Sunday, September 6, 2009
Bristol is 8 months and Loves Puppies!
Really is there anything cuter than this? Don't think any thing I can say here says it better than looking!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Summer is Gone!
Well, here it is September and I have not posted since June! It is not that I have had nothing to say but more like I have had too much to do. I will try and catch you up. That is if you are interested. If not I have a couple of pic's to post just look and enjoy.
June was a busy month. After returning from Our Alaskan Adventure Ashlee, Jake and the kids came for a week to visit and Brooke came home too! It was a great time to be together as a family. Nathan and I had our 32nd Anniversary! Can't believe we are getting this old and we have 7 grandchildren! After Nathan was gone to Northern California for a week at the end of the month on a business trip, we then prepared for the Fourth of July!
July kept us moving! Fourth of July at Canyon Lake with Blair, Shanna, Mackenzie, Garrett, Travis Katie, Bristol, Ted and Terry Pierce and Donna Pierce. It was Blair's 30th birthday and it was a Blast! (literally!) My birthday towards the end of the month and Blair and Shanna went to Utah to visit with Ashlee, Jake, Brooke and the kids. During this time in Utah the family all shared in a tragic event and it was a difficult time. Without going into a long story here, a little girl fell into the Provo River and was drowned. Blair saw her, jumped in and tried to save her but was unable to do so. No one other than our family saw what he did and knows of his efforts but we are proud of him and we know that our Heavenly Father is too. Nathan's mom celebrated her 86th birthday also. At the end of the month Nathan began to have a great deal of pain in his upper back, shoulder and left arm. It was a very difficult and trying 4 weeks as we tried to determine what was wrong. After may doctors, tests, X-Ray, MRI, physical therapists, massage therapists and chiropractor visits as of now we have the pain under control and have a better understanding of what is going on. No surgery for the time being. On the 30th I delivered our Coton, Vanilla's 3rd litter. All went well with that and you can follow my "Dog Blog" for the Doggie News around here! www.lacoquettecotons.blogspot.com
August? Are you kidding? Where did it go? Another litter or so called one on the 11th of August. After a long night of Labor our "London" due with her first litter of 2 had not delivered a thing. So, in for an emergency C-section. Only one puppy survived. We had Katie and Jake's Birthday's this month and had Dave and Karren Nemrow visit. Then a former Elder who served in our ward came and stayed at our house with his brother for a week. It was great to see Nathan Gonzales and meet his brother Kirk! I was also in a small accident with the Bishop and his family on the freeway while trying to get up to Girl's Camp. Unfortunately, we did not make it to camp and I missed out on a great evening!
During all this time, of course, I have not mentioned all that we had going on with the Young Men and Young Women in the Ward. With Nathan working ever so diligently as Young Men's President and me as 1st Councilor in Young Women's we seem to be running from Sunday to Sunday!
I know that I have missed a lot in this quick overview but you get the idea. Life is good here In Chino Hills. We are ever so blessed as a family during these difficult times. We are grateful for all that we have and we are. There is nothing better in life than your wonderful children and their wonderful spouses! That is except that Fabulous Grandchildren top the pile!!!
Here are some pic's of Nathan, Blair, Mackenzie and Garrett enjoying a break from the heat in the pool. Also, I think Travis is the cutest Dad ever with his darling daughter Bristol! I will try to do better at keeping up to date!
Monday, June 8, 2009
An Alaskan Adventure!
Here we are! Nathan and I decided that we needed a getaway. So when a great deal came on a cruise to Alaska we jumped on it. Day one we flew to Anchorage and stayed at "The Captain Cook" hotel. We walked around downtown Anchorage and went to their outdoor market. While there we ate some fresh fish and chips and had a really wonderful roasted ear of corn! Yummy! We ate dinner ate a place overlooking Cook Inlet and were fascinated by the history of Captain James Cook so we bought a book on his life and I now had some reading material for the trip!
Day 2 we take a train ride from Anchorage to Whittier to get on the cruise ship. It was a beautiful ride and we learned about the mud flats! Then we arrived in Whittier and walked around this large (not) city. It took all of 10 minutes but it is beautiful. We boarded the ship and headed to College Fjords.
Day 3 we cruise College Fjords and see our first Glacier. The colors are amazing! I don't think pictures do it justice! The weather is lovely and we are relaxing!
Day 4 we cruise Glacier Bay National Park and see some awesome Glaciers. We see them calve and hear the sounds of the cracking ice. It is amazing since we can get no closer than 1/4 mile and you can hear it so clearly!
Day 5 we are in a town called Skagway. It is a darling old mining town with the sidewalks made of wood. We take an excursion to Haines and visit an eagle preserve and look for wildlife. We don't see any!!!! Oh well! it was a beautiful day in a beautiful place and we sure did enjoy the scenery!
Day 6 is Juneau, Alaska. The capitol city. It is raining a lot but we have fun! We take a bus tour of town and go out to Mendenhall Glacier! We were here 23 years ago and the glacier has receded a lot!
Day 7 is Ketchican, Alaska. A beautiful town where the salmon run on this beautiful river. It is a bit early in the season so we don't see any salmon but we take beautiful pictures, enjoy the town the weather and eat fresh fish!
Day 8 we are cruising towards Vancouver, British Columbia and the weather is gorgeous! We lay out by the pool and I get a bit of a sunburn. Can you believe it! In Alaska! We have had a wonderful time and can't believe how fast the time has gone.
Day 9 we arrive in Vancouver, head to the airport and before you know it we are home! I finish the book on Captain Cook on the flight home and have learned a lot but the most important lesson in the book reinforces that power corrupts!!!!!! Wow!!!!Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Farewell to a Special Man, My Dad
It has been a difficult couple of weeks since having such a good time with my grand kids. On our way home from Utah and staying with the grand kids my sister Jenny called and said that my Dad who has been suffering with cancer had suddenly taken a turn for the worse.
We were able to stop and see him on our way home and I feel very lucky to have had that opportunity. Although he was now in bed and beginning to have great pain, he looked and sounded good and just like my dad had always been. Nathan and I left there confident that we would be able to see him again and that his time to go was still a ways off.
During the next few days things progressed a little more quickly but I still felt like I could get there to see him again. Each of my siblings were able to come and visit with him during this week and I spoke with him on the phone on Thursday, May 14th. We had a good conversation and spoke of some fun times. I think my Dad was so very happy to be able to see and visit with each one of his children personally here at this time.
On Sunday, May 17th I was called again and told he was really going down fast. By early evening I was told he would not make it through the night and he was now non responsive. I made plans to leave immediatly by plane but no more flights out could be caught by then. I made plans to leave at 4 AM and drive to Las Vegas, meet my sister and drive in early on Monday morning. At 11:20 PM California Sunday May 17th (he had passed at 12:05 AM Monday May 18th, Utah time) I received the call that he was gone. He passed easily and quickly. That was a true blessing.
I left at 4 AM and traveled to Utah and met with almost all my siblings and Mom and made the preparations for the funeral. It was a wonderful day to be together and share memories and bond together as a family. Home again the next day and then out for the funeral on Friday.
The funeral although really hard was beautiful. It was uplifting and happy as we, each child shared happy memories and reminisced together of the great example he was in our lives. Our Heavenly Father has a special spirit home with him now to work and serve in any capacity that he is needed. He has given much and will give so much more as he awaits each of us to return again home and join together as an eternal family.
Dad, we love you, appreciate you, are proud of you, have gained much from you, joy in your service and find strength in your example and hope to serve as well as you! We pray daily for you and know that you are close by watching out for us.
We were able to stop and see him on our way home and I feel very lucky to have had that opportunity. Although he was now in bed and beginning to have great pain, he looked and sounded good and just like my dad had always been. Nathan and I left there confident that we would be able to see him again and that his time to go was still a ways off.
During the next few days things progressed a little more quickly but I still felt like I could get there to see him again. Each of my siblings were able to come and visit with him during this week and I spoke with him on the phone on Thursday, May 14th. We had a good conversation and spoke of some fun times. I think my Dad was so very happy to be able to see and visit with each one of his children personally here at this time.
On Sunday, May 17th I was called again and told he was really going down fast. By early evening I was told he would not make it through the night and he was now non responsive. I made plans to leave immediatly by plane but no more flights out could be caught by then. I made plans to leave at 4 AM and drive to Las Vegas, meet my sister and drive in early on Monday morning. At 11:20 PM California Sunday May 17th (he had passed at 12:05 AM Monday May 18th, Utah time) I received the call that he was gone. He passed easily and quickly. That was a true blessing.
I left at 4 AM and traveled to Utah and met with almost all my siblings and Mom and made the preparations for the funeral. It was a wonderful day to be together and share memories and bond together as a family. Home again the next day and then out for the funeral on Friday.
The funeral although really hard was beautiful. It was uplifting and happy as we, each child shared happy memories and reminisced together of the great example he was in our lives. Our Heavenly Father has a special spirit home with him now to work and serve in any capacity that he is needed. He has given much and will give so much more as he awaits each of us to return again home and join together as an eternal family.
Dad, we love you, appreciate you, are proud of you, have gained much from you, joy in your service and find strength in your example and hope to serve as well as you! We pray daily for you and know that you are close by watching out for us.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
A Grandma's Dream!
Well, last week I was able to babysit Ashlee and Jake's 4 wonderful children. I was a little concerned that I was a bit old for this and wasn't ready for the time commitment and lack of sleep but what a surprise, the kids made it easy!
We arrived on Monday night and the fun began! I read my instructions and tried to do everything in the right order at the right time. But no worries! I had lots of help and instruction!
Day one was my biggest challenge! After getting the kids going and breakfast done it was time to do Karlee and Rylee's hair and get them out to the bus. All this went well and I felt good. Audree has dance class on this day so we dressed her and got her hair done and got Spencer done too! At 10:35 I got Audree and Spencer into their car seats, check the map Ashlee had left me (I had no idea where I was going) and took off. Well Audree decided to tell me I was going in the wrong direction! Well after a few wrong turns and little bit of being lost we made it to class. Well during class I needed to go and pick up Rylee from Kindergarten as the bus takes her home too early for me to meet her during Audree's class. So, being a very organized Grandma, I take off 20 minutes early to find the school and be in place at the bus area to pick her up. Spencer and I get out of the car and stand in the bus loading zone for 20 minutes and no one comes out. I am concerned and as I am thinking that maybe there is another place to pick her up I see a bus leaving another area of the school. Oh dear! Spencer and I start to run but it is too late, I find her class and teacher and they sent her home on the bus! Well now I am in trouble! Luckily organized Ash has left me phone numbers to the neighbors house so I call her and she says she will meet Rylee and keep her until I get back. So off to pick up Audree I go! I get her, get home and get Rylee. Whew! Disaster averted!
I decide McDonald is our kind of place and head off for lunch and fun at the McDonald's play place. All goes well and we have a great time. Nap time, playtime and Dinner and bed time are great! They really are the perfect kids!
Day 2 seems easy now. All goes well and Karlee has Cheer leading/Gymnastics but Ashlee has rides provided and all goes well. Another perfect day in Springville, UT.
Day 3 is good and I am feeling really competent as a Grandma/Sitter. The kids are eating everything I make and they love playing with the dogs and they are so well behaved I can hardly believe it! Today is Rylee's Karate Class. She is so darn cute I can hardly stand it! Her focus is amazing! She really wants to be good at this! Tonight I make Breakfast for Dinner and the kids go crazy! They eat everything in site! I am getting the Disneybook for Spencer down now and I have the Piggy Book almost memorized. The kids seem impressed with my story telling and I have great volunteers for prayer.
Day 4 is our last real day with the kids. It is Jog-a-thon fund raiser day and I am going to the school to watch Karlee and Rylee at different time run for the fundraiser. Well, my last day and I get lost again. I am late to Rylee's run but am able to cheer her on for most of it. We go home for lunch and then back again for Karlee's turn. Audree and Spencer are happy to be out running around and the weather is great! All goes well and Karlee has piano lessons. I don't get to see this but she has been practicing each day and is doing well.
I am so proud of these guys! Spencer was an amazing 2 year old. So happy and loving all of the time. He ate well. Slept well and seemed to just love life! His only real concern was when it was time to sleep, he wanted his train, car and remote to go to bed with him. He would put his remote control and car under his pillow and his train next to him in bed. Then he would close his eyes and go to sleep! Amazing!
On Saturday morning Nathan and I packed up and left. Brooke was now in charge for the next two days. I was sad to leave but so look forward to a visit from them all here in Sunny CA next month!
We arrived on Monday night and the fun began! I read my instructions and tried to do everything in the right order at the right time. But no worries! I had lots of help and instruction!
Day one was my biggest challenge! After getting the kids going and breakfast done it was time to do Karlee and Rylee's hair and get them out to the bus. All this went well and I felt good. Audree has dance class on this day so we dressed her and got her hair done and got Spencer done too! At 10:35 I got Audree and Spencer into their car seats, check the map Ashlee had left me (I had no idea where I was going) and took off. Well Audree decided to tell me I was going in the wrong direction! Well after a few wrong turns and little bit of being lost we made it to class. Well during class I needed to go and pick up Rylee from Kindergarten as the bus takes her home too early for me to meet her during Audree's class. So, being a very organized Grandma, I take off 20 minutes early to find the school and be in place at the bus area to pick her up. Spencer and I get out of the car and stand in the bus loading zone for 20 minutes and no one comes out. I am concerned and as I am thinking that maybe there is another place to pick her up I see a bus leaving another area of the school. Oh dear! Spencer and I start to run but it is too late, I find her class and teacher and they sent her home on the bus! Well now I am in trouble! Luckily organized Ash has left me phone numbers to the neighbors house so I call her and she says she will meet Rylee and keep her until I get back. So off to pick up Audree I go! I get her, get home and get Rylee. Whew! Disaster averted!
I decide McDonald is our kind of place and head off for lunch and fun at the McDonald's play place. All goes well and we have a great time. Nap time, playtime and Dinner and bed time are great! They really are the perfect kids!
Day 2 seems easy now. All goes well and Karlee has Cheer leading/Gymnastics but Ashlee has rides provided and all goes well. Another perfect day in Springville, UT.
Day 3 is good and I am feeling really competent as a Grandma/Sitter. The kids are eating everything I make and they love playing with the dogs and they are so well behaved I can hardly believe it! Today is Rylee's Karate Class. She is so darn cute I can hardly stand it! Her focus is amazing! She really wants to be good at this! Tonight I make Breakfast for Dinner and the kids go crazy! They eat everything in site! I am getting the Disneybook for Spencer down now and I have the Piggy Book almost memorized. The kids seem impressed with my story telling and I have great volunteers for prayer.
Day 4 is our last real day with the kids. It is Jog-a-thon fund raiser day and I am going to the school to watch Karlee and Rylee at different time run for the fundraiser. Well, my last day and I get lost again. I am late to Rylee's run but am able to cheer her on for most of it. We go home for lunch and then back again for Karlee's turn. Audree and Spencer are happy to be out running around and the weather is great! All goes well and Karlee has piano lessons. I don't get to see this but she has been practicing each day and is doing well.
I am so proud of these guys! Spencer was an amazing 2 year old. So happy and loving all of the time. He ate well. Slept well and seemed to just love life! His only real concern was when it was time to sleep, he wanted his train, car and remote to go to bed with him. He would put his remote control and car under his pillow and his train next to him in bed. Then he would close his eyes and go to sleep! Amazing!
On Saturday morning Nathan and I packed up and left. Brooke was now in charge for the next two days. I was sad to leave but so look forward to a visit from them all here in Sunny CA next month!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
APRIL 15, 2009 TEA PARTY DAY!
Today was a day where we collectively and as individuals could take a stand. Nathan and I have been so concerned and so upset at the direction that this country is moving in. There were TEA PARTY"S going on all over the country. This one in Chino Hills was small but there was supported but most of the drivers going by. Although the Main Stream Media chooses to not acknowlege what the people are saying and trys to call those involved with this movement out of touch, terrorists and radicals, we know better. We enjoy watching Glenn Beck and appreciate how well he expresses how we feel. It was good to see so many people involved in this movement and the support it has.
The main stream media and Hollywood Scene and the politicians on both sides are so out of control. They do not cover the truth or accept another opinion. We are so tired of the viewpoint that you just deserve something with out working for it.
Today a good friend, Diane Rinella sent me an email with a quote that sums up exactly how we feel and I know there are many who understand and agree with us too. I will quote it here for all to read.
Please enjoy the photos and take a Stand for your Country! You are just one voice but one voice that can be heard! You can make a choice to be a witness for our posterity!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
A Celebration for my Dad!
Here is my family in 1973. My Parents and their 6 children. I am the oldest of the 6, 5 Girls and 1 lonely Brother. This is our Family Portrait and below are my parents when my Mom was 35 and my Dad was 42. 
This last week we had a surprise celebration for my Dad. The City of Sierra Madre honored him and gave him a plaque. It was a very special moment and I was glad to be able to be there. It was fun and we all had a great time. The city newspaper came and took photos and put an article in the paper about it and the service that my Dad had given the City.
Of course Nathan made a few jokes with the reporter/photographer and so you can see the reporter giving it to Nathan in the photos!!! I think he looks good as Paris Hilton, don't you?
Here are some photos of the rest of those who came and participated. Many thanks to all who made it a special event!
Here is a Link to the Newspaper article. You can view the photos larger and read the article.
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