Baby Steps

I am still struggling with the photos a little. I'll get it together soon. My next move is a CD of the remaining vacation. This will include pictures of others besides the kids. In those there are some great photos of the Monarch Sanctuary. A bystander deemed a photo by Pete a "National Geo" shot. I'm pretty sure he was a Bostonian. He was very Sculley. Hans really enjoyed the tours when I explained to him that California used to be Mexican territory. He felt so at home. Next step for him would be to learn a little Spanish but instead I have looked into some Folklorico dancing. Look at those outfits! What great, great weather.

Now we are back to jackets and hats. We all complain but boy do we love it.

Especially monkey head. He cannot keep from stomping through piles of snow.

Light post I know, but what I really want to know is, what do you like about where you live? Here are my favorite things....

#1. All four seasons.

#2 All the nieces and nephews.

#3. Best donuts ever.

#4. Sisters in laws.

#5. All the DI's you can handle.

Short and to the point today, but as I've said, easing back into it. So, let's see how many of you are still around?

Missing Happy Hour

We are back home and cannot believe our good luck. We had the greatest vacation and Dads retirement party was so nice. We stayed at the Embassy Suites and you can take a tour here. My Dads good friend at the post office got us a great deal from his Dad who is an engineer there. We have never stayed anywhere so nice and fancy. At least I haven't, Pete has on business travel. For anyone looking for a place to stay I will just mention two words. Happy Hour. This alone was worth the money. Oh, two more words, Gin Daisy, my new favorite drink. It was nice to be home and do some of the things I had only done as school field trips. Colton Hall, Path of History, Point Lobos, San Carlos Mission, Carmel Mission, the lighthouse, butterfly trees and the wharf for Pete. The kids enjoyed all our sightseeing but were really won over by the pool/hot tub combo.
I always enjoy being home and it will always be special to me. This trip was different though. With my mom and John gone and my dad and Sharon on their way off to Oregon it just holds memories now. It will never be what it was to me. Really, I think that started with my grandmas passing, and now with my grandfather gone it isn't the same. The memories and feelings from that home have changed with the introduction of outsiders who feel the need to try and integrate themselves into our memories. Pacific Grove is a funny place like that, people love it and do what they can to be a part of it. So many people that I went to school with feel so strongly about our hometown but so few can actually afford to be there. Even Pete would like to be transferred there. You just can never recreate your childhood.
It was great to see all my Dads friends from the post office. Some of them I had the pleasure of working with when I was the worst cleaning lady ever. Not for lack of experience, but because I didn't want to miss a second of the post office action and my Dads incessant joking around. I will always remember Pebble Beach and meeting our Dad for lunch. Him bringing home wonder bars from the market across the street. Him in his postal uniform. The old Christmas parties. Barbeque's with the Babautas, Rick and his bar tending skills, the first retirement party at Jodys, years ago, when my Dad was attempting to move to Colorado. I think you know Dad that we feel that the Post Office is part of our life just as it is yours. Just in a different way.
Anyway, it was nice and I am excited for my Dad. A lifetime of California and now onto Oregon. I hope for him a feeling of home in his new surroundings. I hope he doesn't lose that sense of excitement and adventure in moving somewhere new. I hope that as great as our memories are that he can look ahead and make some new great memories. I hope that he isn't bored without the Post Office. Not the work and route, but the friends and constant entertainment. I hope that he will make as many new great friends as he has now. I hope that he knows that wherever he goes we will always be ready to visit. I hope that Sharon knows this all applies to her also. I wish you both all the best of luck. We had such a good time with you and miss you already. We cannot wait to go crabbing and clamming and letting Atman walk Hans into a new part of ocean. Enjoy yourselves and just to pressure you a little Dad, I will be waiting for a blog. We love you! Team Lindgren (but always a Sheppard at heart)

I'm Back Baby!

Hi! My name is Matilda. I used to write on this blog religiously. Recently, due to a move I have not had internet access and it has been really sad. I miss this blog. I believe that the lack of writing here has caused me some severe emotional distress. Not having a place to spill my thoughts has been difficult. I spend a large portion of my day writing blog posts in my head and thinking of what I would consider the highlights of the day.

There have been so many events and happenings to write about and I feel if I didn't mention them it would be almost as if they didn't happen. Since I have last been here Oscar has turned 11, Olive has turned 4 and Hans is now 6. We had a wonderful Christmas and an enjoyable New Year. There has been a lot of snow and we have really enjoyed it. We have been sledding, snowmobiling and I have even been snowboarding. We have enjoyed Grandma day every Friday. There is a brand new baby, Adaline and two more on the way.

Pete is starting to feel more comfortable in his job and is starting to relax just a little. He has an ever expanding stylish wardrobe and is like new man. The kids are doing great at school and Hans is starting to read really well. Olive has also been sounding everything out and will most likely be reading by the end of the school year. Siobhan has had a little bit of a struggle but is on the right track and working hard. Oscar, as always, is top of the class and teachers favorite.

We are still living with John and Sharron and it has gone really well. I enjoy hanging out with them and being there but am getting really excited for our own house. There is one house that I a little bit obsessed with and am really trying to think good thoughts that it will soon be mine.

I think I have well documented my leanings towards superstitions and New Years resolutions. This past year has been really different and full of change. I feel like I have been pretty open to all that has come our way. I have had to let go of a few plans or ideas I have been hanging on to and have made a few new ones in their place. It has been a great time for a little introspection. This is a good place to to let a little of it out of my head.

Right now we are in California with my Dad and Sharon. My Dad is retiring after 35 years with the Post Office. I am happy to be here with them and we are really enjoying a vacation. We are staying at a sweet hotel with an awesome happy hour and have had a great mix of weather. I have so many pictures I cannot wait to share. For now, I hope you have enjoyed what I had and I look forward to getting back on the horse.