So I have a dear, dear friend who I have known and kept in touch with across country and state lines for 26 years! Christy Hood Vico, but I just call her Christy Hood! Wow, I can not believe that! We met when we were 13 in our American school in England. She's a Southern girl and says "hey" like only Southerners can! I love her!
She moved back to the States when we were 15, but over the years, it didn't matter how long we are a part, we always seemed to pick up right where we left off...just a few years older. Until this trip I hadn't seen Christy for 8 years and had never met any of her 4 children! I couldn't have been more thrilled when she told me they were moving from Atlanta to CA! She is way more accessible now, so her move and a new baby couldn't keep me away!
Starting off the drive...10 hours to go!
When we made it, we got to meet...
Analia
7 weeks old, she was so perfect!
This is Matias...it was his 5th Birthday the day we arrived! He is fluent in Spanish and English and is one of the best little boys I've ever met!
Christy's husband Alfredo is from Argentina. He was an Oral Surgeon down there, but they wanted to raise their family in the States, so he re-certified through many years of challenges and is finally practicing as a Dentist near their home in Thousand Oaks. So Christy speaks to her children mainly in Spanish, but the English comes along with it. They are an incredible family!
We brought Matias a Razor scooter for his birthday, but he had been given one the day before at his party, so he shared it with his little sister Juliana and little brother Lucas!
Chloe was darling with them at the park....they wore her out!
Juliana and Chloe were darling friends. Juliana wouldn't talk to me, but loved Chloe!
Chloe and Matias had a little bit of time in the back seat!
Lucas is the crazy man of the house...never stops!
OK, finally a picture of Christy! Isn't she beautiful? What an amazing woman, and probably the most patient and kind Mom I've ever seen!
Lucas didn't stop much, but one day he fell asleep standing up...what a doll! He knows how to play hard!
On our second day there, Chloe decided that she would be so sad to have gone to CA and to not go to the beach, so we packed up and spent a cool afternoon in Malibu!
We were wind blown, but I love this picture of us!
We had to give the cute jumping pics a try, but we are little older...we were laughing so hard, and I'm sure all the people watching us were too.
The first night I made dinner for Christy, Chicken Picatta, a family favorite....then the next night, she made it for me...a southern favorite...Shrimp and Grits! Oh my, it was divine! It is going to HAVE to become a family favorite now because I loved it so much!
I made her browned butter rice krispie treats, that didn't last for Alfredo to get home, so we had to make a second batch! And she made me the most delicious Tres Leche Cake I've ever had!
We started talking about food over dinner...through dinner...after dinner and her poor husband about fell asleep! Two peas from the same pod!
So we gave it another shot and definitely got some better air! Yeah us!
What a darling group of kids. Chloe was so helpful, holding Analia and playing with the others, so Christy and I could have a little more time to chat and cook. Thanks Chloe for coming with me and making it a great trip.
Christy, you were a marvelous host, so easy going, but fun and happy! Thanks for taking us in and around! We loved every minute of it and can't wait for you to come to Utah to visit, or for our next visit to CA...
Vegas! Ha ha!
Home!
