This weekend was bitter sweet. It was our family’s last weekend staying at Grandpa Gene and Grandma Janis’ Bakersfield house. Erin put together a wonderful going away party for them full of church friends and great memories. We spent as much time as possible in the pool and tried to hit up as many Bakersfield haunts as we could, places like Hodel’s for Sunday buffet brunch and Smiths Bakery for donuts. Sadly our family missed out on one last trip to Rosemary’s where they make the best home made ice cream and yummies, but perhaps that is a good thing seeing as how all we did was eat all weekend!! I have complete confidence in the fact that Gene made up for our missing out by having his usual enormous banana split. Before I post the pics from the weekend I wanted to share a couple stories. I will start by saying that even though I have only enjoyed Bakersfield for the last 10 years, from the first time I stepped foot in their home, their church, their lives, I felt right at home. They have been blessed by their time there and have wonderful memories to show for it. Now it is time to move on to new and better things, more great memories in new places. My last story happened as we were leaving on Monday night. The boys had been swimming all day and were sad to have to leave, but Anthony took it the hardest. He just cried and cried and kept saying how much he loved this place and how he didn’t want to leave. As if it wasn’t hard enough on everyone! Poor guy. So, we soothed him as best we could, packed the car, and headed out the door. I was driving and pulled away slowly to wave to grandma and grandpa and I looked over at Joe and saw he had tears in his eyes. Then of course I had tears in my eyes! He blamed Anthony for making him sad, but I know it was finally hitting him that this was it, the last time we could drive to this house or leave this house. Enjoy the pics.
playing in the pool
who knows what they are plotting
the amazing cake Erin had made for the party
it was tough keeping these little fingers away
Benjy drew a picture of the house and they had people sign the matte
I made a photo book of pics from the house
connecting with friends
Joe is and forever will be, a ladies man
some people shared their favorite memories of the Spinozzis, including Tiffany Manning, a lifelong friend of Erin’s
more chatting and reminiscing
these two cuties (the babies) are just a month apart
this was right before he wet his pants and then asked if he could poop in the dirt
ain’t that the truth
me and all the cousins eating the last batch of Smiths donuts(I didn’t eat them all, I just ended up being the only adult in the photo)
one last look as we drive away
one of the few things we WON’T miss about Bakersfield
It was such a great weekend and we are so glad we were able to go. There was a brief moment when we weren’t sure we could. It would have been sad to not get to say goodbye and see old friends and enjoy the house one last time. Thank you, Spinozzis, for your generosity and hospitality that follows you wherever you go! We have loved 7016 Eilas, but that is only because you made it such a great place to be. Wherever you end up will be just as great or BETTER!
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