San Diego: The Convergence

above: The family “dresses up” for the wedding…as much as campers can.

 

Question:  What do you get when you combine immediate family, extended family, in-laws, “ex in-laws”, old friends, new friends, 5 birthdays and a wedding all in one week?

Answer: Chaos…….and a lot of fun.

 

It all started with a wedding invitation from a significant ex boyfriend that I had not seen in 15 years. The previous romance and the absence of communication over the last 15 years is fodder for a very interesting novel that won’t be written but, suffice it to say that the invitation was well received. I was even very excited to see my ex, Rick and to meet his soon to be wife, Nicole. It was convenient that they lived in San Diego which would easily fit into our travel plans.

 

above: Nicole and Rick, the Bride and Groom.

 

My Mother, Aunt Deetsie, Uncle Ren and cousin Cindy who live on the East coast, decided that our stop in San Diego would be convenient for them so that they could visit both my family and my other cousin, Greg, who had recently moved to Palm Desert, a couple of hours away.

 

above: Cousin’s Greg and Cindy, Aunt Deetsie and In-laws Linda and Jerry.

 

My in-laws try their best to make it to all of the grandchildren’s birthdays and it just happens that the Big Dude was going to turn twelve during this week. So, they joined in the chaos too. My birthday, my Mother-in-law’s birthday and Shelly’s Mom and Dad, Ann and Jerry were also having Birthdays just to add to all of the festivities.

 

above: The Hippygeek and Cousin Shelly grill up burgers and dogs.

 

The Hippygeek’s cousin, Shelly, lives in San Diego and graciously offered for us to “camp” at her place and subsequently became the host site for many of our reunions and parties. The only problem was that our rig didn’t fit at her house. So, her neighbor Manfred, kindly offered his driveway. His family would now become an integral part of the week’s events.

 

above: Manfred’s grandchildren Natalia and Adam join the Dudes for some video games.

 

Phew! Are you confused yet? You should be.

I was beginning to feel like I needed an event planner to schedule all of the people, places and events as I also wanted to fit in a lunch with a woman I met in Valdez and a sail with my friend Tom whom I have known for 40 years. And then of course, there was just plain ole’ sightseeing to fit in too like the San Diego Zoo, Legoland and Point Loma.

 

above: An early Thanksgiving Dinner at Shelly’s house.

 

There are times when I would like to put my camera down and just be a part of the moment instead of being “on assignment” as the photographer. Most of the week turned out that way for me so my pictures of this wonderful fun filled week are unfortunately, limited. The pictures that follow are a smattering of the week’s events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

above: The Dudes check out some Segway’s while waiting for me to get my hair done.

 

 

 

left and below: Sailing with my friend Tom and his fiance Jennifer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

right and below: The wedding aboard the boat “High Spirits”. We spent the afternoon cruising the harbor and getting reacquainted with my “previous family” and friends.

 

 

 

 

 

left: The Groom and Best Man, Byron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

right: The San Diego Harbor from the top of the Hyatt where the reception was held. We watched Air Force One land to bring President Obama in for the basketball game between Michigan State and North Carolina aboard the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson(seen lit up). We also got to see the America’s Cup boats practicing from our perch.

 

One of the biggest events of the week was the Big Dudes’ 12th Birthday held at cousin Shelly’s house.

 

left: Grandad (Jerry), Mitch (Manfred’s son) and Manfred: a meeting of the minds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

right: Granny (Linda) preparing dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

left: Uncle Ren “kickin’ back”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

right: Blowing out the “re-light” candles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

left: The candles “re-lit so many times, we gave him a fire extinguisher to “put them out”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

right: The “Princess” standing by, waiting for crumbs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

left: Some presents were a struggle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

right: Enjoying a lego birthday present. The second part of his “LEGO” birthday would be the next day at Legoland.

 

 

 

I had never experienced a week that encompassed so many people from every aspect and stage of my life. It was a grand convergence and one that I rode like a roller coaster; strapped in, with a smile on my face and arms high in the air.

 

Cousins Shelly and Ann treated me to a birthday dinner downtown but, the picture didn’t turn out so here is a picture of the sunset on my birthday.

 

To old friends, new friends and family….Cheers!