Sofia

Cindy holding sofia now. Looks like I am loosing this game. I think we are plying with marked cards. The cards belongs to Cindy and Andy


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Visiting Chicago

Andy holding Sofia in the moby while we play rommy


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Location:Chicago

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Spring Updates

As Grandparents, it seems our life and activities revolve around the grandchildren. 

And yes we are grandparents again.

Cindy and Andy had their little Sofia born on May 22 in Chicago. In fact Joan is back in Chicago now seeing her new grand daughter for the first time. I will also go back there at the end of this month, too. Isn't she cute in her first dress.

It has been easier to enjoy our other two grandsons, Collin and Evan, since they live near by. We went to the Santa Barbara Zoo to celebrate Evans 1 year birthday in March.  We rode the train around the park, too.

Then back home to enjoy Evan's first birthday cake. I think Winston wants some too.

Then it was Collin's Birthday a month latter. Collin is now 3 years old. Watch out Collin, I think Evan wants your cake, too.  He always wants what you have.  But you are a good big brother to him.

We celebrated Easter at Melanie's and Will's house.

At the end of April, we all hiked up the back side of Mount Boney, the mountains near us, to Sandstone Peak. That is at 3,111 feet. which is the tallest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains National Park.

From the top you can see all over Southern California. The picture bellow is looking down on the small valley we live in and the Topa Topa mountains in the far distance.

And finally just last weekend, we had the joy of having Collin over to spend the night at Mormor's and Grandpa's house, his first night away from home.

We had a big surprise for him, too. We took him to the local Performing Arts Center to see a production with Elmo and the Sesame Street gang.

 His first time in an actual theater and he sat and enjoyed the whole event.

Then of course we went out for Pizza and desert afterwards, too. 

Who doesn't like that cherry on top.

Finally an Update with Christmas 2010

I must get better at updating my blog. 6 months, really.
Most have read our Christmas letter and seen lots of our photos from last year.
So now what has happened this last month.
Lots more photos and of course Christmas.
December is always so busy with Christmas lights and decorations.




















Joan's parents came from Denmark early in December and spent a lot of time with their great grandchildren, Collin and Evan.


We celebrated Melanie's Birthday at their new home in Anaheim.

We had some really nice weather and spent some time outside enjoying it. Collin is riding one of the girls hot wheels from when they were our little girls.

Collin and Evan love to take their baths together. We had to hurry for Christmas night.







Collin always grabs the camera and takes pictures himself, He actually took this picture of Joan and I.

Are we ready yet. This is my present.. I know it.


Grandpa, can you help me.

Evan loves Uncle Bill.






Looks like more grand kids on the way.







We were a total of 19 at one time to really celebrate Christmas.


Can't get any more fun than that.

First Time to Hawaii

Joan and I, after all these years, we finally made it to Hawaii.
It was Joan's cousin from Denmark that decided on a sunset beach wedding on Maui, So Joan and I decided to join them for their big event as no other family were going.


We first spent 2 days on Waikiki Beach. How beautiful was that.





A picture of Joan and I on our first night on the beach at Waikiki.





Every night there were free shows in the plazas and beach parks with Hawaiian music and hula dancing.

We were amazed at all the flowering plants. All the trees had flowers, too. We visited the Dole pineapple plantation and saw all the amazing plant life on the islands.

We then traveled to Maui for three days and the wedding. We stayed at an older more traditional island resort right on the beach with palm trees everywhere.

The sunset wedding was so beautiful. That is Helle, Nik and Matilda, Helle's daughter.





Back at Waikiki, we drove up the east coast for Island views that were breath taking.

And of course what would a tropical vacation be without the umbrella drinks along the beach. We found a favorite place to visit on our final days there.


Our final night in paradise.
Aloha to all.

We will return.

Make sure to click on our Picasa photo album web site on the right to see all our pictures from the trip.

Winter came and now its Spring

Joan traveled back to Denmark again this Winter to visit Family and Friends. The snow was thick and cold, too.

Only got one picture of Joan together with BedsteMor and BedsteFar.

She is in the middle with a big smile and a broom.

Oooops. Sorry that's a snowman.

Back in California Spring came one day in March at the beach, and Joan loves to take pictures of Collin playing. He is so big now and he knows when MorMor has her camera out.













The big event this Spring was the birth of our newest family member. Our new Grandson Evan David Barker, Born on March 26, 2010. Got to love that middle name. We have lots of March birthdays now.
The Proud parents Brian and Elisa.
MorMor is happy holding her new grandson on the day he was born.







Collin meets his baby brother for the first time. I think he was prepared for the new baby and now he is big brother in many ways.

Nearly the whole family got together at Brian and Elisa's right after baby Evan came home from the hospital.



Grandpa and Mormor sit together with our two grandsons. It is fun being Grandpa now.


Melanie and Will and the rest of us stand in front of Melanie and Will's new home.

It is not easy to buy a home these days, but they found their perfect home in Anaheim.
That's it for now from the Muran Family. Please visit our two photo album web sites by clicking on the links on the right and see all the pictures.