California dreaming

It doesn't get any better than having a respite from the hot summer day...

by spending a Sunday afternoon at El Morro.

John & Ashley

Surf's up!!

John bodyboarding

Welcome back to the US from Seoul, Korea

There's nothing quite as sweet as seeing family after they've been overseas for more than a year, and getting to share in the welcome home when they first arrive back in the States.

Nana and I picked up Betsy and James at LAX this week and stayed up until midnight hanging on every word of their South Korea stories plus tales of their last week vacationing in Thailand. 

Newlyweds Betsy (my niece) and her husband, James, have been teaching English in Seoul since February 2010 and will be returning to Minnesota/Wisconsin after visiting family for the next week. 

                  Love you both !!

Happy Mother's Day

We had a gorgeous Mother's Day at Descanso Gardens in La Canada.  I had not been to these gardens in years and I highly recommend visiting when you have the time.  It is kid friendly and a nice place to have lunch in their cafe with acres and acres of floral blooms.  Spring is the most colorful time, but they are open year round with many varietal gardens including a kid's maze.

Four generations with the matriarch of the family

 The Rose Garden was Mom's favorite

I am blessed with a wonderful Mother

who has more love and creativity than anyone else I know.

I love you, Mom

Easter Sunday Bell Choir

We have the consumate family musician who learned yet another new instrument and played six songs in the church foyer before Easter Sunday service.  Here are three of the songs Nana played ... Enjoy

Hear the Bells Ringing

P.S. I love that dapper man in the background wearing a navy blazer during the first seconds of this next song.



Some close ups of the musician's instruments and technique.

The woman we all love and admire !