Tuesday, January 20--Saturday, January 25

We made our way from Nevada into California to Johnny and Beverly's home in Torrance, where we would stay until departing for South America.  While there, we were able to participate in numerous events for the boys.  We attended an art class for Derek's class where Beverly was the docent.  We attended piano lessons for both boys, as well as, Derek's basketball practice and Jack's basketball game.  It was such fun to see the boys in these various roles.

 Both boys were a joy, full of energy, full of stories and a pleasure to be with.  Johnny had just returned from the Hong Kong Toy Fair and was shortly due to depart for a similar event in Nuremberg, Germany.  Before we returned from South America, he would also attend the New York Toy Fair.  January and February are busy months in the toy business and Johnny was introducing a new toy called Sick Bricks and was teasing the industry with the semi-introduction of a Yoda robot due to hit toy stores, in late Spring, before the Fall release of the next Star Wars movie.  His family was very happy to have him at home even for a short while and even with Nana and Papa in attendance.

Beverly's Mother, Gina, took us to a lovely dinner, under the stars, at Terranea Resort, before her departure to Tawain.  She wanted to be there to be handy to June, who was due to deliver her first child, a little girl, in early April.  Johnny and Beverly also held a joint birthday celebration for me and Renee, attended by Chris, Vic, Maddy, Jacki, Fed and Eva allowing us to see the entire family before we left for a month.