Hello Baby Rudy!

Our good friends, Ron and Sharon Horacek, just became grandparents for the first time this past weekend. Seeing the photos of their grandson reminded me just how precious and so beautiful newborn babies are. It's been almost three years since my own grandson Rudy was born and it is the most amazing feeling in the world to finally meet your child's child.

Preschool Friends

One of the best things about going to school is the friends that you make! Giselle was Melanie's best friend in pre-school. When I would pick her up, they always seemed to be paired together, holding hands. They even had the same taste in clothes! They are going to different elementary schools but that doesn't mean they will forget each other.

Preschool Promotion 2010

Melanie completed her pre-school career in June of 2010. Roy and I were able to attend the activities. What a special day. It was a little sunny and Melanie was squinting in the photo. After school, we all headed out to Tommy's for one of her favorite meals.....chili fries!!!! Great job Melanie! Looking forward to your college graduation!

Through the Years

Well, well, well.....look at me and Roy! One of the fun things about scrapbooking is finding old pictures and seeing how we have changed. We have one from my 10-year reunion in 1982, then Christmas 1987, at Disneyland for Michael's 21st b-day 2004 and a family wedding, 2005. I think we're doing a great job of "aging" LOL

Winter Hats 2008

It's January 2008 and we were very thrilled to have all of the grandchildren together. It was Little Rudy's first visit to California! Aren't they all just so cute wearing their winter hats! I think they actually enjoyed wearing their hats. Of course Rudy didn't even know he had one on his head! I wonder what they will say when they're older and see this page!

So Proud at Open House

Melanie was so proud to show us her classroom! She had so many projects to share with us. You could really see why she loved going to school. Her classroom was a very nurturing and enjoyable place to be. I hope we will be invited to her kindergarten Open House!

Open House 2010

Here is Melanie sitting in the reading area in her pre-school classroom. We were lucky to be able to attend her Open House at Sierra Vista. She loved all of her teachers and her friends. What a great two years she had with Ms. Galvan!

Backyard Fun

This is the second page of Rudy having fun in the backyard. We have the perfect size slide for the little ones to enjoy. Even if they're going head first! I am looking forward to seeing him play in his backyard in North Carolina

Splendid Day in December

What a splendid day to play in the backyard! The weather was Southern California December perfect, though a little chilly for those who were visiting from Hawaii! My grandson was just a little over a year old when these photos were taken. He was having a great time just being a little boy! He is something special and so loved by all.

More Fun with the Sound of Music

Here are a couple of more shots of us enjoying a great evening! I'm telling you that you really need to experience the Sound of Music Sing a-Long....people come dressed up as their favorite character(s) or scene. It's interactive, so you're booing when the Nazis come on the screen, you're waving your edelweiss....it's a blast! Who wants to go next time?

Sound of Music - Sing A Long

Who would have thought that an evening of singing along to the Sound of Music could be so much fun? And, it was.....as Heather said, "It's like the Rocky Horror Picture Show on Prozac!" It was a beautiful September evening in 2008. Rachael Emery, Karen Okumoto and I joined a group of people from Cabrillo at the Hollywood Bowl for a most amazingly fun night. I would go again in a heartbeat!

Festival Fun

I truly believe that Melanie likes the Lemon Festival because of the carnival and pony rides! And, sometimes the elephant is there also! It's amazing how quickly time goes by when you're having fun. I can remember the first time she rode the merry-go-round at the festival. The festival has grown and so has she!

Lemon Festival 2010

What a great day at the Lemon Festival! I think we could say that Melanie was a Little Squirt LOL (sometimes I just crack myself up). She was a good sport about "posing" for pictures for me. I think photos like this are a lot of fun. Melanie and I are looking forward to the next Lemon Festival!

Melanie's Deviled Eggs

Melanie loves to help me cook when she's over. Sometimes I think she would rather do that than go to a restaurant! Here she is enjoying her first experience making deviled eggs. She was learning how to crack and peel them. As I remember, she did a great job! She also enjoyed sprinkling the paprika on the finished product but wouldn't eat them!

Three of Us

Christmas Eve, 2008! I love and miss my Isabel! Here are the three of us, Papa, Isabel and myself at my brother's home on Christmas Eve. She is such a sweetie and such a Grandma's girl. It's great that she feels very comfortable with all of us. She knows this is her family!

Lil Cowpoke

My Lil Cowpoke is Little Rudy! What a handsome little guy my grandson is! I believe this photo was taken at the Ham & Yam Festival in North Carolina this year. Pony rides are a must for everyone! He looks so comfortable riding the pony (even if it is just going around in circles!). Hang on Lil Cowpoke!

Melanie and Hula

Melanie has been taking Hula for two years and beginning her third this year. It's been a wonderful experience for her. She loves performing in the "big show" and wearing the makeup. But before the "big show", she knows she has to take class. I hope she continues to enjoy hula. I can always feel a tear or two when I see Heather and Melanie dance together.

Shaved Ice!

Here are Melanie and I at the Hula Festival/Competition and she is enjoying her very blue shaved ice! If you haven't tried a shaved ice, it is so much better than just a regular snow cone! It was a great day, we were able to see some great hula (especially Heather and her group), enjoyed delicious food and the best part was being together!

Labor Day Weekend 2009

Melanie and I were in Long Beach, Labor Day Weekend 2009. We were there to watch Heather in a hula competition. It was a beautiful day, perfect weather and we not only enjoyed all of the performers but the vendors too! If you look closely, you will see that Melanie's lips/teeth are blue! She had just finished her shaved ice!

More Summer Fun

Just a few more photos of our motley crew celebrating the Fourth of July. You will even see my niece Ingrid and boyfriend Andrew! It was such a nice treat to have them there.....though it looks like she has her 16-year old face on! Love you Ingrid! I love holidays or anytime we gather together!

Summer Fun 2004

Enjoying some time in the pool with family! Nancy really enjoyed it, she said she felt as if she were at a resort. Here are Michael, my sisters Regina and Nancy, myself, Heather and Miguel. I think it's time to plan another family party.....at Heather's!!!!

Brenna's Tasty Treats

Brenna brought this yummy appetizer to our Fourth of July gathering back in 2004. She enjoys trying recipes from the Pillsbury Bake-Off or any cookbook that has pictures! She likes to know what it's suppose to look like, that is an absolute must! These were quite a tasty dish! I must get the recipe for myself!

Chilling with My Babies!

Here I am with my grandbabies, December 2008. I truly enjoy and miss cuddling with all three of them. I love having them all get into our bed and just hanging out, watching the Disney Channel and just being close. I am looking forward to having all three of them with me this coming summer. I need a major booster shot of Grandchildren.

Heather 1975

Where did the time go? It seems that it was only yesterday that my baby Heather was a baby! We were living in Virginia when this photo was taken back in 1975. She was such a good baby and is still such a fantastic daughter.

We Wish You Merry Christmas 2009

This is the final page from Christmas Eve 2009. It's great to have family and friends come together and enjoy this special holiday season. Everyone is welcome at either of our homes. The more the merrier! Now, I will have to start working on the other Christmas Past photos before Christmas 2010 comes along. Let's see, I believe I have at least 30 years of Christmas photos! Yikes~

Girl Friend Weekend 2008

I just heard that one of my dear co-workers will be retiring. It made me think of all the fun we have had (even at work)! Like she said, she knows that we will still be getting together for scrapbooking, for those girl weekends and day trips that help to keep us sane! Her retirement will just give us another reason for the group to plan something fun for/with her! We all love Chris :)

Family Fun Christmas Eve

Here are more photos of our family on Christmas Eve. The food, the music, the games, the gifts and the laughter contribute to the good time we have together as a family. The only piece missing was the Ramos Family.

The Gavigan Elves

There was a time at Christmas when my mother was decorating that she would use these four elves. One for each of us (Diane, Regina, Michael and Nancy). This past Christmas, 2009, Regina found them at mom's and gave each of us "our elf". What a crazy, thoughtful gift. It sure did bring back memories. Thanks Regina!

Christmas Eve Fun

What a wonderful memory for Melanie. Sharing her time with her Great-Aunt Gina and her Great-Grandmother (we call her Gigi) on Christmas Eve. It is so important and special that Melanie has the good fortune to have all these people in her life.

Birds of a Feather

Here we are at one of my get togethers! I love having people over for laughs and good times. It's always nice to see each other outside of our usual workplace. Here are our friends the Haines and Drummonds, all great people!

O Christmas Tree!

Christmas Eve 2009, this year we went to my brother's home (Mike and Michelle Gavigan) for the family gathering. Since they didn't have a tree, we brought materials for Melanie to "create" the Christmas Tree. She had fun decorating and then displaying her "tree". This was a great idea, when you're going out of town just create your own tree!