Visitors!

Yet another time out from my Norway Stories, to say, "There Here! There Here!"

They, my cousins from South Carolina, who to me, are more like my brother and sister-in-law, plus their darling son (my "nephew"--oh, don't get technical on me) J, got here Saturday at noon, and we have had such fun with them ever since.

Saturday night we ate dinner at our favorite beach seafood restaurant, Walt's Wharf, and stuffed ourselves silly with ahi, halibut, leeks and carrots, salad (only one "l" for me) or really great clam chowder, and oh, those delicioso oak-grilled artichokes with the dipping sauce that makes you crazy it's so good.

Our guests were fairly tuckered, so we sent them to their hotel, with the ocean view, the Long Beach Hilton to get some sleep. We were so happy that my Dear Old Dad could join us and enjoyed himself very much. He was so happy to see his nephew that tears welled up in his eyes. He loved watching the children interact at dinner (all 7 of us "kids"). He was a little confused at first, introducing Cousin as his brother, but we got that all straightened. I think he'd love a visit from his brother, too.

We rented a behemoth SUV to fit all 8 of us. The men liked it very much--it was big and all of us fit plus a little cargo space for either a wheelchair or a stroller (not both)

7 of us visited Disneyland, and had a great time. A few hours into our visit, we saw some friends of ours and they joined us as we trekked across to Disney's California Adventure (DCA). All day, we commented to each other how wonderfully the 3 kidlets got along with each other. Especially my BD1 with their J. They acted like an old happily married couple, talking, laughing, running, and riding rides together. J was not too thrilled with the Hollywood Tower of Terror, but said he liked Splash Mountain, the Matterhorn, Haunted Mansion, Winnie the Pooh, and best of all he liked Soarin' Over California.

We got home at 11:00 pm, and sent them on their way to their hotel.

Today, being the Disney Family that we are, we plan to take them to the Feature Animation Studios to eat at the commissary and get a glimpse of the studio and sets, and perhaps somebody famous eating at the commissary. Maybe even buy souvenirs at the newly designed Disney Store.

After that, we tentatively plan to take the kids to Soak City for the afternoon. Ok, enough advertising for southern California amusements and accommodations. Time to get ready and go pick up our guests and take them to lunch.