Trickery from the King of the Road

Hi Family

For those of you who don't know, for the last 6 months John Christensen has been a long distance trucker for Werner Enterprises.

He has really been able to see a good portion of the United States. We always get updates from Uncle as to where he has been and what he is hauling. It has been items from pillow fluff to items for an Obama rally. (Boo!)

But today he played a really mean trick on my Mom & I. He called Mom and said he found a sweet tiger cat at the last truck stop he was at and wanted us to take it in. Mom vehemently told him NO! While he was begging she gave him the lists of reasons that we couldn't which included we already have 4 cats who are set in their ways to if you bring it to this house Uncle Bill will divorce me.

About a 1/2 hr later he came to the back door with a box that holes poked in it. I met him at the door and told him to leave that instant. But when he took the lid off it was a giant White tiger head that you hang on the wall. We hit him & told him how we really felt about that joke.

He & Uncle came up with the plan together. They are HILARIOUS!!!

Anyways check out pictures of Big Red the rig below.



John & Mom with Big Red.


Mom and Tigger the Cat Head
She looks pretty cool in the rig.



Tigger has come alive.


Check out that rig



King of the Road
John Christensen

Wedding Part I & Baby Girl Part II

Hello Family:

September 19-20 was a crazy weekend. The 19th was the most exciting of days because it was Lisa Grigg & R.D. Coronado's special day.

We had all waited for this day with bated breath and it finally came. That Friday was a beautiful day out in Santa Monica. Mom, Dad, Sara, Andrew & I joined the happy couple as they were married for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple.

We then exited for pictures and the fun to begin. By then it had gotten pretty hot but Lisa's family had put together R.D. & Lisa Coronado water bottles and snacks. Lisa's sister-in-law Linda is a very creative and talented woman. In fact she was given the name S.O.B. (It stands for sister of the bride) get your minds out of the gutter. :)

After the pictures there was a very nice luncheon at Joe & Linda's house. (Although we called it Linner or Dunch as it was way after lunch but before dinner).

The fun festivities were carried over into Saturday night at the Oakmont Country Club where there was good food, dancing, a lovely toast from Lisa's Father-in-Law Raul Coronado and a another family toast from Lisa's brother Bill. I'm sure Lisa's Mom Joyce was there in spirit to enjoy the festivties also.

Besides being the one and only bridesmaid I was also the guest soloist. I sang "Love Changes Everything" which is one of Lisa's favorite songs. I have known I was to sing this song for years and it finally came to pass. :) J/K

My hugs and love to the happy couple. And I just want to say that I have inherited a new friend-in-law.

Love

Marilee




Always take the time to smell the roses




Sara & Andrew look much more relaxed then
they did on February 8th. :)


A little sister bonding while we wait for the
happy couple to emerge.



I am so just so excited that Lisa is married!



R.D. & Lisa Coronado




Ahh such happiness!!



Check out the sexy purple
heels




The newest family R.D. ,Lisa & Alex
Coronado





Lisa's family L-R

Brother Bill, Sister Carol the happy couple of course,
Lisa's Dad Joe Sr & her brother Joe Jr.




Lisa's Dad, The happy couple, and R.D.'s parents
Raul & Aurora Coronado




Part II

What made this weekend even crazier was that we fit in a baby shower for my very pregnant sister Sara. She has 7 weeks to go before she & Andrew welcome their little girl into the world and we thought since they were coming down for Lisa's wedding we wanted to have her celebrate with her family and California friends.

But this is where my part stops and Cindy's starts. Cindy knew it was such a busy weekend for me with Lisa's wedding that she planned, decorated and hosted a beautiful baby shower at Uncle's house.

It is always so much fun to see family & friends and we always have such a good time together.

There was a delicious buffet, yummy cake and lots of presents. I was so grateful to Cindy that she was able to spearhead such a wonderful shower.

I know you have seen pictures in Cindy's blog but I also have included my pictures. I am so grateful to the family and friends that made the long trek's to La Crescenta to celebrate Andrew & Sara's upcoming event.

Love Again

Marilee





The handsome father to be



The sweet parents to be



Mary Jade's loot



Posing with the group gift (My only
responsibility-Thank you Cindy)
Stroller & infant car seat



Stop taking our picture with the
food and let us eat it



Yummy pumpkin spice cake with Cream Cheese
filling and whipped cream frosting...Oh sorry I'm
drooling.



Gran always wanted you to pose
with flowers.


Cindy & Sara, is the baby moving??



Hug for the road cousin.

To my Awesome Blossom

Hello:

It has been brought to my attention that I have not focused my hugs & love on my own family. I want to say here and now that my sister in law Michelle is an Awesome Blossom and will always be my girl.

My brother David is a very lucky man to have such a special person in his life. She is an awesome wife, mother & friend.

Love you lots Michelle

Marilee

I think she is so awesome that
we even dress alike. :)

Happy 66 young Dad

Today was a good Sunday. We had a great day at church and we celebrated Dad's birthday.

When we got home he received many birthday calls. From his brother Tom in Georgia, Sara & Andrew in Utah (who sang to him while Andrew played the piano) and a happy birthday song from Ruby, Noah & Holly. (I'm sure Lily was singing in her head)

We had Uncle over for his birthday dinner of ribs, green beans and fried potatoes. And of course the ever famous Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

He got a shirt from me and a gift certificate to JC Penney from David, Michelle and the kids.

I have attached pictures below.

He looks great (For an old guy - J/K Love ya Dad)





That's right the Potters can't seem
to invest in candles. I think the Tea
lights should be a tradition. :)




Blow out that candle.

Change for the Braga girls

Hello all:

Most of you know that due to family circumstances Melissa, Amanda, Ashely, Domino & Lady left Anaheim and moved in with her parents.

This will be an exciting change for all of them and they are looking forward to starting a new life in the beautiful community of Oceano, with Uncle Tom & Aunt Sue.

They are already lucky as they have left the gross heat of Southern California. ( I am so jealous as it was 90 degrees today- yeck! )

We had a crazy, tiring and fun drive up to Oceano over Labor Day weekend. Melissa and the girls and I Cara Vaned with Lady & I in the truck, and Domino and the girls with Melissa.

We stopped in Fillmore to grab a bite at McDonald's and had to laugh because Domino barked at every Harley and semi that drove by.

Lady was a great travelling companion and when I pulled off the freeway in Oceano, she jumped in my lap so she could stick her head out the window. When I pulled into the driveway Melissa and I got a good laugh because she was standing in my lap. It was lucky I could turn the wheel.

Animals are great.

We all got out, and stretched, said hello to Tom and started unpacking the truck. I look forward to many trips to the beach to see my favorite people and animals.

Pictures of our weekend are below.

Hugs to all.

Trying to untie Uncle Bill's Navy
Knots.




Those knots are too hard, let's take a break.



Domino and Pedro offer you their
protection.

After Lady got smacked in the head
with a wave she had enough of the
water and enjoyed the sand.




Domino chills on the beach.



Time to dry off Domino.



Lady and the girls rest on the sands of
Pismo, CA.




Time out for cousins. Love ya girl.

Thirteen going on 30

Most of you might know that Melissa's daughter Amanda turned "13" on August 20. Unfortunately all of her friends could not make it to her party because they all happened to be going out of town.

So I drove to Anaheim to meet my three favorite girls and we took in a movie (Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants II) and shopping and eating in Downtown Disney. We also came home to my house on Sunday for birthday cake. - YUMMY!!

Our favorite part was the pretzel bites and cheese sauce. And being attacked by sparrows because Miss Ashley decided to feed one and that brought all of their friends.

I can't believe Amanda is 13 but I am so excited I was able to spend the day with her. I love those girls with all my heart.




Posing in front of the Fountain
Amanda & Marilee


Melissa and her big 13 year old!


Ashley & Amanda trying to advertise for
Jamba Juice.


A silly birthday cake. Sorry I had no candles
tealights will have to do. :)



Blow out those tea lights. :)

Dodger Game

Hello All:

Thanks to Lisa's brother Joe we got really awesome tickets to the Dodger Game. These are the kind of seats where they come and take your order and they offer you more than just Dodger Dogs. It was a really fun night with Lisa, R.D. & Alex.

Unfortunately they lossed miserably. But there is nothing like being up close and personal with the Dodgers.

And on the plus side we were sitting across from John Lovitz ( Lisa & I could not stop staring) and Jonathan Silverman was sitting up front.

It was a fun night.