Words of Wisdom

I just finished reading "The Council of Dads" by Bruce Feiler that Eddie gave me. There's a great statement he makes that I want pass on to all my family and friends.

"The second half of that wish - "May your last word be Love" - is up to you. And if I've learned anything from my illness, it's that we never know when our last word may come. So I beg of you: Be awash in love every day. That love may come from a friend, a relative, a lover, a child. It may come from all these, or just one. But if I could leave you with one last bequest: May it always come from each other."

A Little Family History

I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting today. Being Pioneer day, guess what I was to talk about? Anyway, at the temple on Friday, President Brimhall was relating a story about giving service when prompted by the spirit. I had come in a little late and didn't hear the name of the woman he was telling the story about. I had never heard the story, but in the end he called her Sister Hendricks. I asked him afterwards what her name was and it turned out it was Drusilla Hendricks, our (my) 3rd great grandmother on mom's side.

So for my talk I looked her up on-line and found she had written her biography before she died, and it's on the web. This is fascinating reading. She was involved with the church almost right from the start. She was in the Missouri persecutions, Nauvoo, the trail to Salt Lake, sent her oldest son on the Mormon Battalion at age 16, all with a semi-paralyized husband and 5 children. This woman did so much, and at such a young age. Please take the time to read it for your self. If this doesn't give you the geneology bug I don't know waht will.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~raymondfamily/ddorrisTOC.html

Baby Blessing

Well, as you all know by now things have been very interesting around here the last few weeks. Mom - Cherryl - went camping with the rest of the family at Refugio State Beach. GK, Susanna, Jeremy, Kristy, Adam, Kyle, Kayla and all the related grandkids were there too. Everything went well until about, I think it was Tuesday, when little Van tripped and fell, breaking his left femur in a spiral fracture. Long story short. Charry, GK, Susanna and the twins didn't get much sleep for the next few days while they traded shifts at the hospital where Van got his legs in a cast. I think most of you have already seen it on Facebook.

Anyway, that Sunday we blessed the twin in Sacrament Meeting in Canyon Country, and clebrated Van's 2nd birthday at the same time. Susanna's parents, her older brother and his wife and child were there too, but I couldn't find pictures of them. Some one will have to donate theirs.

Here are the photos. It's Delia on the right, Josie on the left.

Attempting to Tame Our Matriarch!

It has recently come to my attention that our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother (i.e. one VaNile Risser) has broken a promise. A promise to her children, her home teacher and her Bishop. Now she would be the first to tell you how important it is to keep a promise and, generally, I don't believe that keeping a promise would be a problem for her (hmmm), but as we all know she also doesn't believe that all rules apply to her either. This is probably due to the fact that she was pretty much raised by her brother and, therefore, was determined to be 'one of the guys'. And as we all know - this is the kind of behavior that caused her to jump out of a plane from (how many) thousands of feet in the air at the youthful age of 80! Climb around [ALONE] in her attic and suffer heat exhaustion / heat stroke!! Drive across our beautiful country [ ALONE]!!! AND climb up on her roof to fix / work / clean her swamp cooler!!!! She has now gotten herself a fancy little ladder called (I believe) the 'Little Giant' (hmmm that name reminds me of someone...). So now 'Mighty Mouse' has a new toy. It seems to me that when we 'children' abused or misused one of OUR toys it was taken away! Seems to me that this rule should also apply in the reverse! She will not be pleased with me for this blog, but it is only because we love her sooooo much and do NOT wish to encourage her 'moving on' any time soon. I don't care what she says about #86 either. So I would like to encourage ALL of her descendants (and there's a lot of us) to give her a quick little call and let her know that we whole heartedly disapprove of this kind of behavior. That we love her and would like her to stick around and stop tempting fate. She will never be one to sit and rock away her golden years (and we wouldn't want her to) but a promise is a promise. She had told me she wouldn't do it any more because it frightened too many people. Guess what mom - IT STILL DOES!!! So mom, please keep your promise and at least stay off the roof.

Back To Blogging!!!

I just took a walk down Blog Memory Lane. Good times. Facebook is okay but nothing like the blogs. I sincerely hope we all get back to a more regular pace of blogging (Jenni you're excused because you are great). I love this family soooo much and being so far far away I love the pics and catching up - so PLEASE Risser groupies - back to the blog.

bon appetit

Listening to Evan Klieman on Good Food while I clean house. She's interviewing Rick Bayless, celebrity chef, and at the moment they are discussing regional cuisine and the pride people take in such. Got me thinking... what is the Risser "regional" cuisine?

The first things that popped in my head: cranberry jello, green pineapple/cottage cheese jello, mom's potato salad, Welsh rarebit, Saturday morning french toast/pancakes, homemade doughnuts made from pre-made biscuit dough, dad's stuffed green peppers, avacado sandwiches or guacamole made from avocados from Aunt Bobbie's tree, Sunday night grilled cheese sandwiches (velveeta?) with tomato soup while watching the Wonderful World of Disney preceded by Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom- thank you Marlin Perkins! Then there were the famous Risser sized bowls of ice cream... any ice cream

Third Generation keeping the tradition alive- go Matix, go!

I know there's more out there, so let's hear from the very few of you who still check into the blog. What would you list as our/your families "regional" cuisine?

Santa Monica Fireworks- Un4th of July. FINALLY!

I know, I know...it's a little slow and a few of you have requested a post but here's the deal- I was so busy hosting I took very few pictures. I usually hand my camera to Devon and send her off. Why we didn't do the same this year I don't know. So, I had to try to pilfer pictures from others and in Grandmas case, had to scan the pictures (she's traditional... sticks with film; a true arteest :0) Speaking of Grandma- I don't have any pictures with her in them so if any of you do, would you please add at least one. She was there and she's the only family member I didn't get pictures of.

So let's start with two additions by two of my most faithful atendees, Nyah and Sade. They drew these pictures of the traditional event and presented them to me on arrival. I'd say they captured it rather nicely.

Drawing by Nyah Risser:Drawing by Sade RIsser:

It's taken so long that as much as I wish I had the patience, I don't so in no particular order I present: Santa Monica Fireworks Party 2010

Jeff Risser Clan: Wouldn't be the same without this crew. We should have gotten the traditional Risser Line Up picture but this will do. Thanks for the flag shirt and earrings. You guys always make the day fun.

This is Logan with Finn, my friends little boy. Tracy and Rob frequently travel out of the country on the 4th of July so when they do, that ask if they can join us so their family still celebrates. The last time they celebrated with us was several years ago. When Tracy told Finn they'd be joining us all he could ask was if Logan would be there. Apparently Logan played with Finn on his last visit and he never forgot him. Buddies reunited. (So you know, Finn just ate a blue popsicle; his lips are not typically blue)
Amanda Fairbanks Wood with her daughter Bella and the always photogenic and fun Devon Risser.
Great-Aunt Sydney getting a kiss from Bella. With my dark hair I have successfully fooled several of Toni's grandchildren that I am her. I should be so lucky.

Kristy and Cali Risser. A beautiful shot of beautiful ladies and we had to use this one... Kristy kept her eyes open ;0)

Auntie Kayla with her two Supahstah nieces, Sade and Nyah.

You're never too old to enjoy the wonder of a firework display...

And by the way- Jeremy and Kristy made a beautiful and delicious trifle. Jeremy posted the recipe in the previous blog. I highly recommend it for taste and festive appearance.

Supastah Cali with (proud) Grammpy Gordon.
So happy that Stephen Randall made it this year along with Kristin, Mackenzie, Stephen, Kole and baby girl, Charlie. Keep comin'!

Ben, Leigh and Tristan Ashley joined us and represented Becky's group. Next year can we please add a few more from this side? Would love to have you. Oh, and Kasch Klan...please come. Someone must represent!

Tristan was right at home playing with the kids and enjoying himself. However, poor little guy did NOT enjoy the fireworks so Leigh and Ben exited during the show so they could calm him down. I remember when Logan was a little guy and frightened by them as well. Very happy to have Amanda and kids join us: Isiah, Joshua, Jason and Isabella. Next time bring Brandon!

Toni came early and helped with errands and chores beforehand. Thanks sis, not only was it a help, but it was nice to chat with someone while prepping. Meanwhile, Michael and Brett joined Stephen Randall and fam at the beach.

And last but certainly not least are the other faithful Fireworks attendee's: Gordon and Cherry, Jeremy and Kristy and girls. Kayla surprised her dad and drove up the night before so she could join us. Yay!

So plan on joining us next year (Kasch/Benson, more Ashley's, more Fairbanks and Gordon Risser clan). I believe it will be on Saturday, June 25, 2011. COME!!!! In the meantime, keep scrolling down and enjoy patriotic trifle.

July Birthdays!

Since my section of family seems to be loaded with birthdays (and anniversaries) this month, I'll get the ball rolling. Everyone - pitch in.

1st Chelsea Ashley Newbold

3rd: Chris Mahana BD
7th Madison Risser
8th Sara Ashley; Hannah Fairbanks
9th Jude Newbold (Chelsea & Brad's boy)
10th: Matix Risser

12th Rheanna Ashley Baumann
15th Chelsea & Brad Newbold's Anniversary

19th Carlie Fairbanks Bainbridge
19th Rheanna & Doug Baumann's Anniversary

20th: Jeff & Michele Anniversary; Joshua Wood BD (Amanda F); Van Risser (GK)
26th Becky Risser Ashley
28th Nathan Fairbanks

29th Tiffany Kasch
30th Tristan Moon Ashley (Ben & Leigh's boy)

ANNOUNCEMENT

Hey everyone who is close enough - GK and Susanna will be blessing the twins here in Canyon Country on July 18th. Sacrament starts at 11 AM at the Stake center at 19513 DryCliff. After church we'll also celebrate Van's B-Day at the house. (It's also Matix and Madison Risser's B-Days this month)