Chiang Mai Oh My

It's been over a month now since our son, daughter (in law) and our two grand kiddles moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

I can't express (I try not to let my tears fall too often) how happy and sad I am about it all.  I miss them tremendously.  

We FaceTime as much as possible within the time difference.  I am usually asleep during their day and they are sleeping during my day.  Ho hum...it's been tough.

They are taking in the sites.  What adventures! Beautiful temples!  Each grand with a new pair of "crocs".

An organic vegetable farm, perfect for Alec!

Even an organic coffee shop! 

Grocery shopping is different.  Packaging is more transparent.  A can of black olives is $6.00 so guess what I will be packing to surprise Adelina!

Ariston and Adelina checking out their new school for the summer.  Ariston's backpack is as big as he is.

Alec and Ariston enjoying "guy time" while Mom and Adelina are at school.

They got a great deal on 1996 Honda Accord which they named Rhonda and even had enough monies left over for Alec's new "hog".

 Christine has started working at her new school.  Adelina is making new friends and Ariston loves his new teacher.

Sam and I just purchased our airline tickets for December.  Looking forward to our month abroad...can't wait!

They are settling in. 

All is good.

"Cookies in Thailand"

She's Seriously Silly and 5!

Adelina turned 5 on the 24th of June, but since she and her family were leaving for Thailand on the 19th, she and I decided to celebrate a little early.

She is amazing!  So smart, so beautiful, so silly.

Her silliness reminded me of me when I was young.

What I get when I ask her for a smile.

Her family's good friends gave her a wonderful birthday/going away party...birthday cake and all!

She is so special to me.  She told me that I didn't need to worry about her and her big move because she has "Nee Nee in her heart" to remember me by.

I love you sweet girl.  

Stay silly until I see you again...very soon.

xoxo

11TH ANNUAL MICHAEL MUSSO GOLF TOURNAMENT

Another year has past and another great time this past Monday for Sam and I!  

Michael and Kristie Musso have held this special golf tournament at Mile Square Park Golf Course in Fountain Valley, CA for the FVHS Football Boosters.  

I have been out of high school now for over 40 years, but each year we get together we have the best memories.

Go BARONS!  

Lined up and ready to golf!  Tee time 1:00 pm.

Our group...Clark (what a golfer!), Rob, Sam, myself, Jay, Brian, My brother Ron and Trent.

Ron.

Sam and Clark. 

Sam and Rob.

Jay and Brian.

Me and Tracy.

Jay, Ron and Trent.

Jay.

Me.

My SIL Kelie and Ron.

My good friends Glen and Kent "Yomo"...Glen and I go as far back as 1st Grade.  You can't say "Yomo" without smiling!

Me and Rob.

Ron and Brian.

The weather was steamy this year with a lot of overcast.  We shot 4 under this year with the putting expertise of Clark.  Thank you Mike and Kristie for inviting us.  Can't wait for next year!

Mike and Kristie Musso.

'Growing' Away

Well the countdown has begun.  My son, daughter in law (daughter) and my two little Grand Kiddles are flying to Chiang Mai, Thailand next Sunday.  Each with two new jobs and new schools.  They are excited for their new life, their journey.

I am so very happy for them all and I know this is what they need to do.  Thailand calls to them as they taught English 7 years ago there and have been trying to get back ever since.

My husband and I both are also starting a new life, new journey.  We are hoping to travel more and can't wait for our Thailand visit in December.  Our life will consist of a lot of Skype and FaceTime.

My heart has been heavy for many weeks now.  Trying to prepare myself for not being as "needed" as I have been in the past 5 years.

My Granddaughter Adelina gave me a beautiful star the other day telling me "it's for you Nee Nee because you don't cry about Thailand"...well not when she sees me anyway.

Our next 6 days will be filled with pool parties in AZ with family and friends. And with lots of hugs, kisses and "hold me's".  

Thailand, please treat them well.  Keep them safe. 

I love you all,

Nee Nee

Goff!

It's amazing how fast our children grow up and even more amazing how fast our Grandchildren do the same.

We only have few more months before the kids make their new life in Thailand, so we try to get in every moment possible.

Our Grandson seems to be a natural ;o) at sports (he'll be 2 years old next month).  I know, I know Grandparents as well as parents think that of all their children, lol.

He says "Nee Nee do it"!

Ariston loves "bast it ball-hoops" (as he says), football and "goff"!   He even sits on the sofa with Bapo and watches golf tournaments!

He's out visiting family in Prescott for Spring Break and with this set up he can't miss!

Move it out...Move it forward...

Yard/Garage, whatever, have never been a favorite event to have ever since I can remember.  Growing up in a "weekend Swap Meet" lifestyle family makes me dread just the words garage sale.

Last Saturday "the kids" (my nickname for my son, Alec and DIL Christine), held a garage sale to move out stuff they have aquirred over the years.  They are cleaning out for their upcoming move to Thailand in June...yes, I typed Thailand...with our Grandchildren in tow.  

My heart is heavy, but I know it's their life and their adventure, so with that I only wish the very, very best for my kids as I always do.

What an adventure!

We had a wonderful turnout on a beautiful day.

Christine's friends (co workers) Katie and Rose. came to help.

Bapo brought donuts and was available to keep Ariston busy.

This is the look we get from Aris when the walk is all over.  How can I not take him around the block for another ride??

We will be having another sale on Saturday the 27th up here near our house in Anthem at the Community Center's Parking Lot from 8 am-12 pm.  Hope to see you there!

Ocean'Sa Round Us

Sam's brothers and sisters decided back in May of 2015 that it was time to scatter their parents ashes.

They decided to scatter Mom and Dad together on the shore of a beach as Mom Sally once requested.  We celebrated a bit the night before at Lucci's Italian Deli for dinner.  Great pasta!

We all gathered in December to celebrate their lives.  We miss them so much.

Sam's oldest sister, Patti and oldest brother, Michael and Patti's husband Terry.

Our niece Tori, Sam's sister Mary Alice, his brother Angelo and brother in law Gary.

Our nephew Austin.  His Dad, Sam's youngest brother, Anthony had to work and wasn't able to make it.

Sam's sister Dorothy.

Dorothy, Michael and Dennis.

                                         

Tori and our niece Gina there to help.

My bestest husband Sam.

There were a couple of older, wiser surfers in the parking lot with us.  One kind surfer took our family photos.

My little nephew, Austin.  Can he get any taller??

Austin and Aunt Dorothy.  I love them both!

We all then went over to a local bar off Main Street to have Bloody Mary's.  Was a very quiet, calm, easy going day.  Kinda unusual for an Italian-Irish family...but was a nice change of pace.

The weather was perfect for a little Gary drive down PCH to our favorite spot in Newport Beach...The Crab Cooker.  We ordered our usual cokes and a shrimp cocktails.

Amazing the bottles they served to Dorothy and I were labeled 'MOM' and 'DAD'...so here's to you! 

You were both very loving parents to all your children and to me.  

This month I will have been a Centofante for 34 years...and counting.

xxooxx