Our Room

Mike is a Platinum member of Marriott and when we arrived at the JW Marriott, they upgraded us to this unbelievable room! I could have stayed in the room the entire time! Living room, table/chairs, bathroom with tiled shower, another bathroom with huge shower and separate jacuzzi tub and toilet room with bidet! These photos do not do it justice. The large room divider held the TV that you could swivel from living room to bedroom...

Anniversary Day

I know, this photo of mountains doesn't look at all like Las Vegas, or even very romantic for an anniversary/valentine's day. Our hotel was just 10 minutes from the Red Rock Canyon. We took a drive to check it out and it was a major highlight of our vacation! It was beautiful, relaxing and awesome!

We walked this 1/2 mile trail on beautiful wood walkways with viewpoints and informative plaques along the trail.

Just one of the shots of the spectacular rock formations.

We enjoyed a special Anniversary/Valentine's dinner in the Carmel Room at the hotel then listened to live music and danced the night away...

Valentine Anniversary Trip

We celebrated our 28th anniversary by taking a trip to Las Vegas.
It has been 5 + years since we have been there (still trying to figure out the date of the last trip,a business trip I joined Mike on.
The road trip was rainy until we left the LA area on Friday. We enjoyed the desert and some snow at the highest points at about 45oo feet. The Joshua trees reminded me about my years growing up on a chicken ranch in Palmdale. Now I look at the trees as God's artistic creations :)

We had reservations the same night for the Beatles inspired show called LOVE at the Mirage.
It was spectacular! After the show, we took the tram from the Mirage to ti...did you know that Treasure Island is now marketed as ti? They wanted to make their ID more cool to attract adults. That was the only time we spent at the strip.

Toasting our anniversary weekend in the room before the show.

The JW Marriott grounds are absolutely beautiful with waterfalls and ponds. About 15 minutes from The Strip.

Big Bear Cabin

We spent Thanksgiving night at Nicole's then headed up to the cabin in Big Bear.
This photo was taken from the road on the way to the tree lighting in the Village.

There is a cute pair of Christmas gloves at the cabin.
Perfect time to wear them. At the annual tree lighting.

We spent some much needed down time relaxing in front of a roaring fire

Feeding the squirrils is a favorite thing to do. This is looking out the front window of the cabin.

SC Fiesta

The Fiesta was on Sunday. They close downtown Del Mar Street. There are 3 stages with live music, lots of food, booths and childrens activities. I took a stroll up and down the street. Took 3 photos. My camera was 'acting funny'. Thought it was a battery problem until I loaded the photos on the computer. I had it on video! OK I forgot to check the setting.

July 4th weekend

We took off to the Cabin in Big Bear for the July 4th holiday. Took this photo sitting on the side deck having coffee in the morning. You can see the green eves of the cabin. This photo does not show the beautiful contrast of the green trees and blue sky as I saw it but use your imagination.

July 4th activities

This young Robin spent time in the tree in front of the cabin. Also enjoyed a hummingbird at our new feeder, squirrels, chipmunks, Stellar Jays and the cute little Nuthatch zipping up and down the trees.

We parked along the road to watch fireworks along with many other cars. Well, the fireworks were exactly behind the trees! We'll know where not to park next time.

Always have a couple of projects to do while at the Cabin. Mike refinished the top of our 'new' kitchen table. It is beautiful.
Also, the vinyl tiles behind the stove have been falling down so we removed them. Then, went shopping at the local hardware store for new tile, vinyl or wood for behind the stove. They had nothing! No boxes of tile,vinyl or sheets of paneling! So we improvised. Dug out a picture we have had in every home we've owned and had taken it to the cabin as we were tired of it. Guess what...It fit perfectly behind the stove. Looks kinda like a view of Big Bear Lake...doesn't it???

Big Bear weekend

Yes, it really was cold! Snow flurries and all. Memorial Day weekend is a giant garage sale on the mountain. You just put your sign out and people show up. We went shopping for nothing in particular. Well, I found this PINK snow suit. I think it has never been worn. Paid $1 for it!

Gals, its there for your winter fun.

We also got children's snow clothes for 50cents each!

Those of you that have been to the cabin know the little kitchen table and uncomfortable chairs. Well, we found this really cool, Oak table, with a leaf, and 4 nice, comfortable chairs.

We set it up and put the old one out on the street and sold it within an hour! Fun.

Fall at Cabin in Big Bear

Our cozy cabin
Bolder Bay on Big Bear Lake
Beautiful fall colors on the lake in October

Labor Day at Big Bear Cabin

Mike and I with our grandchildren, Siena 7 mos. Garrett 15 mos. Aubrey 3 1/2

The entire family made it to the cabin for some cozy family time. In our 2 bedroom 1 bath cabin we all took turns sharing spaces. It really didn't seem all that crowded and we are so fortunate that everyone gets along and has fun together. We hit the annual Labor Day weekend garage sales, visited the Moonridge Zoo and played games at night. The weather was nice and cool while at our homes the temteratures were the highest of the year.

Derek & Michelyn relaxing on the deck
Aubrey holding her favorite horsie, Mark, Nicole and Garrett enjoying some family time
Randy & Staci giving Siena a bath in the sink after a big day playing with her cousins
Grandpa sharing his yummy BBQ ribs
Randy and Aubrey trying to push over the tree while Garrett is trying to figure it all out

Motorhome Vacation

We rented a long (31 foot) motorhome and headed out with the family on vacation. Randy, Staci and 5 month old Siena were our camping roomates and Siena was an angel baby at night in the confines of a motorhome.

Nicole and Mark borrowed Mark's parents motorhome and they picked up Michelyn in Tehachapi on the way. Michelyn bunked with their family (we were all sad that Derek had to work) .

We all met at Hume Lake, near the Giant Sequoias, north east of Fresno. The campground was beautiful with tall pine trees and my favorite shrub-Manzanitas.

We all played games by lantern at night and had a ton of laughs.

We had a great time with the grandchildren.

Aubrey, 3 1/2 years old, spent hours of her quiet time playing with the 2 little horses we brought. She found Grandma's lap many times. Much to my pleasure.

Garrett, 1 year old, I nick named him Topple. He would walk/ run/ play and topple over many times with his year old toddler walk on the uneven dirt, beaches and swaying pontoon boat. We had fun watching him cover himself and the chairs with the dusty dirt of the campground. Then sent him home to Mom (Nicole) to clean him up. I enjoyed watching him fall asleep in my arms.


Siena, 5 months, experienced food for the first time and we all watched and photographed her first bites. She just chowed it down. She was to young to know she was camping but we all loved her recognizing us with a smile and we pass her around to share the love.


We moved on to Bass Lake. Picked camp spots next to each other and set up the cook stoves and chairs again. Mark and Nicole rented a pontoon boat with a BBQ and pulling a 'biscut'. We all had fun riding that thing, hanging on for dear life and laughing all the way! Spent all day, including dinner on the boat.

This is Nicole and me heading out for a wild ride.

Awesome memories were made with time spent with our wonderful family!!!

Texas trip with Mom

Went to Scroggins, TX (2 hrs. East of Dallas) to visit Aunt Claire and cousin Joyce. We celebrated Aunt Claire's 89th birthday with the local band playing on their carport. 35 neighbors attended. This was truly 'country'!

I met another cousin, John, for the first time. He is the son of Mom and Claire's brother, John. They lived in Montana. John and Caroline are retired in Mt. Pleasant, TX. John is a big help to Joyce and Claire.

Mom enjoyed visiting with her sister Claire and I had fun catching up with Joyce, enjoying the wildlife and birds. Front: Mom (Ellanor), Aunt Claire. Back: Launa and Joyce

The electricity was out so we ate lunch meat by candlelight for dinner!

I am hiking the wooded area around the house. Lots of beautiful cardinals. Look at the unusual wavy branch/root hanging from the tree.

Cousins getting reacquainted! Joyce, John and Launa.

Look at all that Norwegian energy!

Joyce and Claire's home on several acres of forest, rivers and a lake.