Ezra is Three!!!

Can you believe it? Ezra is 3! Wow, it seems like it has only been a few months.....

Jessica arranged a low-key family, and friends who are family, cake & ice cream get together. Ignore the nasty lines from my icky kit lens that has a replacement on the way from Amazon.

 Even Theo had a gift to open....yet another #1 hit from Auntie Donna & Uncle Bret. LOUD..and without an OFF switch.

Here's Papa, finishing up the cake, and yes he's still rockin' the kilt....and the Birthday Boy blowing out the candles. The "Woody" cowboy hat is from G.Ma and G.Pa, purchased from Christesen's on Main Street of course. It was a hit and he wears it all the time.

Ezra understands the whole opening gifts, etc. He's been waiting for his birthday for so long. He has everyone's birthday, in order, memorized. It was a fabulous way to teach him the months and calendar. 

Fun times visiting with everyone. Perhaps we'll be able to fit Theo in to the birthday rotation? Still not quite sure how we all missed the First Birthday.

Love It!!!

Here I am sitting at the table one evening with my MIL, when FedEx knocks on the door. My sweet husband answers the door and brings the box to the table, setting it down and exclaiming "what have you bought now?". Well, I take one look at the return address and say, "your Christmas present". Priceless, his mom laughed out loud.

Another Morning, More Photos

I woke up and looked out the window and what did I see? THE SPRINKLERS WE ON!!!! and you know how much I LOVE that. I quickly grabbed the "good" camera that was on the table and took a shot, without looking at the setting. Then I saw movement.....probably because I had the flash on.....anyway, here's what I saw...pay no attention to the horrible composure...

OOPS....I've reached my storage limit and can't upload.  So now what? Have I reached the end of the internet? I suppose I'll need to do a bit of research.......

More Morning Photos

Here are some more photos looking outside...but with the "good" camera....can you tell a difference?

I don't think I can tell.....just goes to show you that it's the photographer and not the equipment.

Farewell to Terry & Berta

Our other neighborhood is losing a couple. Terry and Berta have sold their home (in three days with multiple offers and a bidding war) and moving to Anderson, CA. So of course a party was involved!

With the magic of modern technology, Terry was able to give us all a narrated tour of the new place, with satellite views too.

The ladies lined up and had their photo taken, and then the men lined up.  Compliant, weren't they?

There was plenty of food (which they tell me was delicious, I can't confirm or deny because of my cold I can't smell or taste anything), beverages, and fellowship. They will be sorely missed. We are already planning to visit them.

Getting Ready to Ride

We're not putting many miles on the bike lately, what with travel, recovery from travel, grandsons, weather, and various other interests...the bike sits in the garage. So what is a rider to do? Go to the International Motorcycle Show!

Five of us piled in to a car and drove in the pouring rain to the San Mateo Fairgrounds. Four of us needed new helmets and there are always deals to be had at the Show. Then we always wander around to see what's new, what we might "need", and then fondle the bikes.

I was hoping to get up close and personal with a Vespa. This did not happen because they were not at the show! In years past they've been on full display.  This year was smaller, the exhibitors were in only two buildings.

We found the Company we were planning on purchasing our helmets from, JM Corp. I won't bore you with all the details on why we were planning on purchasing from them. The one big thing is the communications are built in to the helmet, no boom near your mouth. The display included one sample of each style and then the owner handed you a blue piece of paper with a code to use during Thanksgiving week to order on line. Then he sent you across the aisle to the Arai helmet dealer to try on the actual helmet. So off we went to Arai.

We LOVED the helmets. We were looking for full face, but Bret & Donna were looking for modular. They quickly figured out they were going to stick with Shoei so off they went to that dealer's display. The Arai rep was a hoot. He was REALLY into measuring heads and suggesting a specific style of helmet. And he was right on. We found exactly what we are going to order from JM. We were finished and so we went to find Bret & Donna. Here's what they were doing.....

They went for the Shoei Neotec but they didn't have their size with the color they wanted so they're either driving to San Jose or ordering it online. So funny that they weren't set-up to take orders. A purchase required another step by the customer. Don't you think that good sales would want to close right there? Why make your customer do all the work?

While we were waiting and watching them fiddle with the helmets, I was intrigued and started to try them on too. Then I made a call to get a modular too!  Totally unexpected. I've been planning on the full face for a year, waiting for JM to have another sale. I dragged Dave in to this too. Oh, and their sales person that helped to fit your helmet, well he wasn't as odd as the Arai guy, but he was definitely in to his job. Once you have the helmet on, completely strapped, he has you hold your head firm as he yanks and twists the helmet to make sure it's snug. All the while you're aware of the fact he's doing his best to simulate your head twisting and dragging as you go skidding across the road. Fun?

He's a good sport too, posing for a photo.

Dave and I purchased the modular helmets, we don't wear an odd size and weren't purchasing an odd color, so they did have those in stock. Now we're off to play in other areas.

I bought coconut socks for friends...they are magic socks. I'm not exactly sure how they do it, but my feet are never too hot, or too cold, and just feel comfy while I'm wearing them....every day...for weeks on a trip...they don't smell either....really.

We finished up and went for lunch....where the Around Me app sent us to a residential area in error...we got a tour before we ended up for lunch.

Oh, and the next morning I asked Dave if he was sorry he didn't get the full face from JM, and...well...he may end up with two new helmets. He's worth it.

Cute Things They Say

E.Boy stopped by with him mom and brother today. I open the door and he looks up at me and asks "Grandma (which he says in the most adorable way), are you still sick?" I told him yes. He then said I should go get some shea butter and rub it on my face, and then drink cold juice. I smiled a huge smile and told him that was a great idea!

Those are my two go to things when he's hurt or out of sorts. I hand him cold juice, or rub shea butter on him. So of course it would work for this sinus disease I still have...ARGH!!!!!

He actually asked to rub the shea butter on my face, and of course I said "SURE". He is the absolutely most precious and adorable little creature....and he has a clone too, his little brother.