A Nice Surprise

We had a nice surprise when we got back to our room at the Westin. Since they were not able to move us, the hotel treated us to breakfast and when we returned in the evening, we found they had left us champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. What a tasty treat!

Getaway Weekend!

We celebrated my last birthday by heading out to Rancho Mirage / Palm Springs for the weekend! We stayed at the Westin and had a great room (except for the old "noisy" neighbors - I actually had to say....."excuse me we're sleeping over here") The Westin made it up to us by giving us free breakfast! I didn't want to lose the view we had from our room. So, we did some driving around and stopping in at some new places.....like the date place! Lots of older people there too.....like way older than me LOL. Roy tried one of their famous date shakes and we bought some of our favorite Texas candy there!

Mexican Dinner

Here we are enjoying our dinner at a great Mexican restaurant we found in Indio! Everything about this establishment was terrific! I think the decor of the place dated back to when it first opened....way back in 1964! Ha! I know this is a place we both would try again and take people with us! Let's go to Indio!!!!! I think we all need some great Mexican food and a GIANT MARGARITA!

What a drink!

While we were driving around Indo, we decided to try this Mexican restaurant. Their sign said they had been in business since 1964. I told the server that I wanted the large margarita and she suggested that we share.....I'm glad we listened to her! This margarita was so large and soooo good! The food was great too!

Isabel at the beach

This photo was taken in February of 2008. Isabel and her family were enjoying a beautiful day at the beach near their home in Hawaii. In the background (in the tent) you can see Baby Rudy's little foot! Don't you just want to pinch her cheeks!!!

Our Little Guitar Hero

Isabel just wants to be part of the group! She was just 13-months when this was taken. She really enjoyed the group at her house and wanted to be doing what everyone else was doing! You did a great job Isabel! Keep up and maybe you'll have your own group one day!

Supper Time!

When Brenna was in the hospital giving birth to Little Rudy, my job was to take care of Isabel! Here she is thinking about eating the dinner I made for us. She looks like she is thinking, "Do I have to eat this.....ok, just one bite". Thanks Isabel for being a brave girl and making Grandmom happy!

Guitar Hero Fun!

Isabel wanted to join in with Auntie Heather while she was playing Guitar Hero! A little strumming and a little singing! What a great time we all had! These photos were taken back in July of 2007. A great two weeks, one with the Ramos Family on Oahu and the next week in Maui!

Love is Family! #2

This page was fun for me. It looks like Isabel is thinking "What the heck are you doing? And is he staying?" I had a wonderful time taking care of Brenna's family! I was so busy!

Love is Family! #1

Look at the cute sign! The guys from Rudy's unit who were still stationed at home, came by and placed this huge sign in Brenna's front yard! What a nice welcome home sign.....they placed it there before I brought the both of them home!

Brenna and Baby Rudy!

Doesn't Brenna look like she's 16-years old? LOL, well I'm so glad to know that she wasn't when she gave birth to Baby Rudy! She had a nice large private room at the hospital and they took such good care of the both of them! Meanwhile, I was taking care of Isabel and home. On the day I picked them up, I had to call Brenna for instructions on how to put up the stroller! LOL, it was soooo long!

Mother and Son

I love these photos of Brenna and Baby Rudy! After the experience of birth, they both look so peaceful and content. I'm so glad I was able to capture this moment with my camera in the delivery room.

Baby Rudy

What a serious little face on Baby Rudy! He is such a blessing to all of us. It seems like only yesterday that I was there taking care of Brenna and her family. I wonder how he will feel when he's all grown and looking at these photos of himself.

Crime Bus Tour #2

Here is page two of the Crime Bus Tour! If you know old Los Angeles crime history, the lawn in the photo is where they found the body of the Black Dahlia. Back then it was just an empty field. In the other photo you can see the Hollywood sign up in the hills from that site. It was an interesting way to spend the day with good friends and family. I would take this tour again. The company does offer other ones too.......

First Impressions!

I was so fortunate to be in the delivery room when my grandson, Rudy was born. My son-in-law, Big Rudy, was in Iraq at the time and I was his fill-in! Giving birth is always a miracle and such a special event to share with your grown daughter. I was the person who cut his cord! What a wonderful day it was for me! Thank you Brenna and Rudy for letting me share this moment. By the way, on a lighter note, did you notice the "diaper" on him......my friends said that I should cover him up! LOL

Melanies' Page

Tonight was one of my scrapbooking nights with friends. We get together at least once a month to work on our pages. Melanie has her own scrapbooking rolling tote and likes to bring it out and work with us. Here is the page she created all by herself! It was amazing to see how confident she was in choosing the color of the background paper, the glitter and how she arranged the flowers around her picture. She did a great job!

Crime Bus Tour #1

Brenda Sharp, my sister-in-law Michelle Gavigan and I all went on this great tour! The CRIME BUS TOUR!!! It was so interesting! We visited quite a few spots all over the Los Angeles area. It covered crimes from the early 1920's to the SLA shoot-out! I would recommend this tour to everyone!

So Proud!

You can just see how proud Stephanie was of Melanie! Her baby girl is growing up! I know it won't be the first time Melanie will make her mother proud! Good job Melanie!!!

Pre-school Activity

Here is Melanie and her classmates at their end of year activity. They were all so cute singing the songs and using their props. What a fun way to end her first year of pre-school!

Practicing for the Hoike

ALOHA!!! The photos may be a little blurry but I love them because it shows Heather and Melanie both dancing to Kawika, a dance they both performed at the Hoike last June, 2009. It is such a blast to see the both of them at their classes and on the "big stage". Hula has become a big part of our lives!

December 1959

My sister, Regina and I attended the Little Flower Nursery School in Los Angeles in 1959. The school was part of the Catholic Church and the nuns were in charge. They were so nice, I have fond memories of my time there. As you can see, the photo is of the Christmas program and I was the Virgin Mary! Regina is an angel in the choir.

The Two of Us

Well, this photo was taken in April of 2007. We were on a cruise down to Mexico! I love those ship photos. Lots of great memories. Love cruising with our cruise buddies, the Horaceks! We added the Sharps as new cruise friends last summer. Is there anyone else out there who would love to join the group? We have such a fun time together.

Oh the Places You'll Go

Melanie's first year of pre-school end-of-year program was June 3, 2009. She loved going to school and her teacher, Ms. Galvan along with Mrs. Almandinger and Mrs. Sharifeh made every day a special one. It was so cute to see all the children "perform" that day. Singing songs and receiving their certificates. A great way to end her first year!

It's All About Make-up!

One of Isabel's favorite activities was to play with make-up! She enjoyed putting on lipstick, eye shadow and face powder! Shiny purses and having her hair done were also high on her list of things to do! You can't forget the jewelry either. If she had it her way, most of my things would be hers! She also liked to put makeup on me but gosh darn where is that photo! I can still hear her saying..."ok, close your eyes" and when she was finished.....she said "Perfect"!

Twirling!

How many remember how much fun it was when you were a little girl to twirl in your dress! Sometimes, your dress took on the look of a cupcake, sometimes it was just like a tutu! Twirling is such a simple thing but brings a lot happiness to little girls! Not to mention that dizzy feeling! As you can see Melanie loves to experience that same feeling. I think it's just something little girls in dresses know that they should do.

My Birthday!

It was my birthday in 2008! You noticed how I didn't mention my age! LOL. It was a great birthday dinner. Went to a great restaurant in San Pedro! Like I said in my posting yesterday, Nancy and Nancy know the best places to eat in their hometown! We always enjoy spending time with them.

Melanie November 2008

This photo of Melanie was taken November of 2008. We were going out with family to celebrate my birthday! Melanie loves to go out for dinner and have the chance to be wearing a dress!

Michael and Melanie

Here are Michael and Melanie hanging out in the "clubhouse" in our backyard. The picture was taken in May of 2008. Melanie loves playing with her Daddy. It seems like only yesterday that Michael and Brenna were playing in our backyard on the swing set Roy built for them. Where did the time go?

Cousins

Isabel and Melanie! I do believe they enjoy being cousins! It was nice to see them playing together and having fun! I am so fortunate to have them in my life. They have so much in common....besides their love for me! Ha! Ha! They enjoy photo sessions, shoes, shopping at Target and bathing suits!

The Girls

I love my girls! We had so much fun being together. Look at those faces! What a great time we were having at lunch. The best thing in life is to spend time with your children and grandchildren. Those moments are precious!

Little Rudy!

Little Rudy, my "favorite" grandson!!! He's all boy! Most of these photos were taken at the fireworks show and the other is of him most likely watching one of his movies! He is always so busy! I love you Little Rudy!!!!

Little Mini Minnies!

The girls were so cute in their Minnie Mouse dresses! That is one of their favorite things to do....play dress-up! And they love wearing them while we are at Disneyland! I love my Little Mini Minnies!

Making Memories

What fun they had on the Ladybug ride! The laughter after the ride began was contagious! I forgot how much fun it is going round and round! Like I said before, it is great fun going to Disneyland with little ones!