Saying Good-Bye to Abuelita Ursula

Yesterday we lost our grandmother, Ursula. Ursula was actually my cousins' grandmother but she loved and cared for  me and my sister and brothers as her own grandchildren.  Growing up, our paternal grandmother lived in Mexico so we only got to see her about once a year and although I loved my Abuelita Lupe so much and had a very special bond with her, I felt I needed to have a grandmother here that I can see whenever I wanted.   Since I never knew my maternal grandmother, I decided Ursula would be my other Abuelita.  It made sense. My cousins and we (my siblings and I) grew up together and love each other like siblings.  We did everything together as kids and that included visiting abuelita Ursula.

Our Trip to Big Sur - Part 2

Mission Possible

Its official name is San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission but that is much harder to remember than The Carmel Mission, which is how most people refer to it.  Some of the people in our group went fishing, the rest of us took a break from camp life a drove the 27 miles to Carmel.  Our mission was not see the mission.  See what I did there?  We had other adventures in mind but somehow ended up here at this beautiful, historic and spiritual monument.  I am really glad we did.  

Established in 1771 under the leadership of Father Junipero Serra, the Carmel Mission is the second oldest mission in California.

Our Trip to Big Sur - Part 1

Camping at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Every Summer, the parents of our Boy Scout troop plan a family camping trip, because the boys don't get enough camping throughout the year.  Not!  Actually, because we (the parents) want to get in on the camping action.  Why should the scouts have all the fun?  Our troop is pretty tight and we enjoy spending time together so we decided this would be a great way to spend some time with the scouts and get to know some really cool camping spots.  Last year, we camped at Zion National Park in Utah.  I was on a blog break so I didn't blog about that camping trip but it was awesome.  The year before that, the troop went to Sequoia National Park but we didn't join them for that one.

Peaceful December Mornings

Our family room tree

I love quiet December mornings and the calmness of Christmas decorations. There is magic in the glow of the twinkling lights that soothes my soul.