The Pink Pandas

Never thought I'd be a soccer Grandma, but here it is.  I totally avoided being a "Soccer Mom" when my kids were growing up.  I think I frustrated Adam, because for two years he would only wear "cleets" shoes, as he called them.  I don't know how many pairs I bought at Pay Less Shoe Store.

 

 

 

Maddie, however, has changed all that, and seems to love soccer, so I went to my first game.

 

 

 

She's number 7!  Wow, a lucky number at that!  Their team is doing fairly well too.

 

 

 

There she is, the smaller figure, as a defender.

 

 

 

And, here is an intense Jason itching to either coach or be in the game himself.

 

 

 

Reese wasn't much for watching the game, but had a good time at the playground nearby.

 

 

 

When he got tired, he wanted us to read books with him.

 

 

 

Games almost over, so Dad is lightening up a little.

 

 

 

Reese is ready to go too.  Bye Bye until next week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FALL

 

I love the coziness of Fall, with cool days, and a freshness in the air.

 

When my parents lived on a farm, it was fun to visit, especially in the Fall.  This is a photo of my parents' new puppy, Nero.  I was a newlywed at the time in the Fall of 1968.

 

 

 

A great thing to do in the Fall, in the Midwest, is to visit a covered bridge.  They are fun to explore---as my sister and I are doing here---and they are so nostalgic.

 

 

 

Duane and I were married in the Fall, and I enjoyed every minute of the wedding and reception.  I also had a bouquet I loved in oranges and yellows.

 

 

 

Fall means duck hunting season for Duane, a sport he thoroughly enjoys.

 

 

 

My birthday comes in Fall.  I used to cry when they would sing Happy Birthday to me---I still don't like it.

 

 

 

I love the clothes of Fall---sweaters, boots, hats, in oranges, browns and navy.

 

 

 

We visited the Grand Canyon in the Fall.  It's such a beautiful time of year to sightsee.  Yes, Fall is a special time of year for me, and I can't get enough of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Hallow Even

I always thought Halloween was All Hallow's Eve, but when I looked it up in the dictionary, it said, All Hallow Even.  This is the Eve of All Saints' Day.  In typical Halloween festivities, death is something to be feared.  You have skeletons, ghosts and goblins galore, and they love to say BOO!  In Mexico, and other countries, however, October 31st is El Dia de los Muertos-----the day of the dead, and is a celebration of the dead where the departed are remembered and honored. You still have skeletons, but they are seen in a more positive light.  Families get together for a big Fiesta to remember their loved ones.  In any case, Halloween has become big business and is second only to Christmas in scope.

 

Not much has changed since 1948.  For Halloween parties, even adults don costumes, and then have fun dancing and partying.  This is my Aunt Hattie and Uncle Eddie enjoying the party.

 

 

 

Costumes have evolved to include cutsy as well as scary.  Heather is adorable in a clown costume made by her grandmother.

 

 

We recycled in those days too, with Adam wearing the same clown costume.  As a young girl, Heather gravitated to the more feminine costumes of dancers, fairies and princesses.

 

 

 

Pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns have become an integral part of Halloween.  Even Mickey Mouse gets into the act.

 

 

Sometimes ideas for costumes come from local businesses.  Here are the cutest In N Out Burger employees ever!

 

 

 

Movies, like The Karate Kid come into play when it's time to pick a costume.  This is the year Adam went on a pumpkin carving binge.

 

 

Princess Heather got a laugh when Adam became a Smurf.

 

 

 

But, who needs a costume when you can leap like this?  Happy Halloween!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orange is My Favorite Color!

                             Even though they can be spooky, pumpkins are always glowing.  God made
                             them such a gorgeous color!

 

 

The Headless Hatsman!!!  Yikes!!!  But, love his orange shirt.

 

 

 

Orchids are lovely, but who can compete with a Bird of Paradise!

 

 

 

And don't you just love Gerbera Daisies in orange?

 

 

 

I love orange so much, that we painted our front doors a lovely shade.

 

 

 

Orange pumpkins are so popular that they are used for two holidays!

 

 

 

They even show up as costumes for Halloween!

 

 

 

Orange on the beach?  Why not?

 

 

Why, it's even acceptable at weddings!  Orange you glad?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAMILY VACATION

This year we started a new family tradition.  It seems that with our hectic lifestyles we hardly get to spend enough quality time with one another.  Melissa came up with the idea of a family vacation.  We picked a weekend that we all could spare, and she came up with the ideal hotel which was freeway close, and a beautiful location----Laguna Beach!

 

We were to arrive on Friday afternoon, and we all came in separate cars.  On the way, Duane and I decided to stop for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants----Back Bay Bistro.  It is on the premises of Newport Dunes Resort, in Newport Beach, where we have taken our trailer many times.  We had a great meal-----one of many more to come that weekend.

 

 

 

When we arrived at Pacific Edge Hotel, I was delighted with our room.  Here I am on the balcony facing miles of uninterrupted sandy beach.  The photo at the beginning of this post shows how our bed looked when we got there, adorably filled with bright pillows and photo headboard.

 

 

 

Adam and Melissa, who had gotten there right before us, joined us at The Deck, a local hangout right below our room.  Duane was in heaven when the Oysters on the Half Shell were served.

 

 

 

Heather and family arrived a while later, and the kids couldn't wait to get on the beach.

 

 

 

Beach chairs, umbrellas, towels and toys were all provided by the hotel, so Grandpa and Grandma were happy to watch all the youngsters at play.

 

 

 

Grandma was playing with Reese and Maddie and didn't even know that Grandpa went up to the room to take this picture.

 

 

 

Maddie amazed us with her Boogie Boarding skills.  Adam took a much better picture, that I'm sure Heather will share on her blog soon.

 

 

 

There was plenty of night life too, and great meals.  Here we had a nightcap at Rock'N Fish.

 

  

 

The last morning we ate at The Beach House which originally was a cottage owned by a movie star named Slim Summerville.  He was an old time actor who played in many Shirley Temple movies.  When he owned the house, Laguna Beach was a lonely spot in the wilderness of Southern California.  We were sad to hear that the restaurant will be closing next week.  I'm glad we got to sample its ambiance before it is remodeled.

  

 

 

Everyone, including Daddy and Lola had a great time.  Can't wait for our next Family Vacation!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUTUMN

I always get a special feeling when the temperatures start dropping, the sun sets earlier, and the leaves begin to fall.  When I was a girl I always loved the beginning of the new school year, getting a new school bag (we didn't have backpacks), opening a fresh box of crayons (we didn't have markers), and sharpening my new pencils.  In those days things were a lot less complicated.  We never even dreamed that computers and phones would become so important in our lives.

 

 

Even as a little tot, I loved jumping in the fallen leaves.  They would provide hours of entertainment.

 

 

 

Kids used to play outdoors and make up their own games.  That's the way it was before TV and computers.  Here is my Dad as a little guy on a very antique tricycle.

 

 

 

Duane, who grew up in the same era as I did, remembers the old fashioned classrooms, and has fond memories of this Kindergarten class.  He is 2nd from the left in the front row with his favorite truck.  This class was in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.

 

 

 

Another old fashioned classroom with Heather and Adam's Dad in the 3rd row, 2nd from the left wearing a V neck sweater.  This room was in McHenry, Illinois.

 

 

 

This is an old photo from the late 1920's or early 30's.  It is a gathering of girls, one of which is Heather and Adam's grandmother.  Groups or clubs usually started in the Fall of the year.  Pennants like the one in the background were used instead of signs showing the name of the organization.  Viola is standing next to the pennant (she never smiled for pictures.)

 

 

 

Loved those leaves!

 

 

But, at our house, nothing says Fall like the beginning of Duck Season.  He's Ready!