Because Dave and Jan live only around 35 miles from son Stephen, his wife Meagan, and their son Ryan (for whom Jan provides childcare two or three days each week), there are numerous opportunities to connect with Stephen’s family – like the visit to nearby Craig Park one January day where Ryan worked on his horsemanship skills.

But opportunities to connect with daughter Alissa, her husband Andrew, and their three sons Levi, Elijah and Silas are far less frequent because of the fifteen hundred miles or so which separates Southern California from Huron, South Dakota. So it was very nice to have Andrew and family pay a visit to Southern California in mid February for a time of family reunion.
(Caroleen Suzuki, Meagan, Ryan and Stephen Balsley, Dave and Jan Balsley, Silas, Alissa, Levi, Andrew and Elijah Crandall in front of a blooming Chinese Magnolia tree in Brea)

Even Dave, Levi, Andrew and Elijah got to practice their horsemanship at Craig Park.

Alissa and Silas chose to accelerate things with a ride on the Craig Park motorcycle!

Elijah had a chance to explore the wonders of the Dandelion’s seed head on the way home.

The older cousins had fun climbing sand piles at beautiful O’rien Park not far from Stephen and Meagan’s house in Foothills Ranch (a division of Forrest Lake, CA)

Of course, no trip to California would be complete without some time at the beach, and the February weather was just what South Dakota visitors were hoping for in such a trip.

Laguna Beach has always been a favorite beach destination for Dave and Jan since beginning their honeymoon there forty five years ago.

When several tries to enjoy local kids’ water parks turned up dry in California’s extended time of drought the back yard wading pool was called upon to fill the bill.

And, of course, where there are kids there will be plenty of toys for both kids and adults.

We thank the Lord for the blessings and joys which come with family life – and are grateful as well for the members of our extended family and the even larger family of God!