A brief look at the last few months

Ready for a blitzkrieg of events? Here's the Reader's Digest version, not necessarily in chronological order.

Gehrig had a birthday party with friends at the San Jose Skate. Just so happened that the the school planned a field trip to the rink the same day - which means not only Natalee, but about 80 other middle graders were there too. He thought that was pretty cool and was not the least intimidated. In fact, he and Kate skated circles around most of them!

He actually turned 9 on Christmas Day.

Natalee was amazing in her first concert as a clarinetist with the Allen at Steinbeck inaugural band. Mr. Fortino, you rock!

Thanks Mom, Dad and Amanda for joining us to celebrate

The kids enjoyed the annual leaf drop from the ginkgo tree in the front yard - second week in December, like clockwork. Yes, Gehrig was "hot". I was just thrilled they were playing outside.

Kurt was the coach of the middle school baseball team called the Junior Giants. They were quite the little sandlot team. Most of them had never touched a baseball or bat. It was fun to see them develop camaraderie. They tied their last game at the Spartan Stadium, with Gehrig as the bat boy.

We have other chairs, but after a long, hard day, they all love the couch...and Daddy.

I caught this rare shot of the three sibs together, with Grama, at Thanksgiving in Suisun.

They are Lynn, Jan and Denny. Otherwise known as: "D--, L--, J--"

Kurt and I with Grama - heart of my hearts, my sweet Grama Faye. We have many similar interests: plants, flowers, quilting, reading, cooking, babies.

This was hysterical: Grama, as usual, was the last to finish eating. Aunt Lynn and I sat there and chatted while she finished. Natalee had made these little place cards for everyone with Hershey kisses in them. Some people ate them. But, if you didn't and you left it behind on the table....Grama got it! She carefully peeled the kisses from the card stock and bundled them them all up in her napkin. She tucked them up the arm of her sweater for safe keeping. By the time Aunt Jackie and I took her to her residence, she had forgotten all about them. She was all surprised when they popped out from the bottom of her sweater when she went to hug us good-bye. She may have dementia, but she is blissfully happy - and cracks me up!

The kids were so thrilled that Wes brought along his new little buddy, Winnie. She loved playing with the kids, too.

And, here it appears that Lego-boy took over my camera and had some fun.

In November, we had a good 'ol flag burning. The boys were appropriately reverent.

Gehrig was advanced from Wolf to Bear. Kurt and Matt did a good job preparing the flag properly for retirement. And, we are still in love - after all this, he still puts up with me.