Not Just Another Birthday!

  Last weekend my family and friends joined me at Sycamore Springs Spa Resort in Avila Beach.  We had a wonderful time.  Thank you all for celebrating with me!!!

     My weekend began on Thursday at Melissa's in Cayucos.  I drove to her house just in time to join her and Dana, her boyfriend for dinner at Duckies, the cute restaurant at the pier in Cayucos.  I had delicious fish tacos!  We returned to Melissa's to watch a TV show and go to sleep.  The next morning, we picked Dana up and had breakfast at a cute cafe in Morro Bay.  The waves were too strong to kayak, which was the original plan.  However, Dana took us out on the harbor boat; he works for the Morro Bay City Harbor Patrol.  We saw seals and otters in addition to the pelicans,  but the pictures didn't turn out.  We had a lovely cruise.  Next trip, Melissa and I will kayak!

      Later in the afternoon, we met our friends and family at Avila.  The Sycamore Resort has hot tubs for all rooms which guest fill with water from the hot springs.  As long as you do not object to the sulfur smell, the hot tubs work well.   We met the first night at the Brabant's suite.  They spontaneously hosted all of us for a glass of wine before the majority of us headed to Pismo Beach for an Italian dinner.

    The next morning we decided to meet at Avila Beach to have breakfast at the Custom House.  Avila is such a cute, little beach town since it was rebuilt.  We had a wonderful breakfast and then walked on the beach and took Collin to the little park.  Melissa, Heather, Josh, Collin and I walked the two miles to the beach.  Making the walk along the Bob Jones trail was one of my objectives for the weekend!



     We enjoyed the beach.  Collin loved the park, however.



   Collin was still energetic as we began the walk back to the hotel.  Together, we jogged about 7/10th of a mile.  He was going to take a nap eventually, but I would not get that opportunity!

      We headed back to Pismo Beach to see the butterflies.  They were massed on the upper branches of the eucalyptus trees.  You can see them mixed with the few that have their wings opened in the following pictures.



     Diane, Steve, and I left together to go wine tasting.  The winery we went to was lovely.  Steve was hoping to arrange for his wine group to visit in February.  I made it back to the hotel in time to swim with Joan before dinner.  The pool was large and empy, except for us.  We were delighted!!  Afterward, we quickly warmed up in the hot tubs and dressed for dinner.  Heather had arranged for our dinner at Novo's in San Luis Obispo.  It was a lovely spot.  We were able to eat on the patio with the brook flowing nearby. The dinner was delicious.  Elsa and Miguel joined us from Ventura.  They had had another birthday party to attend on Friday night.  I appreciate their willingness to join us when they leave for San Francisco this coming weekend for Miguel's daughter's wedding.

     The next morning, Elsa, Miguel, and I went for a walk along the Bob Jones' Trail, headed toward the freeway.  We were trying to get to the labyrinth, but we didn't get there until it was too late for me.  I needed to join Joan, Melissa, and Dana for another swim.  We swan until we had to get out so we could check out. 

     After we checked out, we went to the Avila Barn, where there are animals for Collin and lots of goodies for the rest of us.  We had a good time and left with many goodies, especially the fresh raspberries, cherry tomatoes, turnovers, pumpkins, and soup mixes.  Hmmmmm!!!!

    We left the barn and headed back to Avila for a last breakfast together.  We had a great breakfast at Fat Cat's by the harbor.  Paul was gracious and allowed Joan to travel home with me.  What a perfect way to start a new decade!  Thank you all!!!

Devun's One Month Old

  I was lucky to be invited to go see Devun after he got home to Mammoth.  He and Katie were so comfy in their little upstairs nest at Katie's mom's condo.  Devun was exactly one month old and had gained two pounds.  He was still on a small amount to oxygen, but he is doing well.  Katie was very generous and allowed me to sit and rock him for three hours.  It was worth the three and a half hour drive to get there!!

   As you can see, I was perfectly comfy, snuggling with Devun!!!  Thank you, Katie!!!!

   Katie is a great mother.  Doesn't she look great for having a one-month-old baby who has been so ill.

    Above is Devun wearing the onesy his Aunt Heather made for him.  Obviously,  Devun is destined to be a snowboarder with both his parents loving the sport.  As a matter of fact, Devun is named for Trevor's favorite snowboarder, Devun Walsh.

   On my way home, yes, I drove home the same day so I could grade papers and do lesson plans, I had to stop as I passed Mono Lake.  The sun was setting, and the blues and pinks were gorgeous!

Ebbett's Pass Fall Trip 2011

   Joan, Paul, and I made our yearly fall trip over our beloved Ebbett's Pass toward the end of October.  We were afraid we were too late to see really good colors, but we were rewarded with some beautiful sights.  Here we are on the pass.  We spotted some orange and had to investigate.  As you can see, much of the pass is filled with rock.

    We followed our usual itinerary.  We arrived at the hot springs in Markleeville right after it opened.  The pool is fed constantly with a steady temperature of about 104 degrees.  A fresh water pool is maintained as well, so Joan and I moved back and forth between the two.  After being fully relaxed by the water and surrounding mountains, we had lunch in Markleeville.  I had a delicious patty melt, a decadent treat I rarely allow myself.   As a matter of fact, I hadn't had one since I had one there three years ago.  Delicious!!!
   Then, we added an additional couple of spots.  We drove through Hope Valley, where we found the best colors along the river.

    Here is an extra picture without the color.  This is what the area looks like most of the year - lots on pines and many outcroppings of rock.  I love Ebbett's Pass!!!

New Grandson!!!

On September 29, 2011, Trevor and Katie had a beautiful son, Devun Matthew Stewart.  He was born at the hospital in Mammoth.  He weighed five pounds, eight ounces.  Unfortuately, he was born with infant pulmonary hypertension and had to be flown to Southern California for intensive care.  We were very lucky that he was accepted at Loma Linda Children's Hospital.  He received wonderful care, and Katie was able to stay at Ronald McDonald House right around the corner.  He spent three weeks in the hospital.  As you can see, he was covered with tubes.  He was on a respirator to keep him from breathing deeply.  His lungs would stick together, if he took too deep a breath.  He was fed through a tube, too.  But, he was a trouper and kept fighting.

Katie is a wonderful mother.  She was with him everyday.  She kept pumping, so he could have her immunities.  The nurses would coat his mouth with her milk, since he was not able to nurse.  Katie's mother, father, and grandmother spent lots of time with her, too.  Trevor had to stay home to work and to move them.  They were scheduled to move from their home the weekend after he was born.  They moved into Katie's mother's condo at Lake Crowley while they waited for their new house at June Lake to be ready.  Trevor got everything moved and cleaned the old house.

   I had to return to Murphys and work.  It was to hard to leave them!  I was relieved to know that Devun was in good hands and Heather was nearby.

    We did get to have lunch with Katie and her mother.  Heather and Collin joined us.  It proved a pleasant respite!

Fourth of July with the Erquiagas!

Heather loves being "Mommy!" Such a lucky little boy and momma!!!

Collin held the pinecones he had found on an earlier trip to Oak Glen as we drove home!It was so hot in Yucaipa that Heather suggested we go into the mountains to Oak Glen where there is an apple farm. By the time we arrived, it was pouring! We ran out in the rain and cooled uff. It felt wonderful. Collin was happy as long as we were running. When we stopped, he wasn't so sure that his mama and nana were thinking clearly.

With all of our marching and games, a bath was necessary fun! Collin still loves his bath!!!

Collin had many games to play with Nana. We played march. Collin and I marched around the living room and through the kitchen with Collin sporatically telling me to stop. Then, we would change so that I was chasing him through the same rooms. But, the main game of the visit was bouncing on beach balls. We would perch on a small beach ball, holding hands, and fall together. I would say, "I fell down." Collin would respond with, "I fell down, too." The game would then begin again. The next game stemmed from the bouncing game. I was to cover my face in fear as Collin gathered his beach ball and sneaked up behind me to hit me with the ball. My job was to shriek in terror, as he laughed and retrieved the ball for another shot.

Melissa had given me a picture she painted for Collin's birthday. It is very cute with pictures of birds and a big tree. It will look cute on the wall in his room that has a camp theme. Thanks, Aunt Lissa!

Heather called on July 1st to say she had four days off, and it was a perfect time to visit. I left Saturday morning for Yucaipa. Nana can't pass up an opportunity to play with Collin and his parents. I had sent books to Collin and a T-shirt from the Tennis Hall of Fame for Heather. They ppened it with me. Collin was excited!

Diane's Retirement Party!

Let the celebration of 36 years of teaching begin!

Marge, Diane, Ruth, and I are having a good time!

Kristin was very gracious and shared her room at

the Ojai Valley Inn with me. If you haven't been there,

it is well worth the time and expense! From there, we

moved to the Ranch House for the actual dinner. Diane's family and

friends had a lovely time!

Marge and Bob Wilson joined in the festivities at the Ranch House in Ojai!

Above are Diane and her son, Brett, with Diane's good friend Ruth!

Unfortunately, Brett wasn't feeling well and had to leave early.

His wife and baby were home ill, too. We missed them! Sofie and Brandon

came down from San Francisco. It was great to see them again.

It was a wonderful celebration!