CHRISTMAS 2007 - WELCOME TO THE RANCH !

The TWELVE Days of our Christmas began before the first plane ever landed. All four of our adult children were coming in with the Grandkids, and there was lot's of work to be done...the tree was chopped down from our ranch and it was about 13 ft. tall...then it was decorated and packages were wrapped. A playground was constructed just days before everyone piled in...and we spend 12 days with the family sharing stories and little ones and not a moment of silent night anywhere.




Wendy, Will, Jordan and John helped us get the house ship shape, the playground built and the menu planned. There were all sorts of events scheduled, but we never got around to many of them...and did other things instead...




but, it didn't matter, because this was going to be the best Christmas of our LIVES so far...and by George, that is exactly what happened.

So I am inviting you to spend a little time sharing a 'review' of our Christmas through this photo journal of our experience through my eyes.

CHRISTMAS - WHO'S WHO...

The "model" near one of our meals is none other than my mother, "Gloria".

I think this is the first Christmas in my life that she has been with us...maybe one other when David was a baby. She finally made it on the 17th of December when she flew into Portland...after a 3 hour trip to the airport to get her was wasted on the 15th when her original flight was cancelled.

It's inconvenient to try to get a flight around Christmas, but where there is a will, there is a way and at 85 years old, she is still the "glamour queen" and "belle of the ball" at Senior Citizens and she is pretty independent all around...but worries and fusses way too much. She reminds me an Papa of "Rainman"...she gets on something and just doesn't quit..."Judge Wapner is coming on...yah...Wapner, in five minutes Judge Wapner is coming...four and three quarters minutes now...we can see judge Wapner...yah..."...but her world is so much smaller than ours it is understandable that she gets this one track mind...and she is 85 years old after all.

All of the kids and family were gracious and respectful, and though she wished she had had more of 'my time' for herself...she admitted she had a very nice Christmas...except for her original flight cancellation and losing her wallet on the way out.



She doesn't like to be called "Grandma", so her adult Grandchildren call her "Grandmother", and their kids call her "Great" (for Great Grandmother). She really likes that "GREAT" part.





...but, ya gotta give the devil it's due, and most people 85 don't care what they look like and don't want to take a licking and keep on ticking like my Mama does. Other than having some light housekeeping done...she hoes her own row and takes care of her own business. I should be SO LUCKY to have THAT STAMINA at 85.

Below, glamour queen Gloria poses with (David's) Sierra at our Christmas feast at "Pig Feathers Restaurant". ALL OF US were only together on December 23rd, so the Restaurant idea was hatched so that NO ONE (usually Wendy and Will) would be stuck cooking all day while everyone else 'hung' out.

BELOW, Our OLDEST son, DAVID (42) is shown here with only child Sierra (10)...and he is the most 'doting' father I have ever experienced. They are a tight team, and David and Sierra's Mom, Genice are still best pals even after their divorce several years ago.

Both of them are great parents, and that might be why Sierra has such a sweet spirit.

David is working in the new Real Estate Company in Visalia "PASSPORT Real Estate" which specializes in long distance relocation moves and investments in second homes and vacation rentals.

We suffered near "destitution" in 2007 with the Real Estate and Lending Markets tanking big time...then dragging bottom forever it seems...but when most people lose in Real Estate, others 'win' and that is the market we are working now...only NOT for these twelve days of Christmas vacation, I can promise you that.


Sierra is a thoughtful, very bright and artistic grandchild...and pretty savvy on the old computer keyboard as well. Every teacher LOVES SIERRA...and what would many women pay for that 'strawberry blond' hair?

She is also a 'track star' and like David, solid as a rock and super athletic...and up for anything in sports! After a life of "Princess Pink" she announced she doesn't want any PINK anymore...just sports stuff.

Buh Bye little Princess...hello Tom Boy!





The OLDEST, daughter..Wendy (almost 39) is shown Below with her hunky husband Will...she is returning to college and was recently accepted at Oregon State University (the BEAVERS) as a Senior. She wants to get a dual degree in Communications and Health, and then Certification to Teach and perhaps just go for the Masters while she is at it. She served as a City Councilwoman for the City of Visalia, has more experience than most in Policy making for Government...and with her Degrees, more doors will open politically for her to move into development of new policy for health and fitness in the Schools.



To help make those goals happen, she is caring for Aunt Faye (97 years old in January) for some income, and working with us to take care of the ranch. She starts classes on January 7, and I can take care of Emily and look out for Jordan on the days Wendy drives to OSU in Corvallis

Wendy's husband Will has been a California General Contractor for the past 6 or 7 years, but may now be moving toward renewing his interest as a "Physical Trainer" for a local elite Health and Fitness Club...who has been soliciting him. Will was certified for life as a Physical Trainer when he served in the U.S. Coast Guard for six years in Alaska. Tough job, but "hammer in hand" gets tougher as the years pile on, methinks.



Wendy helps keep the home standing tall (clean freak nanner nanner), and Will helps with the pot holes and felled trees (about 60 of them fell during the last storm) chopping firewood and dangling from roofs etc. We couldn't keep the ranch much longer without their help...places like these are a LOT OF WORK. So, together, we are working toward making both their dreams come true. Will wants to return to College as well...and he is super intelligent and one of those lucky people with a photographic memory...so he will do well in the Medical Field he chooses. It is never too late to take up where life "left you off" I believe.

FAIRY PRINCESS EMILY (4 1/2), is Wendy and Will's youngest and only child 'together'. She is truly a girlie girl EXCEPT she LOVES horses. and has a whole roomful of them.

She DOES LIKE PINK and being a Princess...and since I am writing a little "Children's Book for Adults", it is wonderful to exploit EMILY into being my beautiful fairie's photographs throughout the little book of thoughts.

She really laps that "dress up" stuff up...and she quicky became Grandmother's "favorite" since they both love attention and compliments and were willing to heap them on each other...but in a photo shoot, Emily can only cooperate for about ten photos...(mother too) so I have to think my 'shoot' out very carefully...then move like hell to get it done before she is hungry or tired or bored.

It's FUN though...and we both get to be creative...doing "our" thing.

Jonathan (19) is Will's natural son, and Jordan Nicole (16) is Wendy's natural daughter...and they have established a good brother-sister relationship over the past 7 years Wendy and Will have been together.

Jordan stays in the Ranch house now with us, and John has been holing up in Will's 'travel trailer' here on the ranch as his digs... while he decides what to do next in his life...college maybe...a new job...perhaps moving back to Sacramento where his Mom lives. We'll see soon enough as the year unfolds. Both of them are a great help to old Grammie and Papa...so we love having them at the ranch. Amazing good kids in process of blossoming and becoming grown up...and we have a lot of fun all the time so we forget we are older (until we get up in the morning).

LINDSAY (Below) is the youngest daughter (almost 28) but hubby Jim and step-son Tom (Tom lived with us here on the ranch for some time while attending Oregon Coast Junior College, but returned to California some time ago) had to both work so neither of them could make the journey this Christmas.

Lindsay recently passed her California Real Estate Brokers Exam, so I look for her to become Broker of Record and full owner of our Mortgage Company down in California real soon. She worked for me since she was 16 years old...with only small flights here and there for other jobs. She's a natural born bean counter all right.

This last year kicked all our rears financially, and Lindsay's husband, Jim is also a Realtor so both of them suffered the bottom-out of the market too, so both of them had to get real jobs for a season to keep the bacon coming in.

Lindsay was fortunate enough to land a job with a big Western States Lender so really learned how to work effectively while she was with them. She missed about three lay-offs...but with many lenders closing their doors...she finally got the ax...just in time for the pick up of business at The Money Source where she is taking the helm shortly...and old MOM HERE is going to WORK FOR HER doing some marketing and smoozing and stuff she thinks I am good at.

Lindsay and Jim have FOUR BOYS altogether, Greg and Tom from Jim's prior marriage, and now EAN AND BEN who lit up our lives every single day they were here...boy do we have some good stories to tell about these little guys. EAN is BOY TO THE BONE (and Roach bossy) and BEN is the comedian and Grammies little budding artist, along with Sierra...

EAN (3 1/2) and BEN (2 and 18 mos younger) give Lindsay a run for the money, but she corrals them in pretty good when things start getting a little wild. EAN AND EMILY are very bossy (leadership in the making?) and playing together meant there was frequent "fireworks" as the irresistible force met the immovable mountain.

I mean, Princess Emily expected a knight in shining armor to do her bidding, and BOY TO THE BONE EAN wasn't having any of that 'girlie' stuff...I think you get the drift of that scene. It sure made me and Papa amused though.


JOEY (just 26 and shown below with nephew Ben) is the BABY BOY, and he is living and teaching high school in Idaho where he and his bride of two years (NICOLE) reside near her family. He will complete his Masters Degree (English) in April and is now eyeing his PhD as he loves teaching and wants to teach at the College Level.

Nicole, an Art graduate of Biola University, works as a Graphic Design Artist for a Greeting Card (and other like stuff) Company...and has learned to cope with Joey's humor...but I think she can lower the boom on him if he goes too far. She too has a great sense of humor, and her one liners are halarious...especially when they are aimed at Joey as he seems to take almost everything in stride...always has.

He looks a little more academic with the beard...or like Gilligan perhaps...but we like the fuzz and Nicole does too....or, maybe it just 'grew' on her?

There were so many presents under the tree...we let everyone open up one present (or more a day) so people could get use of their stuff while they were here...it was always fun to gather up and open a present, seeing each other's gifts without the bedlam. The Adults all drew names, and below...the Ancient ONE (Aunt Faye) is receiving her warm and fuzzy new robe from Nicole.

Everyone got really spoiled rotten...but coming off this last year of one difficulty and disaster after another...with budgets and penny pinching the ONLY THING GOING for us where the pocket book is concerned....I think everyone DESERVED a little SPOILING.

Faye in one of her newer robes (pink) loves the feel of her new black robe with the little mooses all over it.

SPECIAL GUESTS at the Christmas celebration was some of Will's family. Will's Mom is only 69, but she has lot's of health problems and has been on the verge of death several times in the past several years. Her will to live is probably what is keeping her going under very tough circumstances. His Mom, Joyce" lives with His sister MARILYN and her children, Catherine and Anthony when she is not in the hospital. It was great to have them over and to share Christmas joy (and presents) with them all.

CHRISTMAS ADVENTURES ON THE RANCH...

The ranch offers a lot in the way of THINGS TO DO...of course, some things were not available since it RAINED the whole time everyone was here...but as all Oregonians know...you won't MELT in rain, so most things went on as if there wasn't a pelting or raindrops going on...and the kids didn't mind at all...although some of the parents (hmmm...those sunny California ones) were a little concerned to let them get too soaked to the bone.


Sierra went for a trail hike alone in the company of our DOGS...who would protect her with their lives if necessary. She's the athletic one, remember?

The dogs (purebred Labs...all three) go swimming every day, rain or shine, ice or not...so we had to pay attention that the little one's didn't try to join them here and there...

The new swingset and fields of green were left lacking most of the time...but the back porch and three dogs were always a good feature attraction...especially for BEN (2) and SIERRA (10).

This is NICKI and she is the ALPHA...smart, sleek and fast. Her offspring, (a chocolate lab with LUCKY below as the sire) named HERSHEY, lives in Visalia with Jim and Lindsay and the BOYZ...

LUCKY (the black male Lab) pretty much goes along with whatever the GIRLS want, shown here with YAHZEE who is NICKI'S SISTER from the same litter. I told Allen that he most have prayed one time for God to send someone to LOVE HIM TO DEATH...because now he has LUCKY...always wanting love and petting, and always ready to lend a PAW if he isn't getting enough of it. YAHZEE is the best watchdog and she is first to investigate if any intruder comes around these dogs 45 acre play ground.

All these dogs have known is the freedom of this ranch, and everyone mentioned that they might be a little 'envious' of how great these dog's lives really are...at least once during their visit. We agree, and they are our greatest entertainment too.

THIS is the TOY ROOM...but most of the time TOYS were sort of scattered about the house wherever children choose to play...lot's of bending over was going on though to keep the toys out from underfooting the ANCIENT ONE FAYE, and the BELLE OF THE BALL, my mother.

There were many battles won and lost here between the two "BOSSES" Emily and Ean...and a lot of starters that sort of fizzeled out when a parent or aunt or uncle or grandparent or cousin gave the appropriate 'bark' in time.

Sierra plays with her new cartoon and voice game on the 'family' computer...as there are two computers in my loft office. The one I type on is 'off limits' to the masses as it serves the dual function of 'MAKING A LIVING' so some boundaries were not open for discussion...although the BOYZ were real curious about what SOME OF THE BUTTONS DO. Still, they saw my serious face when they came near my domain of this computer...and respected it magnificently. Whew!

Aunt Opal (Aunt Faye;s KID SISTER ONLY 82) gleaned a nice bicycle at a garage or estate sale and Faye forked over a few dollars to buy it for the kids when they are at the ranch...way too big for Emily, but fit Sierra to a T. On one of the sorta, kinda clear days...everyone was riding something.

Sierra and Emily on the bikes.

MUSIC fills our souls and if the ANCIENT ONES weren't around it would be blasting from the roof tops...but they are more INTO Fox news 24/7...so the IPODS are going strong as the kids compare their music and share songs they like with each other. Even little BEN started DANCING when he got the earpiece back from MOM, while uncle David looks on.

Now, the ruse was to make our WORKSHOP seem sort of like SANTA'S WORKSHOP so we could confuse the little ones about WHO WE REALLY ARE...sort of inferring that we are REALLY...SANTA AND MRS CLAUSE in an underground way. Papa has been working like a mad man getting this shop ready for our great ART ADVENTURES coming next on our HORIZON in 2008.

Even with a big FIRE going in the woodstove, it was freeze butt time in the shop so it's popularity waned some...especially for the adult kids...but the little ones enjoyed the adventure to Papa's shop, but we didn't pull off the Santa's shop the way we wanted to...but STILL had a few more tricks up our sleeves to come...

FORMER "Luke Skywalker" takes on the Light Saber like a pro...when we hauled them up from the lower shop to the house to show him. They make all the sounds of the Star Wars light Sabers...and the lights on them appear pretty real. Here is LUKE getting ready for a little Saber Fencing with Sierra...I loved the look on his face...which goes to show that old JEDI never grow older, nor fail in courage.

I also might add that son DAVID won the MARVEL COMIC BOOK CHARACTER naming contest hands down as he identified almost every character on the poster.

Will 'dead lifts' about 350 pounds down at the workshop. He and Papa put up Angelina Jolie who seems to beckon the hunks to 'work out' and look hunky...so I thought I would 'balance out' Angelina with MARGE AND THE KIDS saying "You paid a lot of money for that work out equipment you wanted, now get busy using it.".

Sierra was taken with the equipment (little jock in the making), but was surprised when she couldn't even move the weights an inch after "bull moose" Will set it down.

Long before DAVID THE JEDI got ahold of the Light Sabers, there was a big War going on in the workshop below. Papa Darth Vader, and EAN went saber to saber for as long as PAPA could hold out. NO ONE can hold out as long as EAN though...and besides, other grandkids wanted to get into the action as well...so they did.

Here, Princess Sierra (shhh...don't tell her I said Princess OK?), takes on Mini Vader (Ean) as the munchkin (Emily) looks on.

CHRISTMAS ADVENTURES AND FUN

When David found R2-D2 only listening to my commands, he felt it needed a charge to change...replacing batteries, but try as he may...R2, for some mysterious reason...STILL only listened to my commands. This little robot does all kinds of tricks and provided solid entertainment for all the Star Wars fans of old.

A BIG BOX OF TOOLS for the wee ones proved interesting as they actually worked to make them operational. Then there was the Lincoln Logs and even a tool bench for their building as well...not to mention the trucks, earth movers and the like. It was cold in the workshop, but they didn't seem to notice...and watching them at play was heartwarming for me and the old man too.

Someone always on the computers too...checking email and looking up stuff. Wendy getting her classes lined up for OSU and Sierra trying out her new game. Wendy was on the 'forbidden' computer...so If it slows down, I'll blame her and I have the picture to prove it was HER FAULT. The mail piled up and I didn't do a damned thing about work or bills for the whole Christmas vacation with the kids. It was heaven, but now it looks a little overwhelming, so I am still stalling most of it off until I get this posted.

Will, (yeah the one that just dead lifted 350 pounds) gets Joey to take a stab at arm wrestling.

Well, if you are going to be a NASCAR RACER you have to take driving SERIOUS right from the beginning. EAN looks as serious as a heart attack as the DRIVER...but BEN is happy just to go along for the ride it appears. This taken at Chucky Cheese in Portland.

NOTHING MAKES A GRAMMIE HAPPIER than bundling up a bunch of grandkids and squeezing the life out of them...even better, they ENJOYED THE ABUSE.

AS PRINCESS EMILY dreams of sugar plums riding on the carousel...get a load of the look on EAN'S FACE. Now, doesn't it look like he just wants to do something really "BOY" as soon as he can THINK OF IT? It isn't hard to figure out that between these two a "rub" was going to get in the picture...frequently.

Yeah...if you are going to be a REAL BOY, you gotta get into those tractors and stuff like that. Cousin Jordan is holding EAN back from checking out the engine I think. Of course, those JOHN DEERE's tractors are the best, as you can ask our good pal Robert Morrelli who sells them all over the state in California...although he is now a new neighbor and plans to retire here when wife, Penny, retires from teaching.

CHRISTMAS ADVENTURES AND OUTINGS...

Here is Grammie, Ean, Jordan, Lindsay and Ben at the Historic downtown Embassy Suites in Portland where we spent the night on the 17th so I could pick up Grandmother Gloria at the Airport the following morning without a lot of worry about traffic. We were doing 'recon' for a scheduled March 'get together' in celebration of Lindsay and My Birthday (the Aries) where the adult kids will fly in for the weekend, stay at the hotel and enjoy a Cirque du Soleil Show "CORTEO" I booked months ago for all of us.

Close by, and under a bridge crossing the Columbia River, the Saturday Market will be going on with artists and musicians and open air food selections...should be another 'blast' of a time for everyone! Parting with the kids was easier as we now have another event to look forward to...in the NOT TOO DISTANT future.

Downtown is full of strange things, and as we took a stroll around after dinner at a five star restaurant (yes, with the little ones too)...I saw the potential for a NEW CAREER for me. I showed off my wares, but for some reason...they wern't interested in my exotic dancing techniques...although the grandkids seemed to enjoy it.

Of course, NONE OF MY CHILDREN would be willing to make a fool of themselves to get some laughs or have some fun...especially not my son in law Will, or grand-daughter Jordan...as they end their race in a dead heat.

Here were are at the five star...between salads and entrees...teaching the little ones to behave in public, which they did quite well I might add.

BENJAMIN is perfectly content if he is able to do artwork anywhere...so why not at a five star restaurant...and no, we didn't do this on a linen table cloth...but on great butcher paper...perfect past time since you always have to wait for the food when it is soooooo special ya know.

None of the cars would hold the whole crew for the Visit to Portland Zoo...so Will and Lindsay (Wendy stayed home with the ancient one...and I went to fetch Mother Dearest at the airport)...so cold or rain, they rented a Van to take the entourage to visit the live animals before they disappear from our earth.

Jordan seems to want to reach something inside that tank...and Ean is looking at her...probably trying to figure out how he can get all the way in it himself.

Now you might think that Jon is gaga over this exhibit because his step-Mom, Wendy is now a OSU "Beaver"...but since he is such a GUY...I think he is associating the name with something 'else', don't you?

Here's the Portland Zoo crew...EAN, LINDSAY,BEN (in the stroller) JON (between the bears), Emily and Will. The camera gal is Jordan...a brave and cold day for this crew.

Once back in Newport, we had to take Mother 'shopping' as she feared we were so out in the boon-docks there was not a morsel to buy anywhere. So, down at the Bay Front we all went to lunch at the Port Dock as you can look out the windows and see the Great (overfed) Sea Lions jockey for best position on the floating docks they loaf on half the day...the kids loved it, but when Mother took a fall...everyone rushed to help...but she brushed herself off. She attributes her good posture and strong bones to Cod Liver Oil and Calcium...and at 85 and still dancing four times a week at the Center...ya gotta take that information seriously...so now I am taking it too.

COUSINS Jordan, Ean, Sierra and Ben (the guy behind the hat) at lunch on the Port dock in Newport.

Mother tries to warm up to BEN, but it appears he ain't having it yet. Cute things about the little ones...they are perfectly willing to let you know they 'don't like you' if someone is foolish enough to ask them at first meeting.

"Do you like Grandmother?"

"No.."

Jon corrals the boys for some rough and tumble after then get their boots and coats off and came inside for a spell. They love to be OUTSIDE, so keeping them in sort of requires some 'entertainment' attaction now and then.

Well, there are BEAVERS...and then, there are BOOMERS TOO. I am a BOOMER by BIRTH, but had to get this 'get up' to watch Jordan Cheer leading for her High School...they are the Toledo "Boomers"...so either way you look at it, this sweatshirt is priceless, even if the model is a little dated.