Celebrate grandkids!

Since we have another grandchild on the way soon, we have to start thinking "newborn" once again! Last week, Jim and I were "doggy-sitting" Sammy for a couple of days while M&B enjoyed a couple of days at the beach with her parents. When they came by to get the dog, we surprised them with a few things for their little one.
It is fun to think of this baby that is due on Super Bowl Sunday!

And, last weekend we were able to see this little (big!) guy again! We can't believe how fast he is growing.

He is such a happy baby and so very generous with his smiles!

He also loves his food!
Here he is, all ready for bed. (We thought those 12-month size PJ's would fit him this winter...guess again!) We are so thankful that we can see Jayden growing up. It has been such a blessing.

Rockin' & Shakin'

Well, today we survived our first earthquake since moving to SoCal! Up until this time, we've felt some slight "jolts" when the plates have shifted. But today was certainly different and could have been quite scarey. Both of us were at our places of work when the quake hit at 11:45AM. Since we both work in buildings that are close to very busy double-lane roads where many trucks travel, we both thought at first that it was just the rumble and shaking from a large semi going by. However, when the walls and the entire building began moving!...and seemed to keep on moving for a long time!...we realized that this was an earthquake! I guess that I was the calmest person in my department at work (probably because I didn't really know what was happening!) But there was no structural damage to any of our buildings and we are thankful to God for that. After hearing from all our family members that they were safe, we relaxed and started listening to and sharing stories with others. As one news commentator said this evening, "I think that people were more upset over the fact that their cell phones didn't work than over the shaking of the buildings!"

(What a strange world we live in!!!)

Jim left all the "shaken up" parts at home untouched so that I could see for myself what the trembling had done. Upstairs, all the drawers to our dresser had slid outward and one little angel figurine had toppled over. We also noticed bits of plaster dust from the ceiling on our bedspread.

Downstairs, some books and our famous monkey statues had tipped over. And that was basically the extent of our damage! But after this little warning, we are going to carefully go thru the house and be better prepared for the next one that comes our way.

I'm reminded once again of these verses in Psalm 46

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

So we will not fear when earthquakes come

and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Be still and know that I am God!

I will be honored by every nation I will be honored throughout the world."

Places to go, things to see!

Last weekend, we were privileged to have our niece Kari spend most of the weekend with us. Besides all the visiting that we enjoying doing, we also try to squeeze in something new. Recently, we have been seeking out places in our city that are relaxing and recreational, i.e parks and walking trails! Several months ago, when driving home after work, I discovered that we have a picturesque little lake right here in the center of our city. So on Friday, in the late afternoon, the three of us headed out for a relaxing walk around the lake.

The park area hosted many ducks and other birds. It reminded us of our walks around Lake Alice when we used to live in Minnesota. When I started to approach the edge of the water where these ducks were, they all came waddling toward me. I guess they thought they were going to be fed! But we obeyed the signs that said, Please do not feed the ducks... And the best part of this walk around the lake-- no mosquitoes--unlike Lake Alice!

We loved the look of this stately old tree.

After our walk around the lake, we headed for Hillcrest Park. It is a huge park with many interesting paths that take one to several different areas of the park.

The park is located on the crest of a hill that overlooks several cities surrounding us. We plan to walk in this park during the winter months so we can get some excellent pictures of the snow-capped mountains that wrap around our basin.

Sorry, the pictures are a little dark because it was twilight. The evening was so pleasant, though, and it was just nice to be outdoors and enjoy our time together.

On Saturday morning, Kari and I decided to visit the Nixon Library. This was my third visit to the Library, but I learn something new each time I go.

My other visits to this place have been during the winter months, so the flowers and plants on the grounds were not as beautiful as they are during the summer.

There was lots of see and read... (for more info see Kari's blog)

Kari observing the great folks of the past: Anwar Sadat and Golda Meier. These statues are life-sized and were made from plaster, then clothed (with real clothing) and bronze-painted. The were awesome.

Because the former president spent alot of time trying to heal US relations with China, he was given many gifts from that country. This gift of an embroidery of a cat is so fascinating. The piece of art took over a year to create and each fine, silk thread is carefully placed so that the cat is absolutely perfect from both the front view and the back. That certainly took alot of patience!

A view of Nixon's birthplace

The rose gardens were so beautiful.

a palm tree

A sundial that was the correct time!
The room that is a replica of the East room was being prepared for a wedding reception that evening. It was the first time that I'd seen this room so beautifully transformed!
A table just outside the East room that held all the place cards of the coming guests

That evening, Jim joined us for a delicious meal at one of our favorite restaurants Roscoe's Deli.
We enjoyed a lovely time together on the back veranda. Thanks Kari for a fun weekend!

Enjoying Mark's visit

The last week in June, we enjoyed having our son Mark here for a visit. It was a much needed break for him, as he had just finished the last grueling clinical of his third year of medical school. And, he also left a city and state that was ravaged by extreme flooding in the Midwest. He was anxious to leave school behind and relax with family here.

As always, part of that relaxation has to be at the beach.

the rhythm of the waves...

the beauty of a sailboat on the open seas...

hiking out to the edge of the breaker...

watching the ever-present fishermen...

strolling along the boardwalk...

watching the seagulls gather...

finding interesting new trees...

enjoying the parents...

The beach is a relaxing place to be!

And of course, the other major reason for Mark's visit was to meet this precious little guy! Both nephew and uncle were thrilled to encounter each other for the first time!

They even wore matching outfits during one of the visits!

Jayden--weighing in.

Mark enjoyed every minute with his nephew,
and also his brother...
Actually, with the whole family!

We miss you Mark, and look forward to the next visit.

Minnesota Trip #5--Moving on

After saying goodbys to our family at Rayn's lake home, we started driving towards Minneapolis. This time Jim was behind the wheel of the powerful little Hummer!

Jayden decided to catch up on the sports section. Since he had just been at the lake, of course he had to check out the lastest news on fishing.

We met Jared for supper so that he could enjoy some last minutes with his nephew.
He even shared some pretty tall tales of his own childhood, and gave his nephew some tips on pranks that little boys can play on their parents!

It was fun to see the brothers together again.
And of course, there had to be one last time of male admiration for that fabulous machine that we had been riding around in!

Big brother...little brother

One last beautiful Minnesota sunset

Then back to Great Aunt Margarethe's house to spend the night.

Jayden was sad to leave his family and friends behind, but he knew that it was time to go back home to sunny California!

Of course, Jayden's grandmother promised to come back to California also, so she could be nearby and visit often and watch him grow up! That made him happy again, and so he left the next day with his parents and flew back home.

Meanwhile, as we waited for our plane departure, we were invited to spend our last evening in Minnesota with David and Julie and little D. Actually, little D was pretty happy this time that he didn't have to share his grandmother's attentions with that little California cousin of his!

And, little D also loved all the attention that Great Uncle Jim gave to him!

That evening he also discovered where his mommy was hiding her cell phone...

and soon he was entering the electronic age and texting all his friends! (just kidding!) But he really was occupied with that phone for a long time.

Just before we left, little D convinced his parents to settle down and pose for a family picture! Then we left for the airport and flew back home to California. When we got to the airport, we were greeted by these two sons! So even though we left one son behind in Minnesota, we were happy to look forward to spending time with these wonderful guys!