YODER YEARS: TIME IN SAN DIEGO

Beginning of June: There are a couple things that have not made it on the "Blog" that I want to share...

Abblitt Family Reunion & Uncle Rob's USMC Retirement Ceremony:

On the 6th of June, the Abblitts had a family reunion in San Diego to be followed by a retirement ceremony for my Uncle Rob who retired after almost 30 years in the Marine Corps. Not having any luck in finding good tickets, it was going to be a big party I was going to miss. But, less than a week before the excitement I received a phone call from my Uncle Jim and Aunt Randi. They offered their airline miles for me to get out to San Diego. So, with the airline tickets worked out and my gracious husband taking Friday off and my in-laws willing to have the girls at there house on Thursday afternoon - I was free to head west to California.

Thursday & Friday:
I landed in San Diego late Thursday night and then Friday morning Dad and I were off to run along the cliffs. And, by the way, Uncle Rob was no where to be found...he was taking this whole retirement thing very seriously...sleeping in, taking it easy...you know, that sort of thing! I fly all the way out to San Diego to experience a run with a Marine escort courtesy of my Dad and Uncle....but, geez!!!

Thanks for the solo escort, Dad! :)

Dad and Mandy

The rest of Friday was running around with Mom, Aunt Karen and my cousins - Bethany and Brittany - getting things ready for the retirement ceremony. It was a fun girls day...thank goodness for the Garmin...even if she did get a little sassy every once in a while

Brittany, Mandy, Bethany at the start of the trip

...and at the end of the trip :)

Brittany - I told you that it would be submitted as evidence!

Saturday:

The Abblitt Family Reunion was fantastic. Not sure of the official count but I heard 70. It was so much fun meeting family that I've never met and seeing others that I haven't seen since I was little. And, of course there was also my immediate family and extended family - my uncles, aunts and cousins and my Dad's uncle, aunts and cousins that we have been fortunate enough to live closer to that we could see more often. I always enjoy spending time with family! It was a perfect day and I loved every minute!

I've got to say...San Diego is a fantastic place for a family reunion!

Abblitt Family Reunion

"Kids" (at the reunion) of the original 6 brothers and sisters...one being my grandfather.

Jessica and Mandy - sisters :)

Aunt Randi and Mom

My brother Andrew and cousin Brian

At 3pm it was off to prepare for Rob's retirement ceremony and give Dad and Robert time to get all shiny and fancy in their dress blues. The ceremony was very special. Rob gave flowers to his wife and 4 daughters for all the support and love they gave him through his career in the military. It was very touching.

It made me proud watching my Dad and Uncle Rob go through another ceremony together. The only thing that could have made it even better was if their Dad...my Pop...could have been there dressed with them. Although, in a way he was....Robert wore Pop's dress blues for the ceremony. And, Robert was awarded the Legion of Merit and the medal placed on his uniform was Pop's. It meant so much to have Pop as part of the ceremony even though he is no longer with us. He would have loved being a part of all the festivities that weekend.

To begin the ceremony...Hey, Dad....what's wrong with your shoes???