Santa and the Boys

Leo, Santa, Jack and Reed

Isn't this a great picture?

Christmas lights are up at Nana's and Papa's house!!

The front of our house has been transformed into a plethora of Christmas decorations. Thanks to Grandma Betty for the spiraling Christmas trees and to Uncle Joe for the Santa/Snowman display. It appears our decorations have inspired the rest of the neighborhood to get into the Christmas spirit and put up some lights. We are always the trouble makers.

Boo-Boo sax concert

Anna - citywide choir

Vacationing in a Tropical Storm

For the second time during our relationship Nana and Papa spent some of their vacation in the middle of a tropical storm. Hurricane Rick turned into a tropical storm as it headed directly towards Maztlan and our lovely report. The rain was incredible and the wind was annoying. Afterwards we enjoyed a couple days of beautiful warm sunny days before heading home.

Wildfires in California

Since none of the other Loons wants to to post a blog, I will talk a little about my recent trip to California (for business). I ended up having to rent a car in Fresno, then drove to Oxnard (don't ask me why). When I was finished in Oxnard, I drove up to Salinas (once again, don't ask me why). On the way to Salinas, about an hour south of my destination, I saw what looked like a storm cloud brewing off to the east. As I drove closer to this "cloud" I began to realize this was not storm cloud, it was smoke from a very large wildfire. The farther I drove the more I could begin to see the flames from this fire. I didn't want to pull over, so I took some pictures through the front window of my rental car, at 65 miles an hour. I finally stopped at a McD's to get something to drink and get a closer look at the fire. As I was leaving McD's the power went out in the restaurant. Everyone was quickly escorted out of the building and I got back in my car and headed home. The pictures are in the order I took them from the car, with the exception of the last picture, which I took during my McD's stop.

My Awesome Girls!

I've always adored my daughters and took great pride in their accomplishments therefore I shouldn't be surprised at how awesome they both are. I guess "surprised" isn't really the right word....maybe amazed, but not surprised.

Anyway, Casi has recently graduated from DU with a Master's in Social Work. Jodi continues to be a worship leader, teacher, wife and mother. Both have considerable compassion for their family and friends - and all in need.

Casi set up this website and Jodi has joined her on it. I personally think it is awesome and wanted to share it with everyone.

http://www.picturewindowsart.com/Picture_Windows_Art/Home.html

Enjoy!

Casi Preheim, MSW

Friday, June 5, our daughter Casi graduation from the University of Denver with her Masters in Social Work. What an exciting afternoon and evening we had.

This is a picture of the auditorium prior to the grads coming in. It was pretty austere! They had music performed by a small orchestra...awesome.

Of course our day started earlier at the MSW recognition ceremony! We got to meet some of Casi's professors and friends. And of course the key note speaker had to throw something out to us as parent's that caused me to cry! Still it was a wonderful event.

After the reception we went to the car where Casi donned her cap and gown. It was a little windy but she still looked awesome!

Then it was into the auditorium where we had a chance to take a couple of family pictures.

Casi and Reed....who was very proud of his Mother!

Reed, Casi and Matt

We had a wonderful time....lots of family and friends came to share in this memorable event! We are so proud of Casi's accomplishmetn, but I know she is glad it is over!

The Kitchen

Believe it or not, the kitchen is done. We are very pleased with the results and happy to be able to live like normal people. In case you were wondering what the kitchen looked like before - the top picture was taken during the remodeling process.

CAN YOU SEE THE RAYS???

If you look at the picture above you will see a colored umbrella on the beach. Above that umbrella are three people in the water. Above them is a dark colored object in the water. That dark colored object is a school of manta rays meandering off the shore. It was cool to watch as they would approach a swimmer and split up to go around, then regroup again. They didn't move too fast and we saw them going the other way later in the day.

This was Don and Debi's highlight of their vacation.

What Were We Thinking??????

Recently our oldest granddaughter turned 12 years old. When we asked her how she wanted to celebrate she informed us that she would like to have a "Friday the 13th" slumber party at our house. Of course we agreed.

After gathering everyone together, we took them to a mall where here Dad had planned a really fun scavenger hunt. It ended at a local Starbucks. From the looks on everyones face I would say they had a great time. Lots of giggling and "OMG's". Of course there were a couple of 8th grade boys that got a little attention too. Kind of funny. David was not happy about that!

Back row: David, Boo, Jenny and Noah

Seated: Linda, Mary Claire, Megan and Kate

The goofy one layin on their laps....SARA!

Of course what slumber party would be complete without tatoo's? Even I got in the act although you will never see it!

My bathroom will never be the same!

Oh well....a good time was had by all. Most importantly we got to spend a wonderful evening with a very special granddaughter. Wouldn't have skipped this for the world~

Out with old (dusty) and in with Nothing

Okay - so this is the kitchen with all the crappy cabinets taken out. There is nothing else left to destroy (maybe a new dishwasher). Our new cabinets are being installed as we post this blog. We are almost there. Be patient.

Look at my Grandsons!

Aren't they cute!?!?!?!?!

Love the windows....but where's my kitchen?

The new windows we had put in are awesome. Already can tell a huge difference in the house. Go Champion! But....in addition to the new windows we're getting a new kitchen. That's wonderful, but look what we're living with in the meantime. It will be worse tonight when Don takes out the remaining cabinet where the sink is! Good thing we have a microwave....hello frozen entrees!

LUCY GETTING BATHED

Here is Lucy's 1st bath at home in the kitchen sink. She really didn't mind it and she was a very good girl. If only we could get Howie to do the same.

A Boy and His Dog....one of them.

Leo and Lucy....she insists on sitting on his lap in the car!

Christmas

The day started at noon, but we decided to pretend like it was Christmas morning. Everyone came over in their "jammies" and we served breakfast food....delicous! We had a wonderful day with the whole family. Unfortunately didn't get many pictures. Above - Papa and I.

Jodi and Justin

The Preheims

Matt, Casi, Reed and Jack

Surprise!!!!!!

In November my sister, Diane (a.k.a. Jamie) had a milestone birthday. Well we couldn't let it go unnoticed or uncelebrated so her beautiful daughters, my beautiful daughters, my crazy brother and others got together to throw her a surprise party here in Denver. As usual, Diane and Peter (her husband) came out for Thanksgiving. It was not possible for our whole family to get together on Thursday so we told Diane that we would have a relaxed family gathering the next day at my brother Joe's house. Little did she know that when she walked through that door she would be greeted by daughters, son-in-laws, grandsons, sisters, brothers, neices, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins! What a blast we had. As you can see from her face she truly was surprised! It is a remarkable that she was surprised as we started planning this big event in May when I hooked up with Leigh in Ft. Lauderdale and from that time nobody "spilled the beans".

We had lots of great food!

And Casi got this gorgeous, delicous cake!

Diane's girls (and their families) flew out to Denver to be a part of the festivities. Sad as it is, many years had passed since we last saw Kristen, Leigh and Rondi. But I have to say....they are gorgeous! And funny and smart! It was a blast to spend time with them again!

Casi

made a

beautiful book

about Diane

for Diane!

Rondi had way too much fun opening the champagne!

Brother Joe giving a toast....notice Granma - not too happy about the champagne ;>)

We can't possible get together without getting a picture of the siblings. We haven't change much! LOL

Jodi wrote a beautiful tribute to Diane which was read by my granddaughters, Sara and Boo (a.k.a. Anna)

"The Girls" - starting in back Casi, Jodi, Rondi, Kristin, Leigh, Diane and me!

Diane's "Boys" Taylor, Tyler, Scott (Rondi's family), Peter (the husband) and Jeff (the newest member of our crazy family married to Kristen recently in Miami

Kristen, Rondi and Leigh outside of Casa Bonita

I knew after all this fun and merriment that someone would end up in trouble....I just never thought it would be my grandsons Jack and Leo! We must find a way to raise the bail money!