Letter to our friends in Sunny CA

Dear California Friends,
So glad we got to see so many of you!! Here are the valid reasons and lame excuses why we might not have had a chance to see the rest of you!
* We were only in Napa for 40 hours, and chose not to pass through Napa on our way back home because HAZMAT would have had to follow us. (Read on.)
* My parents' family has turned into such a dynasty that I was lucky to meet the nephew I didn't know and have a brief conversation with each RELATIVE.
* The all-important huge Smith family portrait studio session was at 4 pm on the 23rd, allowing far too much of that day to be spent on procrastination and primping.
* Rock Band.
* Too much last minute shopping and wrapping and not enough sleep--maybe you didn't really want to see us anyway... (see next)
* In Lancaster, I had a pimple that might've poked your eye out. Nobody wants to see that.
* Most importantly, over half of the aforementioned dynasty was afflicted by a nasty stomach flu--largely after Christmas. Tony, Millie, and Sam were attacked at my parents' house along with several others. Ian and I didn't get hit until we arrived at the hotel--which triggered Sam's barfability. Suffice it to say, you should be grateful you missed Puke-a-palooza 2009. Even Red Bluff Hampton Inn is sorry we visited.

So, whether we saw you or not this trip, we are grateful for you and wish you a Happy 2010!
Love,
Amanda & Co., back home in the snow and feeling much better!