Above – Ron atop the mountain. I have no idea what mountain, but it’s clear he’s not at the bottom.
Kando, the happiest baby in the world …
Lily and Alo sporting their matching OB sweatshirts.
I found that orange sock in our dryer so I mailed it to Alo.
Alo’s new dinosaur shirt we ordered for him when we were in Walnut Creek. It finally arrived. From China.
Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook with LOVE!
Above – Brothers sharing a swing on the last day of 2015 (courtesy of Robb).
Below – Breakfast at Rancho’s on the last day of 2015. You know you’re going to have a good year when Sweet Baby Jesus is looking down on you … 
FaceTiming Jamie (in her robe …) on her 44th birthday.
This is what it looks like outside Jamie’s window. She claims the sun comes out there …
What the … ??? What ARE those things hanging outside the window?
I broke out the family jewels for the last dinner of the year. They will now be tucked away in the safe where they will remain (you guessed it) safe until another opportunity arises for me to wear them.
Are you a “Resolutionary?” That’s what I call people who make new years resolutions. It started when I belonged to the Escondido Athletic Club back in my racquetball days. For the first couple weeks of every year, getting a court or a swim lane, let alone a parking place, was nearly impossible. I couldn’t wait for February to roll around so things could begin to get back to “normal.” I always figured if something is important enough to a person, they shouldn’t have to wait for a new year to implement it. But that’s me.
Here’s something important to me – not wearing shoes in the house. I have absolutely never allowed shoes in the yoga studio out of respect and cleanliness, but we more recently, with the addition of grandkids, implemented a no-shoes-in-the-house policy.
When I went to India the first time in 2013, I realized no one wears shoes in their house. Shoes there are either kept on the porch or on a rack just inside the front door. Even most establishments require patrons to remove their shoes before entering. I got used to it and by the time I left, I enjoyed walking barefoot on tile floors and the cleanliness that goes along with it.
Come to find out, not wearing shoes in the house is the custom in many countries – Canada, Japan, Southeast Asia, Thailand, China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, to name a few.
Why is this, and why are more and more Americans implementing this policy? I checked into it and found out some astonishing reasons why you should remove your shoes before entering the home, especially if you have small children or grandchildren. Here’s an interesting article I think everyone should read: http://healthywildandfree.com/this-is-why-you-absolutely-need-to-stop-wearing-shoes-in-your-house/
I’ll leave you with that thought and a great big HAPPY NEW YEAR. I hope 2016 brings good cheer, laughter, love, friendships new and old, happiness, good health and fuzzy socks.
Cheers to another year of blogging on Amma’s iPhone, MacBook, iPad and/or iMac with LOVE!
Above – (courtesy of Akuch) Kando and Alo watching Polar Express. You can tell already these two boys are their own individual selves.
These two, on the other hand are both trying to squeeze into the very small wagon. 
Daddy’s kids. But that’s only because Mommy’s not around …
Sparty kicking back…
Yesterday on our walk at the cliffs the ocean was beautiful and the surf was high. Here the spray was washing up over the arch! 
And look … you can see the water rushing over the arch like a waterfall. I’ve never seen this happen.
Happy Birthday to Jamie and a safe New Years Eve to all!
Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook with best wishes to everyone for a peaceful and healthy 2016!
Above – Alo playing in snow in Lebec on the way back to Walnut Creek. I got a text from Akuch they made it home safely around 10pm.
Below – Cousins Sparty, Maya & Alo “so happy together” on Christmas Day. They were playing and I said “Hey, how about coming over and sitting on the stairs so I can get a picture of you together.” They stopped what they were doing (very important stuff) and did exactly what I asked. Impressive! 
Yesterday morning Ron texted this photo to us and wrote “Silas woke up early this morning and got into Jens purse.” I think Elmo made him do it …
Meanwhile, back at the house Kando waited patiently while his mom and dad packed up to go home.
Brothers – I will miss them (and their parents too). Kando is a really good baby although he still wakes up every couple hours to eat and only breast feeds so Akuch stays pretty busy with him. Alo is bigger every time we see him, and so smart. He’s always talking, singing and getting into everything – very inquisitive.
Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook.
Wednesday night dinner with the little ones.
This one loves food.
Tattoos
Smiley face.
Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!!
Above – Unfolding of the flag.
Below – Taps. Thanks to the Marines Honor Guard and Bugles Across America. It was a beautiful service. Jen discretely captures these photos. It was a beautiful service and tribute to a good man.
Afterwards – At Pizza Nova. There was a group of about 30 people. Here’re some of them.
Daughters-in-law Jen & Akuch with Sparty and Kando. 
Then last night dinner at our house. Soup, salad, Oso Bucco & rissoto. That was Robb’s food. I had soup & salad!
Papa with Alo and Kando
Blogged with lasting memories on Amma’s iPhone/iMac!
Above – A quick group photo.
Robb and Akuch drove down last Sunday with the boys to see Bill one last time. Bill would have been happy to see we all got together and enjoyed ourselves on his behalf – especially the kids.
Maya and Alo were excited to see each other and we got a brief preview of how much fun they’ll have next week when they get together again.
Ron set my phone up for a selfie with the little car and Alo (he’s kinda crazy – what can I say?). Of course I couldn’t pass up a chance to photo bomb.
We had ribs. Or at least they had ribs. After looking back through my photos to create our annual family calendar I realized I take a lot of pictures of the Sparts eating. I guess that’s because I’ve never quite seen anyone enjoy food so much!
A smaller portion of the group.
Another beautiful December sunset …
Today Rachel’s dropping Maya and Sparty off at 8am for a few hours. We’re bracing ourselves …
Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook with LOVE!
Above – The OB Christmas Tree Friday, a day after we saw all the kids from OB Elementary School walking down Newport with their hand made ornaments. We drove by and they were all lined up to sit on Santa’s lap.
Below – Sparty in the car seat Thursday ready for music class.
What are they up to now? OB lifeguards at the arch practicing more lifeguarding maneuvers.
Oh, and how beautiful is this!!! From the top of the stairs looking south past Garbage Beach and the Coronado Islands. The lump on the horizon to the right of the islands is a huge cruise ship.
Friday night GNO with Boys at our good friends Kim & Dennis’ Escondido home. L-R (back row) Bruce, Me, Kim, Dennis, Vickie, Don. L-R (bottom row) Gail (peeking around the corner), John & Sean (our cook). We hired Sean to fix us a delicious Asian meal.
After dinner and after our wine & ornament exchange that Bruce said took us two hours. We had a lot of fun doing this, but I think the guys were falling asleep …
Photos from up North – Kando at 4 months old, and look at that, he’s already working on his first 100 words!
Kando’s first library story telling. According to Akuch, Alo is in there somewhere too …
Another one of those reasons to reflect on how fortunate we are – Just after the sunset Friday. In the foreground are the Christmas trees lit up across the street. Have I mentioned I don’t ever tire of November sunsets? Oh waitaminit… It’s December!! I love December sunsets!
Bill was moved to the VA Hospice Unit Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday he was resting comfortably and peacefully but Friday and Saturday he had pain and discomfort. We will see him again today and are hopeful they’ve got his medication squared away so he can rest in peace again. Robb and Akuch are driving down today to see Bill. They’ll only be here a couple days, but it will be good to see them and the kids. A reunion of cousins and enjoying the baby should be fun.
Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook with LOVE!
Above – Group photo on Angel Island with Belvedere and Tiburon across the bay.
Below – on the ferry ride from Tiburon to Angel Island.
From the dock looking across to Tiburon.
On the tram. It was cold!
One of many deer sightings.
Panorama from a lookout to the northwest looking at Sausalito to the south and Tiburon to the north.
From another lookout, in this panorama you can see Oakland to the far left, Treasure Island, Bay Bridge, San Francisco with Alcatraz in the forefront, Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito. With the sun above in the center of the photo, it casts a beautiful light behind the tree. The day was beautifully clear, crisp and cold.
Robb and Alo from the same lookout.
One more closeup of the Bay Bridge, the city and Alcatraz.
Alo on the tram.
At the dock – waiting for the ferry to come pick us up.
Back at the house we decorated the tree and took some photos.
Yesterday morning in “our living room” aka the hotel lobby. We had the place all to ourselves as we waited to leave for the airport.
Robb and Akuch followed us to the car rental return where Alo joined us for a ride on the shuttle to the airport. He looks very serious, but he took some time out to sing the Wheels on the Bus song. 
Back at the fort we were welcomed by another beautiful November sunset.
We will miss our Northern California family, but look forward to seeing them here at Christmas time. I can’t wait!
Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook with LOVE and thanks for being blessed with a beautiful family!
Above – Robb worked practically all day in the kitchen preparing our meal.
Below, Kando sports his “My First Thanksgiving” bib. 
Friends Sandra and Lilli …
Twins Shvonne (I know this is spelled wrong, but that’s how it sounds) and Isabelle with mom, Elisabeth …
Having dinner …
Papa with twin Shvonne who held a death grip on Alo’s toy phone the entire night. Notice in every photo in this post – she’s got the phone!
What would Thanksgiving be without a group photo? L-R Robb, Pappa, Alo, Akuch, Kando, Great Grandma, Shvonne, Elizabeth, Sandra with Lilli and Mike. Bottom row R-L Me, Andy and Isabelle. There are four nations represented in this group – US, Sudan, Mexico (Mexico City) & Austria.
Attempting to capture a photo with the grandkids if I can get Alo to sit still for 5 seconds.
Happiness is group book reading …
… and checking out Kando (note the phone in Shvonne’s hand).
We had a great day!
Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook with LOVE!