2013 4th of July

This 4th of July the family really wanted to get together but we all knew that because of Grandma's health Port Austin would have to wait until next year. We all headed to Ojai to visit the Van Aukers and had a great time. 

July 3rd

We stayed in Carpenteria at the Holiday Inn which made us relive Laura's wedding weekend.  It was great because the pool and lobby were so close to the rooms. This was our 1st "vacation" overnight stay with Micaela so we had a lot of stuff but it wasnt so bad. We arrived on the 3rd and we hung out by the pool waiting for everyone to show. That evening we went to dinner at the Mexican food place where we went after Laura's wedding. After a fun dinner we headed back to the room and we put Micaela to sleep. She was out for the night so we ended up meeting back in the lobby to chat a bit and wait for Troy. Troy drove down from San Fransisco where he has an internship for the summer. It was so great catching up.

 July 4th

We all were suppose to meet up at Laura's early in the morning to participate in the 4th of July race. Micela slept well and we were happy that she didnt wake up at night. Even though I was up super early by the time Dennis and Micaela were ready it was too late and decided to meet at the race instead. I did not realize Carpenteria is about 25 minutes from Ojai. We arrived just in time. The family "warmed up" and then Dennis, Micaela, Merve and Flynn were ready to run. After that we all enjoyed the parade which really reminded us of Port Austin. Micaela loved it! She was terrified of the loud horns the trucks would sound off. Laura and Aunt Tina held her and she had so much fun. Merve and Laura then hosted us to a nice bbq at their house. We ate and hung out for a while then the "young crew" went to go grab a drink while the grandparents stayed with the kids. It was so fun chatting with the cousins and not having to worry about Micaela. After that Dennis and I headed back to the hotel.

July 5th

 The next day we all ate breakfast at the hotel. We waited for John to come see Micaela as he wanted Sean to meet her before he headed home. Dennis and I were planning on going home but decided to join everyone at Rincon. It was an amazing morning! The cousins were out on the water, Micaela walked with Grandma and played in the sand with her Grandpa. I was so happy that we stayed! We headed home right in time for Micaela's nap and had a good drive home. We even stopped in Brentwood at our favorite little restaurant.  

The 4th of July has become an awesome family tradition. We hope that next year we can visit Port Austin. Until next year!!

2011 Port Austin 4th of July

Friday: Fly out of LAX spend the night in Detroit.
Saturday: Drive into Port Austin, met the Onekama Cousins, Karaoke at night.
Sunday: Church at St Michaels,Wine Tasting and Hick Ride, prelude to fireworks.
Monday: 4th of July Parade and fireworks show
Tuesday: Family leaves, nice bike tour with Grandpa, Beach day, dinner at the Pasta House.
Wednesday: Canoeing with Dennis, nice dinner with Grandma and Grandpa.
Thursday: Fly home.

We all missed John, Michele, Laura, Merve and Flynn! Its not the same when some of the family is not with us. We all had a great time and it was so nice staying at Grandma's house. Uncle Kevin and Nikki stayed in the other room while the rest of the family stayed at the yellow house. ALthough the family was somewhat preoccupied with an incident that happened with Hunter and Gina right before the trip over all everyone got a chance to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather, and family!

A Different Kind of 4th

This 4th of July was different for so many reasons. First we would not be on our annual Port Austin trip with the Pattison's and Second because John and Michele are no longer together. It has been three months and this is the first time I have been able to blog about it.

John and Michele were supposed to be engaged by now. For the past 2 years it has been a question of when NOT if! I have grown close to Michele not because she was around our family on Holidays and trips but because I love being around her. We just click, she makes me laugh and more recently cry. She is an open book with her close friends and see’s nothing wrong with sharing her emotions. She was had even told us the ultimatum John had received from her back in July. It was a “no brainer” and we all and by all I mean family and friends truly believed that we would have a great time at the wedding. Time went by John was heading to Thailand on his Globe Trip for USC. Michele was at home planning him an awesome 30th birthday party. He returned the weekend before Easter so we were all invited home to Murrieta where we had family filled weekend. They seemed to have tension between them and he seemed very stressed. He did not seem present as if he had so much on his mind. Dennis and I suspected something but we really did not know anything was going on. The following weekend we celebrated his 30th and again noticed tension between them in Pasadena. A week later Michele called me crying saying it was over. I was so confused and frankly she was not making much sense. She was a complete wreck and I only assumed he was feeling the same way. She made me promise not to tell Dennis so I kept my word, then a few days later she said it was ok to tell him. John had not really informed anyone and was being very private. Michele was my neighbor in Redondo and so I tried to be a good friend but really there is nothing a friend can do to help with heartbreak. It was also a difficult situation because Dennis sat me down and pretty much threatened me about getting involved. He said “I know she is your friend and we all love her but he is my brother first. If you ever give John a reason to be mad at you or at me I will not forgive you. They are adults, let them handle it.” I know right! I know he meant it because his brother means everything to him. My goal with Michele was to be there if she need me but to stay neutral..hearing one side of the story that is really difficult. Needless to say Michele went through many boxes of tissue it was so hard to watch but she is such a strong girl, and she was in pieces over John.

Fast forward to July 4th…..John and Michele are now “friends.” Again I am still confused. Saturday he picked her up and we went to Mama D’s to celebrate Dennis’s birthday. Then he came out again on the 4th of July and we all hung out all day. So we did not go to Port Austin but we were together and I was happy about that. I know they are going through a hard time. They may look back at this and laugh because they will be married to one another or they may look back and laugh/cry because they are not. I hope it all works out because I selfishly want her to be part of the family but in the end I just want two amazing people to find happiness.

One thing that have taken from J and M's break-up is to really appreciate the one you love. Sometimes we take our significant other for granted assuming that they will always be there. Through her tears Michele told me.."nothing matters to me without John. I don't care about work, family and nothing without him." What powerful words those were! It broke my heart but that is life nothing matters without the people that we love to share everything with!