AJ and I ran down to Carlsbad for mom's retirement party in late June. Everyone was looking forward to the big day -- especially mom -- for months. The June Gloom broke, and sunny summer weather persisted for the shindig. Needless to say, everyone had a ball and sent mom off to the next chapter of life in total style.
I stayed in SoCal and saw all sorts of folks up and down the coast. It had been so long since I saw a bunch of my old friends and family -- so this was a good one, for sure!
Derin and Num-Num reading on the stoop - the Karsi family came by for Father's Day brunch before the big retirement party!
Mom, dad, Derin and me
Father's Day Brunch - Papa, Dad, Murat, and Chunney!
Family!
And then...this thing arrived. The limo bus drove 60+ people around to celebrate mom and Maureen's retirement. Margaritas flowed like the mighty Columbia River....
The OG Party Beach Girl
Yep - people got on the pole.
AJ getting her party on...
Sibs
Never knew dad could kick so high.
P&G came down to see the chaos!
We finished the evening with a backyard dinner and toasts at the Clark's house.
Erin and Murat joined the festivities!
Dinner - and faces.
Me and my pops!
Besties.
Some very touching toasts about two fantastic people and their successful careers.
The next day was Father's Day proper - which I got to spend with my dad!
Grilled some steaks and celebrated in style.
Dad and I went golfing for Father's Day. I beat him.
Pops on the green.
Mom joined us for the day, and Derin rode in the cart for one hole.
Derin's first golf lesson!
Post golfing margaritas
Headed out on the road to Santa Barbara. The Mission is one of my absolute favorite places.
Isla Vista - the view from my old house.
UCSB
Mike and the kiddos
Heather and Haeden
The Webers!
Super smiley Wilson
The Marrs Family!
Went for a hike with Penelope at Mailbu Creek!
A perfect swimming hole on a hot hot SoCal day.
This is where they filmed MASH
Those gorgeous CA hills
Stopped to see Ryan, Aura and Xander!
And then saw Janine, Chris and Mieko!
Went to the Hollyhock House, a Frank Lloyd Wright home in LA.
Mom and me having margaritas.
Carlsbad.
One last margarita party before I hit the dusty trail back home.
