The Nana Diaries

Mother's Day, 2010

2010-05-09T21:03:00.000-07:00

Don and I managed to get a picture with all our grandkidlets..6 under 4. Chloe, Mia, Elijah, Lukie, Scarlett, and I'm holding the youngest, Savannah.

All of us mother's, Peggy, Alyssa, me, Diane, Mom, Cari and Shana

My sister's Diane and Peggy and my mom.

We had a BBQ for Mother's day where the men cooked. It was pretty awesome and great food. Joe and Shana and kids, Jim and Alyssa and kids, Cari and Juan and kids, my mom, my 2 sisters, ny nephew Carl, my brother in law Dennis and my brother in law Lee were all here. It was such a fun day and as my mom is now 91, I don't take these days for granted anymore.

Palm Springs

2010-04-08T19:38:00.000-07:00

Playing at the park. This is a really neat park called "Ronald Reagan Freedon Park."

Flying kites.

Collecting Easter eggs.

Sage..my grand-dog, he got to come too.

Joe, Shana, Chloe, and Elijah (and also baby ?)

Chloe at the Living Desert petting a goat.

Girls playing in the pool.

Over Spring Break we went to Palm Springs with Joe and Shana, Chloe and Eli and of course Sage. Cari and Juan, Scarlett and Savannah were in San Diego and came up for a day to play with their cousins. While we were there, we got to experience an earthquake. Number 4 for me in my lifetime as a native Californian. This one was very exciting. We, Shana and I, with Chloe in the pool, were out by the pool and our chase lounges were just rocking. We could hear things in the house falling off of shelves. We heard later that it was a 7.2 that was located in Mexico very close to the San Diego border. After the initial quake, at 3:40 on Sunday, we experienced about 3 tremors over the next day and a half. It was really nice to get out of the rain and gloom of northern California for a week.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2010

2009-12-28T12:52:00.001-08:00

It was a wonderful and magical Christmas and I hope it was for everyone. It feels like I haven't blogged for a long time but my computer was so slow and tended to freeze (I blamed Norton because it started when I put it on) so I shyed away from pictures but now I have a new lap top so hopefully I can be up and running again.

Christmas Eve we had all the kids and grandkidlets over for a yummy primerib and bakedpotato dinner with all the festive foods to go with it. After cleaning up, Santa Clause (aka Don) came to pass out presents. It was a hoot! Lukie and Mia were having none of it, and very vocally!!! Elijah wasn't real sure but was sticking real close to his mom just in case, which is kinda the norm anyway :), Savannah is only 9 months so she's just watching to see what happens, but Chloe and Scarlett were mesmorized! It was soooo fun. The funniest moment was when Santa asked the girls if they've been naughty or nice and Chloe immediately said, "Scarlett's been naughty." She totally threw her under the bus. We all just cracked up. (as an aside...that's a 3 year old's opinion, her nana's opinion is that she's been perfect all year, hence all the gifts. :) We decided that Santa maybe shouldn't stay too long as we didn't want to tramatize Luke and Mia so next year they might talk to him. Yep...this is going to be a Strassburg family tradition.

Christmas day was a small family dinner with my mom and sister, and my neice, Marila, Don's brother Lee, and Joe and Shana, Chloe and Eli, Cari and Juan, Scarlett and Savannah, and Juan's sister Clara. We were missing my Sister Diane and her husband from Virginia City, Nevada, and my sister's son Carl, who lives in Spain, and my aunt and cousin who live here but my aunt lost her teeth again and they couldn't make it. :) We missed them all! But glad to have my mom again. In all my 57 years I have never missed a Christmas with my mom. She turned 90 this year.

The group that went to Russia - 2009

2009-09-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

Don and Eve, Jack and Leona Kofoed from B.C., Kent and Sharon Chappell from New Hampshire, Warren and Sue Wainwright from Calif, Glen and Shirley Spunaugle from Oklahoma, Dennis and Cherry Good from B.C. and Arnie (not in picture) and Marion Lyon from Calif.

Red Square, Lenin's Tomb, St. Basil's

2009-09-29T17:46:00.000-07:00

St. Basils, built by Ivan the terrible in the 13th century. It was said that he had the designer's eyes gouged out after it was built so he could never build another cathedral as beautiful. It was pretty awesome. The history here on Red square was amazing.

This is Lenin's tomb. It was locked this day so we couldn't see the body but it's still on display, 85 years after his death.

These are all the Kremlin. This is Red Square.

Russia Pictures

2009-09-29T17:29:00.001-07:00

Their everywhere!

Russia

2009-09-28T10:48:00.001-07:00

We had a fabulous trip to Russia with 6 other couples, Warren and Sue Wainwright, Arnie and Marion Lyon from California, Glen and Shirley Spunaugle from Oklahoma, Jack and Leona Kofoed, Dennis and Cherry Good from British Coumbia, and Kent and Sharon Chappell from New Hampshire. We were on a river boat cruise that started in St. Petersburg and ended in Moscow with quaint little Russian villages along the Volga river. We crossed Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega which are the two biggest lakes in Europe. One of the Villages, Kizhi, was an island pretty far up north on the Volga. We were warned to stay on the path as they island had a "Viper" problem. Oh yea....I stayed on the path. I fret over the gofer snakes here at home....I definetly was going to stay on that path for vipers. We saw the russian ballet, Swan Lake in St. Petersburg. Don actually only slept through 3/4. The russians have an odd thing they do, they come out and take bows at intermission, Don put on his coat because he thought for sure it's over, he was sooooo dissapointed when he realized that it was just intermission. He kept his coat on well into the 2nd half, wishful thinking I think. We had meeting in St. Petersburg at the sister workers bach and it was very very special to meet that little group of friends. They fed us lunch then we had a little testimony meeting, which was special to hear those Russian testimonies, then we were back to the ship. The sisters were able to spend a little time touring with us when Stephanie was not in school. Moscow was incredible. A huge and mostly wealthy city. 13 million. We met Enid and Lyle Dean who have a condo there and the brother workers and had wed. meeting. The Kremlin and red Square were a once in a life time memory for me. I could have spent a week just sitting there soaking in the history. So much history. We saw the old KGB building. The russians have a saying, the building is the highest place in Russia, from the basement you can see Siberia. :) Russia was not someplace I ever thought I would place high on my places to see list, but we are so glad to have been there. What a country. What an awesome trip!

Alaska Wedding

2009-08-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

My sister Diane and her three kids, Linda, Kenny and Jeff.

Ginny and John cutting the camo cake. (Their both in the Airforce.)

"We are family, I got all my sister's with me." (and our mom :)

We had a fabulous time at my great-niece's wedding in Anchorage. My sister Peggy and my mom met the rest of my family, my other sister Diane and all her kids, up there. My niece Linda arranged a great house for us all to stay in so it was just a fun weekend to be with family. We usually only get to catch up in splurts but being together for the weekend we were able to spend lots of time, and considering we are all pretty diverse religiously and politically we did well. And of course Ginny looked beautiful and were just so happy for her. She's a sweet sweet girl, just back from Afganistan, and so deserving of this big day.

2009-07-23T18:33:00.000-07:00

50 years ago. I'm on the end on the left, Linda is 3rd from the left, Jill is 2nd from the right.

Today.

I had lunch today with my 2 best friends in Elementary School, Linda and Jilly. It was so much fun to see them. I've seen them off and on throughout the years but mostly off. We've promised to have monthly lunches. It was just really nice to get together and talk about times of such innocence. Like our rebellion in Jr. High against having to wear skirts so a bunch of us girls got together and decided we were going to rebel and wear pants. Except only Linda and I did.....or whenever a new Beatle album came out we would race to Jill's to play it on her record player. We literally grew up together.

Random Pictures

2009-07-18T08:38:00.001-07:00

These are just random July pictures of the kids and g-kids. We are so lucky to have them all live so close and see them often. Mia is just starting to want to dress up with Chloe and Scarlett and Luke and Lijah are getting into playing with the trains. Savannah is still just being very sweet. and of course the big guys are solving all the worlds problems outside!

Chloe turns 3

2009-07-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

Chloe had her birthday party and she was so excited. Shana is the most excellent cake maker. She baked a castle cake for Chloe because Chloe wanted a princess themed birthday party. It was awesome.

2009-07-07T21:40:00.000-07:00

We try to go up to our cabin on Lake Cammanche every July 4th. Last year we took a picture of the grandkids and thought it was so cute, we decided to do it every year as they grew and multiplied. It's just a fun time with the boats and jetskis and food and games. This year we didn't know if we would make it because we had someone there replacing the carpet and kitchen floor and we were not real sure he would be done in time but he was. I have to say I was not sorry to see the old 70's orange and yellow shag carpet go. Our next fix is the railing around the deck as our precious babies can squeeze out. So it is slowly getting baby proofed.

2nd Annual July 4th Grandkids Picture

2009-07-07T21:37:00.001-07:00

We added Savannah this year.

More Birthday Pictures

2009-07-07T21:30:00.000-07:00

Mom's 90th Birthday

2009-07-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

We (my sister's and I and my cousin) had a very successful and fun birthday party for my mom and my aunt on June 27th. Lots of relatives came. Unfortunately it was VERY hot, 107, but we had the pool to swim in and the house to sit in. My sister, Peggy, bought some Pinatas, a must at any hispanic party, and one we filled with fruit, and had my mom and aunt take a whack at. It was hilarious! The kids had so much fun that we decided to use them at the birthday parties from now on.

Check one off the "To Do List"

2009-05-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, Shana, "lijah", and I, along with her sister Nichole and Nichole's friend Kristen, walked a 1/2 marathon, that's 13 miles folks. It was along our beautiful American River. We walked it in 3 hours and 40 minutes and that was after 2 potty stops (hey I'm in my 50's) and one stop so Shana could nurse lijah. We sure were not doing it for time, just to finish it but ended up finishing in the middle of the pack. It was actually easier than I thought it would be, but the recovering was slower than I thought it would be also. Signs I'm getting older I guess. I would definetly and most certainly do it again.

2009-04-19T09:55:00.000-07:00

3 kids + 3 spouses = 6 grandbabies

2009-04-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

Two years, 10 months ago we were anxiously awaiting our first grandbaby, Chloe. Now we have 6. This was taken on Easter at our house. We had the kids over for an Easter ham and an Easter egg hunt. It was a lot of fun watching the grandbabies look for those eggs. They are as seated Chloe, Elijah, Scarlett, Savannah, Mia and Luke. It looks like Chloe is giving her sweet baby brother a kiss on the head but she is really licking chocolate off of it. Oh well, we girls love our chocolate.

2009-03-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

And Introducing.....Savannah Violet Valdes.....

Savannah Violet Valdes was born on 3/21/09, at 10:02 am, weighing 8.7oz. She is, of cours, a cutie-patootie. Mom and Dad are doing really well, and Scarlett is giving her baby sister lots of hugs and kisses, sometimes a little tooo aggressively. Since Savannah was born on my mom's 90th birthday, Cari and Juan wanted to use her middle name of Violet (mom's name is Ruth Violet). My mom was so excited.

My mom turns 90

2009-03-25T09:08:00.000-07:00

Scarlett, Linda, Chloe, Shana, Eli, Joe, Jim, Luke, Mom, Alyssa, and Mia. Mom and some of her grandkids and g-grandkids.

My mom turned 90 on saturday. We had a small little birthday party for her with just immediate family. My sister braved the weather over the Sierra's and came down from Virginia City but had to head back early and barely made it back before the road closed. But it was a fun day, starting out with lunch at my house and ending with cake and ice cream at hers. She is in such great shape. She walks miles everyday, still drives, her mind is totally clear, lives by herself, and still kinda scares me when she gets mad. :) We will have a big party for her in June, with my aunt Eve, who will turn 88 (they are the only ones left in a family of 10), so her relatives around the country will be able to come also. Happy birthday Mom! I hope Igot her "energy" gene!

Scarlett turms 2!

2009-02-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

Scarlett had her second birthday party on Saturday. I can hardly believe she is 2. She is such a little jibber-jabber. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, stayed in the orchard, for those of you that know Cari, me and my mom. :) Now we are awaiting Scarlett's babysister who is due on my mom's 90th birthday, 3/21. While Juan and Cari are in the hospital, Scarlett and I will be watching Elmo and eating fruit snacks and drinking chocolate milk. Yep, sounds fair to me.

BFF's enjoying cake together.

I Love this one, comparing owies.

Happy Birthday Luke and Mia!

2009-01-15T09:03:00.000-08:00

Xmas o8

2009-01-12T15:49:00.001-08:00

Marila knew just what to get the girls. Dress up clothes!

My niece Marila and Scarlett.

My mom and her 9th great-grandchild, Eli.

Best buds coloring.

All of Santa's little helper's.

All my xmas stockings. Too many to fit on my mantle.

Cuuuuuute baby!

2009-01-07T10:27:00.001-08:00

"Lijah" is just so cute. What a sweet baby. He's 6 months old now and very close to crawling.

Patient Dog

2009-01-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

Scarlett and I were playing with her stickers and she thought it was more fun to put the stickers on Roxy rather than in her book. For those who Roxy kinda scares, she really looks a whole lot less intimadating with stickers.

The 80 lb lap dog

2008-12-23T17:55:00.001-08:00

Jim and Alyssa and Don and I share a dog named Roxy. She thinks she is a lap dog. She isn't. She weighs about 80 lbs. Don fixes breakfast (bacon and eggs) every morning for them. haha

Update Pictures

2008-12-22T14:06:00.001-08:00

Joe and Shana and Jim and Alyssa and the kids did the Feed the Hungry 7k run on Thanksgiving day.

The one we passed on for the xmas card.

Scarlett giving Lukie loves. You're never real sure with Scarlett.

Luke and Mia

Thanksgiving

2008-12-22T13:55:00.000-08:00

We played a game and Donnie Ross won a remote controlled trantula...and yep he was a hoot all day with it. :)

After.

The room before the feast.

We had a great Thanksgiving with over 30 people, children and babies. It was lots of fun, food, and catching up with the Strassburg's. My family (my mom, niece Linda and g-niece Gin) were also represented along with our three workers, Karen Tenniswood, Virginia Richmond, and Courtney Blanchard (and Courtney's dad too).

Some new pictures

2008-11-21T14:53:00.000-08:00

Grandpa and Nana with twins.

What a cutie-patootie!

Lukie

Jim, Alyssa, Luke and Mia on the beach.

Playing in the room.

Scarlett (a bumble bee) and Chloe in front of Joe and Shana's big pumpkin.

Chloe and Eli. They were Mary and her little lamb for halloween.

Well now that the elections are over and my blood pressure has gone back down life is going back to somewhat normal again. Discussions around the house are keeping pretty close to normal ranges. Don and I, along with Jim, Alyssa, Lukie and Mia, went to Newport Beach for a week. Naturally it was during the horendous Orange county fires (Newport Beach is in Orange County). They were burning all around us but all we got was smoke. The air was really really dry but really really sunny and nice. We got home yesterday and Joe, Shana, Chloe, and Eli came over. We haven't seen Joe for a couple of weeks as he was deer hunting and didn't get back until after we were gone. He has quite a beard going and I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture. Maybe Shana did? Juan and Scarlett popped in too (Cari was teaching), they headed out today for Maui for the Thanksgiving week. We are going to have the family over for Thanksgiving this year, about 28 adults and 6 kids, 4 babies and 3 workers. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, eh! Here are some new pictures. Unless I've developed a tic in my eye, I'll put some up from Thanksgiving. haha

My life in a few pictures

2008-10-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

I love all the messiness, stickiness, noise, and laughter that comes with family. The "Joe's" and the "Jim's" were over the other night (the "Juan's" were buying Scarlett a big girl bed as she has decided no crib is going to keep her in.)

Sage and Roxy seeing no value in grandchildren at all.

Mia being Mia. We decided that if Mia and Eli came 1st they would have set the bar impossibly high for any other grandbabies.

Luke and Eli. The 2 boys who know how important it is that they stick together against all these girls.

Chloe decided that Grandpa needed some adorning so she helped him out with some of her stickers.

Chloe and Scarlett love Grandpa's massage chair.

The girls playing.

This and That

2008-09-17T18:12:00.001-07:00

The bottom picture is one of the 5 good reasons for the fence.
the next one is the 6th good reason.

Circus Fun

2008-09-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

Last saturday we all went to the circus. It was soooo much fun, even Don enjoyed it. I don't think I have ever been to a circus before so I was just totally impressed. I guess I always thought of circus performers as just a step above carnies (as an aside, my friend Rebecca and I worked as carnies one year at our state fair. But another story.) But these performers are totally at the top of their craft. Anyway, here are some pics.

"old?" friends

2008-09-10T09:55:00.001-07:00

Recently while we were all up at Cammanche Lake for the Labor Day holiday, the girls were all talking about babies, feeding babies, who's having babies, places to go with toddlers. Janis and I were talking about hot flashes, cold flashes, estrogen and the pros and cons of it, retirement, the need to walk for exercise and strengthening of our bones. (The men were talking about fishing). It just struck me that Jan and I have been through the whole cycle. When we first met, 30 years ago, our kids were babies and we talked the talk of babies. Now we are on the subject of estrogen, fiber and exercise. We have traveled far and wide with the Caston's, with babies, with kids, with teenagers, then just with us. I have this picture of our Yosemite trip in the 80's. What fun we have had through the years.

Pool Fence

2008-09-09T17:14:00.000-07:00

After waiting allllll summer, we finally got our pool fence in. This will help us keep our little grandkidlets safe. It works great for the dog too. She can't come up to the door, they can't go out to the pool. Win Win!

Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-02T16:12:00.000-07:00

Eli, Chloe, Scarlett, Mia and Luke

We were able to get away for a few days to our place on Cammanche Lake. The whole family came up along with Nicole Ziniker (Shana's sister) and her boyfriend Blake Berg, Russell and Lacy Berry and Butch and Janis. It was a lot of fun with the boat, jet skis, and just swimming....and of course eating, eating, eating. I was able to take an adorable picture of all the grandkidletts. We have 5 now, and Cari and Juan are expecting (our #6) in March. Yippee!!!!!

I'M It!

2008-09-02T15:45:00.001-07:00

Well I guess I've been tagged. I'm supposed to write down 7 things that most people don't know about me. I have to admit it's been a lot of fun thinking about what I would write. So here goes:

1. I love to vacuume. But I especially love to vacuume with a bagless vacuume because I can see all the nasty stuff I'm getting up. I also "savor" cleaning the filter. It's just so gratifying. (and maybe a little disturbing?)

2. I marched in the Capitalaires All Girl Drum and Bugle Corps, from Sacramento, for 6 years, age 14-20. I played a french horn bugle. (Towards the end of my time they became the "Sacramento Freelancers", I guess the all girl thing was not working anymore.)

3. I played a french horn in college. Couldn't play one now, but I did learn and retained how to read music.

4. I keep a pretty tidy house (actually I can be a little anal about it) but look out if you open a closet or drawer. If I see it, it's clean, if I don't, then it gets cleaned sporadically.

5. I love to read. My dream vacation would be Maui with Don and I just laying on the beach (or pool) reading our books. BUT....Don hates to read. He's read, maybe, 3 books in the 33 years we've been married. Well 3-1/2. He's been working on a John Grisham for almost a year. He's too hyper. Wants to ride around looking at things.

6. I love my country. When we were in Europe for 3 weeks, I was homesick for America, where I knew how things worked, I could get water with my food and I feel safe. And I'm so glad that I now have a women that I can vote for in Sarah Palin. I can't think of a better Presidential office than one that has both voices.

7. I'm trying really really hard to stop a horrible character flaw that I recently discovered was getting a little out of control (no Don, it's not shopping)it's

oh...I only need to put down 7. hahahaha

Beings as I don't know who reads this site, if anyone, I'm going to tag Sharon C. and Gina. You're IT!

Family Pics

2008-08-23T21:49:00.001-07:00

A few family pictures:
Grandpa and Luke
Picnic in the park.
Chloe turned 2 in July. Shana made a great Straberry Shortcake cake.
Joe got a deer up at Mt. Ranch with his bow.

Saturday's are brutal

2008-08-23T21:39:00.001-07:00

When you live on 5 acres there is always, always work that needs to be done, and most of the time Saturday's are the only day available. EVERYONE has to pitch in and do his share.
Don working in the field
Roxy protecting the property
Eve, hard at work

Home Again!

2008-07-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

Standing on Mars Hill in Athens.
Lunch after Meeting in Athens.
At the Vatican in Rome
At convention in Norway
Well Don and I are home from our Med cruise. We were in a whirlwind of countries, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Monaco, France, Greece, and Norway, all over three weeks. Had a great time (thanks Castons, Wainwrights, and Chappels for making it so). And a BIG thanks to Ester Lynch who did all the hard work of putting the trip together for all of us and then inviting us to Norway for convention. John and Ester are the most gracious hosts. I missed my kids and grandbabies terribly. Eli was just 2 weeks old when we left and now he is over a month and built like a truck. There is no doubt that he and Chloe are siblings, just one is blonde and one is dark. As fun as it was to see the world, we were very happy to come home to US soil where things are familiar, and we know the rules. Greece was my favorite place to see. We were there on a sunday so the meeting we went to was so touching and afterwards they put on a big lunch, with authentic Greek food, for all of us, then 3 of the workers toured us around Athens. Mars Hill, the Parthenon, and the Acropolis were by far the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The only down side to the trip was the HEAT! I so appreciated the dry heat we have in Elk Grove, because over there it is humid and hot, hot, hot!

Father's Day

2008-06-17T10:29:00.001-07:00

The Old guys, Don and Max
The "Joe's"
The "Jim's"
The backyard in bloom

On Father's Day we had a BBQ for the "Joe's" and the "Jim's" (as they say in Wisconsin), along with Max and Ellen and Lynell Hansen. (Cari and Juan and Scarlett were out of town for the week.) It was a fun day and great to spend time with the newest little grandguy Eli.....jah Joseph. And of course, Luke, Mia, and funny, funny Chloe. Now that she is starting to talk she says the funniest things. Well funny to her Nana and Grandpa, anyway. The weather was great, in the low 90's but with the delta breezes we get it felt in the 80's. The backyard is so pretty now, flowers are blooming, of course so are the bees, but for the most part we let them make honey and they let us swim. Joe and Jim are such good dad's it was nice to share this day with them, and of course the big guys, Don and Max.

Vaaaacation

2008-06-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

Don and I are getting ready for our Mediterrean (sp?) cruise in a couple of weeks. We are leaving on June 25th and coming home on July 14th. Well I'm getting excited and Don is looking a little..uh....glazed. He's walking around with a calculator and I don't even want to talk about leaving the shopping bags in the trunk until he leaves for work, whew!!! Just kidding!!!! (sort of!) Anyway, it's our once in every 5 years big trip and we are really looking forward to it. We'll be going with Janis and Butch Caston from Elk Grove, Warren and Sue Wainwright from Mt. Ranch/Merced, and Kent and Sharon Chappell from Milford, New Hampshire. We hope to see some workers and friends and also maybe get to see the convention grounds in Greece. The trip ends with 2 days of convention in Norway. Thanks all to Esther Lynch, who is a travel agent from New York, born and raised in Norway. She and her husband John go back every year for convention so she made all of our traveling plans. She's just the best. I can't even watch Don pack. He says things like, "if we are going to be gone for 15 days, and I can wear 1 pair of pants for 3 days, and they have laundry on the ship, I can probably get by with yada yada yada (this is where he totaly loses me). I can't relate. I'm wondering how I can possibly get by with less then 6 pairs of shoes. He's got his dress and his casual. THAT'S IT! Men are certainly from Mars and women from Venus.

2008-06-09T17:58:00.000-07:00

Chloe and Scarlett trying really hard to organize Nana's cabinets.
Jim and Alyssa, Luke and Mia after Sunday lunch.
Chloe giving "loves" to her baby brother!

Elijah Joseph Strassburg

2008-06-03T16:28:00.000-07:00

Joe and Shana had their baby boy this (6/3/08)morning at 3 a.m. His name is Elijah Joseph Strassburg, weighed in at 9.5 lbs and 20" long. He has a hunk of dark hair but looks a lot like Chloe did as a newborn, but bigger. He is soooooo cute! Shana is doing really well and had a relatively easy (as these things can be easy?) time. They all will go home tomorow. Chloe hasn't quite figured out the "baby is coming home with us" bit yet. She is just having a fun time playing with all the stuff in her mom's hospital room. Plus GrammyZ is here so she's having a great time. Elijah is our 5th grandchild and 2nd grandson. YIPPIE!

More Pics

2008-05-16T17:32:00.000-07:00

Nana and her #1 GG Chloe, who has learned to say, "No Way!"
My Auntie Eve and her daughter Elaine on Mother's Day
My sister Peggy and her daughter Marila on Mother's Day
Auntie Diane getting a kiss from Scarlett.

Am I lucky or What?

2008-05-12T16:38:00.001-07:00

These are all my grandbabies. Chloe, Scarlett, Luke and Mia with #5, baby boy Strassburg at about -2 weeks. What a fun family day!

2008-05-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

Cari and Juan hosted a Mother's Day feast for all of us Mother's and Grandmother's. It was really really nice and we all enjoyed our day. My mom and my auntie Eve (I'm her name sake) were there with all of their offspring and offspring's offspring (as it were!) :) I'll post more random pictures. Scarlett decided she was done with having her hair in pony tails so she ripped them out and looked a little...uh....scary. :)

Where does time go?

2008-05-04T17:47:00.000-07:00

Spring has some to Elk Grove

Shana and Chloe
My sister Peggy, Mom, and Alyssa
Tami, Scarlett and Cari
Kenny, Tami, Jason and Nate
Chloe showing all her teeth. Too cute!
My sister, Diane and Mia

Well I've been a little bit of a slacker on "blogging." So I'll try to catch up a little here. This past weekend we had a little "family reunion" of sorts at my neice's house. Her family "Stark" were having a 95 and 100 year old birthday party for her grandma and great aunt. You would not believe how good these ladies look. But anyway...because of this, my sister Diane from Virginia City, Nevada, my nephew Kenny and his wife Tami, from Colorado, and their two sons, Nate and Jason, from Elko, Nevada and San Francisco, my nephew Jeff and his wife Linda from Idaho, my great nephew Aaron from North Carolina, were all here. It was just a lot of fun to see them all. Don and I and the kids and grandkids all went over there and we had a great time catching up. My mom, 89 and the matriarch of this family, was just loving it. Seeing all her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids and one great great grandkid is just about her favorite thing to do. I took some pictures, we'll see how good.

We are anxiously and gladly awaiting the birth of baby boy Strassburg. He is due the first part of June (the 4th I think). We are hoping that Joe and Shana make it through Mt. Ranch convention first. I'm bringing my car seat just in case Don and I are taking Chloe home. Shana is doing great, but she is so efficient, organized, and together, you wouldn't expect anything else. Cari and Juan moved to a new house and they seem to really love it. She is hosting a Mother's Day BBQ there for all of us mother's. My mom, my sisters, my neices, my cousin, my aunt and of course my kids. I think we figured out that Don would be the only one that wasn't a mother or a mother's child (his mom died in 02) so he has to take the picture. The twins, Luke nad Mia are now 10lbs and just very cute. Alyssa lets me come over once a week and play with them. They will have their first Mt. Ranch convention next week.

Well I'll end with this so far and add pictures.

The Jim's

2008-04-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

Jim and Alyssa with Mia and Luke. The babies are about 8-1/2 lbs now. Defintely getting their own look. They are just so cute. I babysat for a couple of hours today so Alyssa could get a little shopping done and they were so good. I fed Luke, burped him, put him in his little chair, then fed Mia, burped her, put her in her little chair, picked up Luke, rocked him to sleep, put him down and picked up Mia, rocked her until her mommy came home. When you talk to them now, they will stop their moving and look at you and smile. It is just so sweet. Luke is trying to laugh now. He is going to be a lot like his daddy, just hyper and always on the move. Mia is more even natured, like her mommy. Joe, Shana, Chloe and Sage went to Seattle this past week with a layover in Bend, Oregon to see Shana's folks. Cari and Juan have been moving and keeping Scarlett with them for the little bits, so I haven't seen my big girls for a week. It was nice playing with the little guys. I need my "nana" fix.

Ducks again

2008-04-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

The ducks are back and there are 9 of them this time. I'm going to do my best (and hopefully Roxie can help non-violently) to keep them from nesting in the rocks by the pool again this year. I'm just not up for the stress of worrying about little ducklings again, not using the pool for fear of scaring mama off her nest, fighting the urge to sit outside at night with don's rifle to shoot off any hawks or owls looking for duck eggs (I would probably just hit myself as I have never shot a gun in my life.)

2008-04-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

It wouldn't be fair to all my grandkids if I didn't include my granddogs. Actually Eddie was my dog that we had to put to sleep at 17 two years ago. I still grieve! What a big baby. But he has a special place on my bookcase. Sage belongs to Joe and Shana and Chloe and I just love him so much. What a GREAT dog. Loves people and is just happy being around them. They never should have got him fixed as he has some great DNA going. He gets to come and visit nana when his family goes out of town. The next picture is Roxie. She is Jim and Alyssa's and Luke and Mia's dog. She is having an extended stay at Nana's as her little half siblings are a little too small and she thinks she is a total lap dog. Weighs about 75 pounds. I am very attached to her also. Well this is pretty much my family. Sage
Roxie
Eddie 1990-2006

Catch Up!

2008-03-31T14:37:00.000-07:00

This is in Kuaui with Juan, Cari and Scarlett, and Bob and Wendy Pfister (Bob is taking the photo)from Bend, Oregon.
My mom holding baby Will.
My sister Peggy, me, my mom, and my sister Diane
Linda, Terri and baby Will.
Well it's been a while since I've posted anything new. There are many reasons why; being lazy, being busy, and mostly because I just thought the twins' pictures were so cute I wanted to leave them up. We spent a week in Kuaui with Cari, Juan and Scarlett. That was a lot of fun. Don and I have never been on that island and it is beautiful. Rains a lot but that's why it's so pretty. Cari had her 28th birthday while we were gone, Don had his 61st, and my mom had her 89th. Last Saturday the kids and grandkids, me along with my two sisters met over at my neice's house and had a great carrot cake that Linda baked. Then Linda and Terri and baby Will, my two sisters Diane and Peggy, and my cousin Sandy went with my mom to her church to hear her favorite baritone. Our workers have left for preps, can't believe convention is coming up so fast.

Luke and Mia

2008-03-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

Allysa took some cuuuuuute pictures of the twins. They are just so precious. Luke is now 6.9lbs and Mia is 7.2. Officially newborns as their due date was 3/7. They are doing really really well and Luke seems to be back to his cheerful (with a little side of "edgy") self. When I was holding him today, it just took me back 29 years ago to when Jim was a newborn. They look so much alike. I babysat for Shana today while she had a Dr.'s apt. and brought Scarlett with me so the two could play. Chloe is such a good natured little girl. She has figured out how to drag her chair over to the counter, grab a cup, then quickly down the chair to the refrig to push the water button in the door. With no water spilled UNTILL the cup goes up to her mouth. We had to find something else to do, quickly. Her and Scarlett have so much fun together, they just giggle all the time. Having grandchildren is just the best!!!!!

2008-03-10T22:41:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a pretty eventful week. Last saturday, Jim called to say that Luke was acting funny so we went over to babysit Mia while they took him in to the hospital.Turns out he has acid reflux that can go into apnea. They changed his formula to partially digested milk and put him on antacids. 80% improvement in a week. He was in the hospital for the weekend and came home on Monday. Alyssa's mom and I took turns last week sitting with alyssa until she felt she had it all under control. She is an absolutely amazing monther. Thursday we had a birthday party for Shana as she turned 30. Saturday we had Virginia Richmond's 90th birthday party. There were abut 250 people there. That was very nice.

Don and I and Juan, Cari, and Scarlett are headingfor Kuai next Sat. one whole week of sun, food, reading those books that there are never time for. I would like to say that they are some kinda of self-help like Dr. Laura's :The Feeding and Keeping of Husbands, but my 60th roots won't allow me to even buy it. I' m going to read Stephen King's new novel, and a great book called "gods in Alabama' bye someone. II'm too lazy to get up and get it. I'm tired, going to bed. Goodnight all1!

Proud Uncle and Auntie

2008-03-04T16:17:00.000-08:00

Our GREAT! niece, Virginia Rose Fergurson, aka Gin Cakes, was recently promoted with the US Air Force to Senior Airman. You go girl!

Birthday party

2008-02-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

Scarlett had her birthday party today. It was a lot of fun to see the family again. Cari and Juan did a nice job decorating the house. And of course, it wouldn't be a party without her cousins Chloe and Will.
The decorations.
Bampa and Uncle Butch, and Chloe, she doesn't sit for long.
Auntie Jan, Auntie Ellen. Uncle Max
Scarlett giving loves to Wil. Her "loves" can also be a little like a "take down."
Juan's mom Pam (Noni), her fiancee, Bob, and Scarlett
My mom, great-gramma Ruth, Little Will (or Parker depending on who is look at this :) and bestfriend and cousin Chloe.
Juan, Cari and Scarlett
Eating her cake. A brand new adventure.
Opening up presents. Linda and Will watching on.
Chloe and Scarlett heading out!

Happy 1st Birthday Precious Baby Girl!

2008-02-17T19:05:00.000-08:00

Scarlett turned the big "1" today. This year with our grandgirlies has been so much fun. Don and I think having gg's are the best, at least Don did until his first grandson was born, Luke, and now he is having to rethink that. But we have a lot of fun with them. This is Scarlett when she was about 3 weeks old.
The birthday girl with her Nana and Grandpa. Scarlett looks a lot like her dad, but she jabbers continually like her mom....and...uh.....nana.
Juan is the "Activities Director", Cari is the "Safety Monitor" and Scarlett is "Chairman of the Board" for the Valdes family.

2008-02-16T10:42:00.000-08:00

I babysat for Cari this week and on Wednesday Scarlett and I took my mom to the eye Dr. She was quite the little ham. She was a hit in the office.
Scarlett is showing how well she can sit and read in a Dr.'s office (for about 2 seconds).
Don and I babysat for Jim and Alyssa Friday night so they could get out of the house and go to dinner. It was just so much fun. Those babies are sooooooooooo precious.
3 generation Strassburg males.
Luke and Mia, 1 month and 1 week old.

Luke and Mia

2008-02-08T22:46:00.000-08:00

Mia has the dark hair and Luke has the blonde. Cuuuuute!!!! They both weigh almost 4-1/2 lbs and feeding on their own now. The Dr.'s said for Jim and Alyssa to get ready for them as they could be going home any day. I was watching Alyssa rock Mia the other day and looked at her and Luke (I was holding) and said, "Alyssa, how could you have carried these two to term." haha She could have but she wouldn't have been moving. Alyssa is so tiny that she makes the babies look big. (I mean she had twins, shouldn't she be showing a little after effects. Where's the justice?) They truly love to be head to head. It seems to calm them. I'm hoping to get a picture of Jim and Alyssa and their babies next.

A hoax!

2008-02-03T17:38:00.000-08:00

I've been told by quite a few friends and family that this picture of Obama was a hoax. Honestly! There was even an article in the paper about fraudulent e-mails going around about him. I quit! I'm not voting. Just kidding......

AAAHHHH Election Year

2008-02-02T12:32:00.000-08:00

Who to vote for. I know that one vote is not going make any changes but I feel very responsible to vote my conscience. I am a registered Democrat but have not voted that way for quite a few years now. My vote will never go to Hillary (I'm very disheartened that we could'nt come up with a better "1st Female President" candidate than her. Don't get me started!!! :) I will vote for Obama in the primary BECAUSE it will be a vote against H.C. I actually was leaning towards him and McCain but I just received a picture of Obama and a few others standing for the Pledge of Allegiance and he refused to not only put his hand over his heart but he refused to even say the pledge. And this man is looking to be our President and Commander in Chief of the US Military. I just wish that once we could vote for someone that we thought had intelligence and integrity instead of for the person who had the least disreputable ways about them.

We haven't seen the sun for a while now. It's rainy, gloomy and ugly. I've been forced to buy a Vit. D lamp for my health. It was that or drugs and alcohol. I think I chose wisely. :)

My happy places..

Chloe is almost two and soooo much fun. To be able to communicate with her is just so great.

Scarlett is 2 weeks from being one and sooo cute. She is walking now and just jabbers all the time. Her best friend is Chloe.

Luke and Mia are 3 weeks and getting bigger all the time. Mia is almost 4 lbs and Luke is only 2 ounces behind her. Luke has a small round head like Jimmy, with blonde hair, and Mia has a bigger head with dark hair. Mia loves to sleep with her arms outstretched to touch Luke. What a happy place!!!!! Their due date is March 7 and they probably will be able to come home before that.

Bampa and Chloe

2008-01-26T10:28:00.000-08:00

Only Chloe could get Bampa to play with her. He's a total milk-toast around her.

2008-01-24T15:46:00.000-08:00

I babysat for Cari today while she went to the gym and got this great picture of Scarlett pusing her lion cart. She pushes it very fast and when it gets stuck she figures it out and turns it around. Just cracks me up. What a cutie-patootie.

Our new baby twins, Luke and Mia, are doing really well. Gaining ounces daily. Luke has fuzzy blonde hair and Mia has dark. Mia is really sweet and willing to try new things, Luke liked things the way they were (pre-birth) thank you very much, and is a little more crabby about life on the "outside." But he is coming around too, although with a little less cheer. They are just so precious.

2008-01-22T16:18:00.000-08:00

This is a view out the window at the RV park in Indio we stayed at. Don and I headed south to find a little sun for a couple of weeks, but our Grandbabies, Luke and Mia, (Jim and Alyssa's babies) had other ideas. They decided to make their entrance. So we hurried home to see the newest grandgirlie and 1ST grandson. They are both doing fine. They are little as they are 32 week babies, but in perfect health, just need to put on some fat. The Dr's say to plan on their being in the hospital until their due date, which is at the end of February. But could be sooner as they are doing so well. They are so sweet and we just look forward to their homecoming. I'll try to get pictures in a couple of weeks, maybe, if the parents let me. :)

California's Big Storm

2008-01-05T10:32:00.000-08:00

Our 12 foot seasonal pond filled up. Now the ducks have somewhere to go other than the pool.
The wind also blew the BIG metal doors to the barn off of their railings. That was a little scary in thinking of that door flying around!

California had it's "once in a century" storm yesterday with 50-60 mph winds and lots of rain (yea!). We lost a tree. It was a really nice one that bloomed so pretty. Oh well.

Chloe and her fashion statements.

2007-12-26T17:34:00.001-08:00

Checking out the shoe catalog.
Chloe has her own fashion sense, and today it was coyboy hats.

2007-12-26T17:21:00.000-08:00

Great Great Grandma holding a new generation of great great grandchildren. As of today she has 8 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. (Way to go Mom!)
The 10 month old is trying to give the 5 month old his binkie.
Precious Scarlett
Chloe in her Santa Dress
The grandog, Sage
Cari and Scarlett
Shana and Chloe

2007-12-26T17:18:00.000-08:00

"Bampa" carving the xmas turkey (oh my, there is just the perfect oppotunity here for "xmas turkey and Don but I won't go there, haha).

Fun Holiday Memories

2007-12-26T17:04:00.000-08:00

Well now that xmas holidays are over, it's time to KICK BACK AND DO NOTHING! HAHA I wish. Actually today was a nice day. It was a day to get my "nest" in order. Xmas eve we had the kids and families over for a typical meal of Enchiladas, beans and rice. Cari makes great enchildas (that compliment was from my mom and she is the "enchilada queen") and Shana made her Almond roca and popcorn balls (of which I hid some to make sure I had a stash for after the holidays). Xmas day the rest of my family came over and it was a great day of eating. But that's what my nephew Jason says is why we have New Year Resolutions. He and my niece Linda made the best finger food (actually to call it finger food is such a disservice, they really were orderves, I just don't know how to spell it. :) Chloe was a little under the weather but did a great job being a little trooper. I could hardly believe that this was Scarlett's first xmas. I can't even remember my life without these grandgirlies in them. It was fun having them and little Will (Linda and Terri's grandson. Children just belong to xmas. Now we will look forward to Jim and Alyssa's twins in February. Hope to see ya'll next year!

Whooo Hooo!

2007-12-21T09:31:00.000-08:00

Shana found out yesterday that she and Joe are going to have a baby boy. So that's 3girls and 2 boys. Good balance. Jim and Alyssa have been busy getting the babies' room finished. She is due at the end of February but will have to go on "Pleeeeze sit down Alyssa" rest starting soon, like, now. She is a mover so it's going to be kinda hard. My "I love my Job" babysitting grandgirlies is taking a hiatus while Cari takes next semester off and Shana is finished with her Master's in English Lit. I get little odd jobs now and then, Dr.'s apt, hair apt., etc., but it's not quite feeding my "need" to see my gg's. We will have them all over on xmas eve and then my family (mom, 2 sisters and their families, cousins, aunt, etc.) over for xmas day. As an added challenge to cooking xmas feast, my stove stopped working. And yep, everyone is booked through the holidays. So after a period of hyperventilating, wringing my hands, and the inevitable taking it out on the husband, we pulled out the electric skillet and the hotplate, and will get my exercise for the day walking back and forth from the guest house. AHHHHHH xmas memories. :) Have a wonderful Holiday!

Baby shower

2007-12-16T19:25:00.000-08:00

We had a baby(s) shower at the house for Alyssa who is having twins, boy and girl. Cari and Shana put it on and I played with Chloe and Scarlett. Shana made the cute diaper cakes. Shana is due again June 6. We can't wait for all these little grandbabies to be born.

xmas concert

2007-12-10T09:18:00.000-08:00

Our choir (Sacramento Choral Society) finished the last of a marathon xmas programs this weekend. It was a lot of fun but tiring this week. I had planned to bake my xmas cookies but decided not to as I would just eat them and then have a problem fitting into my dress. We sang songs from Bach "Magnificat" to "Jingle Bells". It's a new choir for me, I spent the last four years singing with the Gospel choir out at Cosumnes River JC. Now that was fun. Not as much "moving and shaking" in this one. It was soooo nice having my family, Don and Kids and spouses, my sister, my mom (88), my neice Linda, Terri and their grandson, Little Will, friends (all this time) from high school (Waaaaay back), Stef and Rebecca, Friends Jan and Butch, Elsie, Dawn, cousins Max, Ellen and Lynell, and old friend Gwen, and my best friend's (Stef, we lived next door to each other since we were 7, she died in 1994. I have know her sister all her life) sister, Becky, all there Sat. night. We sang at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento (about 1700) Friday and Sat, and then again sunday at the Mondavi Music Hall at UC Davis (about the same amount of people). Ronale and Lacy Berry sing in it and talked me into auditioning this year. There are 170 in the choir with a great conductor, Dr. Donald Kendrick. I'm just trying to stay under the radar and look like I know what I'm doing.

2007-12-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

Don likes this one better, shows more of the birds.

2007-12-01T18:49:00.000-08:00

This is Joe and Jim shooting at a pheasant with Sage running happily!

Boys and their Birds

2007-12-01T17:21:00.000-08:00

Today, Saturday, the weather was beautiful. A little cold, due to La Nina. The boys (Don, Joe, Jim, and grand-dog Sage) went pheasant hunting with some friends. We are babysitting tonight, Chloe, so Joe and Shana can have a date night. They are headed for dinner and the "Sacramento Kings" game. The picture is Joe and Sage, Bob and Buddy, Jim and Don.

2007-11-27T09:43:00.000-08:00

2007-11-27T09:33:00.000-08:00

2007-11-27T09:31:00.000-08:00

2007-11-27T09:23:00.000-08:00

Don and I hit the road in the RV to head for the desert for Thanksgiving. It was in the 80's and beautiful down that way. It's a slower pace so lots of "down" time. The day we left, Joe and Shana told us they we will be expecting our 5th grandchild June 6. Very exciting!!!!!

2007-11-20T10:38:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!!! and to my kids that ditched us this year....I love you and have a great time.

AAAHHHHHHHH!!!

2007-11-17T08:13:00.000-08:00

Ok...this is the last time (maybe) that I'll rant about Hilary. In reading about the democratic debate, Hilary said she takes pride "....for being the FIRST women to be a credible candidate for president." Does she honestly believe that out of all the women present and past, that she is the first one worth voting for. I'm absolutely stunned!!!

2007-11-16T08:08:00.000-08:00

I was reading today in Newsweek about how there will never be another time as the
the 60's for such radical change. As one who lived through the 60's it seems like a thousand years ago. Was there really a time when we couldn't wear pants to school? Did my uncle really have to get the house loan for my mom because as a single women she wouldn't qualify? Sexual harrassment was treated as a joke, with sketches of bosses chasing their secretary around the desk. Which brings me to my #1 thing I don't get. OK...first of all I vote person, not party. And...I'm a registered democrat. Here's what I don't get. How can any women in my generation (baby boomer) who lived through these times of inequality, vote for Hilary. Women's rights have come so far that to even have a hope of a women President is huge! But do we really want that 1st one to be her. After what her husband did to women in general (I know it was consensual, but she was 18 and he was the President), and Hilary kept mum about it, we realize now for political reasons. Women have worked too hard to get the diginity and respect in the work place that men have had for years to vote in someone who gave up her dignity and respect for political aspirations. The first women President is going to make history and it just saddens me that it might be her. All I can say is, "not with my vote."

2007-11-12T09:06:00.001-08:00

2007-11-12T08:37:00.000-08:00

SO IT BEGINS:

Well, after much discussion with my daughter, Cari, I decided on "A Day in the Life of..." for my blog name. Not very original but not quite as controversial as Cari would like. I'm a totally new blogger who thought this would be a great place for my "menopausal rants" as Cari puts it, and a great place for pictures of my grand-girlies. Don is 60 and I (Eve) am 55 (I always like pointing out that I am the waaay younger one). We have 3 married children, 2 beautiful and perfect grand-girlies, and two precious grand-babies (boy and girl) on the way. So here we go...