A Desert Getaway to Remember

Since our desert retreat had its beginning in October and its end in November...

it will get a post of its own.

During these past few years when travel was not a simple thing,

our family suggested we all go to Palm Springs 'once the pandemic was over'.

So we made tentative plans for the end of October,

though we never expected that all 18 would be able to participate.

They did!

For one whole week our kids and grands were all there with us...

...enjoying time together in the sun.

Pickleball...

..hikes in the desert

...or competing to take that top prize.

It was a fun week for the cousins...

something they had looked forward to for a long time.

It was not all play though! 

 

Ranen practiced her violin every day, had an online dance class one morning as well as a chemistry exam. And she flew home early to play in the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra's fall performance. 

Visiting the Indio Night Market with a group of eighteen was a lot of fun!

Some found treasures.

We all enjoyed the yummy churros.

Do these four not look like sisters?

We had group dinners on a large patio.

One night the adults enjoyed dinner at the Cheesecake Factory...

while the grands most of the grands had a free-for-all back at the resort.

The oldest two grands have switched camps. 

We celebrated Micah's 13th birthday in true Mexican tradition...

...with a pinata.

The week together was wonderful...

such a blessing!

Thankful.

After the family left for home...

we spent some time with friends.

Dave and Janet were staying at the same resort...

so we shared some meals, outings, games and lots of laughs.

We hiked the Indian Canyons...

met up with Anneliese and Herb for dinner one night and with Gord and Esther another night.

Before we knew it, our time in the desert was over.

A good time!