Linking

Dorothy, I will try it. Give it a try. How did it work?

Links

If anyone can tell me how to link to other blogs, please kindly send me directions. Thank you.

The brothers part ways

This morning Matt and Katie and I were getting ready to make cinnamon nutmeg sweet and sour French toast with real maple syrup (Matt is quite a good cook) when Joseph and Chiaki stopped by to use the Internet. They Mapquested an address of one of Chiaki's friends in Santa Maria. Joseph and Chiaki couldn't join us for breakfast as they were headed up the coast. Chiaki is keeping Joseph quite busy with her itinerary. I gave Chiaki the insert on the Rose Parade from the LA Times today. The Rose Parade is on her itinerary. She was delighted with the "souvenir."

Matt and Katie are leaving tonight to go back to Fresno. Matt said he plans to come back for the Grandmas' birthdays in Feb. so the brothers parted til then. After breakfast, Matt and Katie headed up to the snow with friends. Tucker stayed behind staring out the window and wimpering. I finally figured out how to link to other blogs! At least I thought I did. Can't find the links now. Time to take Tucker out for a walk!

Meet the cat

This is what happens when you try to introduce a cat to a new dog.












Even the dog ended up with scratches on his nose. He yelped, but was otherwise a lamb. The cat, on the other hand, is afraid to enter the house now.




Here Mom, you hold the dog now.

Meet the parents

Matthew and Katie invited all four of their parents out to lunch yesterday to meet each other. Matt's treat! Mike declined the invitation, however, the rest of us had a great time. Cheryl, Katie's mom, is a first grade teacher. Her husband, Shannon, is a third grade teacher. Of course, they had to hear all about Terry, the third grade teacher in our family!

Cheryl and Shannon have graciously agreed to dogsit next month while I am in Georgia.

Winter in So Cal

As I try to master the art of blogging, let me try writing before adding photos.





I tried taking Tucker for a walk yesterday. We made it three doors down. The neighbor's German Shepard was off leash in the front yard and the neighbor was no where around. Tucker, who never barks I am told, found his voice! We hightailed it back home with the German Shepard, "Chewie," on our heels. Chewie followed us right to my front door!

Today, we made it down the street and around the corner where Tucker promptly relieved himself! OK, maybe Toby spoiled me. Toby would never relieve himself in public. So I was unprepared. Back home we trotted for the necessary cleanup supplies.

Third attempt: After depositing Tucker's gift in the proper receptacle, we set off again. By then, I was getting tired. I barely recovered from the flu and came down with a sore throat and headache. So I am still recovering my strength. Good excuse anyway. Tucker and I walked around the block, not my usual two mile intervals. Beautiful day to be in So Cal. Cold, sunny, and brisk. Mt Baldy is covered with snow. For those of you transplanted So Californians, see what you left?

We miss you.

Matthew and Mom and Tucker
Katie and Tucker
Katie, Mom, and Aunt Dorothy getting ready to hit the road.
Tucker gets comfy.

The Day after Christmas

Matthew hates to part with little Tucker, who has won his and Katie's hearts. However, he knows Mom will take good care of Tucker for the next 7 months until their lease is up and they can move to a place that allows dogs.















Joseph and Chiaki.

Immigration interrogated her for over an hour when she arrived in America. Potential terrorist?












Matthew cooked fabulous special order omelets for all. Katie was nice enough to take our orders.









Relaxing and opening Christmas gifts after that fabulous brunch.

Afterward, Joseph took Chiaki to the DMV to renew her driver's license before they went out to dinner with some of her friends she hadn't seen since she lived here 3 years ago.
Matt and Katie took Grandma and Aunt Dorothy back to West Covina since they were meeting at Grandma Rose's house a few blocks away. Tucker and I stayed home and got acquainted.

And Janet just keeps turning out those pizzas!

















What's going on up there?












Serious poker in the living room.















Hombres in the hall (Brian, Theresa's guy; Terry; Nolan; Taylor; John ).











Tim and Liza.

Lori and Mike Leigh, Mike's son, Nick Leigh,
Dan and Pat













Melanie, Dorothy, Eileen, and Dan with his Mom














Jacqueline, Nolan, Carter, Lucas, and Jackson














Even Heather and Carlos joined us virtually!

Tom, Dan, and Pat Reeff. Christmas Eve in progress.

Man, this pizza is good. What a choice:
Thai chicken,
BBQ Chicken,
Pepper and Sun-dried tomato,
5 Cheese Tomato,
Artichoke Olive Caper pizza,
Pepperoni ,
Hawaiian,
and a mushroom-sausage-garlic creation!
And we're not done yet!!









John supervises the chef.
















The kitchen.












The seating area.

Christmas Eve In Progress

Hey!! Welcome me to the world of blogging. I've been wanting to join the blogging world. My sister, Janet, is here along with a lot of the family celebrating Christmas Eve. She is getting me hooked up with the blogosphere.

As you can see, Katie and Chris Stratton have joined us via their wedding wine bottle. Good wine it is!






It's cold here in So Cal today. Snow level is about 2000 ft. It's snowing on the Grapevine. So the pizza dough is warming by the hearth.












Cheers to Katie and Chris!













Serious pizza work being done here tonight! How's your pizza night going?


















Waiting for the hot ones. Distracting their hungry tummies with Star Wars Monopoly.