The Early Years

On this page are a few photos of me way back when! Can you believe that I was a baby and a toddler! I wish I could remember every detail of those days. I love the dress I was wearing in the bottom picture. I think I'm going to add a little tag to identify my sibs Regina and Michael. Have to give them some recognition!

How about that haircut!

Ok, I am going to have to ask my mother what happened to my hair? A mullet in the 50's? I was so ahead of my time, so achy breaky! HA ! Anway, it's so hard to believe sometimes that so many years have gone by. We need to take the time to write down what we remember about our lives for our children and grandchildren. I have been having fun going through old photos, scanning them to my computer and sending them off to another website to be reprinted. If anyone wants to know which website I use, just drop me a line.

Yesterday

These photos are of me when I would say I am somewhere between four and six months old. My parents and I were living in Los Angeles. Our home was close to the museums near USC. They probably aren't there anymore. I should take a drive to find out. I know they were still standing about 20-years ago! I have been having fun scanning "old" photos and uploading them to a photo website. My "old" pictures are now of a better quality and in some cases a little bigger.

Food Network Watch Out!

Whenever I happen to find myself in the kitchen and Melanie is here.....she wants to help me cook! She actually is quite a great little sous chef! She has become an expert egg cracker and everyone knows that you need to start somewhere! Everyone should spend time in the kitchen with their children and grandchildren, you learn so much from each other.

Heather 1978

Here is another photo of my first-born, Heather! This was taken the summer of 1978 at one of our friend's home. Don't you just love her braids and her outfit! Heather always found ways to have fun wherever we went. She enjoyed chatting with people and "hanging out". I know she hasn't changed that much!

At the Park II

This is the second page of the "At the Park" series (LOL). Roy was looking at the pictures and wondered why he had to hold on to Melanie when she was on the monkey bars and I didn't. Melanie just laughed. I didn't have to hold on to her, I was the spotter. Close enough to catch her if she fell. You should have seen the determination on her face as she swung back and forth before she moved onto the next bar. She would complete four bars and then she would want down. It won't be long until she can make the complete circle of bars. I was never "into" the bars because I hated blisters on my hands so I appreciate the tenacity of those who don't give into their bodies! LOL

At the Park #1

Every once in awhile, I am able to spend an afternoon with Melanie on a work day. On this day, we went to the park up the street from my home. It was a beautiful day and a great day to have fun outdoors! She was enjoying the outing! Going down the slides, going "higher" on the swing, hanging out in the little "houses" and hanging on the monkey bars. I think I need to have more afternoons at the park with Melanie

Heather's First Official Photo!

Look at Heather's hair! I think that's quite a bit for a newborn. This is her official photo. It seems like only yesterday that she was a baby. The time goes by so quickly. We were living in Virginia when she was born and there were many days when it was just the two of us. Heather has grown up to be a remarkable woman! And she still has quite a bit of hair! HA!

Melanie at Build a Bear

We were at Downtown Disney and stopped in at the Build-a-Bear Workshop. Melanie chose Frosty the Snowman. She had a great time "helping" to fluff the stuffing for Frosty. So many different animals and characters to pick from at this place.

Funny Faces

We all know that children love to make funny faces! And they laugh so loud when they do and when they see their pictures, they laugh even louder! The sound of their laughter can make a grown-up wish for those simple times. Melanie was 4-years old in these photos and was just having a blast making her funny faces! As adults, we worry about what we look like when someone takes our picture and will delete it if it isn't just right but kids just love their fun photos! We need to follow their lead!

Early Years

This photo of me, Regina and our dad was taken back in 1956. We were living in Venice Beach, California at the time. If you look really hard, you can see an incinerator in the background. I think it was probably the last time I was taller than Regina! LOL

Brenna and Isabel

Here is probably the first picture taken of Brenna and Isabel together! Doesn't my daughter look beautiful! Look at Isabel's cheeks! Precious moments that we were lucky to be a part of. You did a great job Brenna!

Memories Part II

This is the second page of the Memories layout. There are three photos of Melanie enjoying Disneyland attached. The two pages look great together! I'm so excited that I finished this page quite a bit early today! I might have to start working on the rest of the week!

Memories Part I

This is page one of a two-page layout. I haven't quite finished page two yet! Ha! Here is Melanie at Disneyland. We went on my birthday and had a great time. The photo was taken at the entrance of Tarzan's Treehouse (it used to be the Swiss Family Treehouse, do you remember that?) We went up and down at least three times.

You've Got Mail!

Everyday when Melanie checks the mailbox, she always asks if there is something for her! Finally, the day came when I was able to tell her that she's got mail! Thank you to her Aunt Nancy's for sending her a birthday card in the mail! It is always nice to receive something fun in the mail!

I've Got a Brand New Pair of Roller Skates!

Isabel is our own "Tootie" (remember the Facts of Life?). She was doing a fantastic job of skating in the house. Stand up straight, keep your arms up for balance and don't look at your feet.....those were my three pieces of advice! I wonder if Brenna and Rudy will let her try the vert ramp! LOL

Cousins

What else can I say about my girls? My grandchildren are the love of my life and my favorite scrapbooking subjects! Melanie, Isabel and Rudy you are all so precious! Ok, ok.....Rudy isn't a girl and he isn't on this page! I hope that through the years, they will keep in touch and be not only family but friends! These photos were taken in early December of 2009.

Happy Noises!

Melanie and Isabel loved making what I like to think of as "happy noises" and funny faces! These photos were taken last summer (June 2009). The girls really enjoyed their time together. Even now with them living so far apart, I love listening to them speak to each other on the phone! They are my favorite granddaughters!

Playtime!

It was so much fun watching the girls play together! Isabel came back to our home on December 26th and here she is playing with her Christmas presents with Melanie. They really enjoyed all of the household appliances (they both had a set). Isabel was a little mom, making sure we all had something to drink and "eat"! Look at her smile! She was truly happy and excited about what Santa left her at our house!

Diane 1975

Here I am! It's May of 1975, just after Heather's first birthday! We were living in Norfolk, Virginia at the time. This photo was taken of me in our yard. We were living on the top floor of an older home there. My landlady was strange! Don't you just love the top I was wearing! I think it's back in style!

Melanie

Here is Melanie, December 2009. We were together to celebrate her birthday! Look at the happy look in her eyes, just knowing that everyone is there! I almost didn't make it tonight (posting) because Roy and I were at a concert. But, I will make it before midnight!

Isabel's Gingerbread House

When the kids were out here over the holidays, Brenna bought a gingerbread house kit for Isabel. This was a great kit.....you didn't have to put the house together. Just add the frosting and all the fun candy pieces! Isabel loved it! Even Little Rudy got into the act and was placing candy on the house. I hope this becomes a tradition in Brenna's home! If I send the kit every year, it will have to become one! HA!

Melanie Loves Cotton Candy

Yes, Melanie does love cotton candy. She loves it so much that she will even eat it when it's four hours old (or maybe older) LOL. She looks forward to having cotton candy when she goes to Disneyland!

A Day at Disneyland

Isn't it amazing how happy people look when they are at Disneyland! Here is Melanie just enjoying the day. Waiting in line for a ride will not remove a smile from her face! Enjoying popcorn is another favorite thing to do when you're there. It was a good day because she was celebrating my birthday with me. Heather met us later for dinner. Just needed to have Brenna Isabel and Little Rudy there.

Nap Time!

Aren't they all just so cute when they're asleep! LOL I love how sweet Isabel looks with her dad's arm around her and Little Rudy is such a crack-up. He knows when he wants to take a nap! I love my sleeping Ramos Family!

Rudy Loves Toy Story

Little Rudy loves "Toy Story"! He loves the movie, the characters, the costumes, the book, anything related to "Toy Story"! It was great to sit down with him and share the book with him! He looks like he is actually reading!

Paradise Cove Luau

October 2009, we celebrated Little Rudy's 2nd birthday by attending the luau at Paradise Cove on Oahu! It was even more special because my mother was there to spend time with her granddaughters, great-grandchildren and me! We had a great table at the show....they served us! Lots of activities for everyone at this luau!

The Very Last Alaskan Vacation Page

Just when you thought you had seen the last of my Alaskan vacation, I ran across some ephemera that was dying to be added to a page! So here you will see our room keys, a token to our favorite brewery in Talkeetna and my coffee card! I am really finished now with our Alaskan vacation! Thanks everyone for following along on the blog!

Melanie Easter 2009

With Easter 2010 just around the corner, I thought I would scrapbook a page from last Easter! Melanie on her Easter Egg Hunt. It was a beautiful day last year and I hope it will be the same this year. It's never too late to scrapbook pages from the recent past and not so recent!

Michael and Melanie

Here are Michael and Melanie, December 2009. Yesterday she told me that her daddy is very funny and makes her laugh. They have so much fun with each other! I'm so glad they have a great relationship. Melanie knows she can depend on her daddy!