Grandma and Grandpa and the girls

Happy 40th birthday to Justin.  Justin and Kristin celebrated by skiing at Schweitzer and spending the night up at the ski area with Justin's brothers and sister!  We celebrated by hanging out with the kids!  Precious time together.  Full of joy!  

 Silly faces

Layne must have asked me 10 times when Grandpa was going to be home.  He had to work a bit but he finally made it.  He supplied the girls with headlamps for some fun in the dark.

In the AM we had plans to go to Build a Bear but first the Layne and Lucy waited for some of Grandpa's pancakes.  Little did we know that they would be rejected.  They didn't taste like their mom's.  So we made smoothies and had cereal.  For the record Mike makes whole wheat pancakes and they are yummy.

Off to Build a Bear.  Layne and Lucy told me how excited they were as we were driving to the mall to make stuffed animals.  This is Layne's bear that she named Rainbow.  It plays a birthday song.  She got to pick the song out.

The squeeze test to see if it is just the way she wants it.  More stuffing?  Nope it was just like she liked it.

 Next is Lucy

Lucy picked the girl chipmunk form the movie Chipwrecked.  Her name in the movie was Brittany but she is now Gloria!  I am not sure where Lucy got that name but so be it. Gloria sings a song from the movie.

 Lucy is standing on the pump that pumps the stuffing in the animal.

Now they are preparing the hearts to go inside their animals.  So cute.  I wish I could remember all the things the worker had them do because it was adorable.  Things like put the heart by your ear so your animal knows you will always listen.

 I think they are getting the heart warm here.

 Putting it on your nose so the animal knows you will always be there.

The cutest ever is close your eyes and make a wish for your new animal.  Look at those girls squishing their eyes up and wishing.  Ahhhh precious.

 In goes the heart!

 Now it is time to brush the dolls and pick out some clothing.

 Layne could not wait to show Grandpa her bear!

Lucy's chipmunk Gloria is in her jammies and jumping on the bed with the girls.

OK, the headlamps came out again.  This room is completely dark but the flash made it look like all the lights were on.

 No flash here and two girls hiding behind a curtain.

 With the flash on the camera.

Some relaxing time for Layne!  She is in the secret bed watching a movie.  Lucy was in and out and not doing much relaxing.

 Does she look like she is up to something????  Or about to be?

What a great time with our granddaughters.  We love them to pieces.  Justin and Kristin are great parents.  Layne and Lucy play together and listen so good.  Sweet little ones.  They are a gift from God and they brought a ton of joy to our home this weekend.  Can't wait until next time!

California Dreamin' Jan. 2012

The sisters got together for the weekend.  We got to celebrate Patti and her success on the Daniel Plan together.  We had so much fun together.  We laughed a ton!  That is such a good thing!  I love them both so much! 

Here is Patti 110 pounds lighter.  We are on our way to the one year rally for the Daniel Plan at Patti's church.  Both of my sisters have done great job losing weight.  It is hard and they both did it.  I am so proud of both of them!

Two silly ladies!  SISTERS!  Patti and DeeDee!

This is part of Saddleback Church.  With the help of some professionals the church started on the Daniel Plan for health a year ago.  This is an area of the church that is for the kids.

Walking up the steps to the rally.  This church is huge.  Even though it is huge it  is very warm and welcoming.  

Patti and Dr. Amen the brain doctor.  He is one of the doctors that got this eating plan going.  We could tell stories here couldn't we!

Pretty Patti!

This is the practice for those who were going on stage.

Patti and her friend Elizabeth.

The rally started with some praise music!

Pastor Rick Warren has lost some pounds too.

Here is Patti being introduced to the audience.  They showed her before picture on the big screen!

All the weigh loss people on stage were asked to bring one item that they wore before the program started.

Wow!  What a difference!

Billy Blanks was part of all this and helped people with their exercise program!

Dee-Dee and I got front row seats!

We got some great eating tips.  The thing I remembered the most was planning ahead!  Sunday plan your food for the week!

The rally was over and DD, Patti and I went to Patti's to watch the Saints game. As you probably know it did not have the ending we hoped for! We had fun watching together though.  Just before the game was over we had to leave for my tattoo appointment in Newport Beach!

Our family tattoo guy, Rick, had my mother's name tattooed on his arm after she died.  Lucy 25-09!  He did a butterfly tattoo for her when she was in her seventies.  He has done tattoos for Patti and her son Josh.  We tried to talk Dee-Dee into getting one and I think she almost caved but after a conversation with her granddaughter she said no! She was there for moral support though.

Here it is 1/2 done.

Ok, the story behind the tattoo. Stephen (who as you know has ALS) did a promo picture for Team Gleason.  In the picture he has the word Inspire written on his arm. Mike came home from New Orleans right before I left for CA and said Stephen believes his job now is to INSPIRE others to live their lives fully.  He does inspire that is for sure.  The eagles and the soar are for my favorite Bible verse, Isaiah 40:31. Those who hope in Lord with renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles.  When an eagle soars they use none of their own power.  When we trust God we get our power/strength from God.  A tattoo for Stephen and for me.  I think the two tie together perfectly!

Sunday the rest of the family came over for dinner.  It was so good to see everyone.  I went out and took some pictures of the view Patti has from her home.

Jessie hung out with me while I took pictures.  Jessie is my nephew's daughter.  What a cutie.

Grant is sitting on Jessie.  Nice family picture.

See Jessie's hand? Patti, Jackie, and Sarah look a bit squished too.

Josh and Sean were at Patti's too.  I can't believe I didn't get a picture of them.  I will see if Dee Dee got one and add it. Monday came and it was time to go home.  The morning started with a walk.  Patti kicked my butt.  Uphill like you can't believe.  Patti did 4 miles and I stopped at 2 because I was concerned about being so sore I wouldn't be able to walk normally.  After the killer walk I had to get my traditional California flip flops.  Always get a pair when I am there.  Dee-Dee, Patti and I headed to Jack's Surfboards via my old Newport Beach stomping grounds.  Jack's is right by where I hung out when I lived in South CA.

The beach is just at the end of this street!

I was trying to get a picture out the back window of the beach.  It was so fun playing and trying to get the picture I kept doing it.  I snapped this happy picture of my sister Dee-Dee.  She looks happy!  Love this picture! Never got the beach but this is way better.

Had to get a quick shot of where Keri and Kristin were born.  Hoag Memorial Hospital.  I think this might be the parking garage and we actually made it into the hospital for their births!

What a great weekend.  Nothing like hanging out with your sisters.  I am so blessed to have the best sisters ever.  We love each other and would be there for each other no matter what.  I can't wait to see them again! Love you DeeDee and Patti!