Anna's gone :( :( :( :(

Well, Anna, Helgi & Arnor (our Icelandic visitors) left around 5:30 this evening. Wow, the house seems so empty. For those who haven't kept up with this blog, Anna was our foreign exchange student 10 years ago from Iceland. She came with her family and stayed with us for 2 1/2 weeks. It was like time stood still. She still had her beautiful smile and personality, but along with that we got to get reacquainted with our Icelandic grandson Arnor. What a great kid. Very polite. He didn't know English, but by the time he left, he was starting to say a few words. After one day here, he peeped his head around the corner one morning and said, "Goot Morning". It was the cutest thing in the world. Then started "Goot Nite" - - and little by little I heard him picking things up. One night he even said, "Hi, Stevie Boy". This was Helgi's first trip to the US. On the first night, Steve had a baseball game on. Helgi told Steve he didn't know much about the game. So, Steve proceeded to explain the rules. Then Matt came over and the Tutoring began. 3 days later, when I came home from work, I saw Helgi surfing the channels trying to find a baseball game. (Baseball is not known in Iceland - -however, soccer is EVERYTHING!) While here they did so much - - Vegas, Disneyland, Hollywood, Bev. Hills, Legoland, Venice Beach, and much more. (See all the pics for more details!)

Well, they left tonight and I feel so very empty in my heart. Anna was and always has been another part of our family. It just seemed so RIGHT to have her back in our home. It was hard to believe that it had been 8 years since we all last saw each other. Of course we keep in touch with e-mails and phone calls, but there's something about seeing each other in person. And then the added bonus of her wonderful husband Helgi and son Arnor. Our house seems so empty now. They took off from LAX tonight - will land at JFK (NewYork) and have an 8 HOUR LAYOVER! I'm telling you - they're real troopers. We appreciate so much that they took their vacation time and spent it with us. Anna will be missed, but will always be in our hearts. (As well as Helgi & Arnor). Anyway - that's the new news. I've posted lots and lots and lots of pics (and have taken 4 times that!) So, please scroll to older posts to see them (if you haven't already). Take care - - - Until next post! :)

Anna's Visit Part 3

Agnor opening his gift from Grandma and Grandpa US- -A Dodger hat of course (We couldn't find a Cub hat to buy in "these parts"!

Helgi and Steve doin' the "nightly ritual - - sports & beer!! SKOL! (Cheers in Icelandic)

Sisters still to this day - Anna & Michelle

Birthday Girl and boy - - Anna's birthday and Arnor's birthday soon!

Hey, hey - the gang's all here! Brian, Michelle, Matt, Helgi, Arnor, Brooke, Anna, Steve & Teri (Ozzie's furry head!) ***Special mention to the "picture taker" - - little Ethan!!! (he did pretty good! :)

Anna & Arnor (pronouced in English like ARDNOR) reading their birthday cards.

Steve with his daughters. One happy camper after GREAT visit from Anna

Teri, too very happy with her daughters!

Anna's visit part 2

Boney, Edd, Fiona & Frank groovin' to the Beach Boys

Michelle & Aubrey enjoyin the concert.

Ethan and Arnor climbin' the wall

Aubrey, Brooklyn & Arnor - -very hot day - - but enjoying themselves

One of the Beach Boy originals - - (not sure who) - - but they still sound GREAT!

Aubrey, Arnor, Ethan & Brooklyn at the Family Music Festival.

Matt with Aubrey at the Family Music Festival

Brooklyn, Arnor & Aubrey

Ethan & Arnor - - although they could not speak to each other in English - - they were still good buds.

The Group:

Brian, Michelle, Teri, Matt, Anna, Aubrey, Steve, Helgi

Brooklyn & Arnor

Mother/Daughter picture

Teri, Fiona, Anna, Aubrey, & Brooklyn

Anna & Fiona catching up on old times.

Matt, Helgi & Arnor - - the "Guy picture"

Brooklyn - - forever the "FASHION QUEEN"

Anna's visit Part 1 (Part 2 to come!)

Anna, Helgi & Arnor on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills


Anna, Helgi & Arnor in Hollywood



Teri & Arnor on Rodeo Drive, Bev Hills - baby!




Helgi, Anna & Arnor in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre.





Mike & Alena Raby at the "Reunion" party.






Anna, Michelle, Arnor, Lindsay & Helgi at Reunion party.







Brooke, Teri, Anna & Michelle at Reunion party








A few of the earlier arrivals at the Reunion party. (Back Row: Brooke, Teri, Mandy, Casey, Anna, Jenny, Matt, Brian, Steve, Helgi, Andy - Front Row: Julie, Lindsay, OZ DOG, Michelle, Courtney, & Arnor)


Arnor in his Dodgers outfit!



Teri & her daughters!



Steve and his daughters (Wow, do we feel blessed or what?)


Cooling off - Anna, Arnor, Matt & Michelle

YOU CAN NOW LEAVE COMMENTS!

Hi All - Another short one . . .

I just realized I had something set wrong on the blog so you couldn't leave comments. I have fixed this, so please leave comments anytime! (okay, now - - be nice!)

SORRY-AS DAVID CROSBY SINGS - "LONG TIME GONE!"

Hi All -

Just a short one today. We've been quite busy with Anna, Helgi & Agnor. Anna is back visiting us from Iceland. We've really really enjoyed seeing them. Michelle took them to Disneyland & Venice Beach. Matt took them to an LA Galaxy (soccer) game. Tomorrow I will take them to do the whole Hollywood scene. Steve is going to take them to Las Vegas on Friday. On Sunday, they will join us for the Family Music Festival where the Beach Boys will be the headliners. Then on Tuesday they will venture off to Lego-land and spend the day. I believe they leave next Thursday. They've been very very busy.

Saturday we had a "Class Reunion" type of party for her at our house. We had about 30 in attendance. This gave Anna a chance to catch up with all her old friends from Centennial High School. Tonight we are going to let her experience our favorite restaurant (Anchos) and then we'll visit for awhile at Michelle's house.

So, I will be writing more later. I have some GREAT pictures from the party, which I will be posting later. Anyway - - until next time. (But as you can see, we've been extremely busy!!) - - But we're lovin' it!

ANNA ARRIVES TOMORROW!

Our Icelandic daughter, who we have not seen since HER wedding, will be arriving at LAX tomorrow evening with her husband Helgi (pictured) and Aknor. She will be here for two weeks. We're soooo excited to see her again. She's got a pretty full schedule (Helgi has never been to the US and of course, neither has Aknor). So they're trying to do Disney, Lego Land, Vegas, a Galaxy game, and many other things. We are so very excited to see her again. Afterall, she really did have my FIRST Grandson! (Technically!) So this will be the first time (since he was a intsy-wintsy little baby) that I have seen Aknor. Of course, Grandma Teri & Grandpa Stevie, couldn't let him arrive without a "toy" on his bed. And Anna will love us for the "Goldfish Crackers" that she LOVED here. Helgi, I'm sure will like his UCLA golf ball. Anyway - - we're so very excited and they arrive tomorrow! I'm sure more on this in the "blog" and pictures too. Take care.

Hey - - we're landlords!

To follow are pictures of the Condo we recently purchased in Peoria. These pictures are the first time WE have seen it furnished! Hey, it now looks like something I could live in! Anyway - - We stuck our necks out and bought property. . . . got to retire someday - right?

Livingroom - - facing away from the cut out for the "big screen"
Washer and dryer

Now facing big screen!

downstairs as you walk into condo

upstairs bedroom

upstairs bedroom 2

Master bedroom again.

One more - - love this one!

From Left to right - Top to Bottom: Matt, Teri, Brian, Michelle, Steve, Grandpa Rey

Ethan, Aubrey, Brooklyn

LOVE THIS PICTURE!!

Brian & Michelle's wedding

Okay, I know it's been a long time, but these area few pics that touched my heart. Wow - so long ago and now we're planning another wedding!!! Anyway - we just got back pics from Michelle's photographer (long time - - we know) but here they are. Here's a few

ANOTHER FUN DAY BY THE POOL!

Brooklyn (look at those BEAUTIFUL blue eyes) - having fun in the pool