Chelsea gave me permission to call family and I figure this is faster and easier. Chelsea and Brad are expecting a little boy in July. Chelsea has felt from the beginning it was a boy and todays sonogram proved her right. So anybody know the ratio of boys to girls in our family crew?
Paul Fairbanks
Hey kids, check out Nena's blog. Last I heard they kept him overnight for observation. Toni told me it involved the right atrium of the heart. Prayers and good wishes appreciated I'm sure.
What's with the branches of the Risser Clan lately? Can we all just simmer down and settle into dull health news? BTW- Grandma is doing much better. For those of you who don't know, it became apparent she has shingles.... yeah that after staying overnight in the hospital and them missing the obvious. Increases confidences doesn't it?
Amgen Tour de California
The Amgen tour came through yesterday. The last several years they have ridden from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita, and we have gone to the Town Center Mall to see them come in. It was great because they would come down Magic Mountain Parkway, turned right at Mc Bean, go past the finish line, then right on Valencia, then right again on Tourney Rd. They would do three laps then hit the finish line, which gave us multiple chances to see them go by. But this year they started at the mall and rode to Pasadena going through our valley, up Soledad Cyn through Acton by Jeff's house, up Aliso canyon to Angeles Crest Highway, then over the mountains to Pasadena. Bottom line, we didn't get to see much this year.
I really wanted to see it this year as Lance Armstrong is riding on his come-back for the Tour de France, for which this ride is a qualifier. Jeremy and Kristy and the girls were at her parents house and the race went up Bouquet Canyon right by them, so I went over there and we waited on the sidewalk till the peleton came by. It was fun, but really, really short.
First the sponsers cars come by. The SAAB sponser was handing out cowbells, the traditional noisemaker for bike races. We didn't see what they were doing till they started to leave, so we didn't get one, at first. But shortly after they left a man walked up to Nyah and gave his bell to her. After they went by, Jeremy wasn't excited about having a cowbell in the house with two highly creative and active daughters, so Nyah gave it to me. It now has a place of honor on my bookshelf. (I found out later that SAAB was selling the same bells at the starting line for $8 each.)
The lead cars and police went by about 5 minutes ahead of the riders with lights and sirens going, and then the riders came through with the television and photo motorcycles, then a long line of support cars. The whole parade lasted about 15 minutes, but the riders went by in less than 15 seconds. 
I was so busy trying to get a good shot I never got to look at them. I tried to identify Lance from the photos but I can't make him out. I did think I saw Floyd Landis in it.
It was over in the blink of an eye.
By the time I got back to the house and got the on-line live video feed they were already miles up Soledad Canyon. I was especially interested in this part of the race because I ride this road so much myself, and even though I know how fast they are I couldn't believe how they were burning up the road.
In celebration of the whole thing I watched "The Triplets of Belleville" afterward. (Inside joke)
One Party Closer To Death
Part of the rabbit hutch and those who are fast approaching. (Can you tell which one isn't afraid of having a double chin) In the above picture Matix, Emma, Chelsea, Aaron, Jacob & Elliot. Below Carline & baby girl due end of April, Jenni & baby girl due beginning of May & Chelsea & baby ???? (they find out this week) due July.
More to come from the party once I can get on a computer that works at a normal speed.
Grandma Risser's status
As some of you may know, Grandma's not been feeling well the past few days. She was taken to ER this morning by her home teacher. Gordon had tried to take her the night before but she deferred (so mom). They've decided to keep her over night for further observations as her blood pressure was low and her electrolytes are off. I just spoke to her by phone and she told me she's feeling much better.
I'm home sick as well but Toni, Michele, Jeff and Gordon all arrived at the hospital to be with her; Becky and April stayed in touch by phone. Michele was the first to arrive and apparently when Mom tried to stand she passed out and Michele had to catch her (good catch Michele!!!). I'm so grateful for my family to jump in to help without hesitation. Big love and hugs to you all. And I'm sure Grandma would appreciate your prayers ( and you can toss one in for me also). For now, best to contact your parents to find out her current status. With the size of this ever growing clan, she'd be fielding phone calls all day and still not get to all of us.
As an aside, I was reading the March 09 issue of Real Simple and ironically they had a piece on visits to the ER. It gave some good thoughts but also talked about about how everyone should carry a medical information card with them. They had a link to the magazine that you could go to download it. They also had one for children. Toni, April and I all have subscriptions so I'm sure all of us would be happy to download a copy and send one to you if you'd like it. Love to all and be well.
Risser Rabbit Hutch
I was trying to do a little math the other day and realized just how 'busy' our little clan has been. Beginning in the May - Charlotte was born, then Van Giles, Isabella and little Elliott. Incoming in rapid succession from Kristy, Carline, Jenny, Sarah, Chelsea. Did I miss someone??? We could start our own community - Risser Ranch??
Fun things to do in So Cal?
Hello my family, I have a little request. Joey and I are planning to get away for our 11th anniversary. And since it may be our last chance, at least for a long while, we decided to tour around So Cal on his motorcycle. There is so much that I have never done and Joey even less. So I am asking to pick your brains clean of great ideas. Some of our brainstorming includes some of the obvious:
Magic Mountain (Joey's never been)
Dodgers game
Watch Jay Leno live
Museums
China Town
Walk of Fame
Whale watching
Beaches
and such...but knowing you all might be able to help me with the not so obvious and little known ideas.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you,
All my love,
Carlie
