The Sneeze

We had a surprise retirement party for my dad today. It was great seeing all of my aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of the family. Everyone had a great time.

We were taking pictures of my grandma with all of the great grandchildren. Click on each picture to enlarge it and get the full effect. Watch my son, Caden (in the very center). You can see by his facial expression that a sneeze is coming. Poor Jordan was right in his line of fire. (Not that she even had a clue). Cassidy totally cracks up and the 22-year-old (he's the ring leader) can't stop laughing. He's a mess!

Trevin is the one hugging my grandma who never, ever cracks a smile. He's a sweetheart but you sure can't tell from the pictures.

Oh, and the reason everyone is looking in different directions is because we had two or three people snapping pictures at the same time.

Isn't Lauren's new hair style cute? She hasn't had short hair since her ninth grade year.

Happy retirement, Dad!

The End of a Long but Fun Day

Did I mention how much walking was involved? Or how crowded it was? The shows were awesome. Now I want a sea lion. I'm not so sure I could handle a killer whale but I'd sure love to pet one.

We got to the shows early enough to get good seats. The kids preferred being in the splash zone but us adults opted for higher, dryer ground. We were truly amazed as we watched the rows of seats begin to fill up, only to have a large groups of people rush in at the last minute trying to get people to let them squeeze in to a tiny space on their row. The ones who just forced their way in and plopped down made the other people extremely crowded. At first we thought it was just one group who had a lot of nerve, but we watched in disbelief as it happened over and over at each show. You should've seen the tiny spaces that people were trying to cram into. My brother and I had a small space between us because he was holding his son at the moment. One man asked me if he and his son could sit there and I told him it was taken. There were plenty of empty rows up higher. Why should we have to sit like sardines when these people come in at the last minute and want to be up close?

We had a very good time in spite of my whining. Someone was so worn out he managed to catch a few ZZZZ's at the sand pit. Boy, he sure can snore! Not that I have any room to talk.

The Entertaining Sea Lions

Having fun at Sea World

(Cassidy & Caden, my nieces Taylor and Jordan, my nephew Ethan hiding in there somewhere, my brother and sister-in-law and Les behind the camera)

Sea World - Shamu

Kids Say the Darndest Things

On the way to baseball practice and after passing the new police station, the following conversation transpired between my husband, Les, and my son, Caden.

Caden: Wow, that’s a pretty big police station.

Les: Yes, it sure is. It is nice.

Caden: I wonder how many people are in there.

Les: I don’t know, they’re probably all working.

Caden: No, I mean bad guys, guys that are in jail.

Les: I don’t know, probably less than ten. You know, I’ve been to the DP jail before and I’ve never seen more than two people in their jail.

Caden: Y’all get a lot in your jail, don’t you?

Les: Yes, it’s usually between thirty and forty people.

Caden: Do they ever cuss at you or spit on you?

Les: No, they’re usually pretty quiet, except for the drunk ones.

Caden: They sell beer in jail?

Les: No, you big dork, they’re in jail because they’re drunk. I’m calling and telling your mom what you just said!

Caden: No, don’t! Please don’t!

One can only wonder if there would be less instances of “resisting arrest” if they actually sold beer in jail.

Happy 20th Birthday, Lauren!

I cannot believe that I now have a 20 year-old. I'm not so sure I like the sound of that, but will have to get used to it.

Where has the time gone? It has truly passed in the blink of an eye. It seems like yesterday when you were toddling around the house and learning to talk. (Once you learned you have never shut up!)

I can still hear your little voice naming all of the animals and making their sounds. I had so much fun teaching you those things. I still remember you getting excited over seeing a bird, airplane or even a balloon, and learning your colors and shapes. I can still hear you singing the nursery rhymes that I listened to over and over in the car with you. I remember how incredibly smart you were. (And I'm not just saying that because I'm your mom!) You spoke in complete sentences at 14 months of age.

I remember how stubborn you became and our arguments over what you would (or would not) wear to school. I remember when I could no longer play Barbies with you because you were so bossy you would tell me exactly what my Barbie had to say and do. I remember Aunt Peggy buying me a copy of "The Strong Willed Child". Ha! I remember needing reinforcements to get medicine down your throat.

I remember how terrified you were of heights. I remember it being just you and me when Dad would be away for weeks or months at a time. We had no family up the road, it was just the two or three of us for so many years in California, Korea and Hawaii.

Look at you now! You are such an awesome big sister to the kids. They love you so much and look up to you. I know you will always be their role model.

We love you, Nawen, and we hope 20 is a wonderful year for you. Keep being YOU! You have made us very proud. You are a very bright, independent and beautiful young woman, both inside and out.

Happy Birthday!