2026 - Baby Shower in L.A.!

Since we haven't moved back to CA yet, we decided to throw the baby shower for Bryan & Sian at Cheesecake Factory in Redondo Beach.  They have a banquet room upstairs...no one had to think about cooking!

Jackie had been receiving shipped goodies at their home, and she picked Barry & I up from Long Beach Airport Thursday night. We borrowed Lester's car and headed for LAX to pick up Jake & Dia.  We had all day Friday to prep everything: wrap favors, order balloons, and buy baby food for games... 

...but we also made time to eat & try some favorite foods!

That night we met Bryan, Sian, Michael & Shirley at Milo & Olive!

The day of the shower was BEAUTIFUL! 👏

We played games...

...and had fun catching up...

Perfect pic of harbor at end of day...

Sadly, my good friend from High School Tina Nakata & her husband Glen lost their daughter Haley to breast cancer just after the New Year.  The weekend in CA coincided with a memorial (celebration) service at the LA Colosseum.  We were grateful to be able to attend but so sad for their loss.  Kimberly, Susan, Kristen and I (along with significant others) were able to connect, and also meet up with other old friends.

In the meantime, the kids went to mom's storage to drop off some of the purging Bryan & Sian are trying to do to get ready for baby...then they all had lunch at Northern Cafe.

Lester bought himself a new Santa Maria style BBQ for his birthday, and we had one last family dinner before heading home the next morning...