Spectacular Island Scenery

Just a few more shots of the scenery we enjoyed on our little ride. It's just amazing to think that all this ocean separates Hawaii from California. I could sit there all day and enjoy the sites, sounds and smells of the local area. Once you have been bitten by the Hawaiian lifestyle you never want to leave and you are planning on how soon you will return! Aloha!

Day Tripping

Hono Lua is just left of Ka'anapali and worth the drive. Not as far as Hana with some breathtaking views of it's own. No waterfalls on this side but you can view a fantastic sunset and make a wish to live over in Kapalua. Roy and I really enjoy Maui and are so fortunate to be able to visit. If we win the lottery, we're moving!

Hula Pie for Breakfast!

How can you not have hula pie when you are at Duke's? This happens to be the favorite dessert of my girls! Next year, I am going to see if I can buy the plate in addition to the Mai Tai glasses. This one piece of pie was enough for all four of us (though I think Roy really wanted the entire piece for himself)! When you visit Duke's, you have to try the Hula Pie!!!!

Here's.........Dukes!

It is so great to eat your meals outdoors on a beautiful patio knowing that the ocean is just beyond the bushes. Love the atmosphere at Duke's. It never seemed that crowded and I wonder if that was because they just recently opened. The restaurant was right between where we were staying and where the Sharp's were. A great meeting place!

Breakfast at Duke's

Did you know that Duke's is now in Maui? And what is even better is that it is next to the resort where we vacation! Yes, it was breakfast but a late breakfast. That explains the Mai Tais. And let me tell you that Mai Tais are fantastic with Banana-Macadamia nut pancakes! Who would have thought that was possible! Did I mention the coconut syrup? Looking forward to visiting Duke's again next summer!

Last Night in North Carolina

Our last evening in North Carolina we enjoyed a fireworks show put on my Rudy! We had stopped at a fireworks stand in South Carolina where Roy and Brenna picked up a stash of fireworks (legal to buy there). Since they live out in the country, we were treated to our own pyrotechnic display! Look at Little Rudy's face. Their faces are as bright as the fireworks! Thank you my North Carolina family for a great evening!

Rock Collection, page 2

A more up close and personal look at Melanie's rocks! She was thrilled that I had a little chair for a couple of them. They were all just chilling with her as she played on the computer. When she's here and I am working on my pages, she will find an activity to do too. It was the same way when I was visiting Isabel. She enjoyed creating her art work while I was busy being creative. I wish I could do this with my girls everyday!

Melanie's Rock Collection

Melanie decided that she wanted to start a special rock collection just a few months ago. She dug up the rocks with her papa and washed them. We went to Michael's and bought some glittery paint and "googly eyes" to dress them up a bit. She really gave them some personalities. I think some had three eyes and a little bling! She had a great time creating her "new" friends.

Family Fun at Halloween

After walking up and down 2nd Ave., we headed over to one of the local dining spots, JD's. Here are Heather, Stephanie and Melanie hanging out at JD's. Stephanie reminded me today that Melanie wasn't feeling too well that night; that would explain the look on her face. Darth Vader is not a member of the family....just a oversize kid enjoying the evening! As you can see in all the photos in the previous postings that the adults in our family didn't dress up!

Melanie Enjoying Halloween

It's all about the games for the little ones at the Scary Affaire! They win prizes at every booth and I know that Melanie always felt proud that she won a piece of candy or a little toy. It's great that the community pulls together and presents this great event for the children. Happy Halloween!

Scary Affaire 2009

Thought I better scrap the photos from last year's Scary Affaire before I print out this years photos. It was special last year because Big Rudy was with us. This is a fun activity for families in downtown Upland. We have been going with Melanie since she celebrated her first Halloween! Last year she was Snow White. We love to see all the little ones in their costumes. People are so clever!

Las Vegas 2004

While going through old photos, I ran across this one of me and Roy! It was April of 2004 and we were in Las Vegas for a little get away. This photo was taken while we were enjoying Tom Jones' show. What a great entertainer he is! Roy pointed out that his eyes (not Tom's) were pretty bloodshot and it wasn't because he was drinking! This was way past his usual bedtime! Ha! We have enjoyed some good times together.

First Soccer Game!

Ok, so it isn't an action shot. But, she did pose for the three people with cameras that day! Turning so we could each take her picture. I had a flashback of watching all three of my children playing on those same fields! What great times we had with them and I know we will have them again watching Melanie play!

Isabel at the Children's Museum

We spent a lovely morning at the Children's Museum in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina during our recent visit with Brenna and family. While we were there, the museum staff had a class on dinosaurs for the children. After the story and question/answer period, they were able to make headpieces representing the "horn" of this dinosaur. It was a real treat to spend this time with Isabel.

Let's Play in the Rain

What little boy doesn't like playing in the rain or in the puddles left by rain? Little Rudy was enjoying his new "hot tub" created by the 20-inches of rain during a three-day period in North Carolina! It sure was a moment Roy and I were glad to see. He didn't want to come back into the house and the water was cold! LOL...I love how he finds enjoyment in the simplest things...oh to be a kid again!

Let's Dance!

Hello my blog followers! Most of you know that I was out of town the last six days to attend my Uncle Glen's services in Washington. I just didn't have the time to keep up with my blog during this emotional period and I promise to share at least two postings a day for a week to "catch up".

Happiness is DANCING! I am so thrilled that Isabel is taking tap/ballet and that she is enjoying this experience! These photos made me smile when I took them because I carried her out of the studio (still wearing her tap shoes); placed her on the bench and she "struck the pose"! What an entertainer! Just like her Auntie Heather!

Enjoying Time with Åuntie Ro and Uncle Glen

Today was a very sad day in our family. Our favorite uncle, Uncle Glen passed away. He and my Auntie Ro just recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Besides always being their for me, my sisters, brother and all of the cousins, he always made time for my children. He always had a laugh, time to throw them up in the air, fun day trips and lots of love. This is just one of the many great activities, a day trip to San Diego in 1988. You will be missed Uncle Glen but you will always be remembered with much love.

Heather - One Year Old

Here is my baby girl Heather, it's just a week after her first birthday. We were living in Virginia at the time and in our yard were some lawn animals. It looks like she is trying to grab a hold of that duck. She loved sitting on the deer that was close by too. When we were visiting Brenna recently, I noticed lawn animals in quite a few yards in North Carolina. It must be a Southern thing LOL

Ramos Babies

I was spending some time tonight with my dear friend Kathy and her newest grandson, Sasha and his mommy Lisa. Holding Sasha for a couple of hours made me thing of my little Rudy. I can't believe that it has been three years since I held such a tiny little guy. Thank you Lisa for letting me relive my happy grandma moments. Here is my Ramos Family during the time I was with them. I was so fortunate to be there for Brenna.

Arizona with the Carnines!

This is a photo book of our visit with Kathy and Greg back in 2008; a wonderful weekend with our dear friends. We visited some great places....Casa Grande National Monument, the historical town of Tubac and back to Phoenix for breakfast at a restaurant I saw on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives! This little book measures 8x8 and was quite easy to put together since I had bunco tonight and I'm a little tired. It was fun to make!

More of Aloha Mixed Plate

Look at the view from the patio of the restaurant! So beautiful and it is right next door to the Old Lahaina Luau. That means in the evening, you can hear the beautiful Hawaiian music while you're enjoying your dinner.....and it's a lot cheaper! LOL and cheers to everyone!

Aloha Mixed Plate

Here we are enjoying our favorite drinks and good eats! Brenda had Loco Moco for the first time and enjoyed this local favorite. Steve didn't seem too impressed with her choice of meal. This is a great place to come for a lunch/dinner. Prices are reasonable, libations are thirst quenching and the food is great! We always find time to visit Aloha Mixed Plate when we're in Maui!

Scrapbooking in Maui

I know you will probably find this hard to believe that a group of people would actually go to a scrapbook store while on vacation in Maui. But, if you enjoy this hobby you will understand why. It was a small store but it had some great Hawaiian papers and embellishments. Our official photographer, Steve, took these photos of us (including Roy) going through the stacks!

Beach Bum

Oh, I remember this photo. Little Rudy is just one-years old and I was there with Heather to celebrate his first birthday! One of the great things about being in Hawaii in October is that you are still able to enjoy the beach scene. We were at Turtle Bay, one of my favorite places to go. I'm just putting up this photo because the vast majority of Brenna's photos are still on her computer.....we need to get them printed and in an album! I am going to be forwarding quite a few photos tonight!

Isabel's First Visit to the Beach

When Isabel moved to Hawaii she was just about seven-months old and it was winter! Look at her enjoying her first touch of the Hawaiian sand and feel of the water. What a lucky little girl she was to live in Hawaii for the first couple of years of her life. She just told me that she loved to make sand castles in Hawaii.

Pretty As a Flower

What a precious little flower! Isabel has always been such a great little poser for photos. These are just so precious. She looks like she is ready to roll away with the little wagon. I am so lucky to have such wonderful grandchildren!

Isabel's First Photo

I can't believe that Isabel was ever that tiny! The time sure has flown by. When I was going through Brenna's photos, I showed this to Isabel and she didn't recognize herself! Then she said, "Oh, I have that little bear". It was a lot of fun scrapbooking with Isabel right next to me. She enjoys the process of finding the pictures, the paper and all the embellishments.

Happy Homecoming Day

Welcome home!!! What a day for the families of the Marines who were overseas! I can just imagine the excitement of the people waiting and of the people coming home! I have never seen Big Rudy with so much hair LOL. I'm glad my son-in-law made it home safely and that they are all together as a family!

The Rudy's Meet for the First Time

This is what I consider the first official photo of Father and Son! What a handsome pair of guys! I'm so grateful to have an outstanding son-in-law who is also a great father and husband. He and Little Rudy are quite a duo! Now, Big Rudy's hair is like Little Rudy's!

The Ramos Family Together

I can only imagine the happiness Brenna felt when Rudy came home! Look at her face; finally another grown-up to help with the babies! As you can see, I am still creating my paper flowers! Very easy to do and a great way to create an embellishment without spending a lot of money. I have even added the kite that Isabel made to this page! She chose the spot on the page to place it.

He's Home!

While I'm visiting Brenna, I am scrapbooking some of her own photos. I just love this one of Isabel and Rudy. They were living in Hawaii and he just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq.
She has always been her "Daddy's Girl" and will be forever.