Gina didn't make it on the "2008 Baby Tour" (since she is the only one of our married kids who did NOT have a baby this year) - so we decided to head on down to Valencia to catch up with the Deceusters...after all, a new baby isn't the only reason parents come to visit! We had a great time at Zuma Beach in Malibu.
Luke loves, loves, loves the beach. His dad brings his shovel & digs these great big holes & Luke loves to play in them. They also found lots of sand crabs that tickle the palm of your hand as they try to scurry away.
Alana & G'pa were diggin' the sand, too.
G'ma & Luke were catchin' some waves.
Gina catchin' a rare moment to relax.
We also spent some time in the pool - it gets really HOT in Valencia!
Another day we cooled off & had a little fun at Lake Castaic.
Luke was flirting with the lifeguard at the lake & talked her out of her surfboard.
Thanks for hangin' out with us & showing us such a great time.
This is my favorite picture of Dad, taken about the time I was born, I always thought he was so handsome in this picture. My dad, aka G'pa Sugar, passed away Sunday, July 6th. My brothers & I went to Arkansas this past week to make arrangements & hold a little memorial service. It was a very "surreal" experience. Too often we take those people we love for granted and forget to appreciate them while we can. A very dear friend of mine used to always say, "Tell someone you love them" - because you never know when you may not get a second chance to do so.
When I was little, I knew my daddy loved me...he was so much fun. He had a great personality and could pretty much talk to anyone as if he knew them all his life. People really liked him...
Unfortunately, it took him a long time to like himself. He suffered from alcoholism most of his adult life...and it took me a long time to understand it and to forgive him for it. I am proud to say that he has been sober since 1985ish and spent his last few years at peace with himself in Arkansas, near his childhood home. I guess you could say that Arkansas got the best years of his life. I am also happy to have had the privilege of spending a weekend with him, interviewing him, and recording his life story a few years back...a time I will always treasure. His memory was starting to deteriorate due to the affects of Alzheimer's, but it was an interesting story told by a very colorful man.
This is the last time my brothers & I saw him, April 2007.
"God be with you till we meet again." I love you, Pops.
Many thanks to Amy & Kyle for letting us "tag along" on their little family vacation. We went with them to the Howell Family Lake House at Lake Shasta(they call it a cabin, but it is really a beautiful home with a great view of the lake). They planned the whole weekend for us & wouldn't let us help (except when G'pa Paul made his "world famous" omelets for breakfast one morning). We had a great time playing in the water - swimming, tubing, wake boarding,& jet skiing. We ate great meals & played games - Guess Who, Puzzles, Catch Phrase, & Liar's Dice.
The price of gas is a topic of concern all across the Nation...this is what the gas pump looked like at the marina...& we didn't even fill up the boat!
Unfortunately, the California fires put a "damper" on any fireworks this year - many organizations honored the "govenator's" request to cancel any fireworks plans. However, we were excited to see several of these huge planes putting a "damper" on the Nor Cal fires. They would fly over about every 15 minutes & fly down & scoop up gallons of water from the lake & take it to drop over the fires.
This isn't necessarily a bad picture, at times, the smoke has been this bad!
Well, since I didn't get to see any fireworks this year - I found some, compliments of YouTube..."I'm Proud to Be An American...God Bless the USA!"
Many thanks to those of you who traveled near & far to participate in Olivia's "blessing". It is such a "blessing" to be surrounded by those we love, especially at those special times, like celebrating the "blessings" of new life.
Ben did a great job & you would never know that he was so nervous. Livi was wide awake, just staring up at the some of the most special men in her life.
We especially want to thank the Horners for coming so far to share this special event. We have enjoyed getting to know them better; rafting, kayaking, playing guitar hero, shootin' pool, Scattegories & Catch Phrase (I promise not to rub it in that "GIRLZ RULE!")...oh & EATING! Here we are at Visconti's Italian Restaraunt in Folsom. Thanks for a delicious dinner Kim & Lynnette! (Tallis, we hope Larry is feeling better soon.)
