Yes, it's another notch on the birthday belt for VaNile, also known as "Mom", also known as "Grandma", also known as "GreatGrandma". Happy 19th Mom (that's counting backwards from 50!). That's not too far from the age you were in this picture. Forever young!
Happy BIrthday Mom!
The Next Day...
After Thanksgiving dinner, Jeff's 4 youngest wanted to spend the night with me last night. I still hadn't fully recovered from the trip to Utah so the kids were good sports and sat on my couch watching a movie while I cleaned up. The next morning Devon discovered my marathon finisher medals and modeled. I also got some lovely artwork out of the deal. 
Jeff and Jeffrey came down the next morning and joined us for a hike. We did the 2.6 mile Temescal Canyon loop. It's a wonderful hike that includes broad vistas with views from Malibu to Catalina Island to Palos Verdes to downtown Los Angeles (the kids were shocked, SHOCKED to discover I lived next to Los Angeles). Unfortunately we had slightly overcast skies so the view was a bit hazy without any sign of Catalina. The kids were great hikers. No carrying required :-)
This is the bridge that normally is next to a small waterfall. Because of the lack of rainfall it's really just a trickle now but it's still a wonderful place to stop and eat some oreos and granola bars.
Checking out the greatly shrunk down pools of water.
Turkey Day at Jeff and Michele's
Michele and Jeff hosted the Thanksgiving Feast this year. Here's a picture of the "Let the Eating Begin" moment. Michele set a beautiful table and we actually started the meal exactly at the time Michele said dinner would start... impressive! Just prior to the meal, Michele shared a home slide show she worked on to take with them when they travel to Argentina in about 5 weeks. It was pictures of her parents with Michele and her siblings when they were just little ones, then some of growing up with her grandparents Floyd and Maude, of her extended family in Argentina, some of our family and ending with pictures of Jeff's clan. (For those of you who don't know, Michele's parents died in a plane crash when she was just 5- the oldest of 3). Michele then spoke very eloquently of the impact of family and the unconditional love and support that comes with it. So sweet, loving and moving. 
Check out the cute name place holders that Michele and the kids made.
Jeff taking the post-eating nap while the remains of the day are on the table.
Cherryl, Gordon, Jeff and Kyle
Maddie borrowed the camera and took this self-portrait. Doesn't she look beautiful in pink?
Post Gorging Traditions... Risser Style
Some traditions just can't be ignored and for us Risser's that means a game of Yahtzee after eating. The game MUST include creative shaking of the dice cup. This year it was the famous armpit shake which won me (Big Sydney) a bonifide Yahtzee (via 6's) helping me clinch the game and the Biggest Turkey title. Here we are pointing out the moment of Yahtzee... please note Logan's happy competitive smile.
Here's Devon demonstrating great talent as a Risser. This includes a mouth full of whip cream (sprayed directly from the can). Note how it doesn't slow her Yahtzee playing!
Here we are getting ready to take off for the first Annual Risser Turkey Stroll (downgraded from a Turkey Trot). We walked a loop behind Jeff and Michele's house on the horse trail. Along the way we sang some songs and fedcarrots to the horses and donkey. Michele and I did run (read: "trot") up the hill before their house. Logan and Devon decided to join us so ran fast and caught up with us. Ah to be young!
Aimee and Chris' Celebration Day
Here are some pictures of Aimee and Chris on their Celebration Day. Aimee was beautiful and Chris handsome. I also learned that I own an ancient camera. It is so slow to take a picture that by the time the camera took the shot, the action had moved on. Sigh. Result: I got very few pictures and even fewer nice ones. I guess I know what Santa will bring me for Christmas. Ah well, here's a few pictures of the day and beyond.
All Dogs Go To Heaven
Well, by now most of you have heard that Kook has moved on to the next life. We had him for about 13 years now and of all the dogs we had, and we've had some good ones, he really was the best. He so gentle and loving, and he loved everyone, especially little children. He would always greet you with a smile and a friendly howl, and his tail wagging was legendary. His tail was a good 2 1/2 inches thick up to about 5" from the end and when he wagged it his whole rear end swayed (pretty impressive for a dog that weighed 100 pounds), and anything from whatever was on the coffee table to little children would be knocked down. I want to thank GK for this great picture of a great dog. We will really miss him.
Don and April...
have joined ranks. Check out the link to their blog. I'm still in Utah for Aimee's Party. It was lovely, she was beautiful and we're very proud of her and Chris. When I get home I'll post some pictures.
Veterans Day
In honor of Veteran's Day, here's a picture of Dad in his early day of military service. Mom says that they patrolled the beach along Southern California with trained military attack dogs. This was just before Dad volunteered for Underwater Demolition Team (UDT). So thank you to Dad (Coast Guard/Navy) and Mom's brother Uncle Paul Lewis (Air Force) for their service to our country and freedom.
And while we're at it, thank you to Joey Bainbridge and Daniel Baxter (both Air Force) and Jason Risser (Coast Guard) for the service they're giving now. Hats off!
Yahoo... Chelsea's on Board
Becky just told me that Chelsea has started a blog. I've linked it on to ours. Check it out. I look forward to meeting baby Emma when I go up for Aimee's wedding in a few weeks (actually less than 2 weeks now... nervous Aimee?????)
Birthday Boyz
In honor of Jeff and cousin Mike's birthdays, I thought I'd post old pictures of them. Always partners in crime, it seems appropriate the dates are back to back.
Mike's birthday is Monday, November 5. This is a Mike and Sam (the Wonder Wiener dog... not as wonderful as Pansy the Wonder Dog but pretty darn close). If you'd like to send Mike a card his address is:
23981 Austust Court
Paoloa, KS 66071
Jeff's Big Day is Tuesday, November 6. This is a picture of Jeff when he worked at Magic Mountain (a.k.a. Thrill Hill, a.k.a. Happy Hump). He worked in the game section which I'm sure doesn't exist anymore. Maybe Jeff can make a comment and tell us more about the picture. Happy Birthday Big Guy!
Halloween 2007
Halloween at Jeff's house. We strolled the dark, (the very dark) streets with numerous neighbors and friends that had stopped by.
Grandma never looked so good....NOT!
