Christmas 2007

It's been many months since I have posted to this blog and as you can see I still don't know how to post the pictures so they make any sense. That's Micah playing the guitar. The handsome guy with me is Marv.

Laura having too much fun stomping the Christmas wrapping trash bag!

I was lucky enough to spend a few days with Tyler this Christmas. He wasn't this tall the last time I saw him. Kelli is all grown up and expecting her own baby in May. My mom and dad with all their Christmas gifts.

Everyone has to pick a card and that determines who gets to open their gifts first. Mark started this tradition a few years ago so we always have to get a goofy picture with the cards.

Keely with my Christmas crown was not too happy. The pic below is of Marv and his 2 sons, Jeremy and Taylor along with Tyler.

Debbie and Tony were here for Christmas and this picture is at the place where we went to play pool on Sunday night.

Our annual Mom and Daughter luncheon at the Mission Inn was smaller this year as we were missing Ruth, Kathy, Lauren and Karlee.

Gene's granddaughters (Brandy Jean and Joy) came a couple of weeks ago and spent some time with me. We went to hear some Christmas music, drove to the Mission Inn in our pj's to see all the lights and they were my official ribbon girls when I wrapped all the Christmas gifts. It's just not Christmas unless you have some kids around.

I have to say that this was the best Christmas season I have had for many years. I am very blessed to have been able to spend time with those I love most and am so thankful for all I have.

Mariel's Graduation in Sacramento

I was lucky enough to be a part of Mariel's graduation in Sacramento from the Waldorf School. This is a picture of the proud parents, Wendy and Kim.

These are the very proud sisters, Aerika and Ellen.

Mariel after receiving her diploma. She is such an incredible young woman and I'm certain there are great things in her future!

Here is Mariel with her grandparents, Donald and Janon Williams.

Pre-graduation fun with friends!

Patsy's Birthday - June 2007

This is Patsy on her birthday this June. She definitely was "The Queen" today.

Her birthday was celebrated with her loved ones (Mark had left to go to a beer club meeting)

The birthday cake was fit for "The Queen" with fresh flowers and was very yummy!

Memorial Day Weekend in Santa Barbara

This is Robert and Alex at the Mission in Santa Barbara. They had tons of artists painting streetscapes for the holiday weekend. Alex saw Roberts camera and they took about 900 pictures during the day. She looks like a "natural" doesn't she?
Loved the hat on this chick!
This was my personal favorite.
My mom and dad weren't really into the paintings. Looks like mom is searching for something in her purse and that is a sucker in her mouth not a cigarette.
It was a beautiful day at the Mission and lots of great paintings and people watching. Caught a moment with Tori hugging Julie that I think is exceptionally sweet.

Rose and Family in Santa Barbara

This is my friend Rose with her grandson Tony, his wife Julie and their kids, Tori, Brandon and Alex. Rose lives in Santa Barbara and doesn't get to see Tony and his family too often as they live in Scottsdale, AZ.
Rose and Tony
Tori, Julie and Brandon
Me and Rose
Tori, Tony and Alex

Eyelash Extensions?????

One of the signs of aging is that you seem to lose your eyelashes so imagine my excitement at learning about these extensions. It takes 3 hours to put them on initially and then about 1 hour every 3 weeks to keep them looking good. They are attached with some Korean glue to your own lashes so when your lashes fall out so do these. I think they look great. No more mascara!!!

Lola and Lexi

Well who are these funny looking dogs? It's Lola and Lexi with their new Doggles. They didn't get to go to the Walk for the Animals because I was working the event so I thought they deserved some trinket from the event. I think they hate them but they's have to wear them anyway because I crack up when they have them on. I'm easily amused/

Dad's Birthday and Mother's Day

This is my dad with his Harry James CD collection I bought him for his birthday. He's pretty tough to buy for these days but seemed happy to get these CDs of music he loved in his wild days.
We are all at a Mother's Day Tea that the Rotary put on in Hemet. My friend Robin is the President this year so we were blessed to get to spend time with her mom and daughters along with Val and her daughter. That's my mom on the right. She never smiles.
Robin and her mom. Her mom is so funny. She told me she's a Pisces so she doesn't have to make sense.
Oooops! Do I detect a smile on my mom's face. Maybe she's happy to be sharing the day with me and all these lovely ladies!
Jessica and Mindy are Robin's daughters and I never realized how much they look alike until I saw them side by side.

The "Prince" Party

Jack Prince introduced my parents to each other 52 years ago. He was with my dad the night I was born and has been in our lives as long as I can remember. Jack celebrated his 75th birthday and these are pictures of the party. This is Jack's house in Palm Desert. It's the most fabulous house I have ever seen. The house is over 12,000 square feet. The floors and walls are either marble, granite or onyx. A water filled moat surrounds the entire house. It has it's own tennis court and guest house. The pool extends almost the entire length of the house and has a swim-to bar. The waterfall on one end is incredible. The party was great with stories about how Jack was found on the courthouse steps as an abandoned infant and grew up very poor. He turned out to be a very astute businessman in auto sales among other ventures and is now a millionaire many times over. He's married to Avis and they are celebrating 23 years of marriage. The party was a great tribute to Jack who clearly has maintained many friendships and business partnerships throughout his life.

Make a Wish and Family Weekend

These pictures are Chad (my wish kid) arriving in a limo with his family at Guitar Center for a shopping spree. Chad loves to play the drums and his favorite band is KISS. Through connections at Guitar Center a special guest was also there to greet Chad, Eric Singer who has been a drummer with KISS and many other bands. Chad got to chat with Eric, got lots of pictures and Eric had some special gifts for him too. After Eric left Chad got to work on his shopping spree. After a few hours at Guitar Center the limo picked everyone up and returned the family to Chad's house where about 50 of his friends and more family were waiting to celebrate the day with a pizza party. Chad goes to Minnesota for surgery in a few weeks and may wake up from his surgery without his leg. He has a rare form of cancer so we are hoping for the best and praying for him and his family.

The rest of the weekend was spent between visiting with my parents, spending some time visiting with Debbie and family from Arizona and watching "The Ugly Dachsund" with Mark and Amanda.