 minutes every three hours! Cam is stoked to have greater freedom from being chained to his bed lol :) It's a wonderful day indeed! Also, his friend in whom he grew up with in our Pittsburgh ward, Darlene Stoddard Agle, approached us early on with an idea to host a "run" here in Utah in Cam's behalf to help generate donations for his spiraling out of sight, out of pocket medical expenses this poor recent college grad will have to some how come up with. Further details will be forthcoming but it will be called "Beat the Bike!" (check out Darlene's blog at www.beatthebike.blogspot.com) . This is such a generous offer of time and effort by her & friends to plan and implement! Again, we are touched beyond words as to her thoughtful effort in behalf of Cam as well as all of yours as well!

California Dreamin'

Life's a beach and then you die! ... Fun in the sun family vacation tied to some work in southern California. We showed our kids our version of hanging out in LA; many fond memories of travels up and down the coast of California while growing up and even after Jon and I married. We LOVE the city of Angels and the string of beaches from San Francisco on down the coast.

A day at Disneyland was great fun, we finally converted Cameron to how crazy-fun the theme park can actually be if he is with his family!! However, we want to take him to Disneyworld and really blow his mind! His busy schedule due to college, work, mission have kept him from being able to come on our trips to Disneyworld. Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Pirates, Haunted Mansion (though closed this time), Peter Pan, the submarine ride ... every last morsel of Disney is delightful and dining at the Blue Bayou was icing on the cake.

We enjoyed a day at Santa Monica Blvd (actually 3rd street) and the pier which was lovely. The shopping is terrific there. A crazy tour of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, etc., locating the homes of many movie stars; I'm partial to the stars from back in the day classic movies! Boggles my mind that on one street for instance Lucille Ball lived across the street from Humphrey Bogart and two other famous stars from that era! It's also fun to go to the Chinese theater and see all of the stars hand and foot prints in the concrete as well as the stars on the walk of fame. I was on a mission to once again see the hand prints of Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner, Shirlee Temple, etc., and I wasn't disappointed.

We spent time beach hopping which is one of our all time favorite things to do! Huntington, Newport, Balboa on down to San Diego on a magnificent, leisurely drive. We enjoyed a lovely beach somewhere between Carlsbad and San Clemente that was incredible! Driving the PCH is simply a joy and provides breathtaking scenery.

We did everything from hopping in our rental car and setting out to track down a favorite rock star that both Cam and Ash like from the band(s) Something Corporate / Jack's Mannequin. Cam conducted some online real estate research (haha) and located his home in Silver Lake; Cam & Ash knocked on his door, spoke to the guy's wife and left a little gift for him - it was crazy and sooooo CHRISTESON in spirit! We also tracked down a park in downtown LA that was in a movie Cam liked called 500 Days of Summer. Bizarre yet fun! And Ash later had us search for a strip mall that sported a very unassuming club where one of her favorite bands, Avenged Sevenfold, started out.

On the official stars tour, though Jon and I used to buy one of those cheesy maps sold on the street and thereby locate the homes ourselves, but this time we enjoyed a mini bus tour. We saw current stars such as Britney Spears, Christina Agulara, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez homes &/or former homes, along with Ringo Starr and George Harrison, Michael Jackson to Lindsey Lohan, Tom Cruise and Jennifer Aniston (and many others) to the old time Hollywood legends. So strange that anyone (us included) even wants to spend time scouting out stars homes but it was actually quite entertaining hearing all of the stories and recent happenings as well as realizing just how small the Hollywood community truly is.

We spent time on Rodeo Drive as Ash wanted to see the famous shops; his was her first trip to California! Sunset Blvd where many bands and stars were discovered such as the Doors (from the 60's), etc. We ate ourselves silly dining out and laughed non stop ... it was truly a memorable experience being with our kids. I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend time with than my family!!

Alas, the week came to an end. We saw Cam off at LAX en route back to Salt Lake and we hit the tarmac a day later for home which included a repeat change of planes in Phoenix. Oh how I longed to STAY in Phoenix!!! By time we arrived home it felt like it had simply been a dream that we had spent so much time amid palm trees, blue skies, sandy beaches and incredible Mexican food. Like I said ... Life's a BEACH and then you die! PS tons of fun pictures on my facebook page!