Easter dinner with Jeff and Michele was fun as usual. I have pictures to post but need to turn my attention to wrapping up my taxes instead. Soon.
Getting on the train in Santa Clarita
Grandma and the girls enjoying the view.
Getting off at Union Station 
Walking out of Union Station; I'd never been there before and I was surprised how stylized it was. They must have been restoring it for some time now. It was as good as anything I've seen back east. 
We got to the street just before Sydney made it. Standing in front of the fountain.
Syd made it shortly after we got there. The girls have a way of making you feel like you're the most important person there. 
The traditional Easter Bunny shot. Sade doesn't look very excited here, but she really did enjoy it.
Cardinal Mahoney proceeding to the blessing stand. I didn't know he was the one to do the blessing, but he was recognizable right away. He's looking right at me!
The Mariachi band that led the parade.
Cardinal Mahoney blessing the animals. They actually had a large group of various people go through before the public. I gathered from what they were saying that these groups go through every year. There was a family all riding horses, a group of Aztec warriors, various unusual animals (see Syd's photos), and guests, then the public went through. All kinds of dogs were the most prevalent (mostly chihuahuas. What a surprise in LA), but there were turtles, snakes, cats, lamas, rabbits, sheep, goats, you name it, it was there. The Cardinal had a tub of water and used what looked like an ostrich feather duster that he would dip into the water, then sprinkle (more like shower) the people as they passed by.
One of the Aztec warriors. There were about 8 of them. Click on the shot to see the details of the costume. I wish I had his shield in the picture too. This is all bead work and feathers.
The street was crowded, as usual and all the stuff they sell is the same junk as when I was a kid. We forgot to stop at the taquito stand at the north end of the street. It's about as famous as Tito's Tacos. We did eat at one of the restaurants on the patio where the birds were so used to people some of them came right up to Nayah's hand for food.
After Olvera Street we walked to China Town a couple of blocks away where grandma bought the girls some oriental fans. Not as much to see, but Sade and Nyah were kind of fascinated with some of the seafood. Extra tentacles anyone?
Waiting for the return train ride home at Union Station. Check out the old 1940's style seats.
The inside of Union Station. The art deco is fantastic. This is just one section, closed off to the public while they do some restoration work.
Check out the art work in each of the ceiling sections. I haven't seen anything like this since we went to the Salt Lake visitor's center last Christmas with Eddie and Carline. That was much better, but you don't see this around LA much at all.
These are precious. Cali is responding to Jeremy and trying to talk with him.
We had a great time and I don't think I'll ever forget this trip together. 
On my evening stroll I came across this Easter Bush. Just thought it was sweet. Nothing else.
I was Googling our name and found this, the "United States Coast Guard Book of Valor". It lists all the CG medal winners during WW II. It appears to be done in chronological order and sub divided by states. If you scroll about 4/5 the way down dad is listed with the official statement of the award. Also listed in the same group are his buddies Scoles, Hopper, Beck and Nikolenko, all of whom, if memory serves, are shown in the newspaper photo where dad is getting his medal. Come to think of it, I think every one but Hoppr is with dad in that picture John found in the book, Iwo Jima Recon.
By the way, William Hopper was the son of Hedda Hopper, the famous, or infamous, depending on which end of the gun you were, Hollywood Gossip columnist of the 40's. He was also the district attorney who went up against Perry Mason in the television series. I remember dad saying that his hair turned white in a few weeks after a particularly bad fight.
Check it out. I know it's a long link, but when I tried to shorten it, it went nowhere.
**EDIT** I made a permanent short link for you Dad.
An easier way to help find the name would be to press control F (command F for Syd), type Gordon Risser in the search box and hit enter. -Eddie
http://tinyurl.com/d99jq5
Jeremy is such a proud papa, and a good one.
Look Eddie and Carline, I'm wearing the shirt. I love Jamaica Jaxx
I love this shot.
Have you ever seen anything so peaceful?A friend sent this to me and I rather like the idea. Here's a link to the movie:
I stopped by to see Mom after the Solvang Century (or Half Century in my case). Jeremy and Kristy were stopping by Gordon's so Mom and I invited ourselves over to meet Cali. She's a keeper.
