A dozen years!!

It's been a busy day, full of exciting happenings - among them:  Eve turned 12!!  A Young Woman!!

Here's to the best year ever!!

Oh, happy day!!

What a happy day it was 6 years ago!!

 

So much has changed, but much has just gotten better.

 

Robbie is in Colombia and Hannah and Rhoda are here in Monrovia, so we are celebrating by going to the temple!!

 

And Hannah and I went to lunch at Hook, our new fave hamburger joint.

 

The family is considerably larger than it was 6 years ago.

 

Here's to many more happy anniversaries to celebrate!!

Happy Father's Day!

I have observed that a party that is big and noisy and fun usually precludes me getting any stellar photos.  I'm too busy visiting or replenishing stocks or telling grandkids what they can or cannot play with.  Yesterday was no exception.  It started out being Dad, Hannah, Rhoda, me, Mom, Donna, Charlie, and Harry, Dawn and family.  Then we added Diane and Keena, who were visiting.  And then I decided to invite Bonny - who was, hooray, able to come!!  (Sometimes their very busy schedule keeps them away.  Those Bolander beauties are in demand everywhere!!)  Then Phoebe and David and family - who had arrived Saturday night, and who had told us they couldn't be there for the BBQ on Sunday - were able to come.  And Bill showed up.  So it was a big group.

And it is true, the more the merrier!  We were a merry group indeed.

 

 

When I looked over and saw Bill and Charlie, I immediately thought of Michael Caine and Robert Duval in "Second Hand Lions."  Turns out Charlie loves it too - it's a fave of mine.

 

The bikes have been living at our house, so Bruce pumped some air in the tires and we had a little tandem action on Primrose - which can be a workout!!

 

 The girls, big and small, old and young, were in love with the babies - and we had two of them to spoil!

 

Initially there had been concern that I hadn't thought of enough food - so Harry went home and brought some of his cache of corn and grilled it - yum!!  (And we had plenty of food - including burgers with grilled onions, potato salad, nachos, chips, fruit, root beer floats, root beer float cupcakes, and chocolate chip cookies - no one went hungry!)

Sully fell asleep on the way - but woke up in time to enjoy the fun.

 

We ate outside and got the cushions out for the chairs, so we were even comfortable!!  And the flies stayed away!!  Can't ask for much more!

 

Biker Bruce certainly takes good care of us!

 

It took awhile for things to wind down - folks left in stages - last one out was around 9 - so good to kick off summer with people you love!!

Watch for more cookouts on the horizon - and join us if you're in town!

Happy Birthday to me!!

Every year I have a lovely birthday - thanks to family and friends who make it a point to help me celebrate in fine style.  And there are always grandchildren willing to help blow out all those candles.

 

Isla found those old baby doll bassinets I used to crochet - back in the day - and decided one of them made a perfect chapeau for Deacon!!  There was a lot of laughter over it too!  It's been awhile - no one but me knew what it really was!

 

Once again a plethora of good friends sent me cards - don't you love a mantle full of cards??

Here's to a great new year ahead!!

And they're off!

Monrovia established a race, "Fountain to the Falls," three years ago.  The first year we didn't know about it, last year there was a conflict, so Harry was excited to be able to participate this year.  It's a little over 7 miles, and it starts at the library fountain and goes to the "falls" in Monrovia Canyon.  (For the uninitiated, "the falls" are often no more than a trickle, it all depends on rainfall.  There has not been a lot of rainfall of late, so the "falls" are probably a trickle today.)

 

There were over 300 entrants this year - Harry was pretty close to the front of the pack when I took this photo.  I will post his results - I should note that the race is up to the falls and then back to the fountain - that's how you get 7 miles!

Monrovia could get on the map with this one!!

Saying Good-bye to Marjorie!

The service for Marjorie today was really lovely.  There was a nice display in the foyer - Brooke and Dawn did their magic!!

 

This floral arrangement was from Maria - of course!!

 

The picture in the chapel is the same one as on the program - Mom, Donna, and I sent the lovely pink bouquet that sat next to it.

 

Dawn's nephew's wife did the programs - they were beautiful.

 

Dawn commented that she lucked out with Easter outfits already there for the kids to look their best!!

Dad was able to be there - he's got a crazy schedule, so it was  nice it worked out.

 

My mom, Donna, and Mary came too.

 

Noah with Deacon and Bonny with Annika!!

Porter surveying the wonderful food!  It was a soups and salads and rolls - a veritable feast.  Since the interment will be in Texas, it was nice to be able to invite everyone to stay!!

 

Bill came too.

 

Harry and Dawn and Bishop Ogilvie spoke - did a great job too.  That is Dawn's brother Joe behind Harry.

 

Sue Cornwall on the organ - always there with a smile.

 

Isla having a conversation with the bishop!

We will really miss Marjorie!!

Another run up the Stairway of the Stars!!

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Tonight,  the band performances in the 65th annual Stairway of the Stars show for Malibu/Santa Monica Unified School District were held.  Esme was in the middle school band - here she is in line, getting ready to go onstage.  The bands were all great - guest conductors, soloists, a beautiful venue.  Way to go Esme!!

Ara was in the high school Jazz Band - she had a flute solo for part of one number - and did a great job.   All the numbers were well-done - these musicians are so talented and enthusiastic.  And the numbers they chose to perform were moving and innovative.

This music program is so impressive!  The school district is committed to keeping music - and all its benefits and beauty - part of the educational program.

It's inspiring!  So glad we were there!!