Thursday, May 21, 2009

Girlies at the Beach


SealBeach20May0921
Originally uploaded by katiesgirls
Everyone left yesterday to drive to Nebraska for Grandma's burial. Zach really wishes he could have gone, but he has to get back to work; he's already taken off two shifts. We decided to stay in LA through the day, to relax a little bit, straighten the house for Vickie, and just unwind from all the emotion before we drove back home.

We took the girls to Seal Beach and they had a blast! Victoria was intrigued by the muddy sand at the water's edge, and a little unsure of the water. Constance, on the other hand, had no fear of the ocean. She would run all the way out to the surf with Zach, cracking up the whole time. It was really nice to have this little outing at the end of our trip.

Grandma English

Sylvia June English
October 22, 1930 - May 14, 2009

Zach's Grandma, Sylvia, lost her nine month battle with leukemia last Thursday. Zach was with her, along with Grandpa, his mom Vickie, Aunt Debi, Uncle Brian, and Cousin Gabby with her daughter Sabine.

Grandma was an amazing woman, youthful and vibrant right up to the sudden onset of her illness in August 2008. With Grandpa she raised eight wonderful sons and daughters. She has seventeen grandchildren and three great grandchildren; Constance and Victoria, along with Sabine.

For the past twelve years, Sylvia and Ted have lived with their daughter Christy in Atascadero, where Grandma raised Chickens and kept a flourishing garden. She canned every year, with her strawberry jam and "atomic pickles" being the most coveted jars.

Her funeral in Downey was held Tuesday and was an awesome Celebration of such a faithful servant to the Lord. Sylvia's brother, Charles, read from her bible, which was heavily read, noted in, and depended upon by Grandma. "...his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." (Psalm 1: 2-3) Such a wonderful verse, and a great description of Grandma. She was strong, faithful, prayerful and loving to her large family, to her many friends, and to strangers in need of her help.

We will miss her so very much.



Tuesday, May 12, 2009

First "Scamping" trip

We took our new Scamp trailer out for a test-camp! Stayed with Kirt, Abby and Sarah Creiglow at Coloma Resort in Gold Country. We had a great time, and best of all, the girls loved it! They were so excited to be outside all da; splashing in the river, playing with their friend Sarah, taking walks, eating ice cream and sleeping in the "camping car." I am thrilled that we now have this option for family outings in our trailer. (It is quite the work-in-progress. For more on that excitement, see our new Scamping blog!) Here are some cute pics, as always, more on flickr.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Beep, Beep!


30Apr0934
Originally uploaded by katiesgirls
Another LA trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa. Surfing Lessons. Just a few new pics on flickr.