An Adventure for Addison

Addison's adventure started here... with his Mom and Dad... my brother and sister-in-law, Becky...

A baby boy... Addison...

A precious little man... sweet and cuddly...
His daddy and mama were smitten by their little guy...His Saddie felt the same way...
Sometimes, Addison got a little aggravated with all the attention lavished on him...
and then sometimes, he enjoyed the attention...
His Mimi thought he was such a cute little thing! Look at that hair!
I loved getting to know my little nephew...watching him grow up....
Watching his enjoyment of sports begin...
I don't think tennis was on the top of his list very long....if ever!
Addison wasn't too sure about this little tornado that came along, called Samantha! While Addison was quiet and shy, Sami was quite the opposite!
How cute is this?
Fortunately for his favorite aunt in California, (that's me!), his July birthday made it possible for me to be there for most of them.
Having his picture made was not always his 'cup of tea.'
"ADDISON, would you smile please?" his Saddie would say.

You can see how well he responded.
Hockey became a love of Addison's at a pretty early age.
Joshua, his cousin...my baby boy, a U.S. Marine, visited when he could.
Elizabeth, Sami, Gabe, Addison, GRITS (aka Emily)

Gabe grabbed his nieces and nephews for a photo. Addison was a little outnumbered when GRITS and Elizabeth came to visit...




Soccer...another sport he played for awhile. I have no idea if he still enjoys it...either playing or watching it!

Like I said, I was able to make most of the July birthdays...

No, this limo was NOT for Addison and Sami...but they definitely wanted to have their photo taken next to it!
What kind of decoration is on the cake? I can't tell from this angle.
Addison, John David, Joshua

When Ray got married down in Austin, we went. This was at the rehearsal dinner.
At one of his birthdays, Addison was thinking he would become a rock star! He's definitely a star to me...maybe not a ROCK star, but a star nonetheless!
Another party!
Oh geez, still another party?Oh, looks like we have a part of a smile in this picture. His Saddie would sometimes call Addison a "long, tall drink of water."

Addison was definitely getting taller as he grew older...
I believe it was the summer of 1993...or was it 1995?...(nope, I was wrong...I just looked it up and it was the summer of 1997) Addison brought the rest of his family and they came out to northern California to visit Addison's favorite aunt in California. We went to a park with lots of redwoods...We met Joshua at Fern Canyon...and explored around the trails...
There's always a great place for a photo op!For quite a few years, Addison had a pool in his backyard...even though swimming was not/is not his favorite activity by any means...
Another birthday party...and his buddies were ready to hop in the pool...including Jabbo!
See that helmet? It has to do with hockey....ice hockey.
Hockey, both watching and playing it, became a love in Addison's life as he grew older...
On his trip to San Francisco, Addison was definitely enjoying that city! He definitely kept his eyes and ears geared to the sights and sounds...We thought about calling him "Forrest" but he said just "Addison" would be perfect!
Addison also fell in love with Sausalito...
Addison and Sami at the vista point of the Golden Gate Bridge
On a cruise in the bay...
on Pier 39
I joined the group for this photo on the lead in to the Golden Gate Bridge...
Standing in front of this San Francisco landmark was a definite photo op...

Addison has loved San Francisco...loved California ever since then. I thought he might eventually make it out here to live...
As he grew older, birthdays were still a fun time to gather together with his buddies...
Christmas

Addison, Gabe, Lindsey
As he aged, Addison thought about becoming a farmer... just kidding!
Becky and AddisonNot always the doting sister, Sami brought Addison some birthday cake. I cannot remember what the situation was here...why Addison is sitting on the couch with a blanket...why Sami is bringing his birthday cake in here???
When Saddie had her knee replacement, her grandson went to visit.
Poor Addison, he was tackled not only by his dad, but his sister too.
2nd cousins...Addison, GRITS (aka Emily), Sami, and Elizabeth
His cousin Lindsey and his Saddie were teaching him a little self defense...well, it WAS arm wrestling, but it's an important skill to have... You never know when you might be in a foreign country and need to know how to twist someone's arm.
During this visit, Joshua was in Iraq...fighting for our country...and so that's why Saddie has her arm like she does. This would be Christmas, 2002.
Addison was laughing at his comic father...
After Joshua's tour in Iraq, he and Erica got married. Of course, my brother brought his family to the celebration!
As he grew even older, Addison started contemplating what he really wanted to do. He knew he'd enjoy living in California...teaching in California...
He came out with his Saddie for Thanksgiving... We went to the redwoods and spent a lot of time hanging out with family. Addison also went to the university to check out all that needed to be done to get a California teaching credential...
He was learning to ride a rip-stick so he'd fit in with the locals...
He cried when he wasn't succeeding, but Thalia tried to comfort him. (Did you believe that? Not true! Thalia was just trying to help him balance.)

When one door closes, another one opens...

The door to South Korea is the one that opened for Addison...
He is now getting ready to take off a new adventure...teaching English...teaching English in South Korea.

I'm SO excited for him... teaching, traveling, being immersed in a new culture... oh, Addison,
난 당신이 잘되기를 바란다
(I wish you well...is what that says, in case you're not fluent in Korean yet!)
Your favorite aunt in California loves you...and is looking forward to walking though this outdoor shopping area with you!