Eric's Back update #2

So sorry everyone...I have been super busy this week...and have not had time to get myself on the computer...

First I want to say thank you for everyones love and support during Eric's whole back thing...thank you friends for listening to me **complain** and worry about his job...his job that we all love for what it allows our family to have and dislike for all the worry about possibilities that I try and keep out of my head.

...allows Eric to be with family a lot. He is a fantastic "hands-on daddy" If he had a regular 9-5 I think it would kill him not to be with his kids as much as he is and watch them when I go to work.

...allows him to provide financially for our family.

...allows Eric to have pride. Pride in himself, self confidence, and self assurance.

I have seen such amazing changes in him the past few years. I don't mean to get mushy but I am using this a my journal...but I am so proud of him (so proud of you, Eric)! Not only as my wonderful husband, but my best-friend, and amazing father!

Thank you UCPD for what you have brought to our family! Just please continue to work as a team and keep our Daddy safe! We feel very fortunate that this injury was (and hopefully stays) a minor one.

Ok now back to Eric's back update...

Eric was cleared for regular patrol on Monday. He went to work last night and felt great. I was worried how his back would feel once he got his duty belt on. He said it felt fine. He goes back to the workers-comp Dr. on Thursday and I am sure will see our family Chiropractor again to begin some rehab and strengthening.

Happy 80th Birthday Grandpa!

Birthday Boy with his Great Grandson, Colton!

Sunday my Grandpa turned 80!!!!

We celebrated by doing something different this year. Grams has been wanting to plan something special for over a year but Gramps kept saying not a big party...Just us! Well that is what we did ~ at Campo di Bocce in Livermore. We played Bocce for an hour and a half, while eating yummy pizza and enjoying a drink. Then we had a really nice lunch/dinner right there at Campo di Bocce. It was great to get all of us together (Kev even came home for the weekend from LMU) It was a very special day! Grandpa even got a little chocked up when he gave a thank you toast at dinner.

It was a great day. I am so thankful to have a healthy grandpa who still enjoys traveling, golf, his mens clubs, fishing, gardening, handyman work...and even making toys or a toy box for his great grand kids!

All this after his scary fall in Little Yosemite three years ago. Before the fall they hiked Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls & back into Little Yosemite to Fish. Grandpa was with Eric & Mike ~thank God~ when he fell and had to be airlifted by helicopter out of the back country. It was crazy scary...I'll never forget watching him dangle by a rope off the bottom of the helicopter with Half dome in the backround. He dislocated his ankle and fractured the bottom of his tibia. We didn't know if he would ever be able to walk regularly again, yet alone be able to resume all his normal activities! We were so lucky and feel very fortunate he had a very speedy recovery and rarely notice the injury today.

I love you Gramps! Happy 80th Birthday! Here is to many more!!!

Here are some pictures from his birthday party...

Deciding teams!

Grams, Uncle Greg, Me, Eric & Bri

vs

Gramps, Dad, Lala Lisa, Mike & Kev

Dad & Grandpa!

who throws next...

Ashlyn going in for a measurement!

Uncle Mike & Ash

Kev & Ash....she has always loved him!

Grams & Dad trying to wave on the ball!

Kev, Eric & Colton

Kevin & Colton's first time meeting!

Birthday Boy going in for the winning throw!

Grams & her Cole...that is what she nicknamed Colton

GG, Great Gramps & Colton!

At lunch...

Me & My Gramps! I love you!

Ashlyn being occupied by Cathy & Dad...

Lipstick for Grandpa!

All the boys...Colton is sleeping in the stroller!

Blowing out the candles...Campo di Bocce said we could not put 80 candles unless we has a fireman present...just kidding!

Super adorable of Uncle Greg & Ashlyn

Dad/Grandpa's New Home

Yesterday (Monday 9/28) Ashlyn, Colton and I drove out to Galt...The place of my dad's new home.

Honestly I am having a very hard time with this move. Worried about all the changes that might happen to my and my dad's relationship. I guess we will both just have to work a little harder at seeing each other more; when before it was super convienient.

After seeing Dad & Cathy's new house I can see why they like it out there. They have no neighbors, have a huge piece of land, and a house with a ton of potential. I can see it in both Dad & Cathy's eyes. They look happy and excited for their new life out there. I can see the excitement in my Dad for all his new projects. Almost to the point where they don't know where to start first! Although I did hear the barn & kitchen are the first two projects!

Here are some pictures...can't wait to post as my dad makes upgrades...I think you'll end up wanting him to do a project at your house! He is an awesome handyman, contractor, everything man! Serious!

The end of the driveway...the barn on the right will be replaced with a new and improved barn...one of their first projects.

Another view of the barn and side yard...although there is yard everywhere...

Behind the barn. The property line is all the way near

the first line of trees in the back of the field.

Had to add some cute ones of little ash!

View of the side of house from the barn

Ashlyn watching grandpa and some fire friends unload the moving truck.

Front of house...from the side..this is skippy a dog that comes with the house!

ps--She is great with Ashlyn!

Cathy & Ashlyn following the chickens....more pets that come with the house.

On the back of the moving truck!

All empty! Time to play!

Our little farm girl!

Front of house... front door entrance is actually under the right porch. laundry room entrance is straight ahead.

Posing!

View from the street/front of the driveway

Back deck my favorite!

Entry way into great room!

Table is there now but will not be there is a formal dining room.

Wine cellar ~ will turn into a pantry. I love the latch!

Down the hall are the two guest room and a bathroom. Around the corner to the right is the laundry room and around the corner to the left is the second entrance to the house form the front.

Lots of rooms I did not post. As they remodel I'll add more pic's!

At the Park

This afternoon we decided to pack a lunch & take the kids to the park. We went to Lake Elizabeth. It is so much more fun now that Ashlyn actually enjoys climbing on the structures & swinging! What a great family afternoon! I love love love when we can all be together!

our picnic...daddy & ashlyn already left to play

this little boy loved ash. he would not leave her alone.

daddy with colt

about to go down the slide...watch me!

check out that hair! can you say static!

ash met another little girl to play with...so funny ashlyn was telling her where to go! Uh oh...bossy here we come!

daddy helping ashlyn get up the rock wall...

so proud!