The Scrapper Has a Mammoth Day

 

Jess woke up early for a coffee in the pretty lobby.

And then found this crazy substance on her car, when she headed out for her hike.

 

The frozen lake at the top of the Sherwin Lakes Trail.

 

Cool.

 

Jess is always amazed at the juxtaposition of weather/climates in CA.  Snow on the mountains; dry in the flatland desert below.

 

Carbo loading for the game with chocolate chip pancakes and a side of nutella.

 

The team played really well, going into the third period tied.  They did lose with a final score: 7-3, but it was still a great game.

 

The team pizza and bowling hang that evening.

The Scrapper Heads To Mammoth

 

Arrival in Outbound Mammoth for 2 away games.

 

Madd stayed back with Taisie and went to Caltech's Anthenaeum Holiday Gala Dinner with her and Richard.

 

Fancy!

Madd Max Harvests

 

Sam's 6" pineapple was finally ready for breakfast after 2 years.

Madd Max Dines At The Leitch-Gregos

Where Brian served a very fancy chicken pot pie, along with other things like a homemade butterscotch pot de creme.

Madd Max Enjoys Jersey Food

 

An extravagant Mimi breakfast.

 

Jersey vodka chicken pizza lunch.

 

And homemade marshmallows from Aunt Tara and Sonia for the plane.

Madd Max Celebrates Dozee's 75th

 

With some gaming of Deep Sea Adventure.

 

And an Italian meal at one of the 'rents favorites places - Luka's.

Then more gaming; this time, Drunk, Stoned or Stupid.
 

Dozee won the card for "Will drive 3+ hours in hopes of hooking up" from Mimi.

 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Max's team lost 3-2 at this arena where in many areas, the vinyl had been scratched off to read “Please     Beat On    ass.”

Standard post-game McDonalds.

Madd Max Rounds Out The Surprise

 The morning began with Uncle Wills treating Hot Bagels Abroad, so Jess got her fav french toast bagel.

And watching the latest Trolls.

The OG sibs headed up to Leonia where Tio Greg, the last surprise, had gotten in after his red eye.

Hanging out ensued.

As did the gifting of these shirts.

The Original, The Sequel, Plot Twist and The Finale.

The essence of the Kender Dynamic.

Madd Max Heads To Jersey

 To surprise this guy for his 75th in a weekend orchestrated by Mimi.

Who also had fresh out of the oven apple strudel waiting for Jess after her red eye. 

Then it was into the city to the Fashion District to pick fabric for Jess' Emmy dress.

 

Then over to Hoboken, where Tante had taken the afternoon off to hang; seen here signing off of her home office which has been regulated to the downstairs as they wait for their third floor to finish renovations.

 

A ramen lunch for a chilly day.

 

Right by V's school, where Jess got to pick her up.

And then back home to see this guy before he headed out.

 

She made Lucia some muffins since there was a chance she wouldn't get to see her.

But she did!

Then it was over to Newark to pick up Uncle Wills, who was Dozee's next surprise.

And then down to Bloomfield, to see the nieces and nephew before bed.

Madd Max Think Of Great Grandma

As Jess made her Christmas chocolate chip (or sans chocolate chip for Madd) meringues.

And her Christmas wreaths with one change from Red Hots to red m&ms because Jess never loved the Red Hot taste.

Madd Max Gets The Official Emmys Invite

Pretty dope.

Madd Max Have A Last Panamanian Morning

 

Breakfast on the patio.

 

With exotic birds, rain and howler monkeys hollering.

 

Just a tree in the backyard.

And a last hammock hang.

 

And upon arrival at home, Aunt Rachel's book, Bat Island, had just gotten delivered! A little bit of Panama in Burbank.

Madd Max Have A Family Photo

Now that's a great family and family vacation.

Madd Max Snorkels

 

But first, a relaxing morning on the patio.

He ready.

To get to the snorkeling beach, the fam walked thru the jungle.

Selfies at an overlook.

Stunning beach.  One of the best parts was that you could snorkel around the island to end up on the beach directly below the rental house.

 

The only exception was that there was so much trash on the beach and in the first 20' feet of water.  It brought up very negative feelings about what humanity is doing to the planet.

Beach daughter and mom.

 

A favorite Page pastime.

This was a favorite cousin activity of the trip - watching all 4 of The Hunger Games movies.  Here they are in their room cave.

This is how Maddie rounded out the day; by staying in the ocean until the last bit of sun disappeared.