A Season to Celebrate

Celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus is always such a joyous time. The Christmas Eve candlelight service at church, waking up Christmas morning and in the Meyer woman tradition wearing our crazy penguin PJ's and enjoying breakfast, coffee and opening gifts together. this year Christmas Eve dinner was held at Katie's apartment. This was her first dinner for her family. She did a wonderful job decorating the table beautifully and serving a meal of tri-tip steak, chicken and her special green bean, asparagus and bacon dish and my favorite pumpkin muffins. She was assisted with the dinner by her boyfriend Chad whose parents also were invited. Katie had to work at 6pm that evening so everyone went their separate ways. Larry and I attended the 8pm Candlelight church service which was filled with God's spirit of peace, joy and love. We always love the final song of Silent Night with our candles lite and the church aglow.
We began Christmas morning making waffles, fruit, cheese blitz souffle, Starbuck Christmas blend coffee, almond champagne and lots of other wonderful warm breakfast dishes. Josh, Megan and Isabelle arrived first in their Christmas PJ's then Katie . After feasting on food, opening gifts we headed to the theater to see the movie National Treasure. This was Isabelle's first movie. True to her nature, she was an angel throughout the movie. It really is a fun family movie for all ages.
We returned from the theater and played the game Last Word. It is a fun, fast game which thank goodness takes very little skill. We laughed pretty hard at some of the word play that took place.
It is now time to toss out the wrapping paper, begin thinking of putting away the ornaments and look forward to a New Year. The New Year gives us time to reflect on the past year and pray that 2008 will be a year of Peace and good health.

A Season to Celebrate

Celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus is always such a joyous time. The Christmas Eve candlelight service at church, waking up Christmas morning and in the Meyer woman tradition wearing our crazy penguin PJ's and enjoying breakfast, coffee and opening gifts together. this year Christmas Eve dinner was held at Katie's apartment. This was her first dinner for her family and she did a wonderful job with a beautiful table setting and tritip steak, chicken and her special green bean, asparagus and bacon dish and pumpkin muffins. She was assisted with the dinner by her boyfriend Chad and whose parents also were invited. Katie had to work at 6pm that evening so everyone went there separate ways. Larry and I attended the 8pm Candlelight service which was filled with God's spirit of peace, joy and love. We always love the final song of Silent Night with our candles lite and the church aglow.
We began Christmas morning making waffles, fruit, cheese blitz souffle, coffee almond champagne and lots of other wonderful warm breakfast dishes. Josh, Megan and Isabelle arrived first in the Christmas PJ's then Katie . After feating on food, opening gifts we headed to the theater to see National Treasurer. This was Isabelle's first movie and she true to her nature was an angle throughout the movie. It really is a fun family movie for all ages.
We return from the theater and played the game Last Word. It is a fun fast game which thank goodness takes very little skill. We laughed pretty hard at some of the word play that took place.
It is now time to toss out the wrapping paper, begin thinking of putting away the ornaments and looking forward to a New Year. We pray that 2008 will be a year of Peace and good health.

Tis the Season

Tis the Holiday Season. A time for Family, Friends, Food and wonderful music.
Praying that this Christmas season your heart will be filled with happiness and with love and memories and that your Christmas be filled with God's goodness!
We had a fun action packed weekend beginning on Friday when Ruth and girlfriends Amy and Gretchen took a shopping trip to Walnut creek. The stores are decorated so pretty and in the middle of the shopping district is a beautiful tree fully decorated. It really gets you in the holiday spirit. Of course shopping anytime makes me happy ;) Friday night we meet friends and attended an Evening in December at the First Covenant Church. They put on a wonderful musical with a message of hope and joy in celebration of Jesus' birthday. The performance was followed by delicious deserts at the home of our friends the Moores. Saturday, I hosted a table at the annual Christmas Tea held at our church. Each table was decorated differently. Some tables are elegant, some whimsical and some theme oriented but all fantastic. We were served scones ,sandwiches,and pasteries with our tea and heard an incredible story of God's Grace by our guest speaker Wendi Carlton. It was extra special for me this year to have Megan and Isabelle join us at the tea. Isabelle was an angel throughout the entire two hours. After all she is the most perfect baby in the enitre world! Saturday night we had our Mariner Christmas dinner at the Penrod's house. Again, we had a incredible buffet of appetizers and deserts and wonderful fellowship with all the couples in our group. We have been blessed to have been a part of this couples group for 17 years and to have been Skippers for the past year.
Sunday, Larry and I were voted in as Decons for our church. This will give us an opportunity to work together and be able to serve our church. We are looking forward to the opportunity in 2008. Sunday night we attended a gospel musical performance at our church and were wowed by what this group of singers performed. I think it is actually good to go back to work this week to have a normal routine and rest up so we can be ready for another fun weekend coming up.

Long Lost cousin - reunion

After 34 years - I had the opportunity to catch up with my cousin Ron Woodrow and his wife Marianne. The years have aged us but Marianne's wonderful laugh is still the same and Ron reminds me so much of his dad, my uncle George it was uncanny. The reunion was made possible because of Ron and Marianne's daughter Linda Woodrow-Gray who we discovered lived in Walnutcreek after I had received a random e-mail about a T-Shirt contest for the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure. Linda, a senior graphic designer, had entered a design for the T-Shirt and when I went to vote for her design I noticed her e-mail address attached and decided to drop her a note and let her know that her father was my cousin. She e-mailed back right away, we met for dinner along with my brother Andy who was in town from San Antonio. When I found out that her parents would be visiting for Thanksgiving we made plans to meet and catch up. It was such a kick to see old pictures, and make this family connection. Larry and I look forward to seeing them again before another 30 years goes by.

Trip to Angwin

Nestled into the foothills of the beautiful California wine country is a little community called Angwin. Donna and Al Voth, my sister and brother-in-law have moved there this year from Michigan. Angwin overlooks the Napa Valley with a spectacular view of vineyards and rolling hills. We spent Friday and Saturday exploring some of the special places Donna and Al have discovered since moving there. We went into Callistoga to a little candle shop with amazing candles. I found a little english tea house which actually sold my favorite candy "Smarties"! Castello de Amorosa is an amazing authentic castle which took some 13 years to build. We did not actually tour the inside of the castle as it was a $30 entrance fee. We hiked a great trail near the Angwin airport which took us on a 4 mile loop which was like being in a magical forest with moss covered rocks, tall trees and leaf covered trails.

Giving Thanks

I read a wonderful prayer that Dear Abbey had written before she died -
something to think about all year round:

O Heavenly Father
We thank thee for food
and remember the hungry.
We thank Thee for health
and remember the sick.
We thank Three for friends
and remember the friendless.
We thank thee for freedom
and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service
That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen

The Meyer/Oldenburger family got up early Thanksgiving Day and Ran for the Hungry. It has become our annual family tradition. We love the idea of doing something to help those less fortunate and also doing something good for our bodies before we sit down to a day of delicious food. After the race we enjoyed a brunch and relaxed watching the parade on TV. Megan, Josh and Isabelle then left to see other family and Larry, Katie and I went to the movies and saw Enchanted. A very cute and light Disney fairytale/romance. We would recommend it for any age.

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Giving Thanks

I read a wonderful prayer that Dear Abbey had written before she died - something to think about all year round:
O Heavenly Father
We thank thee for food
and remember the hungry.
We thank Thee for health
and remember the sick.
We thank Three for friends
and remember the friendless.
We thank thee for freedom
and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service
That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen

The Meyer/Oldenburger family got up early Thanksgiving Day and Ran for the Hungry. It has begome our annual family tradition. We love the idea of doing something to help those less fortunate and also doing something good for our bodies before we sit down to a day of delicious food. After the race we enjoyed a delicious brunch and relaxed watching the parade on TV. Megan, Josh and Isabelle then left to see other family and Larry, Katie and I went to the movies and saw Enchanted. A very cute and light Disney fairytale/romance. We would recommend it for any age.

Isabelle's First Halloween

Although Isabelle didn't have a clue what was going on, her mommy had fun dressing her up for Halloween. She was the cutest little mermaid and little princess I have ever seen.




I know that Megan and Josh look forward to the day they can take her trick or treating so they can get the candy!

Isabelle's First Halloween

Although Isabelle had no clue what was going on her mommy had fun dressing her up in costumes and of course she looked adorable as a little mermaid and a little princess. I think megan and josh look forward to the day they can take her trick or treating so they can get the candy!

Larry Turns 60

Another milestone is turned. Larry turned 60 on October 12th. He decided to downplay his birthday this year and let his family throw him a little asian mystery night with a murder mystery game called "Who Hung Woo" Each of us came dressed as a character with names like Hao Dee Doo, Ding a Ling, Pen Ta-gon, WooPi, Wee Ping etc, We played out the mystery and ate chinese food that night. With a new granddaughter in the picture all things do revolve around Isabelle. When she got tired we all decided to focus our attention on cake, presents and just enjoying each others company. As you can see by the pictures there is an undiscovered side to larry. We never did figure out who Hung Woo that evening. to be continued.....

Changing Seasons

The leaves are turning color, our little Isabelle is growing each day and now actaully smiles and coos! Larry and I continue to juggle work, family and social time and we praise God for the many blessings and peace he has given us these past two months. Larry had the opportunity to fly back to Illinois with his sister Donna and reunite with many family members that he had not seen in a number of years. Larry's mother Gwen, will soon turn 88 and was thrilled to have her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren surrond her with love.

Welcome Isabelle Emily Oldenburger!

September 5, 2007 a precious little girl named Isabelle Emily Oldenburger arrived in the world! Isabelle weighed 7 lbs. 12oz at birth and 20 inches long. She was born at 7:53 am following approximately 16 hours of labor. She is absolutely beautiful and the most perfect little creature on the planet! Megan and Josh are proud parents and worked together throughout the labor to bring Isabelle into the world. We are over the moon happy and can't wait to spoil this little one. We have called her Sunshine from the time Megan found out she was pregnant and she certainly is a ray of sunshine in all of our lives.

In Memory of Morgan

On a beautiful sunny afternoon in November 1995 I decided to just go "look" at the dogs at the SPCA. Larry was working in Tracy at the time and I felt that it would be good company for me and protection for the girls and I to have a dog. As I walked up and down the corridors watching all the dogs jumping up and down and barking for attention I suddenly spoted a very poised quiet medium sized dog in the last kennel with three other hyper dogs. I asked if I could take the dog out to the yard area to get a feel for what kind of dog she was. As soon as the lease was on she yanked me straight outside. She ran around the yard area like a giselle and then came over to the bench that I was sitting on and layed her head on my lap. She melted my heart and I knew that was the dog for our family. I called the girls and they were so excited. We went the following day to pick her up in our family blue van. We had no sooner pulled out of the parking lot at the SPCA when she jumped over all the seats and sat her self right in the middle between Megan and Katie. She was now just one of the girls.We named her Morgan. For the past 12 years she has been our faithful companion and friend always greeting us at the door with her little stub of a tail wagging. Whether we were going to drop off or pick up the girls from school or go to the store, soccer practice or anywhere she was the first to the door and jumped into her favorite spot in the front seat so she could see everything. She let the girls dress her in the most ridiculous outfits and drag her around like a baby. On Wednesday August 7, 2007 her life came to an end after we found a large mass in her liver. Our house has a big empty place in it now without her but we will always remember her and the unconditional love she gave us all.

Coming Attraction!

35 days and counting! Megan has had a beautiful pregnancy. She is glowing and the baby is growing like crazy right now. Megan says that our little "Sunshine" has quite a kick. we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first grandbaby! Her due date is the first week of September and she will be delivering at Mercy San Juan Hospital - just down the street from us.

Last Days of Summer

THE RAGE MINUS AMY
LAKE ALMANOR

This past week marks the last days of summer vacation for Ruth. Every day has been maximized and filled with memorable times. This past week I had the opportunity on Monday to visit with my friend Emily who was on a whirl wind visit to the west coast from her new home in North Carolina. Janet and I did our four mile walk in the morning on Monday, followed with meeting Amy for kayaking at the CSUS Aquatic Center. Lake Natomas was beautiful, a calm peaceful morning on the river. After kayaking we met up with Emily for pedicures and lunch. I was then off to Placerville to pick up Larry and head up to Tahoe to have dinner with our good friends from Portland Oregon, Tom and Kathy Marshall. We had a fabulous tritip dinner on Lake Tahoe at their rental house with all of Kathy's family and headed back to Sacramento as the sun was setting on Lake Tahoe. I left for Lake Almanor Wednesday to spend the rest of the week with the RAGE group minus our "A" = Amy. The RAGE is not the same without her but we did have a blast at Gretchen's cabin. Kayaking, laying on the dock and talking about everything under the sun for hours on end, walks, great food and a perfect end to a fantastic summer. It is back to work next week and this fall will be challenging and interesting as we adjust to new administration and new students. It truly has been a wonderful time of re-energizing, relaxing and realizing how blessed I am.

Visit to Victorville

Wednesday 7-18-07 I made my last trip to Victorville, where the city motto is "A Vedder community". I never did figure out if this was just a misspelling on the part of Victorville folks or is that really a word - vedder? The high desert is a place of hot, dusty, windy and did I mention hot weather. I don't know why anyone would want to live there but the city is exploding with growth. Bob Ruess, my dear friend and former father-in-law has decided to move to Corona. After losing Iris in October who he was married to for 63 years, he is really lonely there by himself and will be moving closer to his son. I was able to help him pack up lots and lots of stuff that he will probably never use again and bring home some special things of Iris's for each of the girls to remember her by. I was glad to have had the time this week to spend with him and hear his many fascinating stories of growing up during the depression era. They were truly the greatest generation - I don't think I could have survived some of the things they had to do.

High Flying Adventure

PLEASE LORD GIVE ME A SAFE LANDING

Like mother - Like daughter... Not to be outdone by her mother, Katie and her Jamba Juice management team went on a high flying adventure 7-16-07 at the Lodi airport. Katie's manager and two other team members went skying diving. This was the first time for all. Katie had a blast and said she would do it again. maybe next time she will take me along with her. We Meyer woman love adventure and thrills. This picture says it all.

Summertime Adventures

Summertime is always a great time to catch up with friends and do a little traveling. We kicked off the summer with a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It was the first time for Larry and Ruth to really see the culture of Mexico. Larry did amazingly well with his limited Spanish in trying to converse with the locals and we even explored Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias by public bus and taxi which was an adventure in itself. The lush tropical Sierra Madre's and the beautiful ocean gave us plenty of options everyday. Our favorite activity though was lounging around the gorgeous pool at the Mayan Palace where we stayed and enjoyed our poolside service.



We then spent a week at Lake Tahoe and were joined for the Fourth of July by Larry's sister Donna and her husband Al as well as Katie and her boyfriend Chad. We had a great day taking hikes, hanging out by the beach and watching the fireworks from our 7th story sundeck at the condo that we were staying in. Fantastic week with lots of relaxing and sleeping in.