>THE GATHERING

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For more than a year, James and Allison have been planning their wedding. Finally, last week, we packed our bags, boarded airplanes, stuffed SUVs with belongings and children, wedding attire, and wads of extra cash and began the journey west. James arrived first. On a Tuesday. On the day that SoCal had their biggest earthquake since 1996. James and Allison were filling out their marriage license papers when the quake hit. It’s nice to have something significant like that to seal a memory, isn’t it?

In the end, of course, there was no major damage, although Allison’s family lost a few knickknacks, and their belongings shifted from their usual places, We arrived the next evening and enjoyed a couple of days of last minute details, welcoming family and friends, and loving the balmy 80-degree days.

Here are a few pics to get you started.

The palms along Katella Ave.

An evening at Bubba Gump’s with the Cowan’s and Matt B.
Friends from Texas enjoying California hospitality at the Garner’s
Our twin grandsons in the surf at Newport Beach

A fairy tale wedding is not complete without terrific shoes–Here’s a taste of what’s to come. I’ll post more wedding and California photos in the week to come.

Right now, they’re about ready to boot us from our hotel room, and we have a flight home this afternoon. Can’t wait to share more about our trip and some of the fodder I’ve acquired for future writing.

Blessings!