Nina's News

Disneyland Trip

2009-10-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

As you can see we all had a great time
at Disneyland. With season tickets we plan to go again on November as the weather is perfect and the journey not very long.

2009-10-09T15:24:00.000-07:00

What Up with those glasses?

2009-10-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

Arrowhead

2009-10-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

Lauren , Andrew and I, went up to Arrowhead again the other day. As you can see Lauren is fascinated with her new cell phone she got for her birthday and her camera.Andrew took the scenic shot.He has a good eye.

All kinds of stuff!

2009-10-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

Today Lauren is eleven years old (going on 17!) Today she took cupcakes to school and I asked her teacher to take a few photographs in the classroom.The other photos were taken when she was just leaving for Astro Camp.

Andrew wanted me to post the 1200 piece jigsaw he helped me complete yesterday.

I am now going to get the birthday girls dinner.

Aren't they lovely?

2009-08-15T09:09:00.001-07:00

I found this picture in my camera.It was taken when we went to Disneyland for Andrew's 9Th birthday.There are not many pictures of the family together,as Robert is usually the one behind the lens. I hope you enjoy.

Lake Arrowhead

2009-06-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

While the rest of the family are enjoying the river,I went up to the mountains today for lunch.
I was disappointed to see that most of the town of Running Springs where I once lived,is now inundated with Real Estate offices.There are very few of the small "mom & pop" stores there anymore.Very sad as it was a lovely little town.
Lake Arrowhead is now Restaurants galore,sushi bars and even a 'dog bakery" with freshly cooked treats for your dog!
The original stores have now closed and the wonderful feel of the place has sadly vanished.
The one thing that has not changed is the view of the lake.

Little League Party

2009-06-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday started out cloudy with some drizzle and we thought we may have to put off the swim party for the baseball team. Then at noon,just as the first guests were arriving, out came the sun.The pool was heated up for the first time and as you see all the children enjoyed it. Catch the picture of David.He broke his arm recently and we put bags over it and covered it with duct tape! He had a good time as you can see.
Lauren and her two best buddies,McKenna and Lauren caught up some girl talk and Robert did a great job of cooking hot dogs and hamburgers.Everyone supplied a 'dish' and for desert there was a huge cake to share.Belinda was working,but did manage to get home just after the last dish was washed and the last guest had gone home.Then we all sat down and had a beer and put our feet up.

Lauren's Cheerleading

2009-06-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

Today Lauren took part in the annual Cherry Festival parade in Beaumont.As you can see there were quite a large group of Cheerleaders.The photo with her friend McKenna was taken when they both received their medals for competing.The parade went on for an hour and we did a lot of walking!The weather this year was cooler than last year so it was more comfortable.

Now I am taking her to see her dad play softball.Andrew is one of the base umpires!

Character Matters

2009-06-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

This is the name of the play that Andrew and his classmates performed at school last night.The play was about ,'how not to judge people, tolerance, kindness, etc.The play was great and they all did a wonderful job.

Lauren had a puppet show in her classroom the day before but my camera's batteries let me down and so I do not have pictures of her.I must say that Lauren's presentation was very good and her words were very clear.The theme of her presentation was how to get out of washing the dishes!

Nina's Garden

2009-06-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

Here are a few recent pictures of my 'nook' in the garden.I have my morning coffee here every day.

Look Nana!

2009-04-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pictures of Andrew and Lauren doing',jumps'outside the house this afternoon.Andrew did 'wipe out', but ran in and said,"I'm ok Nana".Tough kid.

A great baseball game last night.16 to 18 in our favour.The first time the children had beaten this team,they were great.In fact we were behind 4 runs until the last innings.We went with friends after the game to enjoy Mexican food and a Margarita,(the adults that is,the kids made do with a coke ShirleyTemple..

Put me in coach!

2009-04-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day for Andrew's baseball game today,He loves being 'catcher', but is getting very good at batting and fielding too.Here are few photo's of number 10.Maybe you can spot coach Robert there on the field.

Journey through California

2009-04-23T15:29:00.000-07:00

This morning I went to Lauren's class to see the project the class has been working on during the past few weeks.The journey through California is about the founding of California and the teacher had all the students participating.All the students had been studying and they all had great answers to his questions.Here are some pictures.Lauren is in the blue shorts and red tee shirt.

Lauren's School Play

2009-04-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

Last night Lauren's class performed a musical play about the Californian Gold rush

The performance was at her school and of course all the family went to cheer her on. Enjoy the photographs.

Lauren's Dance Recital

2009-04-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend has been busy with all kinds of activities for the children .Yesterday it was a day packed with baseball and cheer leading,today was Lauren's dance and singing concert.

After church this morning,(Palm Sunday),so it was longer than usual, I came home and after a quick lunch,Lauren got ready for her concert.We had two tickets,and as Belinda had to work,and Robert had some house chores to do I took Andrew with me.

Lauren was centre stage during her performance and did a terrific job! Her singing and dancing has really y come along way since a year ago.At the start each member of the cast had to come out and say hello to the audience,give their name,age and where they attended school.Lauren said when she came out the lights were so bright,(it felt great),maybe an actress in the making?

Afterwards we went for an ice cream.Now we are taking a rest before school tomorrow.

Dad's Little Helper.

2009-04-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and we are getting the garden ready for the summer.
Andrew and Robert are finishing the coping on top of the planters Robert had put around the palm trees.

As usual where dad is, so is Andrew.

Having Fun

2009-03-22T16:24:00.001-07:00

A Tall Yarn

2009-03-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

Knit,Knit,Knit.
I have a new project.With the help of a couple of friends, we are knitting,hats,scarves and mittens for the Homeless Shelter that is supported by our church.
Each Wednesday evening when the temperature drops to 40 or below,members take turns in manning the shelter at night so the people have somewhere warm to sleep.
One of my friends husbands said that they felt bad letting them go in the mornings when it was so cold,and maybe some of the women could knit each of them a hat to wear.
Well I have just finished number 20!
I am looking around town to see if I can spot one of them.
Andrew tries them on for size first and inspects them to make sure they are going to fit.
Also Lauren is learning to knit.At he moment she is knitting a scarf for her American Girl Doll.
I have also found an old pattern for English teacosy's so I have made a couple of them too.
Now Lauren is awaiting the poncho I have nearly finished knitting for her.
Wen the days get warmer I can get out in the garden,but for now it is knit,knit,knit.

Crazy Hair!

2009-02-27T07:49:00.000-08:00

Today at school is crazy hat and hair day.Both the children got up early to change their hair to orange on one side and green on the other.Also they could wear a funny hat.Enjoy the pictures

Little Minors!

2009-02-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

Lauren's class has been learning about the miner's in 1848.Today her class sang two songs at her assembly.Lauren is in the red shirt and bandanna on the front row.Lauren also won a lottery to have lunch with the principal.Pizza is supplied,(Lauren's favourite!).After Lauren's performance I went into Andrew's class where I read stories each week.Here are some pictures of him at his desk and with his buddy Nicholas.

One of our Adventures

2009-02-17T16:21:00.000-08:00

Andrew and Lauren were just saying last week that we had not been on "our adventures " recently. These are trips we take,but at the start have no idea where we are going

We have had some fun ones, we even saw the 'Revolutionary Army ', marching and loading muskets up in the mountains one day! Anyway yesterday we went up to a place called Barton Flats to see the snow level. We didn't get far,as the clouds were coming in with hail and fast falling snow. Still as you can see, Lauren and Andrew got out , (Andrew still in tee shirt),to gather some snow for snowballs. Too cold to stay long and it was getting foggy.
As we had to return home early, we made some 'smoores', some hot chocolate, lit the fire and watched a video. Maybe later in the week we can go and make a snowman.

They love the mountain trips, just like their nanna does.

Not Alot Going On

2009-02-02T13:54:00.000-08:00

Well as you see we do not have a lot to do! Just taking the children out for a frozen yogurt!
By the way this is Lauren. Check out my Blog!!

Christmas Morning

2008-12-25T17:16:00.001-08:00

Here a few pictures of the family having fun on Christmas Morning.'

Lauren has been wishing for her 'American Girl Doll' for months and you can tell from her face how happy she is.

Andrew is a Lego whiz and is looking forward to putting this one together and adding to his collection.

The cats had fun with the bags and paper.

we all had a great day.

Love and Blessings to all my friends and good wishes for Happy New Year.

sleepover

2008-12-25T17:07:00.001-08:00

Lauren and Andrew had friends over for Sleepover a few nights ago.

Here are Andrew,his best friend Nick, (they are in the same class) and

if Nick is not over here, Andrew is over at his house, which is just across the road.

Anna is Vicki's daughter and Lauren had her stay the night too.

During the evening they put on a show for us,the funniest part was Nick playing his guitar with his toes, and accompanying himself on sounds coming from his armpit!

Andrew and Nick later gave us some songs they had learnt at school.

Songs and Hugs

2008-12-20T15:42:00.000-08:00

Last day at school for Lauren and Andrew.Andrew is in the centre with the blue jeans.

Lauren and her friends at lunch having a hug and saying goodbye for a few weeks.

Tomorrow we are going to Newport Beach to watch the lighted boat parade.All the boats in the harbour and more,will be festooned with Christmas lights ,supposed to be spectacular.

Cannot promise any pictures on this one as it will be in the dark!

We are expecting more snow on Monday so I will take the children up the local mountain to have some fun.

Then it will be getting ready for the man in the red suit to arrive.

Andrew has Santa's glass and cookie plate ready for him.

Roast beef , yorkshire pudding , cauliflower au gratin and glazed carrots,with the usual roast potato's.

Andrew's School Assembly

2008-12-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

Andrew was singing ' Rocking around the Christmas Tree' at his school this morning along with

the rest of his class. He really got into the grove with the 'rocking'part!

Lauren has her class party today so I will try to get photographs to add to this blog.

I have been busy with class parties and school activities this past two weeks, so I am glad school is out today until January 12th.

I have been busy with quite a few parties this year. Belinda says I am a social butterfly!

Tonight we are having our annual car trip around the area to see all the Christmas Illuminations. We get bundled up in the car, put on a Christmas CD, call into Starbucks for a hot chocolate and cookie, then drive around looking at all the homes that are decorated for Christmas.There are some beautiful Victorian homes over in Redlands. Now I am getting the hang of this blog thing I willt ry to get more of Nina's News to you.

The Local Mountains

2008-12-02T15:08:00.000-08:00

Grand Ma Belinda and the children outside 'Grama's Shop"
Outside the Apple Shed,they make jams,relish,butter,cider, and many more products, all from the apples they grow here.
There are large bags of apples for purchase to make pies, and the smell of all these apples is wonderful.

Here are some photographs of Lauren, Andrew, Belinda and Grand Ma Jackie when we spent a lovely morning in the nearby mountains. Grand Ma Jackie looks forward to a trip "up the hill" each time she visits from Kansas. I think we are all glad to get back to our routines, after such a wonderful but busy Thanksgiving. Now we busy decorating the house inside and out ready for the jolly man in the red suit. Tonight I am attending one of my book club meetings.Ilook forward to meeting my friends and talking about the books we have read.

What a Turkey

2008-11-27T16:48:00.000-08:00

After a long and tipsy morning, the winners display their trophies.
They tried hard, Maybe next year.

After all Mom showed you,you still are turkeys!

Where's his appendix?

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T12:26:00.000-08:00

This morning started off with the usual Mimosa's(champagne and orange juice).Thank goodness we did most of the preparation last night!
The ladies cooked in the kitchen and the men outside on the BBQ with their turkey!
We have a competition to see which turkey came out the best.I have photographs to follow, but I am new to this blog stuff,so I have to ask Lauren for guidance on how to produce them.
Yesterday I took Jackie to The Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands.Jackie was very impressed with all the artifacts,books and pictures that it housed.Outside of the east coast this building holds more memorablia of Lincoln and the war between the states than any other. This was my fourth visit and I always find something that I missed on my previous visits.
One of my friends was there in her official capacity as a guide, so we got some good inside information on the building etc.
Well we are about ready to eat.We did a few American Favourtite dishes,(yams,Mashed potato's and green bean casserole,but also made some of our Aussie favourites too.
Roast pumpkin, parsnips and roast potato's.Lauren and Andrew did a good job of laying the tables,Lauren even made place cards.

My First Blog

2008-11-23T17:35:00.000-08:00

Hi! I'm Nina this is my first blog. This is me in ''England'' at a telephone box. I enjoy reading and history. I have two daughters ''Julie and Belinda''.Julie has two children ''Rachel and Ian''. Belinda also has two children '' Lauren and Andrew''. Keep visting and leave comments!