Monday's Memory--Topanga

Growing up, we lived in many different houses in and around LA. But I think the most unique and memorable has to be our house in Topanga Canyon. It was located on top of a hill that when it rained, we had to park at the bottom of the hill and walk up because the car couldn't get up the dirt driveway. All four kids shared a big, dorm style bedroom...very cozy. We had lizards in the house and a king snake in the front yard. To get to our friends house, we walked up the hill in the back and had to run really fast to get past their donkey before he noticed us and attacked! Once there, we would jump on their big trampoline or swing from a rope attached to a huge eucalyptus tree. Or we would slide down the hill covered with dead weeds in boxes. That was really fun. I loved living in Topanga. It was heaven for a young girl of 11 or 12. But I'm grateful that we moved back to civilization the next year. Teenage years would have been difficult there. I don't think any date would have braved our hill to come pick me up!!!

WHS Reunion

Saturday night was a multi-year reunion for WHS. As it turned out, only 6 people from my class were in attendance. Luckily, they were some of my friends, so it turned out to be very enjoyable. We spent the evening reminiscing about the "good ole days" and catching up with where we have been and what we have been doing the past few years. All of us are grandmas, so there was a lot to talk about. I was hesitant to go, I'm not a very social person, but I'm glad I went. It was good to be with old friends.

Monday's Memory--Mom's Wedding Veil

Not many people know that my mom and dad were actually married twice! They kept their first wedding a secret by eloping to Merced while they were both in Southern California going to school. Three months later, they had a big church wedding in Twin Falls. I love this picture of mom and dad cutting their cake. They both look so young and happy and in love.


Many, many years later, we were going through some of mom's things and came across her wedding dress and veil. The dress was old, yellowed, and moth eaten, but the veil was in pretty good shape, so we saved it. Before we packed it away, we took this picture of Amy. I love it. Notice that there has been some lace edging added to the veil. Evidently, Aunt Lucile borrowed it for her wedding and made that change.

Monday's Memory--Empress Hotel

My recent trip to Seattle reminded me of my trip in the spring of 2002 with Ann. We spent a few hours with Aunt Zandra, but the real purpose of the trip was to go to Vancouver BC and the Butchart Gardens. We stayed at the very posh, Empress Hotel where there were very thick robes in the rooms and a grand "high tea" in the dining room.













Butchart Gardens was absolutely amazing. The flowers were breathtaking; tulips, daffodils, and azaleas everywhere in the most brilliant colors. I would love to go back again and visit during all of the different seasons. I bet it is equally wonderful.

Seattle with mom

The only way mom was going to be able to visit her sister, Aunt Zandra, in Seattle was for me to take her up there. We went this past week. Mom did pretty well with the travel, into and out of cars, shuttles, and airplanes. It was well worth the effort to watch the two sisters together. I didn't know someone could talk nonstop for three days, but they managed to do just that.
On Wednesday, I left the "girls" at home and headed into Seattle to see the sights. It was great fun. I parked the car and did a lot of walking up and down very steep streets to get to where I wanted to go.

I went to Pikes Place, a farmers market of sorts with amazing flowers, fresh produce, and even some fresh fish stands.

Next, I took a harbor cruise where I had a great view of the Seattle skyline.

A steep walk took me to the monorail connecting downtown Seattle to the 1961 World's Fair site and the Space needle.

That night for dinner, my cousin, Bill, a culinary school graduate, fixed us a delicious dinner of prime rib, potatoes, and fruit salad. But most importantly, lots and lots of memories were shared. Thank you Aunt Zandra, Uncle Jesse, and Bill for a wonderful few days. We will definitely make the trip again.

Monday's Memory--Bath Time

When we were in Idaho this summer, cleaning out dad's stuff, I found some pictures that I didn't have copies of. This is one. I love this picture...everything about it. Look at the smiles on Todd and Amy's faces...Amy's curly hair and her dirty face. Todd always looked like he was up to no good. And, maybe best of all, the wallpaper surrounding the tub. It was a metallic wallpaper, chosen because the flowers matched the peach of the tub. As Kathy would say, classic.

Monday's Memory--From Ducks to Swans

During Amy's senior year, her ballet studio decided to perform some excerpts from Swan Lake.
One of the dances they chose was the "Four Swans". Amy and her best ballet buddies were chosen to perform it and they spent countless hours learning this very difficult dance.

Just before the performance, their teacher, Terri Sellars, had a graduation party for them, explaining that they had graduated from four "ugly" ducks to four beautiful swans. It was very fun.
Laura, Amy, Samantha, and Archie. The entire dance is performed in this tight formation...very fast, and very exact.




Several years later, one of the girls, Laura Clayton, got married, and during the reception, unbeknownst to the girls, they started to play the music and asked the girls to come forward. They kicked off their shoes, assumed the position, and danced! It was amazing...four best ballet buds, one in a wedding dress. I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the crowd...I know mine weren't.

Bucket list

As you can see, nothing is checked off yet!!!

Sophie Bug

Not be be left out, Sophie had her first day of preschool the same day as Claire's first day of kindergarten. It was actually an open house, so Kathy and I took her and got to meet her teacher and see what she was going to be doing this year. It's a great school and Sophie is going to love it.

At the end, she got a big "bear hug" as she was leaving. What fun!

Chaire's Big Day

Claire's first day of kindergarten was Tuesday. I've never seen her so excited before. She didn't start until noon, so we played at home all morning, then took a bath and got ready. She was one happy girl. I can't believe how big she has gotten.

Pool Fun

For Luke's birthday, we went to the Lindon pool. It's not just a pool, but a lazy river, splash pad, wadding pool, slides and a flow rider. It was amazing. Tayson tried out the flow rider, and we all enjoyed the slides and, my favorite, the lazy river.

Luke's Birthday

I flew up to Utah this past weekend and was able to be there for Luke's 7th birthday. We went to the Lindon pool for some fun and then on to Mimi's for a delicious dinner. Happy birthday Luke. It was wonderful to be with you on your special day.