Visiting Hour!

It was always a party when we visited Brenna in the hospital! Even Melanie was getting into the act, climbing onto the bed with Brenna and just having a blast. Here is a coincidence.....I was in the same room as Brenna when I had Michael! I think the wallpaper was there then! LOL

Cousins Meeting for the First Time

What an exciting day for our family! It's the day after Isabel's birth and Melanie has come to meet her cousin. She was very gentle with her and did not seem to be bothered with everyone holding and making a "to-do" over Isabel. The little moments in life are the best moments.

My Favorite Dress - 1957

Ok, do you remember when we use to wear dresses all the time? Just like Jane and Sally! I love this dress and always considered it to be one of my favorites. I have a vague recollection of a dress with Cowboys and Indians on the material that was another favorite but alas no photo! We were living in Venice Beach around the time this photo was taken. I will be waiting for all of my friends to share pictures of them wearing their favorite dresses!

A Splendid, Lovely Day

This is the companion page to the one showing Melanie on a bike. We were riding our bicycles at the Chaffey Cultural Center and she used the camera to take this picture of me. It was a splendid, lovely day with my oldest granddaughter!

Taco Tuesday!

For the past couple of years, we have been enjoying Taco Tuesday at El Ranchero in Claremont. Our usual group consists of Roy and me along with the Sharps and the Horaceks. Whenever we have company in town on a Tuesday they go too! It's nice to go where everyone knows your name....hey I think that sounds like a good song coming LOL! The crew at El Ranchero is the best!

Brenna and Her Mini-Me

Look at these girls! Brenna and her mini-me, Isabel. Yes, they are like two peas in a pod! My girls are beautiful and so special to me and Roy. The two of us love the two of them!

Isabel, My Little Keiki

Doesn't Isabel look so cute with her plumerias? Life is great when you are living in paradise! This photo was taken in Brenna's yard when they were living in Hawaii. Brenna has planted her favorite Hawaiian flower in her new home in North Carolina. This should bring a little touch of the Islands to them.

Brenna's Family - Life is Nice!

Life is nice! Brenna and her family have had some remarkable experiences since they were established! Their latest is living in North Carolina and working on their home. I always look forward to hearing and seeing what my Ramos Family are doing. Life is even nicer when we are all together!

Daddy - Daughter Reflections

I love this photo of Michael and Melanie! They both look so deep in thought as they are looking into the pond/water that is up in Mt. Baldy. I know this spot because Michael took me there once on a hike too. It's great that he shares his favorite things/places with his daughter. It just proves that you don't need to take your children to expensive places to connect with them.

Michael and Melanie

Michael took Melanie on a hike up in Mt. Baldy. A nice couple stopped to take photos of them. I love both of them. You will see the other on tomorrow's posting. Melanie enjoys spending time with her daddy. It's great to know that she also also appreciates the great outdoors! I would say that this is one of Melanie's favorite things to do with her daddy!

Easter Egg Hunt 2010

Thank you Brenna for making sure I have photos of Rudy and Isabel. It looks like Little Rudy has been quite successful on his hunt for the elusive Easter Eggs! I'm sure he found many treasures inside them. The Easter Bunny sure knows how to make little ones happy!

Doing Dishes, Part II

This is just a special memory for me. Watching Melanie and Isabel having fun while "doing the dishes" makes me smile. Of course I think there was more water on the floor and the counters but it was quite enjoyable seeing them together

Let's Do Dishes!

One of the activities which my girls enjoy is doing the dishes! They love to help me with any task I give them. And it's always so much more fun when you do it as a team!

My Baby Girl Isabel

Like I wrote before in an earlier post, Isabel loves to hug and be hugged. This is the best feeling in the entire world. All the miles between us will never take away the love we have for each other.

Isabel and "Grandmom"

Here we are on our first visit to the Ramos Family when they lived in Hawaii. Just holding Isabel was the best activity while we were there! She is a very affectionate little girl.

Hold On to Each Other

I love how the girls love to hug each other. Isabel is such a great hugger! So much so that sometimes Melanie says she can't breathe! My greatest wish is that my grandchildren will always hold on to each other and the memories they share. I am always so appreciative of the time they spend together.

Christmas Dresses

Matching Christmas dresses are a must for all little girls! A big round of applause to Gigi (my mother) for always knowing and giving the best Christmas dresses. Isabel and Melanie enjoy their time together and the time they spend with extended family also. I love the looks on their faces in this photo.

Melanie's Pony Ride

On the previous blog, I had shared a picture of Melanie on the merry-go-round pony and here she is on the "real" pony. She did have a wonderful day at the festival! The only thing missing this year was the elephant ride! I have a great idea for a layout! Pictures of all my kids, granchildren and Roy and I (when we were younger LOL) on ponies!

At the Festival

We have been taking Melanie to the Lemon Festival every year since she was born. She was only four-months old the first time we went. It's great to have a tradition. I know we all look forward to the "Festival".

The Girls at the Festival

It was nice to have Stephanie with us at the Lemon Festival. Here we are with Melanie. Another fun outing with my family.

American Idol #2

Here is the photo of the layout I forgot to attach! It must be because I'm doing this from my hotel room in Maui!

Our Own "American Idol"

Some of you may know that my Auntie Ro was a singer in a girl group in the late 1950's. This photo is the official promo photo. She was signed to a contract with Ebb Records. Their big hits were: "Love Like a Fool" and another catchy tune.........that started off with "cha, cha, cha, chaddy waddy cha cha". She even had the opportunity to appear on the Dick Clark Show! She lived a dream that many would love to do. I think the singing gene though skips generations....LOL

A Great Day for a Bike Ride

Melanie and I rode our bikes to the Cultural Center on 18th St., one day. I had told her that it had been a while since I had ridden a bike. We were going around and around in the parking lot and she had a quiet look of surprise on her face. At one point she told me that "I was doing a great job". It was a great day for a bike ride for the both of us.

Fun at the Lemon Festival

Look at the size of that old bear! Melanie was quite thrilled that her daddy won the bear for her. Though he was hoping she would pick something else. The carny guy was actually quite surprised that someone actually won!

Spending Time together

Roy and I are fortunate that we are able to spend time with our grandchildren. Even though we don't see our Isabel and Little Rudy every day, the time we are together is so special. It's great fun being grandparents. These photos were taken in May 2008 at Disneyland. Here Melanie and I are in line for the merry-go-round and Roy and Melanie are having a chat outside of Minnie's house.

Family 2004

Oh my gosh....I can't believe that it was only six years ago when these photos were taken! We always have a great time when we're all together. I enjoy hearing the laughter, sharing the stories (old and new) and just the support and love we have for one another. As Nancy would say, "Gavigan's rule"!

Roy and Diane

Here we are!! Hanging out in our backyard in July of 2004. At that time, we were living in Rancho Cucamonga. We tried the condo living for a couple of years. We did enjoy the pool, no yard work but we did miss having enough parking for our family and friends. So, after a few years there we moved back to a home in Upland (yard work, no pool) with plenty of parking for everyone!

Isabel and the Great Outdoors

Here are more photos of Isabel exploring the great outdoors. Her yard in Hawaii! The flowers were everywhere. She and her mother could have made some great leis while they were living there!

What a Face!

Look at the various expressions on Isabel's face! I would be able to make up a story using every single look! She would be asking her mother a question in one; in another one, I can hear Brenna asking her to smile; the third one she seems to be talking to someone and in the final one I think she's trying to figure out which ear do you put the flower behind if you're single!

She's In Charge!

Daddy's gone and look to see who's in charge of the remote! ISABEL! She seems to really know how to operate all of the controls and she wasn't quite two! It looks likes in the first photo she's trying to figure out which program to watch and in the last one.....she has found it! Is it Yo Gaba Gaba or Dora or the Doodlebops!

Isabel's Hair Don't!

I'm sure when you see the look on Isabel's face, you will most likely agree that she isn't very happy with her hair-do! What a good sport she is being but I really believe she wants to say to her mother..."What in the heck are you thinking"?

Big Rudy and Isabel

Right after Brenna, Rudy and Isabel transferred to Hawaii, Rudy came back to Camp Pendleton for training. Here he is with Isabel the evening he was leaving. If I remember right, he was here in California for a couple of months......because we did see him when we went to visit them in Hawaii in July. Saying goodbye is always hard but you cherish every moment you have with your family. I know I do!