11th ANNIVERSARY

It's been 11 years today, and I can't believe it. I was sitting on my couch on a Friday night having a drink and watching Hercules (the cartoon) when Laird called my house. It is hard to really sort out what happened for the next few days after that. I remember going to the airport in disbelief. Mom, Karen, Joe, Marcela and Grandpa were gone, and we didn't have any details on the others. Which just new everyone else had been taken to two hospitals in San Bernadino.

That was probably the hardest part. Not knowing what was going on with those who survived the accident. We got on a plane out of Portland at 10:30 that night, flew threw Las Vegas, and finally landed at LAX the next morning at 5:30am. We then drove straight to San Bernadino County Hospital trying to find my dad. They said they didn't have Smokey, RuthAnn or Jay admitted there, but come to find out they were still listed as Jane and John Does. We found Jay first. He was conscious and in pretty good shape all things considered. He would have to have surgery on his leg, but he would be okay. RuthAnn was in ICU, and was tubed for her breathing when I first saw her. She was conscious and her eyes were so scared, but she couldn't speak. The trauma to her face was so extensive, I hardly recognized her. After some more searching we finally found my dad down in the ER. He hadn't been injured, but they had given him a sedative and a bed, until someone could come and get him. Gary and Tricia were much worse off, and had been take to Loma Linda - a great hospital with a renowned trauma center. Gary and Tricia were still unconscious, and Tricia was the worst off. They had to relieve pressure in her brain, and had a drain coming out of her head.

The funerals were a week later. Grandpa and Marcela first, with a break in between where we found out that RuthAnn had passed away. Then it was on to mom's. We helped prepare the bodies at the funeral home prior to the viewings and funerals. We felt blessed that mom didn't have any bruises on her, she hadn't even broken a nail. But poor Marcela and Grandpa didn't look as good.

You would think that after 11 years the hole wounded be so pronounced, but as anyone who has lost someone unexpectedly knows - it just doesn't seem to go away. I still catch myself getting irritated that my mom didn't call me on my birthday - and then it sinks in again. I want so badly to be able to call mom and ask her about things I did as a little girl. I look at Josi and Rhylee and wonder if I was like them, or if we are complete opposites. They know that their other grandma is an Angel - but don't really understand the implications of what that means. Thankfully their Grandma they have here is incredible.

I hate this day rolling around every year, and wonder if it will always hit me so hard.

NEW YEARS EVE 2008

HAPPY NEW YEARS

We had such a fun night. After a great dinner at Ruth's Chris we went across the street and danced until we closed down Lumpys. After that we went and played pool until the wee hours. We were out until 5am - GO OLD PEOPLE!!!!!!

CHRISTMAS 09

We went the weekend before Christmas to Wellington to celebrate. Bobbi & Brian and the kids came down from Wyoming, and Laird and us came from up north. It is always such fun to have us all together. You will notice however, that yet again Smokey is not in this picture. I keep telling him he can't hurt the camera, and he keeps acting like a grumpy old man!


We spent Christmas Eve with Chad's family. After a yummy dinner out at the Cheesecake Factory we headed back to Randy and Jennie's to open presents. When the kids opened the Wii, you would have thought they won the lottery - it was hilarious.

Woke up Christmas morning to all of the normal festivities. It was so nice to be at home for Christmas - we didn't leave our house all day. This is the first time since Chad and I have been married that we got to do that!!! Randy and Jennie came over to visit and Randy and Josi played some Wii together.

CHRISTMAS IN PORTLAND

We spent the weekend in Portland early December for the Attitude Adjusters Christmas Party at Wanda's house. We stayed with Granma Retta, and the girls couldn't have been happier. It even snowed - which is quite an event in the Northwest. Yet again, the city was shut down, and when we drove down to see Ryan, Nikki, Spencer and Brendan in West Linn we had to take side streets, because the freeway was pretty much shut down.

CALIFORNIA 09 - DISNEYLAND

We finally made it to the Happiest Place on Earth - at least for the kids. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Disneyland, but I think the happiest place on earth is the Four Seasons on the Kona Coast - but that is another blog. Laird & Katy and the boys met is there, which made it all the more fun. The park for was decorated for Christmas, which was awesome. Main Street and the princess castle were covered in lights, and they even made it "snow" every night on Main Street. At least Rhylee will remember this trip, her first time to Disneyland she was ten months old. She couldn't get enough of the Tower of Terror - which goes to show she may indeed be the strangest four year old ever!! Josi loves all the fast, roller coaster type rides. They can't do enough loops or go fast enough for her, as long as it isn't too dark and full of scary sounds. Small World is still their favorite, and it was fun to see it all set up for Christmas too.

The HUGE turkey leg was a hit with everyone - but especially Rhylee since she is a bottomless pit! The girls got their names embroidered on their hats, and Chad being who he is had them put Daddy on it - he really is the best. The girls and I stayed for a few extra days after Chad flew home to go back to work. We went out to Tom Sawyer's Island, and found the treasure. We had such a great time, and now the girls want to know when we are going again!!