So my many friends I am vacationing in good old California. The story is a great one. On Tuesday I was feeling a little depressed because I wanted to see my new niece. I just wanted to be there. I was telling this to my dad and he surprised me by saying- “Well, why don’t you drive home with me and the boy scouts?.” The reason I was surprised by this suggestion was he had been opposed to such a plan weeks before because it meant my being absent from the vacation rentals for over a week. In the end I was able to turn the properties over to my uncle Jim (thank you Jim!) and after a long drive I am now in Palo Alto visiting with my niece. She’s so cute! All 3 of these girls are so adorable- each with their own distinctive and charming personalities. The oldest is in the era where she wants to hear stories over and over again. Yesterday I read her 3 stories from Brambley Hedge and I did all of the voices for the little mice and we enjoyed our time together.

Lucy is charming and has the funniest voice. It’s gravely and low in a way I have never heard in a little girl. She has a great smile, which combined with the voice can’t help but make you smile. Than there is the new little one Nelle that is sweetness personified. I read the other day that they studied the effects of babies on young mothers and that the endorphins released from holding a newborn are some of the same that come from exercising or other happy activities. (of course, they might also come from all of the work that goes into them but still- who could be uncheered by a newborn!). Here is the article if anyone wants to read it: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/5874711.html.

Tonight I am going back to spend the weekend with my younger siblings (Wagner generation 2 as I like to call them). It should be fun and I am particularly looking forward to lots of swimming- ahhh! Then tomorrow we might go and see Mamma Mia (which by the way I say poo poo to the bad reviews. I am seeing it anyway. One of the reviews said if you like chick flicks and show tunes you will like it- boy that doesn’t sound like me does it!). I am very excited about it. There are like 400 movies I want to see right now but Mamma Mia is the one I am most eagerly anticipating. I will let you know what I think.

Next week we are going on a Wagner family cruise to Catalina Island and Ensnada. I have never been there before and I am looking forward to 3 days of swimming, laying out in the sun, reading and spending time with family. (I know my life sounds so hard right now hah!). After the cruise I am spending one day in Disneyland with the fam and then am meeting up with my favorite college chum Raelene for a day at the beach (where I will finally get to see her baby! Yeah!).

So, in conclusion life is good. Life is great on vacation….