I'm here! It's 8:15 at night, but I'm here! I didn't forget or get busy (actually yes I did -- get busy that is). But I'm here! I have 20 photos that became web-fodder. I will have them posted by the end of the night, but didn't want to disappoint with yet another missed entry, so I will upload to the website as I go. Once you see the trio of cheese photos, the post is done.
Dad and Janice and Dad's mom Miriam stopped by around Easter on their way to Vancouver (Washington). This gave me the opportunity to get some photos of Syd with her great-grandmother Miriam, whom she had not yet met. It also allowed Dad and Joe to receive their birthday presents (ours to Dad, theirs to Joe). If you look closely, you'll see that we both did a lovely job wrapping the gifts in paper shopping bags. It seems to be a trend around here.
Miriam and Sydney grinning!
They only stayed for 24 hours, then went their way.
Joe got stuff to clean his new car/motorcycle. Look behind them and you'll see the new
exercise equipment languishing in our living room.
Dad got a metal coffee press for the motorhome. PS Coffee presses make WAY better coffee than
drip machines. AND they're remarkably low-tech.
Remember, its not over till the cheese baby grins!
Although the Lowes did not stay more than a day, we managed to get some home-made stroganoff and Cheesecake Factory cheesecake out of the deal. Yeah home-made food that I don't have to cook!
This photo was just too cute not to post. Janice made the dress.
Joe and I spent the early part of May in Laguna Beach at his family reunion. Man do his relatives know how to have fun! Whew! It was cloudy most of the week, so we did what we could.... we shopped! And his family knows how to do that like pros also! Remarkably, Joe and I spent very little money on stuff we didn't need. I tried, but apparently I need more training. The family had many meals together. We feasted on an El Pollo Loco banquet served on the hotel deck, smoked salmon and bagel breakfast banquet served on the deck, Cinco de Mayo at the local Mexican restaurant -- oh, but that's another story altogether -- boy did I have a headache the next morning. We shared fish tacos, breakfast overlooking the sea, Greek cuisine..... What can I say? The family that eats together stays together. I think its also true that the family that plays together stays together, so we're in good shape. We played woofle ball and football on the beach and in general had a great time.
The gang gathers for breakfast.
Syd looks a little groggy.
Syd met her first 'lil people'. Mikaela (sp) is the daughter of Joe's
cousin's girlfriend.
Syd plays with her reflection.
The family on the deck post Cinco de Mayo.
Why is the photo so blurry man?!
Another shot of the exhausted duo.
Joe
leaves to get his sleepy wife her morning
coffee. I love Syd's sweater - Sharon made it.
I love this photo of Syd walking down the beach
with Joe's Aunt Cindy.
Joe's Aunt Sue umpires the woofle ball game.
Her third eye allows her to see the truth of the play.
Joe has been TOTALLY getting into riding his motorcycle. He rides it to work every morning, and often takes it out for a spin in the evening. On weekends, he finds an excuse to run some out of the way errand for something very small that will fit in a coat pocket, "Uh, honey, I think we need a new remote control for the TV that is hidden behind the boxes in the garage..." "Whatever! Just stop and get me a mocha on the way home," (hehe -- he has to take the car to do that). I usually don't get a drink, but little things around the house are taking care of themselves.
How YOU doin'?
Linda sailed through her surgery (end of April). They estimated she would be in the hospital 5-7 days, and she was out in two. TWO. We had arranged for Janet to come to Sacramento from San Jose on the fifth day so that she could care for mom. Joe and I already had vacation plans when the whole surgery thing came up. So we drive down to Laguna, and I call mom the first night to check on her in the hospital. "What do you mean you sent her home?!" But she had smooth sailing and seems to be feeling better than ever. Our garden is looking better than it has in a long time as well. She helped me to tear up and replant part of the grass in the front yard. She replaced dead 'bushes' around the backyard fountain, helped me put in a Bird of Paradise, and should probably be charging us for her services.
Hello small human.
Portrait of a string cheese lover! The post is over! Go to bed!
June 8, 2006
I have to get a report finished for work today, but I know I've been promising updates FOREVER. So I thought I would give you a teaser, until tomorrow (when I can finally tackle the 21 photos that I identified as being web-worthy this morning). They will include Syd's first visit with her great-grandmother Miriam (Dad's mom), vacation photos of the hard-partying folks on Joe's side, gift-exchanges, kids playing, and of course food.
Joe and Syd rest after playing hard on vacation.
I was feeding Syd when I realized she was falling asleep with the spoon in her mouth. So cute.
