Niki spring trip to Calif

Mom & me

In April I flew out to visit family in California.

We look so very much a like. All I have to do is
walk into the nursing home and everyone asks me
if I am Betty's daughter! Some of them ask me if
I'm Betty!...not sure how to take that...HA!

Anyway, it was a fine visit. Mom is very healthy. She
has absolutely no problems and hasn't had a sick day this
year. However, she doesn't know who I am, but that
doesn't really matter. I know who she is. She can't talk
so we look at the pictures in magazines for a while
and I talk about them. It is hard, but it felt good
to see her and to know that at least her body isn't in pain.
I don't know if there is pain in Alzheimer's, but I sometimes
think there is mental pain. However, mom is as content
as I have ever seen her.

After visiting with mom for a few days I drove
up to the mountains to visit with Jan, Allison, Tom & Mike.

Before spending time with them I felt like I needed a
break...a quiet time with God...so I took myself on
a hike into the hills....

Wildflowers all around...

There were wildflowers everywhere

I love the hills of California in the spring...round knolls
covered in a carpet of green shaded by oaks...so very
peaceful...

Neat rugged old tree

California Poppy...the state flower

The path back to the car.

It felt good to be in nature for awhile. The stress of
seeing mom and then making my way up to see Cheri's
family, knowing that Cheri is no longer there...well...it
just felt good to be quiet with God for a while.

Jan in her house with her cat

On the way up into the mountains to visit with
Allison's family and Tom & Mike I stopped by
and spent the night with Jan. The next day we
drove up together for a visit with everyone.

Our first stop was an afternoon with Allison...

Chloe and Matthew

Jan and Ethan

Allison with Emma
and no...Allison hasn't gained weight. She is
due with another beautiful child in October.

Lucie

Ross and Lucie

Allison, Jan and Emma playing Chinese checkers

The guys...Matthew, Ross, Ethan

The girls...Lucie, Emma, Chloe

Chloe, Niki, Ethan

Chole jumping rope

Lucie jumping rope

Matthew jumping rope

Matthew's feet almost reach the controls. He says as soon as

they reach his dad will let him mow. FUN!

Road into Tom's new house

This is the first time I've seen the new house after it has been
completed...of course Tom is always finding more to be done, so
it may never really be done to his satisfaction...however, what he
has built so far is absolutely beautiful!
Tom also has a new woman in his life, Kristi. When I heard about
it I was so happy for him. Tom is a great man, so I am glad he
isn't stopping his life. True it is hard not to see Cheri there, but
the joy I have for Tom in his effort to live life overcomes
that empty feeling of not seeing Cheri.
Kristi is a wonderful woman...just as I thought she would be.
Tom has good judgement...of course, he picked my sister! Sooo, I
knew Kristi would be just as great and she is. It was such fun
meeting her. I know they are going to have a wonderful
adventure together and for that I'm very happy.

Kristi cooking in the new kitchen

Gourmet Tom on his porch grilling salmon for dinner...yummmm!

A loving trip to visit family ending with a wonderful
dinner with Kristi, Tom, Jan and Mike