PALM SPRINGS TT PRESERVE

 On Dec 6th we left Desert Hot Springs and drove a few miles further east (We took the back way on a very narrow desert road Ron!) to Palm Desert where we checked in to a Thousand Trails Preserve that we had looked at a year or two ago and thought we would like to spend some time here in the winter.  To say it is wonderful would be over doing it, but it is really nice.
  Here is what we saw as we pulled off I-10 to the entrance.

There are tons of palm trees through out the preserve.  The other day, Wayne went for an extensive walk and counted them.  There are 805!!!

 The preserve is packed with snow birds from the north.  Our rig is small and ancient compared to most of the rigs in here.  But we are just fine in our already paid for home!  We have our own two palm trees and a grapefruit tree.  Ann has eaten one of the grapefruits already.

It is strange to walk around the park at night in shorts and tee shirts, looking at all the Christmas decorations hanging on rigs and decorating sites.  We giggle that it should be freezing cold.  It doesn't feel like Christmas.  But, we are not complaining in the least.  We love the warm!  The pool is warm and the hot tub, warmer.  But a snowman next to the pool?  Interesting!  (This was taken about 4:00 PM.  Most of the old people here swim between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Then they all hit the hot tub about 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM.)  We have spent all our lives being cold at Christmas.  This is nice!

We even have our own personal and friendly road runners that visit us daily.  We leave water out for them.

 

 We will be here through the 20th.  Ann has bought tickets for a "Young Americans Christmas Concert" and the stage musical "Annie".  Andy Williams also has a Christmas show in town too, but it was way too spendy for us.  Maybe we will see him in Branson?

Since we got here we have been busy paying bills, fixing Wayne's computer, washing the truck, watching a couple movies, reading, going for walks, swimming, taking a class on Digital Photography, catching up on blogs, scanning old photos, attending a workshop on Alaska Traveling (made us miss Alaska) and visiting people we meet.  We miss our brother's families and our son's.  But we are happy to be here.

DESERT HOT SPRINGS

On the day after we spent a day with wane's cousins we hitched up and hauled out to  Catalina Desert Hot Springs Spa and RV Resort.  We spent Dec. 2-6 there.  Oh how nice it was there!  This is the entrance.

  The place where we had to register.

The space in which we stayed.

The place was very up town and community oriented.  It was amazing how many snowbirds were there from Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.  This place is truly a place to hang out and spend the winter!  The pool is fed by hot springs and is a cool 85 degrees. I have no idea what the hot tub was, but we were only able to stay in it about 10 minutes.

 We spent time here in the pool, going to a salmon dinner, walking, going to church and just relaxing.  The weather here is awesome.  Wayne is finally warm and wears shorts, flip flops and a tee shirt all the time.

COWLEY COUSINS AGAIN

 One of the grand things about going to Southern California is being able to visit with family that lives there.  Last time we were here we visited several of Ann's and several of Wayne's family.  This time after our Thanksgiving reunion, were able to set up another visit with three of Wayne's cousins again.  This time we all met at Donna and Frank's house.  We worked on some more family research and were able to gather and share data and pictures.  We were also fed a feast fit for royalty by Donna!

 Here are Ginger, Wayne and Joan.

 Donna, on the left, takes a break from fixin' the vittles, to join the discussion.

 When did Wayne get so bald???

 Wayne's three special cousins, as we dine.  Wayne is good at getting shots when people's mouths are full or are open.  He is an unflattering photographer!

 These three girls are the nicest and sweetest people you would ever want to meet.  Wayne considers himself blessed to have them on his side.

Donna, Ginger and Joan.  The pearls!

"Sherlock" Ginger did some research and located the houses where John Cowley and Donald Cowley were born in Pasadena.  This is 794 Mountain, Pasadena CA where Donald, Joan's and Donna's Dad, was born.

 

This is 794 Boylston Pasadena CA, where John, Ginger's Dad, was born

 

 And this is a 1920's shot of 877 Chapman Ave. where Allyn, Wayne's Dad, was born.

Pretty cool, eh !

Anyway, we had an awesome afternoon, all of us, Donna, Frank, Joan, Elliott, Ginger, Wayne & Ann.  Family is great!

A COWLEY THANKSGIVING

 November 24 - 28, 2010, Ann and I, our five sons and their 10 children gathered near Oxnard, CA for a few days of family, food and play.  We rented two houses near the beach and had a heyday.

With the beach less than a block away and somewhat awesome California beach weather we spent 4 1/2 days hanging out.

 

We played, talked, ate tons of food, did tons of dishes and learned that, try as we may, we are all growing and trying to get better.  Sometimes we don't see eye to eye and sometimes we do.  But in the end, we are family that never gives up, never quits and pulls together in the end.

It was a good few days, ending with hopes and plans of getting together again.

The following 16 entries taken from 375 pictures taken on Ann's and Wayne's camera is our feeble attempt to document this event.

COWLEYS AT THANKSGIVING 2010

This is us.  We are (currently) 22 individuals with different likes, dis-likes and view points.  It is amazing how families all are formed, grow and exist.  But in the end, though grouped together, whether by choice or birth, we are individuals, learning how to be a family.  Heavenly Father planned it that way to provide opportunities to grow.  We, the individuals of the Cowley Clan, are still working on the part about being a group, and 99.99 % of the time, we succeed.
Here are our individuals we call family:
Wayne, the oldest, the Patriarch, but not always the leader.  He loves his grand children and finds his greatest pleasure in playing with them, teaching them and watching their development.

Ann, the Matriarch, and the silent, quiet boss of all.  Her life revolves around making sure things are smooth and quietly counsels those that make things less smooth.  Teaching her family the secrets of being patient and kind are her strengths.

Kevin, # 5 son, always the peace maker, always the jokester, always the hard worker, always the one that is easy to talk to.  He only drops a child occasionally.

Megan, Kevin's wife.  The last daughter-in-law to join the clan.  Kind, patient, business and computer savy, observant and quick to find a way to help.

Batman, Kevin and Megan's first.  Rambunctious, amazed at everything around his growing world of understanding, a joy to cuddle and a strain to keep up with.  Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!

Luke, #1 son.  Gentle, kind and patient and yet a powerful leader in the family.  Skillful at everything he undertakes.  Always ready with a smile.

Bethany, Luke's wife and 2nd daughter-in-law to join the clan.  The main organizer behind this recent gathering.  Skilled at anything she decides to take on and a strong mother that manages a household of girls.

Strawberry, Luke and Bethany's first.  Loves to learn.  A sensitive leader of the kids.  The first to sense a need in another child and respond to it. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!

Apple, Luke and Bethany's 2nd.  A tiny bundle of wiggles and giggles.  Every child she meets is her friend.  Very competitive, yet very sensitive. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!

Mango, Luke and Bethany's third.  Now knows how to walk and goes everywhere.  A cuddler extraordinaire.  Wants to be like her big sisters, yet strongly independent.  Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!

Jared, #2 son.  Travels his own path.  A leader. Sports-aholic!  A patient, gentle dad.  A leader in the Cowley Clan that supports family gatherings.

Angi, Jared's wife and first daughter-in-law to join the Cowley Clan.  Very independent, gentle mom.  Very creative and a good seamstress.  Busy with work and managing a house full of 4 kids.

Superman, Jared and Angi's first.  Bright, sensitive, computer savvy.  Great to sit and discuss things with.  Very deep contemplative boy. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!

Bananas, Jared's and Angi's second child.  Very giving and kind to others.  Sensitive to the needs of others and yet walks her own walk.  Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!

Oranges, Jared's and Angi's third child.  The only grandchild Grandma has witnessed the birth of.  Cuddler extraordinaire, wants to do everything her older cousins and siblings do, yet independent. Loves to tease. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!

The Hulk, Jared's and Angi's 4th.  If there was a John Wayne in the family, this is him. Straight out of the movie, "Quiet Man".  Cuddler, quiet and observant, does things when he wants.  Almost got walking down.  Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!

Jed, #3 son.  The middle man.  Loved by all the nieces and nephews.  A strong and firm opinion in the family that sees deeply into any situation.  Tends to see things more broad mindedly than most, yet true to strong values.  Our East Coast Boy

Kate, Jed's wife and our # 3 daughter-in-law.  Bright, sensitive, observant and quiet, yet strongly expresses self when needed.  Cuddler of kids.  World savvy and compassionate to those less advantaged.

Sean, #4 son.  Strong family man.  Works hard for his family.  Walks his own path and is comfortable sharing his thoughts.  Fiercely loyal to family.  Scares his mother to death with his motorcycle racing.

Amanda, Sean's wife and 4th daughter-in-law to join our crew.  But, she is the longest known of any daughters-in-law.  We have known her since she was 14.  Loving mother and wife.  Leader in the family in cake decorating.  Greets life with a smile.

Captain America, Sean's and Amanda's 1st child.  Loving cuddler.  Very competitive and yet very sensitive.  Wants to please.  Tries anything and loves to learn new stuff. Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!

 

 Peaches, Sean's and Amanda's 2nd child.  Friend to all.  Loves make-up.  Inventive and creative.  Sitting still and waiting is not for her.  Grandpa's and Grandma's favorite grand child!

There you have the crew that make Wayne and Ann happy and satisfied.  These wonderful people we feel blessed by as we revolve around the family structure we call The Cowleys!!  This was a wonderfully fulfilling to us holiday.  Now cruise through the following blog entries to see just a sampling of our holiday.

THANKSGIVING GOBBLERS

 One thing we did a lot of was eating!!  Bethany did a wonderful job of coordinating the Thanksgiving feast. Megan did a great job of organizing the other meals. We all followed their leadership. There were many hands that prepared many meals for such a large crowd.  Everyone took their turn shopping and fixing. We ate and did it well.  Pounds were gained by many of us!!!!

Traditions were also maintained, taught and passed on to a new generation.  Ann passed on her pie making skills to new eager hands.

Jed and Kate figured out the fancy stove!

Kevin schooled us all on proper barbecuing techniques.

Some of the girls formed an assembly line for preparing the potatoes under Aunt Megan's directive eye.

There were a few formal times for eating, like the Thanksgiving meal.

There were independent kicking wars as waiting was done for food.

There were plenty of droolers as we waited for some meals.  {Notice the Harry Potter scar.  All the kids had those and the older ones accompanied the adults (minus Jed and Grandpa who stayed home with the little ones) to the theater to watch the new harry Potter Film.}

The "High Chair Gang".

Ahhh!  Food!!

There were many other types of meals besides the Thanksgiving Feast.

With three tables, there was still not enough room for all of us to sit and eat at the same time.

It was first come first serve at various meal times.  The different groupings offered opportunities for lots of discussions.

And there was always plenty of food to go around!!

Of all different kinds of types of food!

The eating was great and the organization of it all was awesome!

Oh Boy!!!   Left Overs!!!