Easter 2011

This Easter - even though it was later in the year - seemed to sneak up on us. I mean, wan't it just Valentine's Day???
We did our traditional "Easter Saturday" with the family at G&G's. We had breakfast then hunted for candy, then colored hardboiled eggs... that was a silly order in which to do it, but we did it more as a fun activity, not to hide those.
This was kind of a monumental event for Miss M because she - for the first time ever - had a "significant other" join her... her boyfriend Beau joined the party! She has grown up for years & years with all the brothers bringing girlfriends (and now wives) to family gatherings and this was her first time. She was quite pleased :)

Deevs came late because he had Drama practice for "Little Women" and Lando had to leave early because he had work, so it was a little piecemeal.

The next day, we went to church and then pretty much just lounged around.

Don't they look thrilled to be up and celebrating Jesus' resurrection???

Coloring eggs

Playing Angry Birds and - I assume, in Grampie's case, Golf.

Hanging out under the pool table...

Grammie playing with 'bubbles'.
At church - "Sunrise" Service at Saddleback (which is in quotes because the sun has long since risen, it is really more of just an 'early morning service'). It raining lightly during part of it!
At church - "Sunrise" Service at Saddleback

Deevs College Tour Part 2

We had a forced-college-tour-trip (to San Francisco) for Deevs. (See "college tour Part 1" here) For Mom & Dad to have Deevs all to ourselves for a few days was pure bliss! (At first, he was a reluctant participant, but he was a good sport and warmed up to it :)

He was SOOOO not into going to San Francisco, but he LOVES the "big city" so we were pretty sure he would end up loving it - and he did! He loved the gray, drizzly weather and the cityscape.

We toured China Town on Sunday and picked the right street to go up! I am SOOOO sad I did not remember to break out the camera enough... it was truly spectacular. We were the only non-asians on the street and it was PACKED with people doing their shopping & errands. We were on the market street... so cool!

We took a day to go to Stanford (a dream school!)... he didn't love that it was so far from the city and so suburban, but you couldn't HELP but be impressed. And if you are a learner, you can't HELP but seeing your self there!

We headed back into the city and went to the Golden Gate bridge.

The next morning, we headed out early to Berkeley. We did the tour then hung out with the Petits - they were there visiting little Paul. Sadly, they had to take off that afternoon, so it was short & sweet.

Paul was a great host to Deevs though and he admitted after that he could actually picture himself at Cal now (even though previously he was ADAMANT that under NO circumstances would her EVER go there! - Progress!!!)

OUR HOTEL - THE HOTEL DURANT - IN BERKELEY

From Berkeley, we headed home via San Luis Obispo. We had lunch at Firestone Grill (EVERYONE said we had to go here for the tri-tip sandwiches - which WERE tasty!)

Sadly, the yummy restaurant was not enough to sell Deevs on SLO...

His verdict was in:

The Royal Sons (Turn and Leave)

Lando & Hayden's band, The Royal Sons... check 'em out!

We are all really enjoying the music.

Be sure when you visit their Tumblr site to click "older" at the bottom of each page to see more.

End of an Era

I know it is TIME for Gram & Pop to not be in their home any more. Yes, they need more help. Gram is lonely and needs more connections regularly. Pop needs more monitoring. Sometimes Gram has a fall and needs help up. The house is expensive to maintain and care in the home is VERY pricey. Yes, it makes sense, but it is still sad.

Pop said that if he had to leave his house it would "ruin" him. We sooooooo hoped it wasn't true, and yet it is looking like, heartbreakingly, it might be. In the short time they have been there, gram has fallen and Pop has been found wandering the halls and has tried to 'escape' by climbing off the balcony! He also just mistook Gram for his mother... this is new... he had always know who she was before.

I thought "I should write Gram a letter or call her" and then I realized I did not know their address or phone number... I would never send another letter to Sewanee Lane, the only home they have ever lived in in my life. I felt a pang of sadness and, I can only call it homesickness.

We went to move them out, as a family (minus Sara). It was good to be together (as always) even though it was for a sad purpose.

Recognize that front door from the first photo?

The new place

I am glad we got a few photos of us at that house. But the photos will never replace the memories...

Marvelous March!

Of course the MOST important March event is Dad's birthday!

(And Grammie's bday. Oh, and I guess there is St. Patrick's Day.)

Anyhow, for his 41st and 3rd bday, Mom & Dad went to dinner at Javier's and allowed Miss M to walk around the outdoor mall with a new boy. Dad is the NICEST... he let his birthday celebration center around making sure his baby girl was happy.

GIFT STACK

TOES ON THE NOSE SHIRT (BELLY BUTTON)

AWESOME & COMFY OLUKAI SHOES (BELLY BUTTON)

WATCH - (3 YEAR OLD PRESENT)

"THANK YOU" KISS

LANDO'S GIFTS TO DAD

HAMMER AND SOCKET SET (I think... although, I do NOT know my tools :)

FLAN AT JAVIER'S

Happy 41st and 3rd, Dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, many life moments do not fit in an "event"... they simply ARE. They are not neatly categorized but they matter nonetheless. These are a few such moments...

New iphone photo... I didn't know how to work the "zoom" yet,

so I actually had to get this close to him, little by little...

which is why he is staring at me like that! ~hahaha

Lovers at the pier

It just keep going up & up... this is already looking CHEAP, comparatively!

Landon's new "ink" :/

Track 2011

Miss M and Deevs both did track intermittently this Spring. Deevs doing the high jump and Miss M mostly sprinting.

I did not make many meets... I am still trying to figure them out!

Feb 2011

I went out on some errands and this is what I came home to find...

everyone in the same room... Miss M on the computer... Deevs playing video games... Lando & Dad playing a game on the ipad.