Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Alicia's return to college.

It's official, Alicia is a sophomore in college!!!!!  The weekend of August 18th we packed up the trailer and truck and drove to Reno.  Tony had awesome packing skills and was able to get everything onto the trailer and extra stuff into the truck.  Alicia and I drove in the Mercedes and Gina and Tony took the truck.  We left Fremont at 6am and arrived in Reno at around 10:30.  After unloading, we arranged Alicia's room, made her bed and organized her closet.  We then headed out to a garage sale where we found a desk for $15!!!!  Then off to Walmart to teach Alicia how to shop on a budget!  All and all it was an awesome day.  We ended the day with a swim in the hot tub and ice cream.  Then it was off to bed, it was really easy to fall asleep!!!!! The next morning, Tony, Gina and I were off driving back to Fremont.  I must say this trip was much easier than last year.  We left Alicia with her two buddies and roommates, Serena and Chelsea and with a big smile on her face.  




I always take a picture of the girls on their first day of school.....here is Alicia's at 6am in the car on the way to Reno!


Her new room!!!!

Her view from her room!


 The closet, why is it bigger than mine?

My car, no longer my car....Alicia has it in Reno now!!!!  Pictures coming soon of my new car..wait till you see what I get!


Till next time.......

Pa's done with treatment!

Pa had his last treatment of chemotherapy.  Dad and mom took a trip to Denver for a much needed fun and excitement!  They first went to a Giants game in San Francisco where The Melt was in the spot light.  They received white waving towels with the Melt logo on them.  Then off to Denver where they enjoyed another Giants game hopefully not sporting the other teams colors!  Dad will have another PET scan and an MRI this week, then hopefully next week he will have his PICC Line removed.  We love you dad!!!  You are in our prayers daily!!!

Mom and Dad also celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary on August 20th, 2012.  We love you both so much!!!  You are the best parents ever!!!!  Happy Anniversary!!!!!!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Trinity Lake August 2012

After our trip to Mexico, we decided to head to Trinity Lake for a trip with our family and friends.  We have been going to Trinity since we were in our teens, so that means a lot of years!  Our children are now enjoying what we enjoyed for so many years.  This year the Uttenreuthers decided to join us.  We are so glad they did!  Everyone had a great time!!!!

First stop Black Bear Diner!!!!


Preston enjoying the drive to Trinity


Frogs were the animal this year, usually it's bugs!


Blue Bell swimming with her new life vest.


Sissy enjoying her vacation before heading back to school!



Watching the para-sailing.  Megan was the first one to try it!



Nancy and Bill joined us for a day.


Hailey and Lauren enjoying the boat ride with Preston. 


Tubing was so much fun!



We can't forget about the cliff diving.  Here goes Tenley!


Gina giving it a try!


Josh diving in!


Sisters!


My buddy Aslaug!


Cousins, they are getting so big!


The kids of Trinity Lake, they are awesome!!!!



Best Friends!!!





Bath time.


Enjoying the Lake......








Kyle sporting the cute PINK Gap hat!


Bob, Tony and Josh



Aussie and Tenley!!!!

Blue Bell watching over her kids!





Shelby enjoying the water

Goodbye Trinity Lake, can't wait to see you again next year!

Mexico with the boys from Cahova

This year things are a bit different.  We have to pack our belongings and send them down to Mexico before we even get there!  Two teams are heading down to Mexico by bus this weekend, July 14th.  Tony has graciously offered to drive them down there and fly home on Sunday.  We leave for our trip on July 22nd.  We get to fly down to San Diego, then meet the other teams that are flying back and we take the bus into Mexico.  The down fall to this is we have to take the bus all the way back to Fremont when our trip is over.  I shouldn't complain becasue the reason we are going to Mexico is to have fun and shower the boys with our love of Jesus!  I am looking forward to seeing their cute faces once again.

We are back!  What a great time in Mexico with the boys of Cahova!  We have 4 new boys in our family Max, Diohnicio, Carlos and Saul.  They are wonderful boys and we had such a great time getting to know them.  Below is Saul, it took him about 3 days to open up.  By the last day, he was smiling and so were we!



This is Max and Diohnicio.  They are brothers and were both so funny!  Our first meeting was in November when we went to the orphanage for Thanksgiving.  Max was very shy but Diohnicio opened up right away.  He is quite the class clown!!!  They are so sweet and really good boys!



 And last but not least is Carlos.  He is 12 years old and such a sweetheart.  He was so loyal to the Hernandez family.  He really loved and looked up to Tony.  What a great kid!  He even spoke a little English and is a really smart boy!  



                                                              Familia Hernandez
Included in our family was Wilmer.  He was one of the translators.  He was awesome!!!!!


We put on a Vacation Bible Camp for the kids which includes games, crafts, snack and a skit.  

Gina ready for the games to start! 


Max and Diohnicio


Craft time!

Skit 

Snack, a treasure box with treasure, chocolate coins and jelly beans!

Gina and Mommy time!


We take the boys on the bus for two field trips.  We go to the beach first and then Jersey Park (Dairy Farm) where we play soccer and on the playground.  Can't forget the best ice cream ever at Jersey Park!  It's so good!!!!!!!!!!


Javi and Max on the bus!

Debbie and Pedro


Beach trip:  Some of the boys have never seen the ocean.  We have lots of fun playing in the sand and swimming.



 
Jersey Park playground, Gina, Livi and Megan






On the ranch there is a mountain that we climb.  We pray at the top and take lots of pictures!  






We have been to this camp for 6 years now.  Our first year, one of the locals had a store that we can get refreshments.  She serves drinks, mango ice cream, candy, chips.  She has improved her store with lots more refreshments and a place for us to sit and relax!



End of our trip we give the boys gifts.  This year we gave out backpacks with lots of goodies inside!





On our way out, we gave the boys a ride to their bus.  Tony let them drive!!!!



Goodbye Mexico, until next time.