17/12/12 - Visit to Andronicos Family LA

We had a good sleep in and a relaxed breakfast before checking out, collecting the hire car and setting off for Rancho Cucamonga to visit my cousin Ricky Andronicus, his wife Jo Ann and their children Alex, Marissa, Zac and Grayson.

Getting out of LA was as hectic as ever but it still was fun passing the signage to the famous locations that we hear so much about. Managed not to get lost on the freeway system as we just typed in the destination into our iPad and off we went with Suri!! We love this technology. It is not far but still took us four hours because of the poor roads and reasonably heavy traffic. Arrived a little early and decided to take a trip around the local supermarket to check out the price of food. Many items were half the price of Perth and the choice, as you would expect, was extensive. We loved the chocolate bar flavours - bacon and maple syrup and another was chips!! We love our chocolate but we just couldn’t bring ourselves to try them…..

Arrived to a wonderfully warm welcome from Ricky and Jo Ann. Found out Marissa is engaged – which is very exciting for the two families as Marissa (who is studying nursing) has been going out with Bronson for seven years. Alex is working as a graphic designer and Grayson is thriving in High School. Zac is doing well and so much happier than the last time we saw him. His new school is doing a great job and he is loving the life skills based program. Ricky and Jo Ann are as devoted and lovely as ever and their home is amazing. They are hosting a Christmas Eve party so the house was decked out in all its finery and looked spectacular with decorations in every room.

 

Our hosts took us to a great Japanese meal at one of the new restaurants in the mall and we had a great time catching up on all the news. The last time we met up with them was 1993 so there was lots to talk about! This locality is a newly developed upper middle class residential precinct with big houses on ¼ acre blocks with all the facilities including shops, schools and pony trails.

Great night.