My Fathers Day Present From Riley

This was a nice surprise!

Video of the Last Days of Ed Havins

Ed Havins was my mom's husband for most of my life. That seems weird to me since they married after I was an adult, but it's true. So he was a fixture in my life and helped me in many ways. He was also a great grandpa although he preferred to experience grandkids one at a time... Luckily he was married to my mom and she enjoyed grandkids alone or in groups and Ed usually went along.

A few months after my mom died, Ed met Susan, a retired flight attendant. She was a perfect companion for him and made him happy. After he died, Susan compiled these pictures into a video that highlights the last few months of his life right up until the party in Mexico that Susan and Ed held to honor my mom. The night of the party, Ed died in his sleep of a heart attack. Some say he died of a broken heart, but he was as happy as I've ever seen him at that party and I think he just wanted to go out at the top of his game.

Two New Pictures of Holden

Holden Borklund is in the 4th grade and is 10 years old. He plays second base in Little League for the Tigers. He's pretty good at Backgammon and is getting excellent grades. Of the three kids, Holden enjoys healthy food the most but only if it tastes good. His best friend is Brock Labelle and his favorite subject is math.

Venice Street Performance

I wasn't there but Riley and Holden went with the Labelles to Venice for a day. Apparently there were some street performers who were taking volunteers and Brock and Holden volunteered. They each received $20 after this performance! I think the street performers are Economics majors and figured out that if they give away some money to kids, their donations go up much more than that.

Cougar Buttes Mini Trip

We got to take a short camping trip less than two hours away to an area behind Apple Valley. Riley was away on her trip so it was just Huong, DJ, Holden and me in the Navion and Brian and Brock Labelle in their trailer. Brian brought dirt bikes and quads (thanks Brian!) and fireworks for night time. He is so well prepared on these trips it seems like he camps professionally.

I took Brian's dirt bike out once and it was only 20 minutes before I hit some sand and fell off injuring my leg and hip. Huong tried the quad for about 30 seconds. DJ and Holden tried various bikes and quads and did fine. Brian and Brock are excellent dirt bike riders and went on long rides by themselves.

DJ got to shoot while we were there. Holden got to climb rocks. Actually, we all climbed rocks as the smooth rock piles are irresistible.

At night time we did what boys will do and played with fire and fireworks. All, ahem, very safe and all that.

DJ's First Comedy Show

DJ got to see his first comedy show at the Brea Improv. 

Cal State Fullerton Baseball

To give Holden a feel for real baseball, the boys and I attended a Cal State Fullerton baseball game against the Cal State Long Beach Dirtbags. Yeah, that's really their name. The CSUF baseball seats are great, as you can see, and the price is reasonable.