Celebrating my Grandma's 90th Birthday

On January 28, 2011, my Grandma turned 90 years old. Wow! My Grandma lives in a home for those who are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's.  She has been in that home for about three years.  Before that my grandparents briefly lived in an assisted living facility, but having only lived there a month or so my Grandpa had a stroke and shortly after that passed away.  My Grandma's Alzheimer's was still in the beginning stages, but we all knew she would not be able to live in the assisted living facility for very long.  Not wanting to change her life too much after my Grandpa passed away, she stayed in the assisted living facility for about another year.  They moved her to a different room within the facility where there was more assistance given, but eventually her Alzheimer had progressed to a point that she needed around the clock care.  She moved into a facility close to my Aunt and Uncle down in Sun City.  My Aunt visits her a few times a week and my Mom gets down there as often as she can.  She still recognizes my Mom and Aunt, but I am not too sure if she recognizes me anymore.

It is definitely sad to see someone you love suffering from the disease of Alzheimer.  She does have moments of clarity and see tries to jump into the conversation, but for the most part she just enjoys your company.  She has always loved having company.  My grandparents did a lot of entertaining in  their life.  My Grandma loved to cook and I think that's where my Mom got her love of cooking from.  I can still remember playing in the front yard of my grandparents house like it was yesterday.  I drive by their old house everyday on the way to our house and I remember all the fun times we had there.  I was lucky that my grandparents lived so close and we saw them often. My Grandma and I had a tradition of going shopping for pretty clothes for my birthday, I always looked forward to those shopping trips.
To celebrate my Grandma's birthday my Mom, Aunt, my Aunt's granddaughter and I went to see my Grandma.  We arrived at their lunch time and we had with us flowers, balloons, presents and a giant carrot cake (my Grandma's favorite) to celebrate this special occasion. I think my Grandma knew it was her birthday, but she didn't really let on she knew.  We sang happy birthday to her and everyone enjoyed the carrot cake.  After the festivities in the lunch room, we went to her room and opened presents.  Madison loved helping Great Grandma open her presents.  She got a few new pretty blouses to wear.  After we opened presents we took a nice walk outside.  I asked Grandma if it felt good to be outside and she said, oh yes.  We took some pictures and finally at the end Grandma smiled for the camera.  We had been asking her smile all day, I guess she wasn't ready to smile then, but outside in the fresh air and sun she was all smiles and so were we.  

Celebrating 90 years.

 Present time.

 Grandma's room all decorated for her birthday.

 Picture time!

 My Mom and her sister.

 Grandma with her granddaughter and great granddaughter.

 Finally a smile from Grandma.

A Father and Son Adventure

Keeping with our theme of being an active family, Tim and Trent hiked up to Henninger Flats on Saturday and camped overnight.  Tim was a bit worried about the weather not cooperating, but the rain held off and they were kept plenty warm in the tent and sleeping bags.  They started their hike around 2:00 p.m. and made it up to camp by 4:00 p.m.  Tim and Trent are becoming experts on setting up camp, so the tent was up in no time.  The ranger's son's boy scout troop was up there, so Trent didn't quite have the run of the campsite this time. The ranger though was very accommodating to Trent and he did get to pick a nature movie about birds to watch in the evening.  Before heading over to the nature center, they had dinner and played a few rounds of Old Maid (or as Trent calls it Old Lady) and War.  Tim said once the lights were off and Trent's head hit the pillow he was out.  That boy was exhausted, but he can go and go right up until his head hits the pillow.  They were up early and made their way down the mountain in no time.  I met them at church and Trent was happy as can be at the start of Sunday school.  He was full of energy and I don't see how that is possible, since he had to hike down the mountain in the morning. Oh wait, he is a boy and they have so much energy.  All in all I am pretty sure they had a great time camping.

As for me, I stayed home and did some much needed sewing.  I sewed for about 4 hours and it was so great to be sewing again.  I don't sew nearly as much as I would like to. 

I have said this before, but I will say it again, Trent is one lucky boy to have a Dad like Tim.  I think it's so great that they go camping and they always have the best time.

Ready to get the adventure started.

 Starting the hike to camp.

 All smiles, of course!

 They made it!

 They got the tent all set up.

 Keeping warm in the tent and playing cards.

 They had a great view.

 Ready to head down the mountain in the morning.

 Almost done.

Biking

Another weekend, which meant another family adventure.  This time we went for a bike ride.  On one of Tim's morning bike rides up Highway 39 in Glendora he found what looked to be a paved bike trail that went through a canyon along side a creek.  He did a bit more research and found out that the paved path was about 8 miles long with only about 500 ft. of elevation gain, so not too long of a ride and not too steep.

So, Tim rounded up his parents, his brother and wife and a couple from church and we headed off to the mountains to ride.  Tim and Trent would be riding the tag-along, which is always fun for Trent, but a bit nerve-racking for me.  We get to the path and it was as advertised by Tim, relatively flat, along a creek and in a canyon.  The path was nice and wide, which was good.  We rode along at a nice pace and the weather was perfect.  The sun was out, but it was nice and cool in the canyon.  We passed people who were fishing, others who were just walking along the path and some who were on bikes.  The destination was a dam, just a bit before the dam was a campsite. It was so nice and it had a bathroom, which was even better.  Tim and Trent were all excited because they could do a bike and camp...maybe I would join them too.  At this point, I was tired and asked Tim how much longer until the dam and he said we should be getting close.  So we continued on.  It was only a minute or so from the campsite when I turned the corner, my jaw dropped, I yelled at Tim and I started peddling up this steep hill.  I was so not happy, but I thought to myself come on you can do this is, just take it easy and you can make it to the plateau and be done.  So I peddle, peddle, huff and puff and I look up and see that there is no end of this steep hill in sight.  I get off the bike and walk the rest of the way.  Tim and Trent had gotten off the bike too and were walking.  I hear Tim's Mom yelling behind me about this is ridiculous...my thoughts exactly.  The steep climb was horrible and it seemed like there was no end in sight.  Finally, the end came and I was so thankful and very tired.  We weren't quite at the dam, but we had a gorgeous view of the mountains from the helicopter pad.  The gate to the dam was closed, but Tim's Dad ventured over there and said it was quite disappointing.  We took a quick break and then headed back down the hill and to the starting point.  I thought going down the hill would be fun, but since it was so steep I walked a portion of it.  The last bit I did ride and got some great speed, which lasted quite awhile.  

The ride back was cold and since I didn't listen to Tim when he told me to bring a jacket because it might get cold, I was kicking myself and freezing. During the ride back I rarely had to peddle, which meant that riding out we were riding at a slight incline the whole time (that 500 ft. of elevation gain Tim told us about). It was a gorgeous ride back and would definitely be something I would do again, but we would stop at the campsite and not make that ridiculous climb to the helicopter pad.  I saw the beautiful view from up there and don't have to see it again.
Set to get riding.

The views along the way.

Trent jack balling around...this is what makes me nervous.

The never ending hill. 

I guess the view was worth it.

Hiking

Tim and Trent have been going on hikes for at least two years now.  Tim always extends an invitation to me and my usual response is, "Are we hiking up hill and if so the answer is no."  I am not a big fan up walking up hills or hiking when it's hot.  I know, we live in California and it's usually warm here, so more often than not they are going on hikes when it's a little too warm for my liking.  I have been on a few hikes (I think only 2 last year) when it's been overcast out or when we had friends visiting and I didn't really have the option of saying no.  In the new year though, I have already been on two hikes, which I am pretty proud of myself for.  Since I have been working out on my awesome elliptical I feel a bit more fit and want to continue feeling fit, so I am trying to get over my dislike of hiking up hills and in the warm weather.

The first hike of the year was in Eaton Canyon.  I have done this hike before, but I forget about the 10 creek crossings there are.  Tim, of course, didn't remind me of my dislike for this hike because he wanted me to go along.  So, we hiked down into the canyon and I quickly remembered what this hike was all about.  Our destination was a beautiful waterfall, but crossing the creeks with Freddy was not much fun.  We had some new hikers with us, my brother, his girlfriend and his kids.  Todd's older boys hiked up in the front with me and we had a good time.  Todd's youngest son, Jake who is almost 4 years old did a great job crossing the creeks.  He was a bit scared at first, but by the end of the hike was doing great, I think Uncle Tim helped him out a bit.  This hike isn't too strenuous, but maneuvering over the crossings is stressful. What the hike did have going for it was the weather was great.  A bit chilly which was perfect.

First creek crossing...

I just love the looks he gives me.

The gang making their way across the creek.

A great picture of a father helping his son.

We made it to the waterfall.

The 3 T's.

Out of the canyon and just about a mile to go.

We had to hurry because the sun was going down.

Our second hike of the year was up in the mountains behind Sierra Madre. The neighborhood is nestled right up against the mountains, it is gorgeous. We had beautiful views of the San Gabriel Valley and when we hiked down you could see downtown Los Angeles and then the reflection of the sun off the ocean, not too shabby. Again, Tim wasn't too forth coming with details about the terrain of the hike. He said he wasn't too strenuous.  Sure Tim!  We start off going up hill, in the shade, but up hill.  The path was narrow and it was up hill.  I am pretty sure Tim knows my dislike of walking up hill.  Freddy and I took the lead, but soon Freddy got pretty tired and we ended up in middle of our stretched out group.  My brother, his girlfriend, Jake and their crazy dog Keystone came on the hike again.  Since the hiking path was so narrow it was a bit stressful hiking with Jake because being almost 4 he isn't too aware of the need to walk very carefully up the path because the drop off is pretty far down. We all managed to get to the destination, which was a picturesque stream set down in the canyon.  The best part was it was so nice and cool down there.  I took us almost 2 hours to hike to the stream, but only 45 minutes to hike up out of it and back to the car.  The hike back wasn't all that great, hiking down hill can be just as strenuous as hiking up hill.  The only plus was it was cooler out.  I had Freddy who is a dog that has to led the pack and know where everyone is at all times.  He is constantly checking on Tim and Trent.  We were in the back of the group, so he was basically pulling me down the mountain.  Good times!  For all our hard work we treated ourselves to some yummy pizza and almond champagne. The pizza tasted so good and Tim said it's because we earned it.  I am not sure if I buy that because food always tastes good to me earned or not.

Check out Trent's hat with a spinner on top.  Perfect hat for hiking...NOT! During the hike the week prior Trent was complaining about his sun hat rubbing against his neck because of the backpack.  Well, this hike Tim said he could wear a ball cap and this is what he picked out.  Oh well it's not on my head.

Ready, set, let's go!

Great views.

We made it to the creek.

Freddy was so happy to see water, he ran to the water and sat down.

Taking a break.

Can you guess what Trent is doing with this stick?  You are right, it's a gun.

Making our way down the mountain.

The view of downtown Los Angeles.

Still smiling after the hike.  He's a pro at this hiking thing.

I have to say although I complain about the terrain of the hikes and sometimes the weather, I am glad I have been hiking with my family. I have gotten some great pictures and I am glad I am in on the adventures.

Christmas Eve

Since Tim was born and before that Christmas Eve was celebrated at Tim's grandparents, Henry and Ethel's house; it was a long family tradition.  This year since Ethel had open heart surgery on December 1st and was recovering at Tim's parents house, Christmas Eve would be celebrated there.  It was going to be quite a change.  We usually all gather in Henry and Ethel's living room with the presents overflowing out of the room.  We have to strategically maneuver to a seat and try not step on a present or a person.  It's a bit crowded with 18 or so adults and 7 kids, but we all manage to unwrap gifts and have a good time.  This year at Tim's parents house there would be more room, but would it have the same magic as Henry and Ethel's house?  There is something about their house on the hill in Highland Park that's magical.  Maybe that the decor hasn't changed a bit from when Tim's Mom was a kid or that the house has decades of memories inside.

So, 4:00 p.m. rolled around and we headed a few blocks to Tim's parents house to celebrate Christmas Eve.  As I walked in the door I could see all the presents, they weren't overflowing out of the room like at Henry and Ethel's, but there were a lot of presents to be opened.  People soon started to arrive and the festivities began.  Trent was so excited to play Santa and hand out gifts.  I was so happy to see him get such great joy out of handing someone a present, rather than asking where his presents were.  He handed out so many presents before he opened one for himself.  Such a good boy.  Trent got so many great gifts.  We are so blessed to have such a generous and thoughtful family.  It was a great Christmas Eve and magical in a different way.

A few pictures before heading over to Tim's parents house.

Let the chaos begin.

All smiles!

Trent snuggling up in his new Batman quilt, thanks Grandma Cindy.

Awesome Star Wars toys.

Henry and Ethel opening their gift...a picture of all six of their great grandkids.

Trent loved putting out the cookies and milk for Santa and then some treats for the reindeer.

Silly boy pretending to eat Santa's cookie.