Happy New Year??? (Jan & Feb, 2008)

By the start of our year, I'm questioning how the rest of it will go???

Thank goodness we've had a few get-a-ways to get some peace-of-mind!

JANUARY

January 2nd - Our 16-year-old dog, Tasha, is diagnosed with cancer of the blood vessels.
January 3rd - Matthew, our nephew, turns 22.
January 13th - David turns 46.

January 16th - We get a call from our nephew, Matthew, with shocking news that his 42-year-old mother, Leslie, (David's sister), passed away earlier that afternoon. Even though we didn't have a relationship with her, we are still shocked and sad about this news. Our hearts go out to Mom, Kirsten, and Matthew especially, during this extremely difficult time. We're waiting on the results from her autopsy to get answers on what actually happened.

January 28th - Viewing of Leslie -- sadly said our goodbyes.

Rest In Peace

LESLIE DENISE ALPER
March 13, 1965 - January 16, 2008
http://www.RememberedBy.Us/LeslieAlper
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January 29th - Brandon had surgery to have his tonsils and adnoids removed. He got through everything great. Much better than Mom did. He did so well that he didn't even need pain medication. Doctors were very proud of him.....needless to say, so were Mom & Dad.

That same evening, our Tasha, took a turn for the worse. She collapsed while trying to go outside, so David picked her up, and while he was holding her, we thought it was the end. We were all crying, saying our goodbyes. However, miraculously, she bounced back, and within a week was back on her own again. She still manages to get around pretty good - eats, drinks, wags her tail, and gives kisses, but has a persistent cough from the tumor that is growing around her lungs.

FEBRUARY

February 6th - Honors night at Nicole's middle school. She made the Principal's list and was initiated as a member of the California Scholarship foundation. This is a group of kids who support our community by performing community services.




February 8th - Our annual Girls weekend at the cabin in Pollock Pines. Had to shovel, but definitely not as much snow as last year. It was gorgeous weather, and once again, we enjoyed our bonding time with movies, laughter, food, and refreshments. Sisine, Juli, and Dana....we missed you!!!










February 12th - My dear friend, and former neighbor, Vicki, who now lives in Vermont, went in for breast cancer surgery. Thank God she's doing pretty good. God bless you Vicki, and may He continue to give you strength through this battle you are fighting.

February 16th - The Carmichael family have become wonderful, and extremely fun, friends through St. Stephen's, and they were brave enough to invite four families, 8 adults and 9 kids, (yes, all at once) to their beautiful retreat in Tahoe City. What a great time!! Thanks Carmikes!

The parents dug out a sweet toboggan run in the snow along side of the lodge, and the kids had a blast sledding.















We also drove down the road to a nearby snow park, and the kids had a great time there too.

Click on the arrow to see Nicole sledding down the hill.


Click on the arrow to see Brandon sledding down the hill.



The toboggan run at the lodge was best at night, as the snow got super slick and the kids were flyin' down the run. There were a few minor injuries, but everyone, including us ole folk, had great fun!!!

































Laurel, Amy, Jane & I took a short walk to the snow-covered beach, and could see our Hyatt property across the lake at Incline. The water was crystal clear and was so still, it looked like saran wrap. So breathtaking, surrounded by beautiful, snow-capped mountains.




















February 20th - Mighty Tigers soccer practice starts. All boys and one girl on the under-8 team this Spring season. They are ready to rumble!!!!

Brandon is playing basketball through the YMCA. He's quite the basketball player, and his team is doing great......"Go Lakers"!!!! That's him shooting for the basket that he made.

February 23rd - Yiayia (Elaine's Grandma) turns 97.
February 12th & 26th - Nicole's first soccer scrimmage game, away with her school team. Broncos (her team) won, 1 to 0, with Nicole scoring the only goal. The official first game, Broncos won 5 to 0, with Nicole scoring 2 of the 5 goals. YOOHOO!!
February 28th - Nicole's second game.....tied, 1 to 1, with a tough team from Gilroy. They even went in to overtime to try and break the tie, but no one scored.