Tony Parente's Visit and Santa Barbara

Larry's dad came to Agoura Hills for a summer visit. We had a wonderful time eating, talking, golfing (the guys only) and taking a day trip to Santa Barbara. Thanks for coming out Tony!!!!

Tony's Visit

Visit with Papa Jim and Grandma Veda

Grandpa Visit

We had a nice Saturday lunch visit with my granparents. What a treat!!!!

It's All About the Kiddies - Erin in SF

Erin in SF

Larry made a trip up to San Francisco in May to run the Bay to Breakers like he does every year with is friend David. Therefore, I was due for a visit up myself to see friends. I chose the weekend that many of our friends were camping in Big Basin (Santa Cruz Mountains). I flew into San Jose airport and then drove to the campsite. I then visited my Godson and his mother in Pleasanton and concluded my visit in San Mateo to see my other Godson, his parents, my friend Linda and Jay. It was quite the whirlwind tour, but it was worth seeing some of my friends and their adorable children.

Disneyland - June

Disneyland- June

Father's Day

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all Dads. We had a great time at my Aunt Debbie and Uncle Kevin's house. They are quite the hosts!!! The whole family was present and we had a wonderful time catching up with everyone!

Ojai

Ojai

Larry had offsite work meetings at the Ojai Inn and Spa. I decided to take some time off and join him. What a beautiful getaway in my favorite Early California/Spanish style setting.

Seal Beach

Seal Beach

Just a leisurely day at Seal Beach with my parents, doing a little window shopping and eating.

Bay Area in March

Bay Area- March

We again had the pleasure of staying with Leilani and Shane in Foster City. They hosted a party to celebrate Leiani's birthday and their new house.It was a full house and so great to see everyone, especially the little ones. Don't you love the shot of Frank and Dominic above- so cool.

Disneyland - March

Disneyland - March

Every other month we need our fix. This album includes lots of ride photos (mostly in California Adventure) for those of you who haven't been to Disneyland in a while.

Big Bear

Big Bear

We had a nice weekend in Big Bear although we missed the snow. I guess it snowed a couple weeks later. It was nice to spend tie with my brother Scott and his girlfriend Monica. We were so grateful to be able to stay at Monica's Grandparents house. It was St. Patrick's Day weekend, so the first order of business was to find some corned beef!!!

Mexican Riveria Cruise

Mexican Riveria

We just returned from our cruise to the Mexican Riveria. We had a wonderful time and met some wonderful people. We left from the San Diego Port of Call. When we returned, we were greeted by our Aunt Sheereen and cousins Shea and Chad. It was so nice to have lunch with them on the Point Loma cliffs!!

Happy Saint Valentine's Day - Love to All

In Mexico, they don't leave the "Saint" out of a Valentine's Day wish. It's refreshing. The streets were lined with vendors selling heart balloons and teddy bears which are the favorite gifts to receive on this day in Mexico.

Flowers tend to be the one of the favorite gifts in the States, so Larry and I have some flowers for you to show our love and friendship. The right one was done by Larry and given to Erin on St. Valentine's Day. Isn't it beautiful??? The left one is from Erin.

Celebrating Birthdays

My Mom and Aunt Cathie's birthdays are in January, so we celebrated with a Larry Parente home-cooked meal at my parents followed by many rounds of Catchphrase. We also threw in a song for Larry and Monica's birthdays as well.

Visit to the Bay Area

We were so glad to have an excuse to visit our friends again in the Bay Area. The 3rd Annual Walk for Life West Coast that my friends Dolores (below with Erin) and Eva started, was on January 20th in San Francisco.

We stayed at our friends Shane and Leilani's house in Foster City and were able to visit with some of our friends. We were most excited about seeing Larry's newest Godson, Dominic. He's so darn cute!!!

A Visit from Shalani

We had our first visitors to Agoura Hills- Shane and Leilani, aka Shalani. We took them to our favorite spots in Malibu.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Merry Christmas to all from North Carolina.

Here is our 2006 Christmas image that was supposed to go out on cards, but we had a scanner malfunction.

Ricketts Family Traditions

The Ricketts family has been gathering twice for Christmas since I was about 8 years old. After my Grandpa Jim married Grandma Veda (adding her 4 daughters and their children) the family got too big (currently at 29 cousins) to meet at my grandparent's house. We then started what's called the "Children's Party" at my grandparent's country club. We also decided to have an "Adult Party" for Ricketts adults at rotating homes. Today, there are so many adult children that we are busting at the seams.

The parties themselves and the activities (music, children's performance, Santa, group photos, etc.) make up our traditions!

Disneyland Again....

Larry and I had a long weekend away that incorporated Larry's work Christmas party in Pasadena and a trip to Disneyland, of course.

On Saturday, we left for Pasadena to join his colleagues at Bistro 45. We then spent the night in Pasadena so that we could do a little shopping in the Historic Old Town Pasadena and have lunch at the Paseo Colorado the next day.

Without "Goofy" hats ...and with "Goofy" hats.

We then spent the next day and a half at Disneyland and California Adventure. The decorations and festivities were incredible and helped get us into the Christmas spirit. Guess which photo made us sad....