Christmas 2008

Long Horns in Valley Center

I couldn't believe it ... at the end of Mc Nally ... long horns' ... really.

"Our" First Tree - Christmas 2008

Gary and I had so much fun going out to pick this tree ... and decorating it. It's at his home so that his granddaughters coming can find their gifts underneath ... but we're enjoying it when we cuddle in front of the fireplace to watch a great movie on these cold days!

Wild Animal Park Trip

Another "great" day ... terrific day at the Wild Animal Park. A little overcast so all the animals were out. We fed the lorikeets and waundered around the park ... the WAGASA Bush Line that goes to the part of the park that the animals roam free is now a tram not on an electric rail ... but on a paved road. The cheetahs, lions and the other animals seem to enjoy the break in the weather ... they were right out front for us all to enjoy.

Franco's FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY

My First Pinata and My Family

Diana & Franco and Franco and Grammie

Franco's grammies and Franco with Gary

Mommy made me this cake ... oh, and these people are singing ... please stop!



And I can eat the cake ....... and share with Diane too!

Watch me chase the balloons ...

It was such an exciting day ... Franco's First Birthday party ... Saturday, December 6, 2008. He so enjoyed his balloons and all the festivities ...

FRANCO is ONE YEAR OLD TODAY

Here's the birthday boy, Franco, and his mommie ... my sweet Leilani ... we went out to the mall in Escondido. Franco enjoyed flirting on the elevator with a little girl ... and Leilani and I enjoyed shopping at Ann Taylor ... they had a killer sale. Hey, Leilani did all the work a year ago ... and deserves a little something pretty! Happy Birthday Franco ... I love you and your mommie!

Sea World - 2008

Day after Thanksgiving, Gary and I headed off to Sea World ... what a wonderful day we had. This was Garys' first trip to Sea World in more than 20 years ... first stop ... the Seymour and Clyde Show then off to see Shamu ... we had a full day ... enjoyed a trip up the Sky Tower to get an amazing view of the city and then a quick ride on the sky buckets for a little private cuddle time! What a wonderful day!

Thanksgiving 2008

What a wonderful day! My cousin, Tommy Hayes, his wife, May and their beautiful children, James and Katie came from Fremont to join us for a few days ... also my good friends, John & Joe ... and gorgeous daughter, Leilani and her family, Hermann and their son, Franco were also there! Franco enjoyed his first turkey leg. We dined on delicious food ... much to the thanks of May who is a great cook and I couldn't have pulled off the dinner without her! My "Gary" joined us for dessert ... May's delicious homemade Heath Bar cheesecake! Yummmy! Our day was truly blessed and we hope your Thanksgiving was too!

My Little Franco

This is my little FRANCO ... 2 weeks til he's 1 years old!

Debi's Visit

Debbie and I have been friends since we were 10 years old ... wow ... 20 years now! HA HA ... don't we both wish! She was on her way to Cabo to her condo and came by for a nice long weekend visit ... and she finally got to meet my little grandson, Franco and we had a wonderful visit with Leilani and Hermann as well. Friendship's are true gifts ! Here's to another 20 years or more! Enjoy Cabo Debi.

GARY and Me

It's been nearly 5 months now ... and each day just gets better and better! God is great!

FIRST Visit with Great Grandma

This summer, August, I went to Fallon, NV to care for mom after her shoulder replacement surgery. She knew I was coming, but she didn't know I was bringing her great-grandson, Franco and Leilani. Mom couldn't spend too much time holding him, because of her recent surgery, but to see the two of them together was precious and a memory forever! Mom sang songs to Franco in Hawaiian ... and played with him! Babies bring out the child in all of us! God Bless moms, grandmas, daughter and grandchildren!

Halloween 2008 - Disney Style

Saturday, November 1st Gary and I drove up to Anaheim to spend the day with Gary's son, Darrin and his best friend, Mark ... Gary's unofficial other son! What wonderful men ... just hoping that we'll get another chance to hang out. But the time we spent together was a good start. Darrin and Mark treated Gary & I to admission to both parks ... and also to lunch at Blue Biyou restaurant at Pirates of the Carribean and dessert later on ... California Disney was all decked out as Candy Corn Acres ... my favorite candy! And Disneyland was all still decorated as Halloween! The Fireworks were amazing ... and watching them with Gary made it all that more special..... I look forward to our next adventure!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNY

Grandpa Gary and I delivered to Las Vegas a 120 lb pumpkin from Bates Nut Farm to his granddaughter, Jenny. The thing weighs more than her! Happy Birthday Jenny!

The Beatles - "LOVE" Cirque du Soleil

This past weekend, Gary and I went to Las Vegas ... "our" first weekend trip together ... I got to meet his youngest son, Duain and family and he got to meet my family who were vacationing in Vegas from Hawaii. During the trip, he surprised me with an evening at Cirque du Soleil at the Mirage to see "The Beatles - Love". Wow ... what a fabulous production. We had terrific seats ... and enjoyed a whirlwind performance ... this is another Cirque show to beat all shows!

Viva Las Vegas - October 2008

Wow ... what a wonderful visit ... got to see my cousins, Monica and James - think we last saw one another 20 plus years ago ... children of Aunti Ethel ... and also got to see their daughters and had a wonderful visit with Aunti Joanne too!

BATES NUT FARM PUMPKIN PATCH 2008

Gary is spontaneous and silly ... he's part grown-up and big kid ... which is so sexy! I'm one very lucky lady! Here he is at the Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch here in Valley Center.

ROMANTIC GREENHOUSE DINNER

Gary continues to surprise me! Friday, October 3rd he invited me for dinner ... and much to my surprise, he lead me down to his greenhouse ... and there was this romantic dinner setting ... soft music, candles ... lighting ... and the sounds from the waterfall he'd finished the weekend before. I cried ... what woman wouldn't. I'm tell you ... he's AWESOME! And he said this is just the beginning ... WOW