A MEMORABLE MARCH WEEKEND IN 2024

In honor of my 82nd birthday, Brett, Kaiyun, and Baden flew to Ohio to help us locals celebrate my 82nd birthday.  It could not have been more enjoyable, particularly since the boys, Baden and Carlos, met and played so well together once Carlos grasped the concept that pushing is not a welcome part of playing.

AS 2023 COMES TO AN END...

It's been an interesting year.  For me, as an observer, I watched the changing lives of the grandchildren, Brandon, Sophia, and Baden, and great grandson, Carlos, Jr./Los.

Brandon began a 6-month program in cyber-security offered through The Ohio State University.  He will continue working full-time while attending on-line evening classes and  he hopes to be employed in the field as soon as he's certified -- hopefully, mid 2024.

Sophia entered a real estate program and became a licensed realtor in May.  Although the rising mortgage interest rates (high near 8%, falling to near 7.00% at year end) have had a negative effect on the market, there are those who still have an interest in buying or selling.  During this down-market period, Sophia is learning the finer details of showing property and writing purchase agreements as she builds a clientele.  

On September 19 Sophia and Carlos were married.  After five years of referring to her "boyfriend," we now can say, "Sophia's husband."  

With the exception of the above two events, the little fellows have been the focus of the adults in the family. Baden is now 2-1/2 and Carlos (Los to me), 1-1/2. In the photos and videos below, on the left is Baden; on the right, Los.

 JANUARY

Baden's turn in the visitor's dog bed

Crawling and gaining independence

FEBRUARY

A chilly day at the playground

Having a go at climbing

A visit at Grandma's

MARCH

 

                   A stroll down the lane

It's Easter!

               

APRIL

Baden loves water and his bath!

One of numerous TV times watching Miss Rachel

MAY

No stroller for Baden anymore!

First birthday celebration

A visit to the doctor for one-year checkup

JUNE

Learning to balance and locomote

Baden's 2!

Headed to the farmer's market

JULY

Los gains his freedom from the stroller to walk

AUGUST

Learning about rain and umbrellas

Graduation to a pedal-less bike

Dirt.  Even better, wet dirt!

SEPTEMBER

On a walk

Outdoors Los usually had a stick in his hand

During a weekly visit to gymnastics

OCTOBER

Baden getting creative

A snapshot taken at Octoberfest outing

Ready for Halloween

Los reacting to what Sophia had said

Helping with the cooking

NOVEMBER

                       Something new!

Outdoors in the fall leaves

One of the breakfasts Sophia made for Los

DECEMBER

Emulating Dad, the biker guy

This boy has a thing for music with a beat

Gifts at Christmas

The Ohioans - Brandon, Bob, Dawn, me, Sophia, little Carlos, and big Carlos

The California Contingent
Brett, Baden, Kaiyun

LEAVING 2022

Photographs abound, shared from the West Coast as well as those of taken locally.

This post picks up in mid-year.  In August, Sophia engaged a professional photographer to snap family photos.  (One day there will be pictures that include Brett, Kaiyun, and Baden.)

Haleigh, Brandon, Sophia, Carlos, Bob, Dawn, me

Now, a year old, Baden was walking and off to explore on his own two feet

At the beach, investigating seaweed

This boy loves a bath!

At the park

"Helping" with the laundry

Stylin'!

Resting after a stop at the park

Taken during Baden's first trip to visit family living in Korea

Carlos needed assistance to sit up but by year's end he'd mastered that and had learned to roll over. 

Preparing for Halloween

A visit with Santa

On to solid food!

Wearing a helmet to correct head deformity didn't affect his cheerful disposition