Just passing time

2011-02-09T17:33:00.000-08:00

OK I'm feeling the need for some Baseball!

I thought I would put up 2010 Dodger road trip pictures

It all started at the airport.

Meghan sporting her lakers colors, as they were playing the game 7 of the play off this day.

She is a very brave girl as we were about to fly into Boston!!!

Richard in his dodger Blue!

That turned out to be a very good thing as he got to meet Vin Scully whom was flying on our flight.

We have pictures but they are on Meghan's camera.

Shots from our hotel room

A few shots inside the stadium

Meghan doing the Sara walk!

We had a great trip, but people in Boston don't like when thier team loses game 7 in the basketball championship!
Looks like were going to see the Twins this year for our road trip.

2010-09-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

Don't know what Tatanka is going to do when the weather get's to cold for this!

She just loves water play.

2010-08-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

This is the newest member of our family.

Meet Tatanka (buffalo)

She is now over three months old and 99% house broken.

She spends lots of time sleeping

She is quite smart and learing all the rules quite fast

As soon as she is finished with her puppy shots she'll start walks in the park with me, and I can not wait for the company.

Gotta love this face.

2010-06-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

Last summer our Dodger road trip was to Chicago

I never posted these photos, and I thought I would before our trip to boston this year

We took in three games, and only won one.

Shot of Richard looking down the river on a bridge

This is one of four ship shots on the bridge

Richard had a very good time at Harry caray's bar!

This park was just across from The Sears Tower, I found it very cool.

They even had a ring toss gome set up on the lawn.

The Sears Tower!

The new floor was not open yet, so we must go back to check it out.
Also need to do the Cub's side of town.

Spent some time in the history of MONEY museum

Cute money

Million dollar cube

Vault under our feet

Meghan at play in the park at Navy pier

Having a talk with Bob, you can't tell but it is pooring rain in these shot's

OK you can kind of tell by Meghan's face in the last one

A visit to the stain class Museum at Navy pier,

only one shot because there were to many I liked to show them all

Dinner Cruise , shots of sky line and passing ships

Thank you big brother!

Can not wait for Thusday.

BOSTON

2010-05-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

Rylee in Lissa's hand me downs

She loves hiding in the front curtains..

Holding her cell phone. She now talk's into it.

She also loves looking at her parent's wedding album

18 months is so cute, but they are always cute when they belong to you

2010-04-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

Meghan had one day off this week and came home to see me. Or so I thought, she really just wanted to play with Rylee. Love my girls.

Spring

2010-04-24T18:52:00.001-07:00

Almost thirty years ago as a young wife

I took it upon myself to plant some bulbs in on our side hill

I watch each year for them to come up

This is the first time I've had a chance to cut them

and show them off
Enjoy

San Diego Zoo

2010-04-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

Second trip to the zoo with Rylee

First stop the polar bears

We took the sky buckets up

and Rylee or her parents were not fans

Walked down through Elephant Odyssey

I think she likes the free loaders the best

A great day at the zoo

2010-03-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

This has been one of those very sad season's in my life.

I have lost an aunt.

I have lost a friend.

I have lost my dog.

Through all of this God is good.

My aunt found the lord through her fight with cancer.

My friend has always had the lord, yet she was able to show others his love through her fight with cancer.

My dog was just the best and all dogs go to heaven.

They are all being missed right now, yet I'll see them again!

This is the greatest promise God has given us.

Rest in peace one and all till then.

I love you

growing up

2010-02-06T12:20:00.001-08:00

Now that Rylee is over a year old and getting around so much faster it is time to have another grandkid right?

RIGHT!

Rylee should become the big sister sometime in late July or early August.

Congratulations Tyler and Becky.

About time.

2009-12-18T08:04:00.000-08:00

It has been a busy time in my life. Have not taken the time to blog. Now Rylee is one years old. Wow how time flew by. She just loves looking at my gramme's brag book.
She just loves looking at my gramme's brag book.

Graduation 2009

2009-07-01T10:54:00.000-07:00

Some shots for graduation morning.

2009-06-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

Lot of shots in May

Rylee at 5 mos.

She did not like the pool with water just the dry one.

Rylee's Easter pool.

eating solids.

She can roll over, just not on camera.

2009-06-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

Rylee

A few shots for April. I know I'm way be hind. Had some problems with photos on the pc!

48 hours at Villa Philmont

2009-04-10T17:30:00.000-07:00

This is Villa Philmont. This is where we spent two very relaxing days, and nights.

Can you say Ozzie and Harriett

Big closets for its day (early 1900)

Snow falling

Where the Mountains -

Meet the plains

Cimarron New Mexico

Wild life

Lots of wild life

young wild life

Running along the side of your car wild life

Far out wild life

Just out side of the town of Cimarron is this very old Cemetery

Kind of sad looking
This is one of the old head stones you could still read. Some were just weatherd planks of wood.

The wind was blowing so hard when I was trying to take these pictures you could lean into it and stay up. It was also very cold, it took your breath away.

Road trip to New Mexico

2009-04-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

A 14.5 hour trip took us over 18!

Entering Arizona all is well.

Dead stop!!!!

For over 2 hours!

We just sat there. Gary is sleeping in the back and

Meghan and I were rocking to the tunes and with the wind.

This was the problem.
The wind was blowing at 75-85 miles per.

We had to be escorted by State Troopers. Through dust storms!

This truck had overturned on the highway and had to be moved off before we could start going. In this photo two guys are trying to save as much of the grocery load as they can. Transferring it to the new truck in very windy and dusty conditions.

Made it to New Mexico.

Garys turn to drive.

My arms were very sore from holding the steering wheel fighting the wind.

Resting in the back seat.

Rylee again

2009-02-25T14:21:00.001-08:00

Drop off time. Sleeping from the car ride.

Wakeing up to grammy.

Only got a few hours with her and we made the most of it!

Too sweet!

Feb. 14th

2009-02-17T14:57:00.000-08:00

Rylee at 2 months

Look I can dance

Grandpa pants!

Hi Grampa

Looking out the window

This guy is kind of scary!!!

I can do it all by my self. (sort of)

Are these my hands?

2009-02-16T05:51:00.001-08:00

God is so good!

2009-02-14T09:35:00.000-08:00

More sleeping shots.

I don't like the one with the flash on.

Such a love.

More Baby

2009-02-11T11:30:00.000-08:00

Spending the afternoon with Grammy!

Getting too know Drew!

Thanks Becky

January 27th.

Dinner

2009-02-10T18:46:00.001-08:00

Dinner is done and my husband is stuck in traffic. The 5 is closed at 14. He has been on surface streets for over an hour. I'm trying to wait, but it smell so garlicly good!

You're gonna get sick of baby pic's but I won't!

2009-02-10T15:16:00.000-08:00

These are my grand kitty's From Tyler and Becky.

Kind of a brake up from baby shots:)

Sleeping girl, something she does very little of according to my son!

Just waking up.

January 22nd.

Two weeks +

2009-01-02T14:13:00.001-08:00

Rylee is two and a half weeks old today!!!

Meghan is such a great aunty.

gotta love this face!

I know I do:)

Sweet dreams.

Rylee Noelle Christiansen

2008-12-16T21:10:00.000-08:00

Waiting

December 16, 2008 @ 1719 8lbs 12oz, 20 in. Healthy and happy. Mom and baby are both doing great.

Christiansen open house

2008-12-14T16:42:00.000-08:00

Open house was a big hit again this year. We had over 100 people stop by and enjoy!
If you were one of them thanks for coming, and if you did not come we hope to see you next year.

better late then never!

2008-12-14T16:33:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is over and done.

I took some shots, or I should say I had Meghan take some.

Only six for dinner and it was lovely.

Not to much work.

Brittle

2008-11-14T11:09:00.000-08:00

Making Brittle is not really hard, yet it does take time! Time over a very hot burner constantly stirring for what seems like forever.

The items you need for Peanut Brittle. ( you can use other nuts)

Pre-heating pans

Boiling sugar.

Adding nuts and butter.

The constant stirring

All done but the breaking up.

This job is usually much easier and lots more fun with my daughter to help. I missed her on this batch. Lucky for me she'll be home before the party prep starts.

demo!!

2008-11-05T10:04:00.001-08:00

The old master vanity was in need of up-dating. In less then 30 minutes I did most of the demo.

I removed the old light box, which i have always hated!

Using my handy tools is so much fun.

now I just have to remove the vanity it self.

Then redo everything.

2008-11-03T05:26:00.000-08:00

My mom was coming to Cali one day last week for Becky's baby shower on Saturday. She asked me Thursday night if I could come up with a Halloween costume and put it together for her before she left on Sunday morning!

After some thought I started sewing.

and mother nature she became. She had a great time at her singles party and everyone loved her outfit. I even got paid well in the deal. Thanks Mom, love ya.

Baby Shower

2008-10-29T08:12:00.001-07:00

A Baby shower for Becky and Rylee!

Becky's mom and sister threw this lovely Shower at their home.

We played lots and lots of games! So Fun!!!!

I even won the dirty diaper game. I know my candy:)

They got lots of great gifts from all their family and friends.

Toms showing

2008-10-19T15:55:00.001-07:00

This is my cousin Thomas (Tom) Trivitt. Last night my brother Richard and I went to his art showing in downtown Los Angeles-China Town.

The invite! That was mailed on the 14th for his show on the 18th! Need to work on that on cuz.

We had dinner at hop li. Some very good food!!!!

This is the art gallery.
people looking at the lovely works of art.

Shots of Los Angeles sky line from out side the gallery. Looking down Hill St.

Richard and I had a very nice evening. The best part was that I also got to see my Cousin Nancy, her son and her new boy friend. I was so happy to see her I never got any pictures of them. Hope to see them again soon.

Trip to the vet!

2008-10-14T16:08:00.000-07:00

This is Drew, She is Meghan's dog.

This week she turns 7 years old which makes her a senior citizen according to our vet.

She has been a bit under the weather this last week so I took her in to see the doc.

She is showing her age! She has arthritis and a calcium build up on her nose.

The build up looks like a scab and is not appealing to look at.

Now I have to put her on a new diet, give her pills, and cream her nose twice a day.

The things we do for our kids.

I mean my daughter not the dog.

Oh ya, I also have to pay the bill!!!!

Hair cut

2008-10-08T16:09:00.000-07:00

I had not had my hair cut and colored sense May. It was time!!!!

This is the place I've been getting my hair done for about 4 years.

Kind of Goth

This is Mary my hair dresser. Yes her hair is GREEN. I've seen it bright pink, Blue, Black with Purple highlights, Lavender, orange and light pink over the years. Never a regular color. I have never been unhappy with her work on my hair. Great color and it always feels so good after she is done. She knows I hate hair spray and never presses me to let her use it like my old hair dresser always did. She is just great.

This is Mary's station.

This is my cut. Thanks Mary

My Friend

2008-10-05T15:44:00.000-07:00

Liz Dobbs Favela has been one of my best friends for over 42 years. The day my family moved in next door to her family on a little cul de sac , May 11, 1966. She ran up to me in the front yard and puffed up her chest and said I'm going to be 7 this week! How old are you?

She has been a part of my life sense. We have had our good times and our bad, yet we still share a wonderful bond.

We try and get together at least once a month. Not always easy to do but well worth the effort. Love ya Liz.

Trip to D.C.

2008-09-15T09:44:00.001-07:00

Gary took me on a trip to D.C. for our 28th anniversary.

We had two days before his work obligation's began and two days after. The day we flew in was the same day tropical storm Hannah hit town.

This shot of the storm front was taken from the plane.

Shorty after we landed it started to rain and blow very hard. The drive from Dulles to DuPont circle was kind of scary. Having flown in on a red eye flight, and being awake much longer then we should, we made it safely to our first hotel. Were they informed us our room would not be ready until 2:00pm. With it raining so hard we couldn't go out and do anything so we sat in the lobby all day. I was way to sleepy to take any shots of the storm. Lets just say being a California girl I had never seen so much rain and wind in such a short time.

These shot are from our room the day after the storm.

This is the Gaylord! Our accommodations for Gary's business portion of our trip. It was like being out side when you were really in side. I found that I did not like the feeling much. Like being in a glass cage.

Looking up!

Looking back at the rooms.

Looking out to the river.

Zoom of the bridge.

Looking down from the lobby.

The photos of the crystal cube below do not do it justice. I found it to be mesmerizing. I just sat in the lobby one day when Gary was in a meeting and lost my self in it.

One evening we took a walk on the shore line and found this guy buried in the sand. It was way cool. I somehow lost the rest of the shots with his arm, knee and foot? (I'm new at this camera thing) The whole sculpture was really very big. Like 50 yards long!

The best part of the trip was getting to go to Camden Yards! It's too bad the O's lost.

The last place we stayed was downtown and Very old, clean yet quite unique.

Kelly, on the day I toured alone I went to some art museums wishing you were there to see it all with me.

2008-08-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

Our church family meets in a warehouse complex. I've never taken a photo of the outside because it does not represent the feel of our family. Families are warm, our outside is cold. We have tried to warm it up with plants and very nice signs. yet it is still a warehouse.

The inside feels like home.

I've grown greatly in these walls, and I thank the Lord for bringing us here.

Church Picnic

2008-08-12T07:46:00.000-07:00

Sunday we had our annual church picnic.

It was held at the lovely McQueens home again this year.

Just like a park with lots of added privacy.

Men working hard at the BBQ

Kids having a great time in the pool

Lots of good food and great company

A great time was had by all.

Lunch

2008-07-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

Our families have been going to the Bear Pit for over 40 years. If you grew up in the San Fernando Valley you must have eaten there at least once in your life!

If not it is your loss.

This place is very old, and has sawdust on the floors, also great art work!

Meghan took a few years to grow to love it as much as her father and I do, but after that she just loves going. Her first year on the SMT I took the whole team. On first site the girls were not sure they really wanted to eat there. After one bite of Garlic toast they couldn't wait to go back. Meghan and I always have quality mother/daughter time here.

This is a regular relish dish.

We ask for it with out the pickles.

This is the best thing on the menu. Turkey on garlic toast with beans and fries!

If you have never been I highly recomend you go sometime soon.

2008-07-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

This year instead of teaching crafts, I took on the craft of Archery.
I really enjoyed teaching the kids and summer staff.

Dave also took a lesson. I would like to thank Keith for getting the hay bales and giving us a place to shoot. I would like to add family camp and kids camp to the fun next year.

VA Road Trip

2008-07-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

Last week Meghan and I took Richard to the VA Long Beach.
They had lots of these trees with lovely white flowers that Meghan likes.

I think this is the only parking lot in the world with over 100 handicap parking spaces all full! Of course it has the biggest SCI(Spinal Cord Injury) Wing in California.
Richard took us out for a great late lunch after. OH soooo good.

Thanks for all your prayers

2008-07-16T10:38:00.000-07:00

My daughter-in-law Becky has been on bed rest since family camp with bleeding and pain. The doctors are keeping a close eye on her. The last ultrasound and check up looked very good. She still has to take it easy and rest a lot, please keep us in your prayers. In his great love, Sherry

Work weekend!

2008-06-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

Went to work weekend at camp, and did a little work. Spent some time with Sarah and the kids before they left town. Didn't get to stay long but had a great time as always. Now I can not wait till Family camp.

Part Two

2008-05-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

This Saturday I went back to Bakersfield to put the finishing touches on Meghan's place. When I got there at 7:55 Meghan did not answer her phone.
So I went out for breakfast all by my self.

When I got back to her place at 8:45 she still was not picking up her phone, so I

rang the door bell and woke everyone up! It seams my daughter had a very late night or should I say early 3:00 AM out.

I put her to work and we finished with this.

Not bad for two ladies if I say so myself. I was going to return home that night, but a big dust storm kept me from returning Saterday night. As I was leaving Sunday very early so I could make it to early service at church, I found that I had misjudeged I pipe that had broken during our work. Oops !!! Sorry Meghan.

Part One (sort of)

2008-05-25T10:48:00.000-07:00

After we got Meghan her condo it had only one eye sore. The planter in front of her place. It was full of weeds and other trash. She never uses the front door because her parking is in the back. Sometime last year I started pulling the weeds and removing two layers of rock and bark.

Two weeks ago I went back to finish what I had started. Meghan helped me and we got it all emptied out in one weekend.