Sophia and Grammie Shop in Old Pasadena

Yesterday, Sophia and I did a little shopping in lovely downtown Old Pasadena.  It's easy to walk around Colorado Blvd. and wander in and out of the many charming shops.  We went first to Barnes and Noble as they have a wonderful children's section which Sophia thoroughly enjoyed.  She inspected almost every catergory of books and all of the games and toys.  Probably for over an hour.  She ultimately decided on a book containing a magic wand that was all about making magic.  It's probably too advanced for her but she is keen to experiment and, as I have some experience working magic, I had all kinds of advice.  The book she selected has the delightful title of "Are Adults Human?"  Then we went to lunch at Buca de Beppo (her choice) and shared stuffed mushrooms and spaghetti and meatballs (both her choices).  I saved a little of each for Eli's supper.  I had never been there before but Sophia, ever more sophisticated than I, had been many times.  After this yummy lunch we went to the Gap and Sophia picked out a Minnie Mouse shirt.  She never seems to want much or ask for anything.  She seems happy with what she has.  Then we went into an outdoor mall area right off Colorado Blvd. and explored the Magic Wand book and talked about making magic until it was time to take her back home.  Going home I asked her about her other grandmother, Antonia, and commented that I bet she really loves her a lot.  Sophia replied that she loves everybody to which I responded, "That's why everyone loves you".  She's a joy to be with and I had a great time.

She's a very beautiful little gir.

More Pictures from Bob's 80th Birthday party

I know I have titled this blog Janet's Photos and Videos, however Norma also takes excellent pictures at these events.  Since she currently has no way to share them, I'll post them here (like I did with her fun Halloween pictures earlier this month).  Because Norma was busy checking in the guests, she gave her camera to Art Pedersen and he got shots of the couples as they entered.  Some of these photos are posted below.

Dennis and Jeannine Wittmayer

Pat and Bill Hotz

Al and Helen Zimmerman

Bob and Gwen Burnham

Bruce and Lisa Seiler

Don and Nancy Campbell

Evie and Gene Williams

Jack and Mary Ann Bloes

Jim and Jo Ann Murphy

Ken and Dorcas Lounsbery

Mark and Fran Geneau

Don and Nancy Sand

Judy and Wayne Widener

Rich and Sharon La Farge

Teresa and John Hawker

Sue and Harry Bubnack

Vern Peckham and Pat Jordan

Virginia and Oscar Zoebisch

Ron and Jane Koning

Bob Kreis with Barb Lee

Below are other good photos that Norma took throughout the evening.

Pat and Don Kreutzberg

Mary's children: from the right, son John Porter with his wife Kathy and daughter Frankie with her husband Al Perelstein.

Dottie Bogumil and Pat Eastman

Don and Carol Alexander

Corine and Mel La Joie

Dian and Art Pedersen

Carol and Steve Hoostal

Renate and Edgar Engert

Eli Whitney in his role as Master of Ceremonies.

Guests were greeted by Bob and Mary Kreis (center) and Eli Whitney and Janet Nichols .

Ann and Phil Meengs

Katie and John Andrew

Phyllis Neumeyer

Someone got a photo of Norma and Ken Beall at the check-in desk.

Terri and Tom Strathairn

Eli assists Carol Alexander as she gives Bob a special birthday present from the guests.

Bob with his gift of an engraved desk clock.

Bob Kreis's 80th Birthday Party

Bob and Mary Kreis have lived in Lake San Marcos for about 15 years. They have been involved in everything during this time and I do mean everything. Besides being president at one time or other of almost every club, Bob was president of the Community Association for 6 years, an arduous responsibility to say the least. Thursday night many notables in the community celebrated his 80th birthday with a gala dinner roast at the Country Club. It ended with a video I made using whatever I could dig up from my five years here taking photos and videos. It was very well received. The whole evening was a huge success thanks to the leadership of Norma Beall and a committee of extremely experienced and competent hosts and hostessses.

Norma checks in Florrie and Pierce Clifford.

Eli Whitney, the Master of Ceremonies, in the vestibule.

Mary Anne Hajovsky and Mary Lynch are greeted by Carol Alexander.

Art Pedersen and Joe Hajovsky

Bruce Seiler provided his fine audio/visual equipment for our entertainment.

Dian Pedersen and Mary Coffman before the bar.

Carol and Steve Hoostal with Theresa Hawker and June Ryan in front.

Joann and Jim Murphy with Rich and Sharon LaFarge.

Liz Nixon, Kathy Porter, and Katie Andrew.

Dave Hobbs

Jane and Ron Konig with Lisa Seiler.

Mary Howard, Joyce Roberts, Florrie Pierce and Carol Alexander.

Leonard Culotta and Marie Hatley, former Lake San Marcos residents, came from La Costa Glen.

The colorful, elegant centerpieces were done by Renate Engert.

Rena Peck, Joyce Roberts and Jack Anstine.

Sylvia Sherwood and Bob Burnham.

Jim and Nancy Broach with the Hajovsky's.

Red and Mary Coffman.

John and Katie Andrew led the speakers with a very witty recap of all Bob's involvements.

Liz Nixon shows the damage from Bob's relentless arm twisting for contributions to Casino Night.

Ken Beall remembers all of Bob's work publishing the Quail Call newsletter.

Mary Anne and Joe tell us how Bob saved The Yacht Club from extinction.

Edgar coaxes Bob to demonstrate his famous pole dancing routine.

Evie does a delightful Marilyn Monroe imitation singing Happy Birthday.

Attorney Ken Lounsbery gives Bob one Get Out Of Jail Free card (for a misdemeanor only).

Gene Williams laughs about good times with Bob.

John Porter, Bob's step son, describes what Bob has meant to his mother, Mary, and their family.

Mary and Bob at the birthday cake while we all sing Happy Birthday.