Photos, California June 2016 & 8th Birthday and more

Graham took this photo while in California in June

 We were so lucky! While on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, we ran into Graham's 'cousin' Jordan Bush. Jordan is an extremely talented musician who plays at the Hollywood Bowl, and with some well known musicians. And...he's only 19 or 20.

 Graham has an ear for piano, and likes to compose his own music.

 Julia holds court at her birthday party

Birthday cake. 

 Julia loves to cook

Jumping waves in Bethany Beach, DE

During 2016, we've done a bit of traveling and just enjoying life.

One not-so-fun event was Graham's emergency appendectomy in April--poor guy. Missed his own birthday party, spent a night in the hospital, and -- his favorite part -- spent a week away from school.

He was such an impressive patient, and received amazing care at Georgetown Hospital. When asked if he had any questions--what I took as a formality, and something the doctors didn't expect Graham to answer--Graham said: "What is the recovery time for this particular surgery?"

Forever a physician's son.

In June, we headed out to Aunt Annie's in LA, where we spent time in her gorgeous garden (photos to come), at Disneyland (where I feel I'm still recovering from Hyper Space Mountain), Santa Monica (Lovely little hotel at the beach, the Standard), and Zuma Beach and...a meal at one of my favorite fish restaurants from way back when, The Reel Inn.

I miss California, the beach, the mountains. DC is 'real life' in a bubble--all of this hot political air swirling around, going nowhere, and just creating unnecessary tension.

 Something about the Pacific air blowing off the ocean truly chills one out in California.