On Saturday we had a family reunion in San Diego. My Great Uncle Frank and Great Aunt Charlotte were turning 90 and their kids decided to have a family luncheon on a boat in the San Diego harbor. San Diego is about a 2 hour drive from Los Angeles, so at 9:30, Denise, the kids and i loaded up one vehicle, while Mom, Teresa and her family piled in another, and off we went. It was decided the night before that we should travel with walkie-talkies in the cars so we could entertain ourselves. The kids played with them for a few minutes, but somehow the adults ended up with them and needless to say the kids didnt get them back for the entire rest of the trip :) My family are all big movie buffs, so for several hours in the car we did movie trivia.....first we did most of the lines from Trading Places.....then on to Its a Wonderful Life.....then some Ghostbusters lines.....and then the Godfather (I and II)......then we just threw random lines at each other to see if they could figure them out. At some point we realized we werent nearly as close to San Diego as we should have been....we had been traveling very slowly in ridiculous traffic for what seemed forever....and now it was quite possible we werent going to get there in time. This would be a problem since it was a boat excursion that left the dock promptly at 12:30, so there would be no way for us to join our party. Denise and i were trying to decide who was more panicked in the other car....Mom or TJ. At that moment they called us on the cell phone and said they were just going to try and weave in and out of traffic to see if they could make it. Denise and i laughed, as we had decided there was no way we were going to make it in time. It was already noon and we werent even in the Heart of San Diego yet. We lost site of them in the traffic and continued on at a normal and safe pace. After a few minutes the phone rang again and we were informed that the traffic was beginning to dissipate and they were making some good time....Denise and i were still convinced that we werent going to make it, but we kept going, and sure enough the traffic was no longer traffic. Why was there traffic in the first place, and why was it gone now? Didnt matter, we were hauling ass and gaining miles! We pulled into the harbor and saw the boat we were supposed to be getting on....mom hopped out and flagged some of the family down to let them know we were coming. The captain said he would stall as long as he could but when the last person got on the boat he would have to set sail. Denise pulled into a parking lot and the kids and i got out and headed towards the boat while Denise parked. We jay-walked across a busy street and ran down the gangway.....I CANT BELIEVE WE MADE IT! When we had jumped out of the car, Denises clock read 12:28..........Doh! Teresas family made it too.....and then we were off! Whew! It took us three hours to get there! Ugh! Once the rush of racing to the boat settled we were greeted by all the family.....folks i hadnt seen since Denise's wedding some 15 years ago! It was great to see everyone and catch up....and Jordyn had a wonderful time! This was her first experience with the ocean and she loved it! All she wanted to do was look out at the water. She was also quite a hit with all the cousins....who took turns carrying her all around the boat. In fact, i hardly held her at all....so it was a nice break for me :) There were two choices for lunch...Salmon or Chicken......Jordyn and i shared the Salmon (which she devoured) and then we were off to socialize more! There was an unfortunate incident with one of the kids....got his finger slammed in the door and it damn near took the top of it off....we had to dock early to so that he could go to the hospital....havent heard from his family yet, so i hope he is doing okay! The captain decided to let us round the harbor for an additional hour since we had our trip cut short, so this allowed us to have more visiting time! I am so glad we made the boat....it was a great time and the boat ride was cool! We even saw some sea lions as we were cruising around....Jordyn liked them! As the trip ended, emails were exchanged, many photos taken and hugs abound...the next generation of cousins has decided to step up to continue these fine family get-togethers, so im sure i will see them all again soon! Once again, i raided another gift shop...this time getting a onsie with pirate on it that said San Diego for Jordyn...and a couple of tye-dye t-shirts for Christy and i. Christy, who always makes time in her life to take me to and from the airport every time i travel....i figure she deserves a prize! :) Once on the highway, the walkie-talkie trivia continued..... "is this the man who wrecked the buffet at the Haro club?"......."this was no boating accident!"........."oh sure, like HE went to Harvard"............
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