We are family...I've got all my sisters with me!

After months of planning and coordinating, all of my sisters showed up in California to surprise our mother and celebrate Christmas. The sad truth is that all four of us haven’t been in the same place, at the same time, in over six years. So this reunion was well overdue. Whether or not it was actually a surprise is up for debate, since several of us can recall letting the “cat out of the bag” on numerous occasions. And, while driving to the airport two days in a row was a pain in the butt and my house and nerves are shell-shocked, it was so worth it.
Amber brought her new husband, Jaren, and Amanda brought Justin, her oh-so-lucky fiancé. These two guys now have a pretty good idea of what it is exactly that they’ve gotten themselves into. I had forgotten how obnoxious we can all be when we’re together. Although, I proudly admit that I was the worst. Annelyse was able to bring along Riley. At four months old, this little lady is already exhibiting very fine taste and has granted me the honor of being her favorite aunt :)
We managed to haul our tushies to the photo studio and endured 15 minutes of posing for the first family pictures since we were very little kids. You all have my promise of postings of those as soon as I get my eager little hands on them. Annelyse could only stay for about a day and a half but I’m so happy that she made it. The rest of us went to Six Flags the day before Christmas Eve and had so much fun. The park had maybe a thousand people that day so lines were practically non-existent.
Kaya went on several “big-girl” roller coasters. Being so skinny, though, had me worried that she would just fly out on sharp turns. So the rides were even more harrowing than usual for me. And, as punishment for forcing her onto the big rides (which she enjoyed. After the fact.), Kaya made sure that I personally accompanied her on every spinning ride available, while her aunts and uncles watched peacefully from the sidelines. I held up just fine, though. Mom treated everyone to dinner three times while they were out here (what does that say about my culinary skills? Hmmm). I feel sorry for her and her wallet (but only a little!). Vietnamese, French and Mexican. Interesting combination, no? It wasn’t fun to watch everyone leave. It was especially sad to see Amber go, as she had pillaged my closet and I had to say goodbye to half of my clothes and shoes, as well as a sister. But the house is my own again and it’s time to pull myself up by the bootstraps and start cleaning before Shayne gets home. And start planning the next reunion!