Pedro Party 2009

Toni passing the loser trophy to Chris & Kelly.

You can tell Roz was not the happy recipient of the winners trophy. Caitlin stood in for Ashleigh for the handoff.

Rene and Addy.

A good time was had by all and of course we missed those who couldn't make it. Especially Ashleigh who was last years winner. It was great to have all of Jerry's family there.

Christmas Day

Santa has arrived.

True to form the empty box was much more interesting. Mckenna worked very hard to get her whole self in the box and finally succeeded before the box fell apart.

The rocking horse from Grandma and Papa was a big hit.

Caitlin and Herb were wonderful hosts. The turkey was done to perfection and Herb made gravey to go with the stuffing, mashed garlic potatoes, a cornbread pudding, and green bean casserole. Everything was exceptional!

Ashleigh's Christmas

Here is my post about my non-traditional Christmas, in case you don't get the news right from the source (meaning my own personal blog).

Cheers, all!

Additional photos from Don and Barbara's house

I think this is called Chip and Putt for winter practice to help Don's golf game.

Two well dressed Spartan fans. Even though Stephen goes to Grand Valley University he proudly supports the Michigan State Spartans. We had a wonderful afternoon together.

Christmas at Don & Barbara's

Santa arrived right on schedule! The beautiful tree was cut from Don's backyard plantings.
Before we went to the bountiful buffet. The creche centerpiece turns with heat from candles. Don and Barbara purchased it in Germany when the DeWitt high school band went on tour. This summer Laura will be going with the band to CA for a concert tour. When the schedule is finalized I'm sure she'll let everyone know when and where. This post done without help!!!!

Merry Christmas from Livermore

Stockings were hung with great care...
... and Saint Nicholas was soon there.

David arrived late Christmas Eve, missing the hanging of the stockings. We had a great day of present opening, card playing, and jumping on our old trampoline (which is now in the backyard of Sean Croghan).

Greetings From Manchester

Mckenna and Great Grandpa reading. When Mckenna came into the room and saw Great Grandpa reading she grabbed a book and sat down to read along side of him.

Making sure the tripod is in the right spot for our Christmas picture.

I don't think this is quite what I was hoping for.

Aha there we go.
Merry Christmas!

Jim, Gus and Cindy.

Candy making with Barbara & Don's family

Divinity tastes good!
Mike made the toffee.
Super delicious Peanut Brittle by Laura.
Stephen made the foolproof fudge.

Those who weren't making candy played Scrabble with Don the champion! Then Pedro.
Santa's candy/cookie kitchen is closed for the season. Open in December 2010! Enjoy!
Merry Christmas.

Dance Dance Dance

Please Enjoy

Playing in the snow!

Yes you are right if you are thinking "Is Mckenna trying to eat the snow as it falls?" and YES she sure is

Musical Genius

Cookie Making in Dimondale

All baked and ready to serve.
The dough was a bit sticky but Caitlin
did a good job of rolling out the dough.
She and I both decorated them.
Cynthia kept an eye on Mckenna who liked the wreaths best. She could stick her finger or tongue through the hole or look through it with one eye. In another year or two she'll be into the decorating. This post was possible because of step by step telephone consultation with Cynthia. Wish you could all stop by for hot chocolate and cookies. Love and hugs to you all.

California Cookies

We had fun with sugar cookies today. Sharon worked the dough and ovens while Liane and Brian manned the decorating table. Don't miss the Purple Dragonfly, a Burning Tree, and Burning Man (of snow).

Hope everyone is getting their shopping done!

Candy Making Pictures

Mckenna is fascinated by the phone. Typical girl.

Cindy, Herb, Jim, & Caitlin dipping divinity

Caitlin was the chief butterer and Jim is stirring something.

Cindy, Caitlin, & Grandma dipping buckeyes

Herb spreading the peanut brittle.

Candy making with Grandpa

I can't find the photos I want to include!! Yesterday afternoon was Candy Making Day with Jim, Herb, Caitlin and Grandpa. Cynthia, Mckenna and I enjoyed being together, then it was nap time. While Mckenna slept 3 of us dipped 144 Buckeyes that Cynthia made at home. The fudge, toffee, peanut brittle and divinity were made in due time. All delicious--the peanut brittle maybe should have boiled a little longer. After a Chili Supper, the sweets were divided and went home with the cooks. Jim will share with the school bus drivers at their party Monday. I will fill the Christmas Tree plate for a tea I'm having on Tuesday for Linda Thompson who is home from CA. Some candies will probably find their way into Herb's lunch box.

How did this tradition begin? The second Christmas we were married we lived in Tacoma, WA.
A couple weeks before Christmas Grandpa asked "When are you going to make candy?" I answered, "Never, my Mother never did!" So he said he'd make it and I should write his Mother to get the recipes. We have a photo of him and Cynthia licking the divinity spoons that first candy making day. And it has continued ever since to everyone's sweet tooth enjoyment. I buy the ingredients then sit in the other room while the candy cooks are busy. When the call "Divinity's ready" comes we all gather round and drop spoonsful of the sweet, hot stuff onto waxed paper. Sometime before Christmas Don's family will come for their candy making day.

Three Sports, Four Guests, and a Feast

I sort of assumed/hoped others would post about my Thanksgiving, but it looks like I'll have to do it...

Dana's brother (Nick) came out to stay with her and I for the week of Thanksgiving. We didn't really do much until the 3 of us headed down to my parents' house for the day of. That morning the family and some friends played ultimate (as we do every year). There is one other main family that comes out for the game and they all played water polo in high school so we decided that the next day we should all meet up at my mom's pool. For the actual feast we had my family plus my 2 guests. The next morning we all went to the pool and played the water polo game. When we returned home, Liane's boyfriend (Eric) had arrived.

After meeting with Eric we rested up and headed to the sand volleyball courts for sport #3. Eric was surprisingly good (he plays intermurals at Irvine) and David and I failed in our attempt to spike the ball really hard at him (you know, to make sure he's tough enough for Liane). That evening David's girlfriend (Kyla) arrived and we had 9 for dinner. After dinner my group headed back to Berkeley.

Thus concludes this rendition of Three Sports, Four Guests, and a Feast.

Crochet Projects

Infant Shawl/Cape

Baby Blanket 1

Swirly-Fringe Blanket

2 More Blankets

I have been on a baby blanket kick lately. The yarns are soft and the colors fun to work with. I tell everyone they are for my nieces and nephews - but none of them are pregnant. Just like to be prepared. In addition to the blankets I have done a few scarves and hats also.

Andy you were right - we need to stop harassing you guys about writing on the blog when we aren't really doing all that great a job either. It is funny because when one of you CA folks write we all call each other and say, "Did you see Andy (or whoever) wrote on the blog today."

Tomorrow morning I watch Mckenna while Caitlin cleans for Aunt Sue & Jenny. I have a lot of fun with her and it is only 2x a month. Saturday we are going to Grandma & Grandpa's to make candy with Caitlin and her family. I am planning to send a box to Ashleigh & Kyle so they can enjoy it also. Hopefully Kyle won't eat it all before Ashleigh gets to Portland on the 16th.

Stay warm - the windchill tonight is -5. I think winter has arrived!!!!

First Snow (Livermore)

First Snow IN Livermore, that we can remember. We've had it in the hills every few years. The picture is from our guest (I mean, David's) bedroom, and here are more we took.

First Snow

Well here is a quick update from my neck of the woods. It's getting down to the wire in the semester. Karli and I have to take all our exams a week early so we've been very busy, but it's well worth the trade off since we get to go to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico with her family for a week. We got about 10 inches of snow overnight which was a real surprise to wake up to winter as opposed to fall. It's going to be very nice to finish up this semester and have some time off to visit family.

Our new fish

These are our newest addition to our family our new fish Herb and I got eachother for our birthdays

Thanksgiving Day

29 of us gathered at Horsescape View for a good family afternoon. Everyone brought delicious foods in abundance. We have so much to be thankful for. Ashleigh arrived safely, Ryan and Mckenna entertained us as they got acquainted. Stephen's girl friend, Karli, was with us because her family is celebrating on Saturday (they'll get two turkey dinners this week). Ayla, Lauren and Katelyn were playing card games by the end of the afternoon. Cynthia brought photos of Uncle Harry making gravy which was a good memory for us older ones. I took my parent's guestbooks from the 1950's and 60's--that is when we not only signed our name but recorded our weight and height!!! I don't know how that got started but I'm glad it is no longer done. I did note that Dick was 6'5" tall when he was 15 years old. Another tradition is a walk after dinner. Some of us walked the woods trail in the nearby park, others walked to the barn to see the horses.

Now Jim and Caitlin are following their traditional Day afterT hanksgiving 5 a.m. shopping spree to get in on super sales! Grandpa is in his backyard tree blind watching for a buck to walk by.

Love to all, Grandma/Mother

Swimming Awards

Over the weekend I flew down to L.A. to be Dana's "plus one" at the annual red carpet event for swimming called The Golden Goggles. She was nominated for 2 awards, Perseverance and Female Swimmer of the Year. It was a lot of fun as I knew most of the people there and we got all dressed up. Dana's agency arranged to have a dress picked out for her and brought in people to do her hair and make-up. She looked gorgeous. I rented a tux jacket and pant combination and brought my own shirt and tie. I looked pretty slick myself.

She was up against some very tough competition and the awards are often considered more political than deserving as the fan votes only account for 15%. However, she won the Perseverance award! It was a lot of fun and according to online sources: "AT&T will provide highlights from the 2009 Golden Goggle Awards on Wednesday, November 25 on www.att.net. Red carpet footage will also be available on www.swimnetwork.com."

Here is a short write up about the event.

Good Luck to our hunters!

Thought you would enjoy a little flash from the past. This was taken at the house in Alpena 1966. (Henry, John Jessup, Jerry, and Philip in case you didn't recognize someone.) There is plenty of gunfire resounding all around me today and poor old Gus is hunkered down in his dog house looking very confused. Caitlin said the guns were blazing around her also. Hopefully they are taking down plenty of "Diamond Bucks" in Cheboygan this morning.

Good Music

I am a "music appreciator" and have enjoyed several days of good music. Unfortunately we missed the state high school band competition in Detroit where the DeWitt High School Band placed 7th in their division. Congratulations, Laura. This week those musicians turn their talents to apple pies. Laura told me she sold 48 pies and the total sold is 2,400+!! They make them in a production line, I put mine in the freezer and bake as needed. Delicious. A great fundraiser.

The memorial service for our previous minister's wife conflicted with the band performance but good music filled our church sanctuary for that service: harp, handbells, choir, soloists and congregational hymn sings.

Sunday afternoon Barbara's idea of a Chopin recital became a reality. She created a "Retrospective of his life and music" presented by the Capital Area Music Teachers Association. Barbara expertly played Nocturne in B Major, Op.32, #1 and Berceuse, Op 60. It was a delightful hour of good music.

Last evening we had a gourmet dinner at Cowles House, the MSU President's entertaining home.
Dr. Simon chose not to live there as previous Presidents have done. Then we were bussed to Wharton Center for a concert by Itzhak Perlman. His legs don't work but his arms and fingers make up for it when he puts a violin to his chin. The reigning virtuoso of the violin and his highly acclaimed piano accompanist--what a delightful evening!

The next time we go to Wharton Center Laura will be on stage in the percussion section of the MSU Youth Symphony in concert with the MSU Wind Symphony.

We had dinner with Michael last week and he said he's on the sub list for the Jazz Band that plays at MSU basketball games. We'll watch for him and his saxophone as we watch games on TV in California this winter.

I'm thankful for ears to hear the beautiful sounds of music, especially those made by family musicians.

Weekend in Phoenix

As I last wrote, Dana and I went to Phoenix over the weekend. My dad is from Arizona and thus I have family in the area. I stayed with the mother of one of my classmates who was more than hospitable giving Dana and I her car for the weekend. Saturday evening we had dinner with my uncle and aunt. It was good to catch up as I hadn't seen my uncle for a number of years and had never met my aunt. Sunday morning we had our swim meet. The meet consisted of about 30 swimmers and most of them were over the age of 30. Dana and I were the center of attention and all the swimmers were excited to have us there.

To make the meet a fun competition, Dana and I had a list of the National Records for all our events and wanted to see who could break the most. Well we combined for 10 total but she got 6 of them, beating me by 2. Her 2 extra came in the way of getting the 50-yard records on the way to getting the 100 Free and 100 Fly records.

There was a nice article written up about it here at Swimming World Magazine's website.

Last weekend and the next

For Halloween this year, instead of getting all costumed up and going trick-or-treating, Dana surprised me with a weekend getaway since she didn't have an practices. She booked us a room at a spa/resort in Calistoga, Ca (in the Napa Valley). It was very nice. When we first arrived we put on a movie and jumped in the jacuzzi that was in the middle of the room. After getting a wicked bee sting, we decided it was time to "hit the town". Saturday night we walked all 1 mile of downtown (half a mile on the right side, half a mile on the left) going into the shops and buying an awesome metal skunk for our apartment. While having the best bowl of butternut squash soup (topped with cinnamon) I've ever had, there was a parade of the k-3 graders in costume.

Sunday was "spa day" which started with a mud bath, herbal facial mask (guess that's my Halloween costume?), and hot body wrap and ended with an hour massage. Very relaxing and fun.

Next weekend her and I are flying to Phoenix, Az for a swim meet Sunday morning. The meet is a master's meet (old man meet). It's a combined meet, meaning that the men and women are in the same heats as long as the times work out. So depending on how many "fast" people are there, Dana and I might actually be racing. The cool part is that I might get an American Record or two. For master's they have American and World records by age group (mine is 18-24 for a few more months), so really they are just National Age Group Records, but I'd be able to claim to be an American Record holder in multiple events. Kind of cool.

Andy

Cutest Bumblebee Ever

Mckenna was a bumblebee for Halloween this year. She was VERY excited to get dressed up and buzzed around making everyone laugh. She didn't go door to door but had plenty of fun showing off to her grandparents.

Mckenna's Shopping Trip with Great Grandma and Mommy

Mckenna sporting her new jacket and hat
Another shot
Her new purse and look at that face
and here she is showing off her Halloween shirt from Tristan making a super cute face I love this little girl!