Birds of Prey

Emil spent some time with his new camera, near our home, capturing these beautiful birds...








immature red tail hawk


golden eagle











bald eagle

Happy New Years Eve

Glory to God in highest heaven,

Who unto man His Son hath given;

While angels sing with tender mirth,

A glad new year to all the earth.

~Martin Luther~

Penns Landing, Philadelphia

Happy Birthday "little" Michael

Growing old is mandatory;

growing up is optional.

Happy Birthday Sandy

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.

A "White" Cali Christmas

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

White Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone

Walton NY, another top 10

Cardington Stonehurst

Christmas at 6653 Church Lane in 1950, we lived here until 1960. The longest I ever lived any where. I grew up in a world that seemed perfect, a great neighborhood, the best of friends, and a wonderful family that loved me.

My dog Willy was a part of our family as far back as I can remember, part Airdale and part Dalmamtion, he was an amazing and intelligent dog. On weekends he would go through Cobbs Creek Park to my Grandmothers in Fernwood and visit, always returning home. On a foggy night in 1959, he didn't return home, we never found him.

I don't really remember the doll but I'll never forget that horse, been looking for one like it since my kids were born.

My Grandfather Powell (Pop)bought me my Lionel trains for my first Christmas and there was never a year on Church Lane that my Dad didn't put them up for me.

Christmas 1949

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.

~Laura Ingalls Wilder~

6 weeks old

Making my bed...

I have to let go of my sandles and put shoes on. The weather is turning chilly and the windows have to be shut at night now. It's time to fall in love with my plush dream laiden winter warm bed again. Time to pull out the feather bed to cover my mattress and super soft and toasty flannel sheets over that. (The absolute best come from LL Bean, hands down.) Then I tuck my down comforter, which I sleep with all year, into its matching flannel duvet cover. Topping off the bed, my feather and down pillows complete my night time nest. There is something romantic and soothing about climbing in bed and being wrapped in the softness and warmth of flannel.
Only thing better is sleeping in the arms of the man I love.

A Clifton Christmas 1983

Jaime and Emil's first Christmas with their family in Clifton. And the year of the Cabbage Patch doll... Mothers were fighting in lines to get the little adoptable babies and there wasn't enough to go around, but for my girls anything. Theirs came straight off the Kmart freight truck in Pocatello, ID. This was a top 10 Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from Harold

Mannheim Steamroller - 'Joy To The World'

An evening with Mannheim Steamroller

I was introduced to Manheim Steamroller back in 1980 and have been a fan all these years. I can't imagine a Christmas without their music. No matter where we live, I can close my eyes and listen to their Christmas albums and I can be anywhere I want, remembering all the wonderful holidays I have grown up with.

Their music is timeless.

Christmas Tree Lane

Van Ness Boulevard in Fresno is transformed into a magical Christmas Wonderland! Light Displays adorn over 300 trees, and 140 homes in a almost 2 mile long Yuletide homage.


After the concert, Steve, Jen , Nathan and I drove down Christmas Tree Lane. Took us over 1 hour to drive it.

Company Christmas Party

Elaina and Leno
Linda and Bruce
Jacki and Emil