A perfect day for a WEDDING!!

Today at 3 pm Andrew and Erika were married!!

It was short notice - so if you are reading this and saying, "What? Why didn't they let me know?" Well, we were told last night! Yes, they wanted to move on with their lives for 2009. We met at the Merced County building. Erika looked very pretty with a black and white dress and Andrew looked hansome. The vows were exchanged. After the 'speaker' finished, Dick added, "Under God". It was simple, sweet and to the point - very fitting for Andrew and how he likes to live his life. In the end, they are married, happy and ready to start a new year, with their new baby and their new life as husband and wife.
We took some pictures then went over to Applebee's for dinner. The newlyweds were going to go home, have a few friends over and ring in the new year!

Saying their vows

Placing of the rings

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Pirtle Parents of the Newlyweds

Happiness

We could not be happier with Erika as our newest member of our family. She is a very nice fit and we feel very blessed. Andrew got REALLY lucky with her - and we think she is too! ;)


BLOG UPDATE: I forgot my power cord at the hotel in Pismo - reason for no blog updates. I will post Christmas stuff in the next few days....right now, just wanted to place the MOST EXCITING news right away.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Gabby wanted to say Merry Christmas!

We had a little photo shoot last night...thought I'd share!

The Christmas Season is HERE!

Dick's parents arrived last week - yup, they drove themselves up from Visalia to SF! Hope I can do the same when I am 88 years old!! Our tree was chosen at the Nursery right around the corner. Dick and I carried it home! Everyone decorated it, then listened to Christmas music....

and admired the outcome!

On Saturday, we made dinner for everyone, including David and Vasi before departing to The Nutcracker - by the San Francisco Ballet!! The dinner actually turned out to be pretty tasty.

The Ballet was magical and beautiful - as always. I LOVE the music!! WOW! This picture below was taken inside right inside the doors of the theatre.

For Christians, the 'reason for the season' is so BIG and wonderful - it makes this time of the year very special.

What sparked the poll on this page?

The Little Angel on the Top of the Christmas Tree!

One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mom was coming to visit; this stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out at heaven knows where.

More stress.

Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whiskey.

When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hid the liquor and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the coffeepot and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor.

He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made of.

Just then the doorbell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas Santa. Isn't it just a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Isn't it just a lovely tree? Where would you like me to stick it?

Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the tree.

Author Unknown

This email was sent from Wendy........I began to wonder....what people placed on top of their trees! Looks like the angels have it!! Thank you to all who participated. Very interesting. Thanks again!!

Kaelyn meets Great Grandparents

My parents live in Michigan 4-5 months of the year. They left right before Kaelyn was born this past August. Since Winter has arrived in Michigan, they came back to Merced and just arrived yesterday from their 9 day drive. They came over for dinner last night and met Kaelyn for the first time!

Great Grandmother

Great Grandfather

I thnk it was love at first sight!

Theylook GREAT for the title of 'Great Grandparents' eh? I can only HOPE for the same!! This is NOT their first 'great' either! Andrew enjoyed showing his Grandparents his prize and joy - and Erika too!! They met the 'ill Erika' before they left. So, this was actually their first time of really meeting Erika too! We all enjoyed an evening of homemade Tamales (from Malibu employee), followed by a homemade carrot cake (from ME!) and lots of love and laughter.

The GGParents left to finally climb into THEIR OWN BED and Andrew and I had a tournament of Pool! It was 1 - 1 so a tie breaker was a must. Well, THIS TIME, Andrew won the tournament...but, I'll give him a run again, NEXT TIME! ;)

It Arrived!

David Nash outgrew the Pool table he and his family enjoyed for the past 11 years. We were not in the market for one, but thought it would be a fun addition. The Merced house has a large enough living room, so we had it delivered and setup yesterday.

This was a new experience for me so I had to record it. Did you know SLATE is under the felt? I din't. This is a Rebco table - manufactured by Bob Bebb with his two hands in Clovis, CA.

This is Bob the builder!

There are three pieces of slate. Bob is sealing them with some glue.

It is a beautiful peice of furniture made from Cherry and Curly Maple wood. Gabby likes it too!

Nice fit in the living room!

Dick and I played the first game last night. He knocked the 8 ball in so I officially won.....but, we continued to play and he beat me by ONE! I like to play. Andrew, Erika and Kaelyn will come over tonight for dinner, yup, it'll be used.

My favorite 'pool story' is when I was in San Diego, down on Mission Beach. I challenged a guy in a game. The winner could ask the looser to do anything they wanted.....I took the risk...... lucky, I WON!! What did I ask him to do?

We walked outside of the bar and I told him that the next person that walked by, he had to tell them, "This hot chick just beat me in a game of pool!"

Gosh that felt GREAT!! ...... and still continues.....something I will never forget!

Cuz one is pretty and one is cute

Just wanted to share these beautiful roses that were given to me - just because - from my hubby. They reminded me of my wedding bouquet - and they smell good too! Yea, another fine trait that he has....

They are probably bad for a garden, but I think they are cute!! (I'll remove them next week.)

One of our favorites!

ESTRADA'S Mexican Restaurant in Daly City

Many years ago, there was a family owned Estradas in Visalia that Dick's family would frequent. They are most famous for their SIZZLING SALAD! There is a branch of this restaurant about 30 minutes from our house in SF. After the basketball game, we met David and Vasi for dinner. We always get the sizzling salad which is on a corn tortilla, then a layer of beans, then, a layer of either shredded beef or chicken (we get the beef) then, mounds of lettuce, a little salsa, and then at the table, they pour a vinegar dressing on top of the hot plate and it SIZZLES!! mmmmm...my mouth is watering!!

Yea, we each get our own and eat the ENTIRE plate. The margaritas are good too!

David decided to get something different and really enjoyed it. I thought it was different enough to take a picture of....the shell had beef and onions with a gravy! Cannot recall the name of the dish....

Afterwards, we all went to see BOLT in 3D!!! It was GREAT and we all enjoyed it. I think I enjoyed the 3D better. Have you seen it yet? You gotta!!! ;)

Merced Bears comin' to town!

Brad Reed brought his 8 Varsity Basketball girls to SF for a tournament. Instead of fundraising for a hotel, they crashed in at the Nashes and the Thathiah's for the night. They arrived Friday at our home in time to walk over to Amici's Pizza for dinner. The girls LOVED the pizza. All agreed it was the BEST they ever had! For dessert, we stopped in Tuttimelon and enjoyed a Gelato - again the BEST they ever had. I think food just tastes better in SF! :) Four of the girls stayed with the David and Vasi along with Coach Reed and 4 of them stayed at our house. We stayed up for about an hour talking with the girls, getting to know them, sharing basketball stories and playing with Gabby. Needless to say, Gabby enjoyed the evening!

On Saturday morning, after feeding them donuts, cinammon rolls, juice and fruit we went on a run while they got ready. Coach Reed picked them up and took them to Fisherman's Wharf until GAME TIME!

Dick and I went to the 3:00 pm game and enjoyed watching them play! It was fun to see them in action. Dick really enjoys basketball and was coaching up in the stands! The best part?

WINNING!! :) Bears: 65 Bulldogs: 47

And the TROPHY!!

No, not really....the BEST part was helping out the team with their food and accomodations. You can tell Brad really enjoys coaching so that was fun to watch. The girls were very appreciative, kind and respectful. Really, all teenagers want (well, everyone does, but ESPECIALLY teenagers) just want people to listen to them, be interested in their thoughts, ideas and dreams, and to respect them as individuals. It was a treat to share with them and we hope we can make it an annual event - as long as Brad is coaching! The basketball season officially begins this next week! GO BEARS!!

p.s. the trophy was for second place in the tournament. All of the other schools in the tournament were from San Francisco area. Merced traveled the farthest.

Malibu's Christmas Luncheon

As you can guess, people are not buying as many boats with the down turn....so, how can a company afford a party when having to lay off its employees = NO Christmas party for Malibu this year.

But, the Women's Bible Study group decided to host a Christmas luncheon for the plant with ham and turkey that was given as a gift from one of the vendors. Anna did all of the shopping of rolls, meat, sandwich fixings, beans, chips and desserts. We showed up on Tuesday morning, unloaded, set the tables, decorate with poinsettas, crank up the Christmas music. We served everyone a nice lunch and in return, we asked for them to donate a canned good to the County Food Bank. We were able to gather quite a bit!

Serving

The hangar looked pretty festive!

Anna and I delivered the leftover food to the Men's Rescue Mission and to the Food Bank. A busy busy day but it always feels good to lend a helping hand.