What's Happening Here

2011-12-30T18:03:00.000-08:00

As our year comes to an End...

Audra is the Big Reader here in our house and ZOE (6 months old) thinks that's just dandy.

Fresh color & a New Hair Cut to ring in the New Year!

My Christmas Gift from Louis (the phone), from Audra (the case)
& from Jared (much needed, Tech Support)

Post Christmas Gift to myself...a charging station & home for my new toy.

Playing with a Photo App on my new I Phone
...Zoe lets me take her picture with a little less complaint than some of the others around here...

Grateful for a life well lived in 2011

Blessed by Family & Friends

2011-12-26T13:24:00.000-08:00

Merry! Merry!!

ZOE's 1st Christmas

...And In The Morning, I'm making Waffles!

2011-12-26T13:14:00.000-08:00

Delightful December Days

Zoe is enjoying most sunny afternoons at our neighborhood dog park

An evening to exchange Gifts & Celebrate Friends!

2011-12-13T20:13:00.000-08:00

My Good Things

Cookie Exchange & Christmas Gift Swap

Party Night...

Here's a look at what I brought to the evening

A bit of the fun & frolic with friends

Always a Delightful December Date

2011-12-12T23:25:00.000-08:00

Decorating...Baking...

The hustle & bustle of the

Christmas Season is upon Us...

It took a week of unpacking & arranging,
to cheerfully adorn our abode...

...so now, our stockings are hung by the chimney, with care...

...and the kitchen is a place of of joyful activity...

I've already managed to compose, address & post our Holiday Greetings.

And Audra attended her Junior Ball.

What a fun filled (& productive) weekend we've had...

Now it's time to sit back & relax with a little eggnog.

(or maybe I should finish shopping for gifts and get them wrapped?)

2011-12-03T16:28:00.000-08:00

December's Here...so I've been a busy girl!

My 1st job was to put up my little champagne tinsel tree in the livingroom

Next was time to pick out a Fresh tree for the Diningroom

It looked LITTLE at the tree lot, but it doesn't look too small in our house

Taking a FUN break from decorating to craft with my girlfriends

But 10 boxes await my attention...
I wonder if I can get some help from Audra?

I know...I'll bake instead!
My pick for this year's cookie exchange is a
Crystallized Ginger & Molasses cookie

And since the sun was shining, I swept up outside...
but Zoe felt that she must sit IN THE PILE of leaves while I worked

And then she decided it was a perfect BED.

So, maybe I'll just decorate our Christmas Tree tomorrow?

2011-11-25T08:22:00.000-08:00

...and the Celebrating continues...

Feeling Blessed

2011-11-20T22:42:00.000-08:00

November Birthdays....

Louis' 52nd...(in the box is a new brown coat)

Tracy's Treats from a Wilson Girls birthday lunch (lucky me)

& A trip to the coast to help celebrate Mom's big 70th!

Lots of family celebrating packed into one busy weekend

2011-11-20T22:30:00.000-08:00

Zoe - Zoe - Zoe

Shake!

Doesn't anyone want to pet me?

Ooh...Yeah!...I get to go in the truck!

Naptime, again?

Posing for a photo shoot
in her post surgery Fashion.

A girl can't have only 1 wardrobe change!

2011-11-20T22:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween

Audra (musketeer) & Claire (red riding hood)
attended a party on Saturday together

Cousins
Having Halloween dinner at Grandma Carole's

The 13 year olds still went out trick or treating...

After dinner, the college cousins had other places to go

2011-10-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

She's Getting to be a Big Girl now...

AUDRA
(13 years...look where she wants to shop now?!?)

are we talking Teenager or Puppy here?

...well, Both! (actually)

ZOE (16 weeks old)

Audra on her way in to assist at an etiquette workshop

Our front yard is surviving the puppy...
(she doesn't really realize it's there yet)
Give her time, I imagine she'll start digging there too...

This is where she hangs out when banished to the great outdoors...
where she can keep her eye on the backyard & get the best view of the rooms inside too.

Audra's Cheer Group is keeping our calendar full this month...and it's all Fun!

2011-10-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

Our Family's Fall Fun

Louis & I celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary

Audra's Cheerleading...they've learned a lot & are looking sharp!

More College Water Polo Road Trips ~ this time to UC Santa Cruz

Jared's team played all 3 games in this tournament IronMan...
Good Attitudes with Endurance... Way to go guys!

Finally found replacements for my worn couches...
I wonder how these will hold up?
Time Will Tell!

Zoe is getting the swing of things around here...
and she likes going in the little car with the top down!

Speaking of cars...Louis got his new company vehicle
... & this one's big enough for the dog & the people in our family.

2011-10-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

Collegiate Water Polo

I am enjoying my weekend with Jared, watching him play with his new team

& hang out with the other Bulldogs...they really seem like a great group of guys.

2011-09-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

Audra's School Carnival Weekend

Saturday was shopping for new jeans
to wear to her 8th Grade school dance...

Sunday started out with singing in the Choir
for Mass...then it was time for her

Cheerleading dance routine

Dance Demo Team Performance

Grandma Carole, Aunt Erin & Morgan came to watch...

along with plenty of school friends & their families too.

Audra ended the day with some free time to just enjoy

the food, games &

fun at her final school carnival.

2011-09-24T19:46:00.000-07:00

A Super September, so far...

8th grade Welcome Mass to the 1st graders...Aah!
(how did MY daughter get to be the BIG girl?)

I've been helping out a lot at Audra's school....
the Welcome Mass, Hot Lunch for the Cheerleaders
& getting my donations baked, gathered & turned in for the Carnival.

Speaking of the school cheerleaders...
here's Audra's group getting ready for the 2nd half of the game
after walking over to greet the other team's cheerleaders.

Doing their thing...must have done a good job...the guys won.

This month marked the end of Jared's 7 years of Altar Service
& the last time my 2 kids do that together.

Louis' sister, Leona & her husband, George came to stay with us for a few days.

Jared attended his 1st Bulldog Football game as a collegiate, himself
along with his buddies from the dorms.

...and I got him to join me for a Mother Son Sushi Lunch Date...
(Happy Mom!)

...and of course I can't forget my real time consumer...Zoe!
She thinks she's human.

2011-09-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Our 1st week with our new girl,

Zoe

Zoe's car ride to her new home with us

Here she is, giving her toy a tour of her new yard.

Zoe & Audra ~ getting to know each other

Settling in to a nice calm routine together...
Audra was GREAT with our new puppers for the entire, long holiday weekend

Especially when they are both really tired
from playing together outside in the heat of the day

But every morning, it's time to start all over again

Zoe thinking, "Oh Come On, mom...let's play!"

Okay, but...we both know you are really looking
forward to when Audra gets home from school.

2011-08-27T20:41:00.000-07:00

We took a road trip to pick out

a new family member today....

"Red puppy" (her pre-name, name) is a female brindle Great Dane!

Here's her BIRTH FAMILY! (well, with audra holding the baby)

We don't get to bring her home until Tuesday & it was really hard to drive away & leave her behind!

And gee...I didn't take a photo of her Gigantic, Gorgeous Sire, Apollo.

(I think I was just too busy playing with the puppies...there were 8 in all!)
But here's a photo of Dam Nesta with the pups when they were 1st born back on July 5th.

and the pup we've chosen in all her teeny tiny glory....

It was super hard to pick...but this sweet girlie was awake the whole time we were there.
She was quiet & gentle, wasn't licking or biting, and seemed so content to be held,
without any signs of shaking or fearfulness.

We think we've made the right choice!

...but her brother was a gentle guy too...(Louis shocked me when he said we could take both),
I'm just thinking 2 might have been a little much?

It was Tempting Though...Seriously!

2011-08-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

Our Summer's Last Hurrah

A quick trip to Oakland's Jack London Square
& a stay in the Waterfront Hotel.

for Aunt Joyce & Uncle Tom's 60th Wedding Anniversary

Here's cousin Warren who was the Host for the party...

Aunt Joyce dressed her up in a RED 'dress' (wad of fabric, really)
& made to dance to Uncle Tom's favorite song
....such a good sport & laughs for everyone!

The Linney family band featuring the other cousins,
brothers, Kenneth & Douglas with their dueling banjos

The Happy Couple, all these years...

They are really something special!

Our family,
enjoying brunch together with a view of the Bay,
before making the drive back home...

And next, it was time to get the school year started....

Audra on her 1st day as an 8th Grader

2011-08-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

Moving Day

There were student helpers everywhere, offering to carry things, answer questions, or give directions...
CSUF has really stream lined the move in process & made it organized, easy & FRIENDLY!

He's just SO Happy about starting this new life adventure...

Audra was an enthusiastic helper...interested in checking it out & being part of the scene...

Maybe a little too interested, since she got comfortable up there & didn't want to leave...

...and the paperwork begins...

Everyone wants to check out Jared's new place & come to the family BBQ....
(HEY, I don't remember getting this kind of a Send Off when I went away to college!)
Thanks PS's, for supporting my Boy!

Jared's new home.

My son has moved into the college dorms, and although I thought I'd be sad today, I feel excited for him instead...

He is READY & HAPPY...which seems to be helping me too.

2011-08-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

CHEERS

...to my sweet girl...

8th Grade,

Here She Comes!

A Big Week of preparations for Audra's approaching school year.

Audra with her pals, Jigs & Claire

3 days of practice to learn their 1st routine...lots of Fun

The Team ~ 10 cheerleaders awaiting instructions from their coaches

Audra checking out her teacher & classmate list for her final year at St. Anthony's

She's been looking forward to this trip
with the Kasaian Family to Avila & Pismo Beach all summer

I'm feeling sad that August brings an end to summer vacation...

but looking forward to Audra's

last year of Junior High.

2011-07-31T13:28:00.000-07:00

San Francisco Girlfriend Time

LOVE that 1st glimpse of The City as I'm coming across the bay bridge.

We had a AMAZING VIEW of Telegraph Hill & Coit Tower from our hotel room....lucky ducks, huh?

Ha! Vespas...

Ooooh....Heaven's Dog Cocktails

Note...Next, I should have a photo inserted here of Both of Us in our silky jammies,

enjoying a bottle of Champagne, watching the season opening episode of Project Runway

....but alas, not a photo to mark the occasion exists.

Walking around Union Square...My favorite place on Maiden Lane...Frank Lloyd Wright's little gem.

Teuscher's....always a required stop on our shopping day for their Champagne Truffles

I think this is my favorite store in China Town...so much to see, so little time...
and now, I want a set of their silk pajamas.

Elena perusing the menu on night #2 as we indulge in more pretty COCKTAILS....

....and tasty desserts.

Last Day...Dim Sum at Yank Sing is THE BEST.

Here's to Michael...with BBQ Pork Bun in the ready.

Some of our delicious fare...admitting that we may have overdone it, just a bit.

Aah...we located some Macarons.

Farmer's Market in the Ferry Bldg...crazy crowds on the weekend.

We Ate, Drank & were Merry!

(Oh, and we engaged in a little shopping too...of course)

2011-07-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

Jared's July Jaunt

(...Audra & I went too)

A Road Trip to Southern California's Orange County for Jared to swim with his 2nd cousins in a meet.

Gary & Kerri are always the BEST HOSTS ever! Love visiting them and they spoil us rotten (so we never want to leave).

We met their exchange student, Juliette (who's from France) pictured here with Audra, Maddy & Jared.

2nd Cousins relaxing in the upstairs Lounge, while the adults took their turn enjoying the spa.

Jared sets a new personal best time in his 100 yard Breaststroke Event...

Meanwhile...Kerri & I check out the food trucks in the school's parking lot.

Jared goes on to set another personal best time in his 100 yard Backstroke...

Morgan Coburn, Jared Linney, Maddy Scardina & Collin Coburn

Our Wonderful Teens enjoyed 2 Fun Days of Wholesome Swim Competition Together!

WE ALL LOVED THE 'COUSIN TIME'

2011-07-16T16:49:00.000-07:00

Hp7 part 2 MOVIE PREMIERE

Audra's 1st MIDNIGHT MOVIE!!!

2011-07-11T19:49:00.000-07:00

Dog Days

Well...he's officially a College Guy now!

2011-07-11T19:34:00.000-07:00

And then July is upon us...

And off we go for our annual trip to my Aunt & Uncle's House.

Jared & the high school girls...

Audra gets ahold of Morgan's glasses...

enough of the sand...it's time for the ocean!

then Aunty Lynn & Cousin Kerri getting goodies ready for the BBQ...

and Uncle Richard is the grill master (note Fireworks attire: hat, T-shirt, & an apron too!)

here are some of the grand & GREAT-grand parents in attendance....(well, Collin is there too)

The next morning we all headed to Duke's for Breakfast & then made the drive home.

We look forward to this Fun Time

with Family each year.

2011-07-11T17:46:00.000-07:00

The end of our Maui vacation...

Checking out of our resort, the final trip to Lahaina Town & arranging to take pineapples home on the airplane.

AND THEN...Let the SCRAPPING

& CRAFTING CRAZE BEGIN...

Putting together photo highlights of our trip for mom & for me.

Vintage Gluebook Project I've been taking an online class for...

Making paper flowers with Cindy, Nola & Suzelle...

Preparing my craft contribution for next month's Wilson Girl's day...a mini Button Book

Jared's High School Graduation Quilt Arrives!

June Crafting with my Good Things group...

2011-06-18T23:41:00.000-07:00

Kalua Pig & Pineapple

seems best enjoyed at a Luau...

...or as REGULARS at a fun little hole in the wall...

...maybe while viewing the daily rainbow...

or when watching the Sunset in Maui.

2011-06-17T15:04:00.000-07:00

More on Maui

Jared's Surf Collage

Audra's Surf Collage

The Road to Hana...617 curves, 56 one lane bridges, pineapple & sugarcane fields, bamboo jungles, rainforest, waterfalls, streams & pools, spectacular cliffs, desolate volcanic scenery, colorful island flowers and black sand beaches...makes for an Amazing 11 hour Tour of Maui!

2011-06-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

Joyful June

Jared & I have had a Pirates marathon going...

...in anticipation of seeing the 4th one in a 3D version at the theater.

Audra had yet another Bday sleepover (now that Morgan is out of school for the summer too...)

My mom, the kids & I flew to Hawai'i!

Our first glimpse of Maui...

Our first TASTE of it too...

My view, on our first full day...red sandy toes & blue skies

Hula Girls on our way to Hula Grill

Front Street shops in Lahaina

Rainbows each afternoon...

Pupus for dinner at Duke's

Gorgeous Sunsets as we look out toward Moloka'i & Lana'i

Up next...

SURF lessons for Jared & Audra today,

and The Road to Hana tomorrow.

2011-06-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

May has come and gone.

Rounding out the month was Jared's final Swim Competition,

(Here's my dad, proudly tracking Jared's race times & medals won)

That ends his high school aquatics career and it was time to graduate...

But 1st, he had Baccalaureate Mass, where my mom attended,

And then, his graduation night followed by an all night sober grad party.

The next day, we had a celebration lunch in his honor...

And finally, one last meal out before our weekend came to an end
& our dear friends had to leave for their home.

Now here it is, the beginning of JUNE, & Audra says that means it's HER TURN!
On the 1st, she had her end of school swim party....

Then on the 2nd, she came home HAPPY
with a handful of awards on her last day of 7th grade...

and didn't miss a beat getting right into PARTY MODE, since it was her big 'Turning Teen' BIRTHDAY!!!

So she's been celebrating with her 2 best school buds ~ including a sleepover, presents, cake & ice cream, projecting movies on the wall outside, a fireworks show (compliments of her dad, of course), crepes at the Parisian Cafe and an appointment to get feathers installed in their hair.

2011-05-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

Our Merry Month of May...

Audra has been busy working at firework orientations for her daddy's company

& this week she performed in her spring drama class production, Go Go Jonah!

Meanwhile, Jared had his last day of high school classes, got his yearbook, and the most exciting news...
He received word that he was awarded the
National Catholic Committee on Scouting college scholarship!!!

Yesterday he had his Seniors Farewell Assembly at school.

...where he received 2 more awards
(one of which touched & surprised me, causing tears of joy)

We've been getting frequent visits from my dad...and will be meeting up with him again
at Jared's last swim competition this weekend.

2011-05-11T00:05:00.000-07:00

May is moving mighty fast...

Attending Jared's High School Awards Night

Helping with Audra's school hot lunch

Watching Jared swim in his League Championships

Being treated to Mother's Day Brunch at Erna's Elderberry House

Baking for & attending my Good Things Tea Party

& Tea Cup Exchange

And the month isn't half over,
there's more merriment yet to come.

2011-04-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

Jared had his Spring Break from school the week before Easter...
I love a chance to have a Mother/Son Sushi Lunch Date!!!

Audra got her vacation just days before Easter & happily helped me decorate.

Enthusiastic Egg Hunters

Here's my family putting Brunch on their plates ~ a nice Easter Holiday, so we ate outside.

Then I got a few days with Audra on vacation, since Jared was back in school...

CPK is her Mother/Daughter Lunch Date choice...

& of course, a bit of shopping at the Mall too.

My Dad came to town for some of the kids events...

Here he is, taking my mom & I out for a fancy lunch date at The Ripe Tomato.

One of his nights spent here in town was to see Audra in her Horseback Riding.

Another night to attend Jared's CSF Life Awards Dinner.

And his last night here was to see one of Jared's swim meets,
which happened to be his 'Senior Night' Celebration too.

It's been a great couple of weeks
filled with lots of Special Family Time!

2011-04-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

My Good Things Crafting Group Project for April...Cake Pops!

The Family Cleaning the outside of the house...
Audra powerwashing, Louis wiping down the windows,
Jared hosing down the outdoor furniture,
& Bruno overseeing it all
(& waiting for treats, of course)

Audra's Drama Class Field Trip to see WICKED!
(I got to be a parent driver...so FUN!)

Swim meets...swim meets...& more swim meets
Yeah!

Jared had an AWARD LUNCH field trip
with his School Administrators
(for his selection this year, as one of the
7 Seniors named 'Boy of the Month').

PROM...Jared & the girls in his group
who he has gone to school with since Kindergarten
So Sweet!

Prom...Jared & his darling date, Mary
(Robin in the background)
Super Teens!

Jared at his Literary Author dinner
with his amazing Teacher, Miss. Frye.

My crafts created this month.
I love playing with paper (just saying)

My mom & I attended
Jared's wonderfully motivational
Campus Ministry Prayer Service.

We've got one very BUSY month going on here...

& I'm LOVING every minute!

2011-04-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

After some dark, dreary, wet & rainy March days...

...we've arrived at the 1st weekend of April

with sunshine, pretty blooms & warm weather.

Jared has had a Great Start to his final High School Swim Season

...breaking his 23 sec barrier in his 50 Free event

and also the 50 sec barrier in his 100 Free events.

Audra went on her big 7th Grade Field Trip to Monterey

(and next week she gets another trip for Drama Class, to see Wicked)

Both kids continue to be busy with the service organizations they enjoy:

Altar serving, Campus Ministry, Scouts, Choir, & Cheerleaders for Christ.

Recently our family got to see Morgan perform her Acro routine.

She is Awesome!

And this weekend, Audra & Louis took a trip to film a Fireworks Commercial...

(our little Drama Starlet was only too glad to 'work')

while Jared & I stayed in town to attend

his friend's Eagle Court of Honor and...

of course, another Swim Meet.

There's My Boy...Winning His Race!

2011-03-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

Ladies Who Lunch

Yesterday I had a date with The Wilson Girls to celebrate Cindy's birthday.

Note: the pretty paper under our pot stickers made us Lunching Ladies quite HAPPY.

Little Ladies Who Lunch (Morgan & Audra)

Sunday afternoon was the SJM Senior Fashion Show Luncheon

We had fun watching Jared STRUT HIS STUFF down the runway!

Last Week, my mom & I lunched in one of our city's many noodle houses...

We'll definitely be returning & soon.

Next up...

Mother/Son SUSHI DATE

That's the PLAN for tomorrow anyway~

2011-03-03T13:30:00.000-08:00

Been A Busy Week Baking...

Monday was Vanilla Bean Macarons

filled with White Chocolate Ganache

Wednesday was my day for Pastry Cream & Yellow Cakes needed for the

Boston Cream Pie in a Jar

...with the Chocolate Ganache made today, as I assembled them...

And Finally, Citrus Souffles

...which cool & form a creamy pudding bottom...

(so this one is best eaten at room temperature or chilled...but not warm out of the oven)

Good Thing I've got my Crafting Group Tonight

so I can Share the Sugar

2011-02-23T19:02:00.000-08:00

My Aunty Lynn

is Amazing...

and Talented...

and, Lucky Me...she made me this

Beautiful Quilt

that I will Treasure Always!

~Feeling So Blessed~

2011-02-23T16:48:00.000-08:00

A Trip to Elena & Michael's

TWO of our FAVORITE

PEOPLE on Earth!

Audra is a happy helper with the breakfast preparations.

Jared does his part too ~ by EATING!

Michael assisted the puzzle building with Jared only briefly before Audra stole his attention with her puzzle project.

Elena was needed for Shopping Excursions with Louis & Tracy.

An evening full of laughs,

cocktails, & fun conversation.

After dinner we all relax & watch a movie together.

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

How'd we decide on that show anyway?

The Guys

The Girls

We ended our little visit dining out for Sunday Brunch,

(a treat in honor of Jared's Eagle Scout Achievement)

before making the drive home.

Fun Times!

2011-02-15T19:27:00.000-08:00

Yahoo-y

Success the 1st Time Around!!!

French Macarons have a reputation for being tricky in home kitchens.

Soooo, I've been putting off actually baking them for quite awhile now. I've been reading foodie blogs & books to learn about these little beauties for, well...hum...let me think...definitely over a year now...maybe 2? Can't quite put my finger on it. Anyway, I've gotten my hands on a few to eat & they are as delightful as they are pretty. So the time had come & I put all the little tips I've been collecting to use today...and here they are...A Success! With the proper PIED (little feet) too! Yeah!

I don't get worked up about My Kitchen Creations, now do I?

Happy Girl Today.

Batter made, piped & resting...got just enough time to pick up youngest child up from school...before I get them into the oven.

This photo taken was thru the oven door - yippee, little frilly feet!

Out of the oven & cooling...I can hardly wait to taste one...

CAN'T WAIT for the filling, gotta eat one STILL WARM!

Okay, the tested results are GOOD & worth filling ~ Sharffenberger Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache should do nicely.

Love a day to play in my kitchen.

2011-02-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

February Fun

This week, I made Something Pretty!

...and attended Parent Visit Night

at Audra's Demo Team.

The 30 dancers performed a half hour show for us

then they were presented with Season Ending Accolades.

Audra received 5 Awards

for her efforts & commitment.

Jared got to celebrate Catholic School's Week with

Dress Like a Nerd Day

~ Such Silliness ~

& Audra took us to her school's

Open House Night

And Last, but certainly Not Least,

Louis got his annual review &

a PROMOTION!

He went from Area General Manager to being
one of the Company Vice Presidents

...and while it may only be a change in title,

we were only too glad to celebrate his success
& all his hard work being recognized...

Great Job, Sweetheart!

2011-01-30T09:12:00.000-08:00

Lucky Me ~

My boys went on a shopping excursion

and they came home bearing gifts....

that I got to open,

they helped me set up,

& now...

I've got a new Toy!

(I think all this generosity is really just that they are tired of me using theirs)

I may be the last member of this household

to own my own computer...

but you know what they say,

better late than never...

I feel like a kid in a candy store!

2011-01-22T08:56:00.000-08:00

JANUARY ...so far...

Audra's had her two cotillion nights

...TOGA Times!

She got in her 1st ski time 

of the season last Sunday and

She's going again tomorrow

& taking Morgan along too!

Jared is always Out the Door on the way Somewhere

...usually for SCHOOL or to Swim Practice...

or duties for Campus Ministry...

Here he is working the Junior Class Retreat

(but looks like he's just playing cards to me)

Louis is back to busy times at work,

but enjoys the weekends for a Father-Daughter Dance

& day trips to ski with the kids too.

I am back to the normal stuff of life,

...mom taxi, groceries, laundry...

preparing pretty produce,

& playing with my photos

:o)

It's all good ~ 

The Blessings of Routine!

2011-01-09T22:41:00.000-08:00

Lola Rosario Linney

A Wife

1947 at her wedding

1986 at our wedding

A Mother


in 1951

in 1997 at their 50th anniversary party

A Sister

Lola & Aunt Dot

A Grandmother

The Christmas we spent together in Oaxaca, Mexico

A World Traveler

1974

in 1985 traveling around Australia, NZ, & Tahiti

in 2002 at Gibraltar & Alhambra, Spain

And for me,

My Godmother

My Mother-in-law

My Friend...

In Loving Memory

1927 ~ 2010

2011-01-02T17:00:00.000-08:00

I spent the last week of 2010 & 1st days of 2011...

Doing Laundry...

Editing & Organizing TONS of Vacation Photos...

Celebrating New Year's with the Kiddos

(not to mention a couple of girlfriend dates)

AND...drum-roll, please...

Finishing my December Daily Album! Yippee!

It feels GREAT to have my December 2010 in an album

within the 1st two days of 2011!

Now if I could only just catch up on the past 3 years...
sadly, those photos are still waiting in boxes for a home in albums.

2010-12-27T06:46:00.000-08:00

Our Caribbean Cruise Vacation

Arriving in our Port City of San Juan, Puerto Rico

St. Thomas


Shopping and sampling at The Rum Lady's stand

The Guys going back out after dinner
on our 1st night...Jared won $19
Gambling!
(...but he lost it the next night)

The girls on the 1st formal night...no gambling for us!

St. Maarten

Our 2nd island visit ~ was the Dutch side of St. Maarten

Audra collected shells off the beautiful white sand beach

We enjoyed the views & relaxed here at this beach side bar...

We never went over to the French side of the island.

Next stop was Antigua where The girls shopped & watched people from under umbrellas in a port area bar; while The guys caught a cab to the other side of the island & visited a bustling historic harbor.

Then onto St. Lucia where it was dark rainy & WET,
so we took a tour by cab...

Up the twisting narrow roads to the top of the hill,
we looked back down on the port area & our ship

We saw these guys getting ready for their Christmas dinner...
no, I'm NOT kidding, he wasn't Just Out Walking This Pig!

We visited the pretty bay where the original Dr. Doolittle movie was filmed

and drove through banana plantations
(St. Lucia's #1 export item)

Jared & Audra got fresh banana shakes on this sticky humid day!

EVERY Night we enjoyed an Enormous,
FUN, Dining Experience on board the ship.

Marcos, our waiter

Pavel, our asst. waiter

Arnold, our sommelier

& the lovely, Memeesha, our adoptee

These members of the ship's crew
became 'our family' for 8 wonderful nights!

Next stop ~ The Spice Islands,
& our furthest destination

The beautiful land locked capital of Grenada
is frequently likened to Portofino, Italy

Nutmeg so fresh it is still encased in Mace!
(Louis says it looks like Darth Maal from Star Wars)

Interesting, Fresh Produce Markets in this bustling city!

We took a LONG trudge UP the mountainous City Streets
& viewed the landscape around, with it's rich volcanic soil.

A panorama of St. George, Grenada from the dock
(we mailed ourselves a postcard from here)

The truest picture I have of the color 'Caribbean Blue'
So Pretty!
(I'm not really sure this photo does it justice though)

Barbados

the day started out sunny & hot

eating Flying Fish Sandwiches

and Conch

Unlike this person strolling along so casually...
We had to make a run for it...

as our day ended in a DOWNPOUR!

A Final Day At Sea ~

Christmas Day we spent sailing up the Caribbean.

No presents under the tree or stockings hanging by a chimney,
but we still had a little gift exchange

And another lovely family Dinner for our last night on the ship.

Then we made it back to

where we had started,

~ in Puerto Rico ~

We had brunch where the locals go on Sundays

in Old Town San Juan.

We walked on the amazing 16th century old blue cobblestone streets

Visited the Fort & Old City Walls

We enjoyed seeing the architecture
& interesting balconies of the old neighborhoods
until our feet just couldn't take anymore!

Happy Travelers...Flying Home

2010-12-16T10:04:00.000-08:00

My Big Birthday Boy!


powering up this morning for another day of finals

...but for lunch he's getting SUSHI...

We LOVE our Mother-Son Sushi Dates!

Grandma Carole came to sushi too

Then it was out again to dinner with Dad & Audra for PIES! (Chicken Pot & Apple a la Mode)

Finally, we're home for presents (& hitting the books for his last exam)

I think that expression is true...
The way to a man's heart is through his stomach!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUDDY

2010-12-16T09:53:00.000-08:00

St. Anthony's Christmas Musical

She got the leading female role

As 'the teacher'

And performed it beautifully!

Great Job, Audra!

2010-12-14T16:34:00.000-08:00

Oh What a Day!

Crafting with the Wilson Girls all Day....Such a Joy!

Helping Audra get ready for her Jr. Ball


And finally, Monday night's SNO (sister's night out) but this time, we had a little 18th Bday dinner for Jared too!

2010-12-10T09:08:00.000-08:00

December's Cookie & Gift Exchange Party

This year's DARLING, handmade invitation...created by Nola!

Gathering ingredients for my recipe experimenting to begin...

...and after 4 days of baking, I am finally happy with the results.

My packaged Salted Caramel Drizzle Pecan Bars ready for exchanging!

My recipes to swap & cookies for all the Good Things Girls to taste.

My gift exchange present.

My sweet treats to give to each Good Thing Girl.

All the LOOT I had to haul to the party...

All the gift exchange presents we had to 'fight' over...

Our evening's Hostess with the Mostess...Nola-mom!

All the LOOT I got to haul back home...

What I exchanged my packages for...

& all the cookies that were inside.

Good Times at Good Things, yet again...

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-05T08:56:00.000-08:00

Dance-Dance-Dance

December Cotillions...The TANGO!!!


Senior Year Winter Formal


Jared & his date, Lorena

2010-12-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

~ Audra's Drama Class Field Trip ~

a drive to San Francisco,

a ride on Bart,

a little shopping,

& then to the Orpheum Theater to see

SHREK The Musical

on opening day!

A Great show & a Wonderful Day!!

2010-11-29T08:21:00.000-08:00

Jared's Last High School Water Polo Banquet

The Varsity Team

...receiving their Letterman's Certificates

Jared is awarded the TEAM MVP!

Team Captains: Nick Sampson & Jared Linney with

Varsity Coach Darl Alexander & JV Coach Damien Capalare

These 2 fantastic coaches have given Jared 4 very special years of High School Athletics!

All the SJM Water Polo Players & Coaches

Coach also announced the CIF All-League Award Winners...

Jared was not only selected for Div 2's 1st Team,

but he was also named as a CIF Playoff's MVP

...Way to Go, Son-shine!!!

Cherishing the JOY of this SPECIAL Night!

2010-11-27T07:56:00.000-08:00

Thankful

Ready....set....

EAT!!!

A Grateful Happy Gathering ~

2010-11-20T10:14:00.000-08:00

Mid-Month Merriment

It's our BIRTHDAY...I love sharing my birthday with my sweetie!

Tuna Tower...PRETTY dinner!


Audra's Demo Team ~ 80's Theme!!!	Little Side Note: when I was a teen, our dance costumes were the 50's, which was my parent's teenage years! Seeing a pattern here???

Love it when I find my 2 kids being BUDDIES together like this...whether it's reading side by side or using their laptops together...I <3 it!

2010-11-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

~ Our Miss Morgan ~

She is a FANTASTIC Performer

& WOW, can she TUMBLE!

Audra & I were really thrilled and proud to watch her competition!

2010-11-17T11:50:00.000-08:00

YEAH!

The final touches are being seen to our home repair ordeal 

for the water damage incurred last December 

when we found a 'swimming pool' under our home.

New travertine floors & counters were installed...

but we've been waiting for the glass wall to arrive...

and today that was installed...

Once the caulking dries...we'll be good to go!

2010-11-16T10:54:00.000-08:00

Jared had one of his best games EVER,

in his team's 1st round of Post-Season Playoffs

~ He was the leading scorer for SJM ~

~ He had quite a group of girls cheering him on ~

~ & he was highlighted in the next day's newspaper ~

It was tied at the end of EVERY quarter,

(even after the 1st period of overtime)

...SUCH A NAIL BITER

But in the end, MEMORIAL WON!!!

So they've made it into the Semi-finals Round

in the CIF Championship

GO PANTHERS!!!

2010-11-05T04:22:00.000-07:00

What a Wonderful way to end 4 years of SJM Water Polo Leagues....

The Senior's moms ready to celebrate our boys!

Varsity Water Polo Seniors!

Jared's Last League Game Night of High School

Jared being introduced to the game spectators ~

Yeah for all our Senior Boys!

Now all that's left are the post season playoffs...GO PANTHERS!!!

...such a fun night!

2010-10-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

Not much happening outside of Jared's WATER POLO

& Audra's DEMO TEAM, except SCHOOL!

...but hey, that's pretty FUN too.


Jared made tiny teapot sugar cookies to take to his Literature class Party!									...a nice finish to Pride and Prejudice!

Super Hero Dress day for Audra!


Crazy Dress day for Jared	...was school like this when I was a kid?

2010-10-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Okay....here goes....

I've been helping my kids get from place to place & taking photos of their activities

but I've managed to come down with a nasty head cold

that has put be behind on doing anything with said photos, until today.

Elena has asked what's up?

...so I guess I'd better do a little catching up.

All this happened in September,

even though I'm posting it here in October.

Oh well, better late than never?

Dress up Day #1 from the Bible: Adam (with serpent) & Eve (pink wig)

One of Jared's Senior Year Activities ~

Getting to DRESS UP 'his freshman' for Freshman Welcome Week!

He has been looking forward to this for 3 years,

ever since he was the young'un getting decorated by 'his senior'.

Dress up Day #2 Cartoon Charaters: Sylvester & Tweetie

Dress up Day #3 Safari Day ( lion & snake....they both had tails, but the photo doesn't show it)

Dress up Day #4 Red & Blue Day

Audra's Dance Demo Team performed at her school's carnival

where she danced the East Coast Swing & The Cumbia (a native folklorico partner dance).

She really did a wonderful job & her ballroom dancing was fun to watch!

Can you tell I enjoyed taking her picture? Surprise, Surprise.

A couple of weekend's ago we went to Anaheim for one of Jared's water polo tournaments
...it was a Great Excuse to visit with my Aunty Lynn & Cousin Kerri!

Collin, Gary, his folks: Bob & Fran, & my Uncle Richard!

They all came to watch Jared Play! (He felt SO joyful about that!)

...then we spent the last night of the weekend at Kerri & Gary's House

with all the nearby family joining in too!

COUSINS! (2nd or Once Removed...I can never remember which it is?!?)

Such Blessings!

SJM took 2nd (on a penatly shot in sudden death OT)

The youngest 1st cousins...Audra (mine), Ike (my sister Jenise's) & Morgan (my sister Erin's)

Me & My Family!

The very next weekend was more water polo out of town...

and this time my closest blood relatives all gathered to watch Jared play his game

(for which more happiness insued)

and then we had a little dinner gathering for my dad.

Celebrating my DAD'S 70th Birthday!

and my final item:

Today is my 24th Wedding Anniversary,

for which I am Truly Thankful....

To my sweetheart, Louis for tolerating me throughout these many years

& I remain ever hopeful that he can indure the 'until death do us part' part.
XOXOXO

2010-09-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

It has taken the whole summer,

but the END of the repairs is in site....

Corner rounds were installed & painted

once the floors were able to be walked on.

It's so nice to have them looking finished.

The new mantel arrived & was installed last week

Then stained & finished.

This week I've finally gotten the last of the boxes unpacked
& even hung all our stuff back on the walls.

Summer has slipped away & Fall has arrived...
but at least we are re-settled in our home.

Not done yet though...

the final phase is still to come, with the replacement

of the cracked travertine flooring in our master bathroom.

(the up-side is, that's confined to the back corner of the house-whew!)

2010-08-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

This was the 1st Weekend of the Season

in Jared's Last Year of High School Water Polo

He scored the 1st goal of the day for his team

...and won every one of his sprints though out the day too

He's one FAST kid...

& his team won 3 for 3 ~ Yippee!

& I just love taking photos of my little guy

getting to play his favorite sport!

2010-08-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

Jared is happy to be driving himself this year.

There he goes, off to his 1st day as a SENIOR!

And speaking of 1sts...

Yesterday Audra started Junior High!

House saga part 4 or 5, or is it....6?

2010-08-12T22:01:00.000-07:00

I've lost count....

but we're onto the hard wood floors now!

So the refrigerator now resides in the sun room

....see it back there behind the rest of the mess?

The rest of the house is packed into this POD on our driveway

(oh, but whatever didn't fit in here in the garage)

Flooring was ripped up, where it was not good to refinish...

and replaced with new wood....Yeah!

and places where the finish was worn & ugly like this....

were sanded & made to look nice again.

old finish is off....

new finish going on...

SO MUCH NICER NOW!

But even though we had a week in a hotel

while the dust & fumes invaded the house...

we still aren't moved back in!

(actually, WE ARE...but our furniture is NOT)

Next up...

corner rounds & touch up paint on the floor trim

& then a new mantel installation

August Adventures

2010-08-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

Louis took the kids on a little road trip.

ATV-ing in the sand...

Seaside treats at the shore...

and as if that's not enough...

a bit of flying in the sky!

(I stayed home with the dog.)

Audra's New Style for Jr. High

2010-08-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

Longish layer & side bangs

Been thinking....

2010-08-12T17:17:00.000-07:00

...about adding another car to our family...

...decided on a TOY instead!!!

Summer is Great for a Harry Potter Event

2010-07-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

Cousin Alex (aka: Hermoine)

decided to throw a

Harry Potter Movie Marathon Party!

Greetings at Platform 9 3/4 to board

The Hogwart Express

Jared (aka: The Dementor) looms over the Party Treats

Audra (aka: Professor Trelawny)

zaps me with her wand

as I take her picture

in the Hall of Flying Keys!

Breakfast was Basillisks & Rock Cakes (scones)

Lunch included some Sirius Black Spaghetti & Dragon Eggs

Dinner was Potter Pizza & Butter Beer with Cauldron Cakes for dessert.

Morgan (aka: moaning Mertle) & Audra

grabbed the Nimbus 2000 & Firebolt

during the scenes where Quiddich was being played!

Audra says spending 15+ hours watching HP

in the company of her cousins & brother,

(minus a little time out for horseback riding lessons,

but culminating with a 'sleepover')

was the best time she's had all summer!

More on THE HOUSE mess...

2010-07-17T07:56:00.000-07:00

Jared's room...kinda hard to find a place to sleep...

The Sun room....a tight little pass through place these days...

The dining room...where NO dining is happening...

The Living room, where everything is pushed into the center...

but we can still sit on the couch & watch a movie,

(now that the plastic & tarps aren't covering it all up!)

The walls & doors are now repaired & painted! YIPPEE!!

SO...next week, it's onto

fixing the hard wood floors~

Just HORSEing around....

2010-07-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

I've had some fabric waiting to be sewn up

for quite some time now...

(I think it's been 4 or 5 years)

....yesterday I finally did something with it!

This 'pony fur' is now a FUN

blanket for my horse-loving daughter...

...& since I had my machine set up...

I used a fabric sample from my old 'sales rep days'

& scraps from previous projects

to piece together a little decorative pillow too!

...I wish I'd SEW more often...

2 terrific weeks...

2010-07-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

of my online card making class has finally come to an end.

My Happy Thoughts & Treats

include having a nice little Handmade

Card Stash now!