Happy Birthday, Mari!! (Late)

Hello Sweeties,

I hope you had a great birthday, Mari! I wonder if you had a Wizard of Oz themed party or Scooby Doo? Or do you have a new interest? I hope you had a lot of friends and fun. Mom Mom and Pop Pop were thinking of you. I wish I could have been there, and I wish I could send a gift. I know your mom would not allow it. One day we will make it all up, and have a BIG birthday celebration to make up for all our lost years. Now you are 6... growing up so fast!!

It is fast approaching one year since I have seen you girls, except for the two minutes in Target over the summer. Hardly an hour goes by that I don't think of you! Any time I see a Hannah Montana ad, or a horse, or Scooby Doo, or Eloise, or boots, or charm bracelets, or Saddle Club, or Strega Nona, or even broccoli, it makes me cry, and I think of you again !!! ... the list is endless, since we were SO involved in your lives, likes and loves. Your room is still as it was, and your collection of Cherished Teddies has grown a bit. I pick them up once in a while when I find them!

We are in Colorado still, and will be here till after New Year's. A family down the street gave us their white chihuahua, and five days later, asked for it back!! Pop Pop and I cried, but gave it back. Two of Tia's students, Jessica and Jesus got me a new puppy! A black chihuahua mixed with Jack Russell! I named her Coalli, meaning happy, good, in Nahuatl. She is adorable, and I know you would fall in love with her too! Luna has, but dislikes Coalli's jumping! She is about 14 weeks old, and I love her to pieces! Can you see Piddles and Coalli running around together? Coalli chases Botas and Erica's cat all the time!

Here is a picture I took yesterday!

Last week there was a parade here, led by live reindeer! The train, the library, and City Hall were all lit up, and Luna got to see Santa Claus.



Did you have a good Thanksgiving? We had a nice one, even though you were on my mind most of the time. I made a huge meal, and it was, ahem, SO good! Tia had 3 students for dinner, so it was busy, but nice.

We've only had one snowfall since we've been here! It may snow again this Friday! Saturday is Luna's 5th birthday party, with a Scooby Doo theme. Jessica, Tia' s student made a Pin the Nose on Scooby game, and we're having a Scooby cake (made by Erica).

Here're some pictures of the snow!






Ok muchachas! Remember, I AM your grandmother, no matter who says otherwise! I love you all more than chicken, and the thought of seeing you again, one day, is what keeps me going!
Hugs and Kisses! x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0
Love, Mom Mom

Happy Birthday, Danniele

Dear Sweeties,

Today is your mom's 32nd birthday! I always think of when she was born on this day... the 10 days in the hospital, and how she wanted to be born "bottom" first! She was gorgeous, with very dark hair, and strong lungs!

I almost called her several times, but I did not have the strength to be rejected, again. You can tell her, I never forgot her birthday in my heart. I wish for this birthday that she would reflect on all the good times, and how much I love and miss you all. We can never regain this time... this time apart is gone for good. We can't make up for it. I am hoping that she will decide it's more important to have me and her sister and niece IN her life. We all miss you SO much. Tia and I went to lunch Saturday, with Luna and Erica. A girl about 9 or 1o walked by, and for a split second I thought it was Savannah, and began to cry.

I hope you had a great Halloween! I thought of you a lot, and wondered how you dressed this year, and if Luca and Micah dressed up too!

I went out Trick or Treating with Luna, who dressed as the Wicked With of the West. She would scrunch up her face and say "I'll get you my pretty, and your little dog too". She sounded great!

Here are some pictures. I can only look at the pictures I have of you, as I have none for a year.

Here is your mom and Mari, meeting Luna, Dec. 2, 2002!
(Click on the image to see it larger!)

Here is Luna in her costume!

Well, my sweet girls, I need to go. Remember, I am always your grandmother. I will always be here for you. One day we will see each other again, I am sure of it! I just am having a really hard time waiting for that day!

Happy Birthday, Danniele!

I love you all more than chicken... Micah and Luca too! Big hugs and kisses!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxooxoxoxoxoxo