When you’re a military family, it’s something special to go home for a visit. Tim hails from Seattle, which means he loves mountains, hard rock and strong coffee (specifically Starbucks). I am fortunate to call California home, and my soul longs for the beaches and ocean waves of Orange County. During our married life, we’ve spent way more time in Anaheim and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I could just get Tim’s family to join us down south, it would be practically perfect.

Read about my recent visit to check in on our second daughter Lauren at Azusa Pacific University here: A Leprechaun goes to college

Following are pics from Kristen’s visit in October 2013 

My Dad spends a great deal of time at the neighborhood garden, Common Ground

Bill waters the young plants at Common Ground

Lauren and her friends out for dinner

Candid pic of Lauren at her dorm door

The iconic APU pic

A reader’s heaven

Dad and I munching on our special treat: Philippes French Dip Sandwich

The interior of the LA Cathedral includes fabulous tapestries

Fountain in downtown LA

Rietkerk Family visit–Summer 2011

The best part of any beach party is the sparklers

Lindsey, Eva, Danah and Teri

Volleyball was the name of the game

Danah and Lindsey snuggle under blankets on a cool July day at Doheny Beach

Will poses with his board after his lesson

Lilly stops just long enough to chow down a peanut butter sandwich

Lady takes a break at the Huntington Beach dog park