April Happenings!

Anthony is on a school trip in Washington DC and New York. So far his phone calls home and text messages have let us know that he's having a great time. Anthony loves history, he's always watching the Discovery Channel. When I talked to him last night he was like an encyclopedia giving me all the information on everything they'd seen. Today he text Erika that they'd seen Obama through a window as he passed by in his car. I may not like Obama but that's really cool.

The morning Anthony left: (which btw was 1:45am)
April 4 was Erika's birthday. We went to dinner on the 2nd so Anthony could be there before leaving on his trip.
Erika was happy to be with family:
Erika was happier with her gifts from Anthony & Launa. Launa picked out a bag with sandals on it because Erika wears sandals even in cold weather. Anthony made Erika a container in woodshop for placing things inside. He did a really great job making it.

And, of course, Easter. This year Easter and Erika's actual birthday fell on the same day. We've always had the family here for Easter but this year our nephew, Ron, wanted to host Easter in his new house in Simi Valley. It was so different for me to just show up with a dish and not be in charge. Very relaxing and nice. (Just wish Glenn hadn't had to work) Ron and his girlfriend Susan did a wonderful job.

Every year Aunt Vicki gives the kids BIG Easter boxes full of candy and toys. Actually more toys/books etc than candy. The kids have a blast opening them. They spent the rest of the day playing with everything.

Ron has a huge backyard. The kids had 2 Easter egg hunts. Viviana, Launa and Ben Jr.

The kids played lots of games. One of them was basketball.

Greatma and BJ concentrating on finding fossils.

Grandma and Karina

Launa decorated Erika's birthday cake

Erika getting ready to blow out the candles. Viviana is ready to help
Ron & Susan....our hosts:

The Evil Welcome Mat

A month ago I bought a new welcome mat for our front door. The rest of the family immediately started complaining about it. "It's too thick." "We keep tripping on it." etc etc I told them to stop complaining because it's a pretty mat and, "Just watch what you're doing. What's so hard about stepping on a mat when you come in and out of a door?" (do you see where this is headed?)

Isn't this a pretty mat?

Does this look too thick to you?

On Monday I made dinner for Erika and family since she just had Karina. (refer to previous post about my new beautiful granddaughter) I had the rolls, corn and my purse in my hands as I headed out the door. Now....you know that door mats don't always stay in the exact position that you place them, right? This one had moved over a bit. As I stepped outside my left foot caught the side of this TALL, overly THICK mat and my ankle twisted. The next thing I knew I was flat on the porch. Oops! I tried to stand up but my left foot wouldn't cooperate. Luckily I had my cell phone in my back pocket.

Instead of delivering dinner to them, Erika and Michael loaded Anthony, Launa and the brand new baby in the car and rushed over. Michael carried me in the house. (so embarrassing) The bright side is that the main dish was still in the kitchen and didn't end up all over the porch. Michael & Anthony served Erika (who was still recovering from a c-section), me (who couldn't walk) and Launa because....well....she's Launa.

The foot started out with a golf ball sized lump on the left side which turned into this bruise you see in the picture.
The next day the entire foot was swollen and bruised.
This is today when the swelling has gone down a bit.
The doctor has me on crutches for a while. Launa called them 'crunches' the first day.
p.s The EVIL mat is being replaced....

Karina Marie

Our granddaughter, Karina Marie, was born on Thursday March 11 at 1:01pm. She was 6lbs 6oz and 19 inches long. She was named after me. Okay, her middle name is named after me. But that counts. She came into the world via a scheduled c-section which makes things really nice for planning.

I was all 'gowned' up to go in with daddy (Michael) to watch the c-section when I got kicked out. Yes, kicked out before I even got into the room. The doctor had said that I could go in but the anesthesiologist didn't want me in there. His reasoning was that he didn't want the chance of 2 people fainting. The doctor tried fighting for me but the anesthesiologist wouldn't budge. Even after finding out that I'd been in a c-section for my first grandchild and in autopsies which means I don't have a weak stomach. The doctor called him an "a-hole". I love this doctor.

Back to Karina. She's beautiful and as you'll tell from the pictures the whole family agrees with me. She doesn't cry much unless she's hungry or getting her diaper changed. "Leave me alone. I was comfortable even with a wet diaper and now you're making me naked and cold."

Erika & Karina came home today, Sunday. They're doing great!

Mommy & Karina bond in the hospital on the first day:

Daddy is proud of Karina:
Papa and his girls:
Great grandma "greatma" cuddles with Karina:
Grandma is very happy and proud and excited and overjoyed etc etc:
Big brother, Anthony, held Karina for long periods of time and fed her a lot:
Big sister, Launa, was scared to hold Karina until the 2nd day. She did a great job:
Uncle Greg pretends not to know how to hold little babies but we all know better:
Time to go home:
First time in her car seat. Goodbye hospital.... Hello world:

Welcome to the family Karina!
We love you!!!!

Pumpkin Patch

I got to go to the pumpkin patch today with Launa's kindergarten class. Starting out was a little difficult. Launa had never ridden on a bus before and was scared to death. She was clinging to Erika's leg crying. There was no room on the bus for parents so we were following in Erika's car. Launa's teacher, Mrs. Colborn, is the best. (btw: she was Anthony's kindergarten teacher too) She simply took Launa's hand, and told her she would sit with her, as she walked her to the bus while Erika & I walked away. I don't know what happened on the bus but now Launa wants to ride the bus home from school every day. Funny girl!

The pumpkin patch was full of kids and fun!

Launa with her class

Launa in the maze

Launa & Mommy

Launa & Grandma

Hayride

Supervisor of the Year

Glenn received the Supervisor of the Year award at Ventura PD. During the awards luncheon he also received an unexpected plaque from CNOA (California Narcotics Officers' Association). We are all so proud of Glenn and, of course, feel it's well deserved.

Glenn & Chief Miller enjoy a laugh

Glenn's loves giving speeches....Ha!

The family was there to support Glenn

Wenona, Glenn, Greg, Launa, Erika, Anthony, Shirley

P B & J

What does a 5yr old do when she thinks you're taking too long to make her lunch? She does it herself. I told Launa I'd be just another 5 minutes but she didn't want to wait. She pulled a chair from the dining room into the kitchen, got out the bread and moved the chair to the next counter. She got the peanut butter from the pantry and had her brother open it, the squeeze bottle strawberry jelly out of the refrigerator and a butter knife from the drawer. (She's used to the routine from helping me so many times) And away she went.

Glenn walked into the kitchen just as Launa was done with the peanut butter. She pushed the chair to the sink and washed the knife before spreading the jelly. Glenn teased her about cleaning the knife even though the peanut butter and jelly will mix once you put the bread together. Launa wasn't fazed. She told papa that the knife has to be clean.

Didn't she do a neat job? And she covered all the corners just like grandma taught her to do.

Father's Day in July

Since Glenn spent Father's Day watching over me in ICU he finally got his special day this past Sunday. After church the kids and grandkids came over. Erika did all the work. She cooked one of Glenn's favorite meals and his favorite chocolate chip cookies.

We sat by the pool while the grandkids and Michael had fun in the water.

Glenn opened his gifts. We ate and ate. Then we had a roaring game of bowling on wii. Can you guess who won? She requested that her 'winning' picture be taken.
Anthony likes to get in all of the pictures.
It was all great family fun!
Of course we had to get the yearly traditional pictures taken with dad/papa.
Happy Father's Day Glenn. We Love You!

Randomness

While I spent the month of June in the hospital I missed out on a couple of important events.

First, Anthony turned 13. He, along with 2 of his friends and some of the adult males in the family had a good time. Erika watched the fun and took pictures then joined in for the rest of the day.

They started out at MB2 which is an indoor electric go-cart track. After having fun racing there they headed out for pizza. Next was bowling and then to end the day was the movie "Night at the Museum 2". Anthony said it was a great day!

Anthony, Zach and Allen

Michael, Allen, Zach, Anthony and Phil

Phil, Uncle Greg and Zach

Second, Launa graduated from preschool.

Mama and Launa the day of graduation

Now that I'm on the mend it's finally starting to feel like summer. I can't get into the water yet but had fun watching Anthony & Launa.

Time spent in the front yard with Launa's new water slide.
The next day was spent in the backyard in the pool.

Launa was a little nervous going into the deeper end but she trusts her brother.