We couldn't find a "Happy 105th Birthday" card, so we sent him cards in denominations; Happy 60th, Happy 21st, Happy 16th, and Happy 8th.
Those add up to 105. Hope you have a great day, Grandpa! We love you!!
Friday, September 19, 2014
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA!!
Orville Vanderlip is 105 years young today!
We couldn't find a "Happy 105th Birthday" card, so we sent him cards in denominations; Happy 60th, Happy 21st, Happy 16th, and Happy 8th.
Those add up to 105. Hope you have a great day, Grandpa! We love you!!
We couldn't find a "Happy 105th Birthday" card, so we sent him cards in denominations; Happy 60th, Happy 21st, Happy 16th, and Happy 8th.
Those add up to 105. Hope you have a great day, Grandpa! We love you!!
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
RIP Moonlight
Our last and beloved fishy, Moonlight, passed away last night.
He was a social fish who had a long life. We will miss him!
200? - 2014
He was a social fish who had a long life. We will miss him!
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Happy 50th Anniversary Bonnie & Darryl!!
Sorry to be so late with this, but we wish Bonnie and Darryl, AKA Grammie and Gramps, a VERY happy 50th wedding anniversary on September 5th!
We were fortunate to go up to spend the day with them on Friday and Saturday, the 5th and 6th of September.
We also called in Molly, currently going to college not too far away, to take some backyard pics! More will be coming, but here's a preview of the photo shoot!
It was a GREAT, great day. Here's a bad cell phone pic of us at dinner (Cattlemens):
...and a slightly better cell pic of the happy couple enjoying their gift from Cattlemens for 50 years of marriage: special hats and a hot fudge sundae!
Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad. We love you very much.
We were fortunate to go up to spend the day with them on Friday and Saturday, the 5th and 6th of September.
We also called in Molly, currently going to college not too far away, to take some backyard pics! More will be coming, but here's a preview of the photo shoot!
It was a GREAT, great day. Here's a bad cell phone pic of us at dinner (Cattlemens):
...and a slightly better cell pic of the happy couple enjoying their gift from Cattlemens for 50 years of marriage: special hats and a hot fudge sundae!
Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad. We love you very much.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
20 Years ago Today
We got married!
It was a day of tonal extremes: from gorgeous choral music with my cousin Shelly's God-given soprano voice soaring above, to unadulterated geekery in the use of the "Throne Room Processional" (from Star Wars, though by design, nobody really knew that) on organ for my entrance, and reception decor featuring film reels and cardboard standees of Star Wars characters, it was a day that celebrated God's perfect and wacky union of Derek and me. All our love to everyone who helped make it so special, and so much fun.
A 7-minute low-res video:
It was a day of tonal extremes: from gorgeous choral music with my cousin Shelly's God-given soprano voice soaring above, to unadulterated geekery in the use of the "Throne Room Processional" (from Star Wars, though by design, nobody really knew that) on organ for my entrance, and reception decor featuring film reels and cardboard standees of Star Wars characters, it was a day that celebrated God's perfect and wacky union of Derek and me. All our love to everyone who helped make it so special, and so much fun.
A 7-minute low-res video:
Monday, September 1, 2014
Glassybaby Interview with Trina!
My dear, incredibly charitable friend Trina was recently interviewed by the Glassybaby company for their new "Glassroots Story Page" - in fact, she is their first subject!
Their cover page introducing Trina can be found here: Glassroots Tour Page
Here's Trina's interview.
And here's a link to Trina's blog post, which documents the "making of" the interview!
Thanks for all you do, Trina!
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
The Second Day of School - Locker Update
Just wanted to document the completed locker decorations.
Contents: carpet, mirror, sequined curtains, framed pic of hamster, analog clock, wallpaper, supply organizer, and lighted chandelier.
Also, right next door is Micaela's locker; note lighted mirror ball and strange guy in mirror.
Contents: carpet, mirror, sequined curtains, framed pic of hamster, analog clock, wallpaper, supply organizer, and lighted chandelier.
Also, right next door is Micaela's locker; note lighted mirror ball and strange guy in mirror.
Monday, August 25, 2014
First Day of School 2014!
The kids started 5th & 7th grades today! Here they are this morning.
A few more pics. Derek's phone cam makes Deacon look like he has a "tall head" in this one.
Already checking his watch. Is it 3:15 yet??
Maren and Mr. Nehls! Again with Derek's crazy phone cam distortion.
The start of 5th grade had to wait for Maren while she decorated her locker. I think she and Grammie got locker stuff at 3 different stores!! Here you can see the wallpaper and carpet. Not pictured: sequined curtains, mirror, analog clock, framed pic of hamster, giant blue flower, and lighted chandelier.
Will try to get a pic of the finished locker, along with Micaela's custom lighted locker disco ball, later this week.
Was great to see all the school chums and teachers today, and we're looking forward to a great year, full of days with little to no homework and math assignments so easy, PARENTS can help their own kids do them!! #wishfulthinking
A few more pics. Derek's phone cam makes Deacon look like he has a "tall head" in this one.
Already checking his watch. Is it 3:15 yet??
Maren and Mr. Nehls! Again with Derek's crazy phone cam distortion.
The start of 5th grade had to wait for Maren while she decorated her locker. I think she and Grammie got locker stuff at 3 different stores!! Here you can see the wallpaper and carpet. Not pictured: sequined curtains, mirror, analog clock, framed pic of hamster, giant blue flower, and lighted chandelier.
Will try to get a pic of the finished locker, along with Micaela's custom lighted locker disco ball, later this week.
Was great to see all the school chums and teachers today, and we're looking forward to a great year, full of days with little to no homework and math assignments so easy, PARENTS can help their own kids do them!! #wishfulthinking
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Meeting Jenny
Most of you know that in February 2013, I had a stem cell transplant.
I try not to talk about my health too much here on the AFB, but to summarize, my donor stem cells are fighting my cancer as I blog right now!
Some people who need stem cells or bone marrow never find a match. I was extremely fortunate; City of Hope/Be the Match found me a donor!
She was a mystery until she sent an inquiry, and I sent my contact consent to the donor center, and before we knew it, we were emailing each other, and became BFFs. HOW did I get the NICEST person in the world to donate her stem cells to ME???
July 31, 2014. Presenting the person who saved my life: Jenny Matheny!
Jenny lives in Connecticut, and she and her husband Jim traveled to the Los Angeles area on business at the end of July, so we were able to meet!
It was such a pleasure meeting Jenny and Jim face-to-face. Indeed, we've begun a lifelong friendship.
Most people who sign up for the donor registry never get called. Jenny got called and went through months of testing, finally donating her stem cells at the beginning of February, 2013. For a total stranger, far away! There are no words to express how grateful I am. All the words rolling through my head are totally inadequate. I can just say, I'm thankful to God for her!!
I try not to talk about my health too much here on the AFB, but to summarize, my donor stem cells are fighting my cancer as I blog right now!
Some people who need stem cells or bone marrow never find a match. I was extremely fortunate; City of Hope/Be the Match found me a donor!
She was a mystery until she sent an inquiry, and I sent my contact consent to the donor center, and before we knew it, we were emailing each other, and became BFFs. HOW did I get the NICEST person in the world to donate her stem cells to ME???
July 31, 2014. Presenting the person who saved my life: Jenny Matheny!
Jenny lives in Connecticut, and she and her husband Jim traveled to the Los Angeles area on business at the end of July, so we were able to meet!
It was such a pleasure meeting Jenny and Jim face-to-face. Indeed, we've begun a lifelong friendship.
Most people who sign up for the donor registry never get called. Jenny got called and went through months of testing, finally donating her stem cells at the beginning of February, 2013. For a total stranger, far away! There are no words to express how grateful I am. All the words rolling through my head are totally inadequate. I can just say, I'm thankful to God for her!!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Mrs. Knotts with the Ribniks and Others
***** WARNING: EXCESSIVE NOSTALGIA CONTENT AHEAD. *****
Welcome to what has to be the most well-documented trip to get fried chicken EVER!
A long time ago, it was established that if we were in town on my birthday, January 1, we'd go with Susie and Molly to Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner Restaurant down in Buena Park.
(The restaurant's long lines necessitated building rides and attractions for those waiting in line; yes, it became Knotts Berry Farm.)
On January 1, 2005, the Alffs and Ribniks went to Mrs. Knotts. Here is Deacon earlier that day, age 2 (he would turn 3 three weeks later, on 1/22/05).
And just because she's so cute, here's 6 month-old Maren on that day.
So the legendary, epic story about that day is that at some point while we were enjoying our fried chicken, Deacon left the building and made his way, all alone and unsupervised, to the Snoopy Store across the street.
At some point while we were eating, Susie asked where Deacon was. I assumed he was hiding under our large dining table; we started looking under our table, and other diners' tables, to find him. No Deacon. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw 8 year-old Molly bolt out the "EXIT" door to the street. UH-OH. But Deacon was a cautious toddler, not one to take risks or get into very much trouble; I still thought he was in the room.
INDEED, Molly was right, and she caught up with him across the street at the Snoopy Store!
Here is the closest thing that would qualify as photographic evidence of the Incident; Molly and Deacon in the van that evening, getting ready to go back to Burbank.
Well, needless to say, we were all very relieved and THANKFUL to Molly for having good instincts and taking action. She was far more "on it" than Deacon's parents, that's for sure. We'll never live it down.
To complete our nostalgic tale - later that evening, they gave me a cake! All's well that ends well.
Fast-forward to yesterday, July 27, 2014. Technically 9 1/2 years since the Snoopy Store incident.
I hastily made a "Previous Trips to Mrs. Knotts" slideshow, with sappy music, for our enjoyment!
We had a fun ride down - everyone took selfies!
I've never done a blog post with pics from 6 different cameras before!
Joining the Alffs & Ribniks on this Chicken Dinner Odyssey were family friends Elizabeth, currently of Burbank, and Jordan, who is visiting from Denver.
Susie repeatedly asked Deacon and Molly if they'd re-create the Incident; she was met with repeated, emphatic "NO"s from both. Here are Deacon and Susie when we arrived, trying to determine if he's taller than her yet; I think he still has a half-inch to go. Maybe by Thanksgiving?
Enjoying food and fellowship!
We finished our meal and began to make our way back to the car. We had been walking for a minute or two when I looked around and asked, "where's Deacon?" I assumed he was lagging behind.
Everyone started to look around... and then Maren said, "I see him, he's over there."
On the other side of the street, way behind us, casually making his way to the Snoopy Store. The timing was perfect, and he didn't stop or turn to look at us or do ANYTHING to derail the momentum of the joke; he just walked calmly inside the store, which had been his plan all along.
We all began laughing loudly and looking at poor Molly, who sighed, but set off at a slight jog to do her duty.
Deacon and Molly, re-creating Molly's heroic retrieval during the Incident almost 10 years ago!!
And that's the story of the Snoopy Store Incident and comedic re-creation. We'll have to do this every 10 years! I'm putting it on the calendar now.
Thanks to the Ribniks, as always, and to Elizabeth and Jordan for listening to this story over and over again yesterday. You're part of Ribnik/Alff lore now!
UPDATE 3:53 PM 7/28/14
Derek suggested I include this Google Maps aerial view of the Chicken Dinner Restaurant, crosswalk, and Snoopy Store. Here it is!
Welcome to what has to be the most well-documented trip to get fried chicken EVER!
A long time ago, it was established that if we were in town on my birthday, January 1, we'd go with Susie and Molly to Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner Restaurant down in Buena Park.
(The restaurant's long lines necessitated building rides and attractions for those waiting in line; yes, it became Knotts Berry Farm.)
On January 1, 2005, the Alffs and Ribniks went to Mrs. Knotts. Here is Deacon earlier that day, age 2 (he would turn 3 three weeks later, on 1/22/05).
And just because she's so cute, here's 6 month-old Maren on that day.
So the legendary, epic story about that day is that at some point while we were enjoying our fried chicken, Deacon left the building and made his way, all alone and unsupervised, to the Snoopy Store across the street.
At some point while we were eating, Susie asked where Deacon was. I assumed he was hiding under our large dining table; we started looking under our table, and other diners' tables, to find him. No Deacon. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw 8 year-old Molly bolt out the "EXIT" door to the street. UH-OH. But Deacon was a cautious toddler, not one to take risks or get into very much trouble; I still thought he was in the room.
INDEED, Molly was right, and she caught up with him across the street at the Snoopy Store!
Here is the closest thing that would qualify as photographic evidence of the Incident; Molly and Deacon in the van that evening, getting ready to go back to Burbank.
Well, needless to say, we were all very relieved and THANKFUL to Molly for having good instincts and taking action. She was far more "on it" than Deacon's parents, that's for sure. We'll never live it down.
To complete our nostalgic tale - later that evening, they gave me a cake! All's well that ends well.
Fast-forward to yesterday, July 27, 2014. Technically 9 1/2 years since the Snoopy Store incident.
I hastily made a "Previous Trips to Mrs. Knotts" slideshow, with sappy music, for our enjoyment!
We had a fun ride down - everyone took selfies!
I've never done a blog post with pics from 6 different cameras before!
Joining the Alffs & Ribniks on this Chicken Dinner Odyssey were family friends Elizabeth, currently of Burbank, and Jordan, who is visiting from Denver.
Susie repeatedly asked Deacon and Molly if they'd re-create the Incident; she was met with repeated, emphatic "NO"s from both. Here are Deacon and Susie when we arrived, trying to determine if he's taller than her yet; I think he still has a half-inch to go. Maybe by Thanksgiving?
Enjoying food and fellowship!
We finished our meal and began to make our way back to the car. We had been walking for a minute or two when I looked around and asked, "where's Deacon?" I assumed he was lagging behind.
Everyone started to look around... and then Maren said, "I see him, he's over there."
On the other side of the street, way behind us, casually making his way to the Snoopy Store. The timing was perfect, and he didn't stop or turn to look at us or do ANYTHING to derail the momentum of the joke; he just walked calmly inside the store, which had been his plan all along.
We all began laughing loudly and looking at poor Molly, who sighed, but set off at a slight jog to do her duty.
Deacon and Molly, re-creating Molly's heroic retrieval during the Incident almost 10 years ago!!
And that's the story of the Snoopy Store Incident and comedic re-creation. We'll have to do this every 10 years! I'm putting it on the calendar now.
Thanks to the Ribniks, as always, and to Elizabeth and Jordan for listening to this story over and over again yesterday. You're part of Ribnik/Alff lore now!
UPDATE 3:53 PM 7/28/14
Derek suggested I include this Google Maps aerial view of the Chicken Dinner Restaurant, crosswalk, and Snoopy Store. Here it is!
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Summer Vacation Day 7: Phoenix!
Hi again! Haven't done much since we've been in Phoenix, except to eat and swim. And mourn our camera. But it's been a fun day anyway. I don't think we got any pics on Day 6, so here's Day 7, which was not much more interesting, but we had fun.
The kids at breakfast...
Then, a trip to IKEA in Tempe, which was the only IKEA in the U.S. that had in stock...
...some very inexpensive pendant lamps that Derek's going to hang over my breakfast bar. Yay!
Also of minor interest: we found this store and took a pic. FINALLY, a place where I can be myself.
After that, it was all swimming and eating, and watching the AMC Rocky marathon. Rocky IV just started, so here comes DOLPH. :)
Heading home tomorrow morning - soon, the Alff Arizona Odyssey will be complete. Thanks for checking in!
The kids at breakfast...
Then, a trip to IKEA in Tempe, which was the only IKEA in the U.S. that had in stock...
...some very inexpensive pendant lamps that Derek's going to hang over my breakfast bar. Yay!
Also of minor interest: we found this store and took a pic. FINALLY, a place where I can be myself.
After that, it was all swimming and eating, and watching the AMC Rocky marathon. Rocky IV just started, so here comes DOLPH. :)
Heading home tomorrow morning - soon, the Alff Arizona Odyssey will be complete. Thanks for checking in!
A Sad Day
*Cry* *Sob*
Our Grand Canyon sunrise pics seem to be the last batch that will be taken by our beloved 2002 Sony DSC F-707.
It is no longer functioning. :( :( :(
Considering that it saved its performance at the Grand Canyon for last, we see a divine hand at work.
We at the AFB are observing a moment of silence in honor of this mighty camera.
Our Grand Canyon sunrise pics seem to be the last batch that will be taken by our beloved 2002 Sony DSC F-707.
It is no longer functioning. :( :( :(
Considering that it saved its performance at the Grand Canyon for last, we see a divine hand at work.
We at the AFB are observing a moment of silence in honor of this mighty camera.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Summer Vacation Day 5: GRAND CANYON SUNRISE!
Well, we managed to leave the hotel in Flagstaff at 3:30 AM this morning so we could see the sunrise at the Grand Canyon.
It was an exciting trip over - there were huge ELK along the side of the road! We were all extra vigilant as we drove. Once we arrived, everyone could relax a little as we waited for the sunrise, which was officially 5:24 AM today.
it was a little chilly! Mommy and Deacon, waiting...
5:24 AM - ready for some sun!
There it is! We approve of the sun's choice to pose for pics with our kids.
Deacon has turned into quite the photographer since he got his phone...
SO GLAD he didn't drop it into the canyon. I wonder how many phones are down there??
Here's one of Deacon's sunrise pics.
And... a selfie to send to his buddy Jason.
Here is that selfie.
One of Mommy's phone pics - it's amazing how the colors change as the sun illuminates the layers of the canyon.
A sunrise family pic. Derek managed not to step on Maren's foot this time!
it was quite a photo-op, so we took lots of pics. Here are a few...
So many good pics of Maren, I had to post a bunch.
This could be our official 20th anniversary pic! Except I hate my shoes.
More of the kids...
Deacon enjoyed pretending Daddy's tripod was a bazooka.
Maren didn't want to leave; she and Daddy went to one more rock outcropping for a pic.
OK, so here is one of the HUMONGOUS elk we saw in the dark on the side of the road on the way there. And we saw a few on the way back to Flagstaff; at least the sun was up, and there were other cars on the road by that time! In fact, Deacon spotted this one, and two big vans on the other side of the road pulled over at the same time to take pics, blocking our view. But Derek got this one after they left.
An elk-ette! She's a beauty!
One last family pic as we left the park.
Breakfast at the Pine Country Restaurant in Williams, AZ, right outside the national park.
It was delicious - we recommend it!
On the way back to Flagstaff... sleepy kids.
And sleepy Daddy!
(He was just kidding.)
I think that brings us up to date here on the AFB. Tomorrow we leave Flagstaff and head for Phoenix. We have no plans in Phoenix, so we'll see what adventures await!
It was an exciting trip over - there were huge ELK along the side of the road! We were all extra vigilant as we drove. Once we arrived, everyone could relax a little as we waited for the sunrise, which was officially 5:24 AM today.
it was a little chilly! Mommy and Deacon, waiting...
5:24 AM - ready for some sun!
There it is! We approve of the sun's choice to pose for pics with our kids.
Deacon has turned into quite the photographer since he got his phone...
SO GLAD he didn't drop it into the canyon. I wonder how many phones are down there??
Here's one of Deacon's sunrise pics.
And... a selfie to send to his buddy Jason.
Here is that selfie.
One of Mommy's phone pics - it's amazing how the colors change as the sun illuminates the layers of the canyon.
A sunrise family pic. Derek managed not to step on Maren's foot this time!
it was quite a photo-op, so we took lots of pics. Here are a few...
So many good pics of Maren, I had to post a bunch.
This could be our official 20th anniversary pic! Except I hate my shoes.
More of the kids...
Deacon enjoyed pretending Daddy's tripod was a bazooka.
Maren didn't want to leave; she and Daddy went to one more rock outcropping for a pic.
OK, so here is one of the HUMONGOUS elk we saw in the dark on the side of the road on the way there. And we saw a few on the way back to Flagstaff; at least the sun was up, and there were other cars on the road by that time! In fact, Deacon spotted this one, and two big vans on the other side of the road pulled over at the same time to take pics, blocking our view. But Derek got this one after they left.
An elk-ette! She's a beauty!
One last family pic as we left the park.
Breakfast at the Pine Country Restaurant in Williams, AZ, right outside the national park.
It was delicious - we recommend it!
On the way back to Flagstaff... sleepy kids.
And sleepy Daddy!
(He was just kidding.)
I think that brings us up to date here on the AFB. Tomorrow we leave Flagstaff and head for Phoenix. We have no plans in Phoenix, so we'll see what adventures await!
