Ramirez and Anderson Family

Almost 6 months and almost 7 months (they are both bigger now!).

2012-02-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

We have 2 baby boys on the way!!!

2012-02-10T07:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we found out Clint and Amanda are having a baby boy too! We feel so blessed and we are so happy. They will only be a month apart so they can grow up as friends. The girls are starting to get uncomfortable and the ground is getting further and further away. I remember that feeling.

Clint said when Amanda was trying to get to sleep the other night she said, "I think the baby is taking all my air and there are too many pillows on the bed!" Yup, that sounds like something Amanda would say. She is too funny.

Everytime Cheri complains about being pregnant, John is smart and just says, "I'm sorry Baby." He knows she can't say anthing to that. On the other hand, Clint laughs at Amanda and that just ruffles her feathers.

Cheri's baby will be Jayden Michael Defalco and Amanda's baby will be Liam David Anderson. I love both the names. The girls names were cute too but now they must be saved for the future.

It has been an amusing few months around here. I'm sure it will continue when Jayden and Liam get here.

Baby Liam!

2012-02-10T07:40:00.000-08:00

It is a boy!

2011-12-30T19:07:00.000-08:00

I just realized in my last post I forgot to mention that Cheri's baby is a boy!!! He will be Jayden Michael Defalco. We find out what Clint and Amanda's baby is on February 20th. I want it to be a girl so I can have one of each, then I want it to be a boy because Cheri's is a boy. I decided to just wish for healthy because I will love it no matter what.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

I had a really hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. I didn't even get my decorations or tree up until a week before Christmas. I was so focused on the girls' pregnancies and fixing up my house that the holiday just snuck up on me. Well when it finally got here I was in for a wonderful surprise. It was an amazing holiday and I felt so much love and peace. All of our kids were home and the family was happy to be together.

I had both my stepsons and Paul's sister Gloria all staying with us. We went to Paul's parents Christmas Eve and had our traditional breakfast Christmas morning. Mom and Mike were here for both celebrations. Christmas Day the kids all went to their "other" family functions and Paul and I went to Mel and Jane's to eat and watch movies in their basement theater. It was a perfect 2 days.

I was very blessed by Santa too. I got jewelery, clothes, frogs (I love frogs), Ugg boots, a waffle maker, blender, and new silverware. I hit the jackpot! Most important was the family spending time together. It was a magical Christmas...

I hope your holiday was just as magical and your New Year is blessed.
Love Cindy

Our beautiful children

2011-12-26T13:03:00.000-08:00

My Family

2011-12-26T13:01:00.000-08:00

All my Children

2011-12-26T13:00:00.000-08:00

My bearded boys - P3, Paul, and Jon

2011-12-26T12:58:00.000-08:00

Me and my Maya Girl

2011-12-26T12:56:00.000-08:00

My Christmas Pony - Jimmy Choo!

2011-12-26T12:55:00.000-08:00

And off we go into the Christmas season....

2011-11-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

The Ramirez/Anderson clan has been busy. Cheri finished up her final football game cheering for Adrian. It was really sad. They asked her to cheer a few basketball games but Baby Lima Bean is growing like a weed and Momma Cheri can't fit into the cheer skirt anymore so she passed on any more cheering. Amanda and Clint's Peanut is starting to grow and you can see her baby bump now. I have a picture of both of them from Thanksgiving. We just took a trip to the maternity store because neither one of them could fit in their jeans anymore.

Cheri, John, and I are going December 15th to Cheri's doctor and we should be able to find out the sex. I'm so happy she is fine with me going to the ultrasound because it means the world to me. I can't hold back the happy tears when I see my grandbaby kicking and waving its arms around. It is driving me nuts I have to wait until spring to get my hands on them so this helps the wait.

Thanksgiving was nice and peaceful at Jane and Mel's. We watched a movie after dinner in the theater and went home to get ready for Black Friday. Clint, Amanda, Cheri, John, and I headed out at midnight for Kohls and Target. Charlie took off with Mike for their destinations. We came back to Clint and Amanda's and slept for a few hours, grabbed some breakfast and headed out again until noon. I made Thanksgiving #2 at my house and we all went to bed. It was tiring but so much fun. I love seeing all the crazy people, present company included, out shopping in the middle of the night. I got a few things but I just like going to go. Paul did some shopping on his own at his beloved Menards and Lowes.

The rest of the weekend was restful. Saturday I had a migraine, no doubt because of the crazy sleep schedule on Friday. I was feeling better at night so Paul and I, and Cheri and John, rented some movies and chilled at home. Sunday was sleeping until noon and a family dinner before Cheri headed back to school. She will be home on the 9th for a month. I am so happy! I think I worry about her 10 times more because of the baby. I want her here and safe. One more semester in her junior year and she will be home for good. She has 18 credits to take in her senior year and she is going to try to get it done by December and graduate early so she doesn't have to drive 45 minutes to school in the snow next winter. It will be more difficult with the baby but John, Paul, and I can handle him/her while she is in school and doing homework. I don't think that will be a problem in this family : )

Be safe in this holiday season and know we are thinking of you. Have a magical Christmas!
Love Ya, Cindy

Cheri 4 months and Amanda 3 months!

2011-11-27T19:14:00.001-08:00

Clint listening to Baby Anderson

2011-11-27T19:13:00.000-08:00

Why my Charlie wears a hat...hahaha

2011-11-27T19:12:00.000-08:00

Me and my Baby Girl at her last cheer game.

2011-11-27T19:11:00.000-08:00

Cheri and her cheerleaders - Christina, Katie, and John

2011-11-27T19:09:00.000-08:00

Last football game of Adrian.

2011-11-27T19:05:00.000-08:00

The Mommas and the Papas

2011-11-08T07:56:00.001-08:00

Life goes on...

2011-11-08T07:46:00.000-08:00

Paul, Clint, Amanda, and John, and I all attended the Alpha Phi Red Dress Gala last Saturday. There is dinner, dancing, and a silent auction all to raise money for women's heart disease. This is a charity that is near and dear to my heart because it took both of my grandmothers away from me. The more research they do, the better chance I have of not following the same fate. I also lost a dear friend, Debby Gregory, to the disease. The research will ultimately help men with heart disease too. As you all know my wonderful husband had open heart surgery last year, ironically right after last year's Red Dress Gala.

Anyway, it was a night of fun with my husband and kids and I am always up for that.

The babies are all growing and the moms are doing great. In about a month or so we should be finding out the sex. I will let you know when we find out.

Check out the post on Jonathan and his rock climbing that is after this one.

Love you all!
Cindy

The whole gang at Apha Phi Red Dress Gala

2011-11-08T07:45:00.000-08:00

Paul and Cindy

2011-11-08T07:44:00.000-08:00

Amanda and Clint

2011-11-08T07:43:00.002-08:00

Cheri and John

2011-11-08T07:43:00.001-08:00

My Baby Girl and me

2011-11-08T07:42:00.000-08:00

Cheri, Megan, and Katie - Alpha Phi sisters

2011-11-08T07:41:00.000-08:00

The Alpha Phi girls and their boys

2011-11-08T07:40:00.000-08:00

Our Jon, the adventure junkie.

2011-11-08T07:10:00.000-08:00

Jonathan sent us pictures of his rock climbing adventures in Colorado. Some pictures are with one of his friends (I do not know his name) and some are of Jon and Katie, Jon's girlfriend.

Rock climbing is a serious passion of Jon's and his biggest fear of moving to Oregon is that the climbing is a good drive from where he will be living. At least they have it there. He will never find natural climbing in Southeast Michigan or Northwest Ohio. We are flat terrrain out here. Paul, Jon, and PIII will be going to the Upper Pennisula of Michigan over Christmas break to take on the climbing up there. Good bye and good luck, I will keep my feet on the flat ground. Crazy guys!

Jon and Katie

2011-11-08T07:09:00.000-08:00

Jon and his climbing buddy

2011-11-08T07:08:00.001-08:00

Jonathan Climbing in Colorado

2011-11-08T07:05:00.000-08:00

Family

2011-10-28T21:33:00.000-07:00

Today we got a look at the little Peanut in Amanda's belly. Everything is going great and they moved her due date to June 10th. Cheri's will probably be moved to the beginning of May according to her ultrasound. These two cousins are getting closer in age every time the girls go to the doctor. They are going to be like twins. It is so cool.

I was looking at John's family pictures and stole some to post on here. His mom and dad are John and Linda, he has a younger sister (Ashley, who was my student her freshman year), and younger brother, Cody. I posted some crazy picture of John, his Dad, and some guys at Monette's (the market his family owns). One picture is of John doing handstands (which he does a lot), and the other two are him with his brother and the whole family at John's graduation. He came over again tonight with a delivery from Monette's, pretzel bread, honey crisp apples, and some peppers - Yum! He is such a sweet kid.

I am watching Natalie tonight and it has been a crazy night trying to keep up with a 2 year old. The dogs helped, Cheyenne chased the laser light for her, Natalie found the dog bones and gave each dog about 50 bones, she shared her spaghetti with the dogs, we practiced Zumba, and she found treasures in the extra bedrooms to play with. Her and the dogs made a fort out of Romeo's (or as Natalie says, Oyeeoo's) cage. It was too funny.

Tomorrow is a trip to Adrian for an Alpha Phi parent ceremony and a football game. Sunday will be grading papers and getting my new Zumba moves down. I love weekends!!!

Little Baby Anderson - Clint and Amanda's Peanut

2011-10-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

Pictures of John and his family - My grandbaby's family.

2011-10-28T21:28:00.000-07:00

This Grandma thing isn't going to be too tough. I have cages!

2011-10-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

Fall Fun

2011-10-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

All is well in Babyland these days. We are excited and can't quit talking about how our lives are going to change in a few months. I went to the doctor with Cheri and John last week and we got to hear the baby's heartbeat and had an ultrasound. I posted a picture below. It was kicking it's little feet and was waving it's little arms all over the place. John said he swore he saw it do a fist pump : ) Clint and Amanda have an ultrasound Friday. It will be the first time they get to see what is in there. Cheri has had 3 for some reason.

Charlie's best friend, Brad, and his wife, Melissa, just had a little girl 2 weeks ago. Her name is Alexandria and I held her when she was an hour old. She is a nice little practice baby for Cheri and John and Clint and Amanda. She is absolutely beautiful! She is also another pseudo grandchild of mine. Charlie and Brad have been friends for many years. I just savored feeding Alex and cuddling her. I'm ready for the babies, they just need to cook a bit longer.

Cheri has a few football games left and then cheer will be history. I'm trying to get as many pictures of her as I can, while I still can. She just cheers, no stunting these days. She will cheer for a couple of basketball games this semester and then she is done. I usually can't make those if they are during the week because of Zumba and bowling. Cheri is starting to get a little baby bump but it isn't enough to notice unless you are looking for it. I noticed yesterday that Amanda's bump was starting to show too. Cheri is 12 weeks not and Amanda is 7 weeks.

I took the kids to Erie Orchard and we had donuts and cider and bought apple pie, pumpkins, and fudge. That is the best part of fall. I'm going to Clint and Amanda's for Halloween because I don't get Trick or Treaters on my 10 acre farm. Cheri does community service on Halloween and works safety for the kids in Adrian around the college. I miss having kids come to the house. Now I get to enjoy it with my grandchildren next year. They will be little but I'm sure we will dress them up. I can't wait until the holidays next year.

While carving pumpkins Brad made Cheri's pumpkin puke. Since she has been so sick he thought it would be funny, and it was! John brings over this huge knife to cut his pumpkin, and of course he had a huge pumpkin to go with it. He is so funny and gets into whatever we are doing. Charlie didn't want a pumpkin so he just watched. Amanda and I sorted and cleaned the seeds so I could cook them to eat. I really think that is the only reason they get pumpkins, they love the seeds.

Halloween is the start of the holidays in my eyes. Next month is Thanksgiving and then Christmas. It is all going so fast, yet so slow, if that makes any sense. All I know is that I want this winter over for a million reasons. Number one reason I hate winter is everything is dead and it is COLD!!! I love spring, summer, and fall, and everything that comes with them...this year spring and summer mean babies!!!

Paul has not been doing real well health wise. His kidney doctor said the next visit we need to start talking about dialysis. His high blood pressure is causing bleeding in his eye and has had to get two shots in it so far. To top it off he is having horrible back issues. Any of these things would be hard, but all three at once is taking a toll on him. He is still reffing soccer but he usually comes home and goes to bed after he refs. Still, not much stops him. He just takes things a bit slower these days. He could use a few prayers if you wouldn't mind.

I'm just plugging along. I'm still doing Zumba at home and have started running again. I love the Zumba more than running but I really want to be a runner. I don't know why, I just do. I want to love running and be able to run miles like it is no big deal. I admire people that can do that. I've been working on my writing too. Another goal of mine is to be a published writer. I am one of those people that likes to have things going on...and I do. It keeps me sane. If I have down days I get anxious and come up with something to fill my time. I've always been like that and it used to bug me that I couldn't relax but now I just go with it and make myself useful.

I hope this finds all of you doing great. We love you and hope your life is peaceful and happy.

Love,
Cindy

Alexandria

2011-10-24T07:46:00.001-07:00

Brad and Cheri comparing bellies.

2011-10-24T07:44:00.000-07:00

Carving pumpkins - Take note of John's knife!

2011-10-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

Brad made Cheri's pumpkin sick like her!

2011-10-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

Baby Anderson/Defalco

2011-10-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

Double the fun!

2011-10-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

This is going to be the longest winter of my life! I am waiting on TWO grandbabies and I've never been so excited in my life. Cheri is due April 27th, the last day of her finals, and Amanda is due June 14th, around her last day of school. Hopefully both babies are a bit late and moms can just concentrate on new motherhood.

Cheri has two football games left until she quits cheering. I think she has two basketball games in this semester too. She is getting a baby bump that is very noticeable now. She has been very sick her first trimester but it seems to be easing up. She would throw up and then go on with her day. I felt so sorry for her. Tomorrow we are going for an ultrasound. I took the morning off to go with them. I'm really excited to see the baby. It is the size of a plum right now. It has all of it's limbs, organs, and facial features now. I keep up on both girls through thebump.com.

Amanda has been very nauseous but that is it, thank God. She is teaching 5th grade so keeping up with the kids has been challenging. We have all been checking out all the new stuff at Babies R Us. I am buying both baby cribs so we are checking out the 4 in 1 styles that will work through the baby's entire life. Clint has been working 2 jobs to try and save for the baby. He wants to be around to help with the baby when she goes back to work. Ultrasound for the Anderson bundle of joy is Friday. This baby is the size of a sweet pea and starting to get facial features. Within the next week he/she will be developing arms, hands, legs, and feet. I love watching their progress. They didn't have The Bump back when I was having kids.

Cheri came home this weekend for Homecoming at Bedford. Every year the alumni cheerleaders come home to cheer at the game. It is so wonderful to see all the girls that I miss so much all together again. Bedford won but the game ended in a downpour. It still was so much fun.

I have been teaching Zumba in my basement and it is doing very well! I love doing it at home. Paul has been reffing soccer a ton this fall. His health isn't doing very well. His kidney doctor said they will be talking about dialysis at the next visit. His kidneys are not filtering his blood and he is getting more toxins in his blood. He seems fine with it but I think he acts that way so I don't get stressed about it. Little does he know that I worry no matter what. Say a prayer for him that things go well.

Charlie and Kortnie are doing really well. She is working a ton of hours and so is Charlie. The girls being pregnant is making her want a little one of her own. Her and Charlie have been talking about all that. I told Charlie he has to do more than talk - lol. It is up to them but it wouldn't hurt my feelings to have a third grandbaby...or 4th, 5th, etc.

Speaking of more grandbabies, Paul talked to Jonathan and he is looking at moving to Oregon state in May when he gets his nursing license. His girlfriend, Katie, is doing her residency there and they are talking about marriage and babies in 3 years when she is done. I'm excited for them but Oregon is so far away. Don't think that will keep me from being there for all their kids' milestones. A bonus is he will be only 4 hours from Paul and Cindy in Bonney Lake, Washington - A win-win for me. I'm thinking birth, birthdays, games, etc. Nana and Pupa need to be there! Frequent Flyer miles here we come!

PIII is still in Brooklyn and I think he is going to be satisfied with just being Uncle Paul. I have to admit there is a part of me that is jealous of his carefree, fun life. I think I could get used to that. I do wish he were closer too though. I miss my boys. I don't see them near enough. I'm hoping I do see both of them this Christmas.

I will keep you posted on my grandbabies' progress.

I hope this finds all of you doing well. I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cindy

Cheri, Alyssa, Christina, and Morgan - Homecoming Alumni cheer at Bedford.

2011-10-16T10:47:00.000-07:00

Little Cheri has a baby bump going on here!

2011-10-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

Brad and Melissa's Alexandria about an hour old. She is precious!

2011-10-16T10:42:00.000-07:00

My pregnant girls and proud Papas.

2011-10-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

Momma Cheri and Daddy John

2011-10-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

Winding down Cheri's cheer career...and no more flying for Mama Anderson!

2011-10-16T10:38:00.000-07:00

Two is better than one...

2011-10-01T22:38:00.000-07:00

I have been floating on a cloud these days. A few weeks ago we found out that Cheri is going to have a baby and then we find out that Amanda is too. I have never felt more blessed in my life. Two little additions to our family and our lives will forever change for the better. I am so ready to be a Nana. I am already shopping and planning. I cannot wait to see them and hold them both. My Cheri a mother and my Clint a father, this day seemed like some distant dream but now it is reality. They are both going to be wonderful parents. I will keep you posted...literally.

The following pictures are a few fun times we have had. We have been getting together for family dinners at Mom's and here . I did a 5K Race for the Cure for breast cancer with my two good friends, Lori and Cris. We had so much fun I definitely want to make it a yearly event. I walked this year because my friends did but I would really like to run it next year. I have a picture of John and Cheri. John has been a part of our lives for many years. If you look back to the very first picture on this blog, he is in it. He is the one without a wig. The boys were all painted and dressed up to cheer on the cheerleaders at a competition. I just think it is funny he is in it and now him and Cheri are having a baby.

If you are wondering, Cheri will finish school. She is due April 27th and that is the last day of her finals...cutting it close but I'm sure it will all work out. Next year, her senior year, she will commute (Adrian is only 45 minute away) and we will play "pass the baby" while she is in class. She should have a light load since she has been taking the most credits she can and received 8 credits for going to Oxford this summer. John owns Monette's Market with his dad and they both said they will work out a schedule so he can take the baby while she is at school. I am off at 2:30 so I can take the baby then. Paul said he would take vacation days if we needed him to watch him/her. John is so excited he has already cleared out a room in his house for the baby. It will be a challenge for Cheri but she isn't the only one that went to college while raising a child and she has a ton of help. She is still cheering for football season but she isn't flying and this will be her last season. That will be sad but I'm sure the baby will make up for that.

Amanda is now working at Knight's Academy in Toledo and her baby will come at the end of the school year. That will work out well because she will be off all summer with the little one. Teaching is a great career when you have a child. What they do when she goes back is still up in the air. We will worry about getting her through the first trimester before we think about that. Clint is all for being a stay-home dad. He is so excited and ready for this baby. What a wonderful little family this baby is coming into.

The next chapter is my life is here and I am welcoming it with open arms...literally.

Love you.....

John and Cheri at her game!

2011-10-01T22:36:00.000-07:00

Dinner at Mom's to celebrate Charlie and Amanda's Birthday.

2011-10-01T22:29:00.000-07:00

Mom over for dinner

2011-10-01T22:27:00.000-07:00

Lori, Me, and Cris at Race For The Cure

2011-10-01T22:24:00.000-07:00

Cheri and Katie with me at a Reba concert in some county fair in East Ohio.

2011-10-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

New England and old memories...

2011-08-08T20:35:00.000-07:00

This summer has been pretty wonderful. I am all too aware of the fact that it is winding down. A teacher I work with told me that June is like Friday, July is like Saturday, and August is like Sunday. She is so very right. In June you make all these plans and have tons of goals. In July you try to enjoy every minute and make it more fun than work. In August you realize that it will end and you better get all those goals completed. I'm in the phase now that I want to get a million things done before I go back to work. Most of it is not going to happen but I need to remember that I don't turn into a pumpkin in September.

Another thing I want all of you to know is that teachers need summer to recharge their batteries so they don't harm your children during the school year. I'm kidding about the harming thing but we do need time to gather all our energy and invest it into your children. It takes a ton of energy to be a good teacher. I love my job and my mind is starting to wander to new lesson plans. I have been gathering information all summer. A teacher is a teacher 24/7. I realized how much this was true when I went to New England and met with my 7th and 8th grade teacher, Ron DelTredici, and his wonderful wife, Sandra. He was still teaching us new things all through dinner. I loved it.

Cheri and I literally got up one day and decided to take a trip to New England. We went for 5 days and stayed with my dear friend, Anne, whom I have been friends with for 38 years (since we were 12 if you were wondering). She has a little place in Connecticut and made us so very welcome. There were baskets of water and snacks in our room, pretty little packages of bath towels, and she had her boyfriend put an air conditioner in our window at 11 o'clock at night. They were wonderful hosts. It was so good to see her. We did meet up a couple of years ago when she was in Pennsylvania but it was brief. This was so much better because I had time with my friend.

Saturday was a drive day (it takes 12 hours) and Sunday we went to a pool party at my cousin's in Massachusetts. Jennifer's whole family was there and it was so nice to see them all. We swam and talked all afternoon. My cousin, Corinne, is their mom and Jen, Denny, Kia, and Lorin are her kids and all their kids were there. It was a nice family reunion. Cheri had never met any of them. I had not seen them since I was 19 years old. I used to go with Nana and Pupa every summer as a teen. I lived in Newport RI when I was 12, 13, and 14. That is how I met Anne and Ron. He was our teacher in 7th grade and then he moved up to 8th with us. They were both wonderful friends through one of the toughest times of my life and I wouldn't be the person I am today without them.

Monday was Martha's Vineyard. I had never been there and all of Anne's kids work there. Tyler puts up party tents, Gavin is a chef, and Adria is the Cream Cheese Manager. Apparently that is an upgrade at the deli she works at and involved a raise so she said she would be the Cream Cheese Queen as long as they paid her. She went to school for fashion and is using the big name contacts on the island to get her career moving. Tyler is done with the island and plans on moving on to a better job after this summer season is over. Gavin actually wants to go to school for cooking. I can't wait to see him and his purple Mohawk settle into a career. Anne's kids are the funniest people I have ever met and my stomach hurt by the end of this day. We did not get the "normal" Martha's Vineyard experience I am sure. We got off the boat and went to visit Anne's stepdaughter at the grocery store (Anne has 4 stepkids from her deceased husband and all 7 call her Mom), then Adria picked us up and took us to the house that seven 20-somethings live in, four of Anne's kids and 3 others. There was a puppy, music, dancing, cooking, random people in and out, and I felt like I wanted to live there. What a bunch of great kids! They were all unique and friendly and funny. We took Adria to work and took the boys out for lunch. Cheri and I were very entertained by all their stories. We walked around and met some of their friends and looked at the cottage campground. It was amazing and while we were in the gift shop Tyler informed us we missed Dan Aykroyd. He was chatting with him while we shopped. Oh well. Then Cheri and I shopped while Anne got Adria from work and the four girls went to the lighthouse on the beach. It was amazing being in a car with Anne with her daughter and me with my daughter. I asked Anne if she ever thought this would happen and she said, "Yes, I did." All her kids are almost the same age as mine...kinda weird. We got Tyler and a pizza then headed back to the boat. It was one interesting day and I was so sad it was over. I want to go back next year and rent one of the cabins with Anne and our families.

Tuesday brought new adventures, or maybe I should say old adventures. Anne took me to where we used to live and by my old house, where her old house used to be, our old pizza hang out, the school, the Newport beaches and mansions, and it brought back so many memories. Then Anne, Cheri, and I met with our junior high teacher, Ron, and his wife. I had not seen him since I was 19 but we have kept in contact all these years. When I graduated from college he bought me a brass cup with my name and date on it and when he retired I wrote him a poem and framed it. He is near and dear to my heart and was a lifeline when I needed it many years ago. Anne's family was too and I will be forever grateful for having them in my life. It was a wonderful trip.

Cheri and I headed home Wednesday and then in the middle of the night Thursday/Friday I get the call no parent wants. My Charlie was in a motorcycle accident. Charlie called me so that was a good thing and then the cop talked to me and said I should come get him because he was confused. Paul and I ran (drove) to the site and Paul, slowly, got the bike home while I followed with Charlie in the car. I cleaned him up and took him to the hospital. They put him in a neck brace and backboard (even though he walked in) and put him through a battery of tests but he is fine except for scrapes and bruises. I swear, with everything that kid has done he has never broken a bone. He is lucky and I will shut up now. Somebody stopped quickly in front of him and he went up a curb to avoid the car and the curb bent up the wheel and handlebars. It looks like he flew off and landed on his face. He was wearing a helmet even though Ohio has no helmet law. He promised his mom he would wear one and he did.

I have started a Zumba studio in my basement since it is empty now because it flooded. It is going really well. I am still going to teach it at a charter school this fall. It is nice to go downstairs to go to work though. I'm decorating it all crazy Zumba colors too. I will take a picture when it is done. I'm making it fun and homey. I'm excited to be back to my Zumba. It is a ton of fun and my Zumba girls are amazing. We do have fun and we can even have a pool party after class if we want. If we get the movie theater in down there we can do Zumba and a movie! Now that we graded the backyard we shouldn't have to worry about flooding again.

Paul has my backyard ready for seed in September and has 1/3 of my fence up. I will finally have a backyard!!! Can you tell I'm excited? There will be a pool party out there next summer for sure. I have really loved my pool this year. I found out my cat can swim too. He likes to watch us swim from the ladder so I let him take a dip. He can swim but he does not like it. Hahaha...Now he watches from a lower step and if I get close he is gone. I did get 2 new barn kitties and they are precious. I gave Murphy to Holly (my boarder) because he did not adjust to the barn. He is a happy kitty over there. He missed Anna and wanted in the house. The kittens are in the barn from the start and are very happy. They were already fixed so Paul was happy.

Clint and Amanda celebrated their second anniversary Sunday. Do you believe it has been that long? I can't. Cheri is getting ready to go back to school and I'm bummed about that. She moves back on the 15th. I like having her home. I liked when we all went to the Wyandotte Street Fair together and last weekend Mom had us over for dinner. I have pictures of that, I just haven't loaded them yet. I will.

Mike got in a car accident today. He is fine but the car isn't. Mom was shook up but she is better now that she knows he is okay. This family needs to be more careful. I can't take anymore accidents!

I hope this finds you doing well and enjoying this summer. Enjoy every minute because before you know it we will be shoveling snow again...ugh! I start working registration week (last week of August) because I sell yearbooks. We have 3 inservice days and then school is back in session after Labor Day. I'm so not ready for fall.

Love ya,
Cindy

Anne and her amazing kids - Tyler, Gavin, and Adria

2011-08-08T20:33:00.000-07:00

Cheri and Anne checking out the lobsters.

2011-08-08T20:31:00.000-07:00

Friends for 38 years and going strong! Anne Marie Wilder and Cindy Penney

2011-08-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

Cheri and me at the Pink House. You can rent these houses and they are all crazy colors!

2011-08-08T20:29:00.000-07:00

Martha's Vineyard - Simply beautiful

2011-08-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

Cheri and Adria being goofy on the way to the beach.

2011-08-08T20:22:00.001-07:00

Cheri and Adria being goofy on the way to the beach.

2011-08-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

Cheri, Me, Adria, and Anne on the beach on Martha's Vineyard.

2011-08-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

Anne, Adria, Cheri, and me at the lighthouse on Martha's Vineyard

2011-08-08T20:09:00.000-07:00

The beach where Jaws was filmed.

2011-08-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

Me and Cheri on the beach that I spent many a summer in my younger years - Newport Beach. The mansions are to the right on that cliff.

2011-08-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

Me and my cousin Corinne. We are at her daughter, Jennifer's, beautiful house.All her kids and grandkids were there.

2011-08-08T19:58:00.000-07:00

My cousin Denny and his grandson. I used to babysit Denny and his siblings!

2011-08-08T19:55:00.000-07:00

Anne, Ron, and me at dinner. He was our 7th and 8th grade teacher and I've kept in contact with him all these years.

2011-08-08T19:53:00.000-07:00

Sandra and Ron DelTredici

2011-08-08T19:51:00.000-07:00

My old house on the Naval base in Newport RI. I lived in the left side. It used to be just a carport instead of the garage.

2011-08-08T19:44:00.000-07:00

Charlie after his motorcycle accident. He didn't break anything just messed up his face. The backboard picture was after he walked in the hospital.

2011-08-08T19:41:00.000-07:00

My beautiful new barn kitties - Black and white is Simba and the calico is Sasha.

2011-08-08T19:36:00.000-07:00

Summer is finally here!!!

2011-07-17T22:34:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing and it has been hot and fun! The family has been busy, as usual, and loving every minute of my favorite season. Now that we have the pool I am spending most of my time outside between the pool, yard work, Jimmy Choo, and the pups.

Anna went back to Austria at the end of June. It was so hard to say goodbye but she promises she will be back to visit and maybe even go to college over here. We told her she always has a family in the States now. She misses all the friends she made but was happy to see her friends and family back home. Before she left, Anna's mom came here for Anna's graduation and that was a fun visit. She made us Austrian food and it was wonderful!!!

Miss Cheri went to England for 6 weeks to study abroad. I missed her something awful but she had fun and earned 8 credits studying over there. She stayed at Oxford for 4 weeks and York for 2 weeks. She saw the queen and princess in London. She said they waved to her and her group. I am happy to have her home safe and sound. I missed my girl! Thank God for facebook because I talked to her everyday on the computer.

Clint and Amanda are back home now and got a Goldendoodle puppy, Nala, and she is as sweet as you can get. It is their practice for a future baby. She is a good pup and gets along with my two dogs really well. It cracks me up when they go on and on about how much work a puppy is. I tell them just wait until the kids get here and then they can complain about work. They ain't seen nothing yet! Both of them are working for Paul and looking for permanent jobs.

Charlie is on vacation this week and is happy to be off. He has been working 50-60 hours a week and that is tough in a steel mill in this heat. He seems to love his job. Kortnie is still working at Tim Hortons trying to figure out where she wants to go next.

Paul is done reffing for the summer and has been working on our yard. We almost have the front yard done and it is beautiful now from the house to the barn. He is working on the back yard and we ordered the fence so the dogs will have a safe place to play. I take them for walks on our trails but it would be nice to throw them outside for a while while I clean or just to get them out from under my feet now and then. We are also looking at new fencing for the horse pastures and maybe adding a new pasture. When it gets hot like this they don't have much grass to graze on.

I have been so busy. As soon as school got out I cleaned out the barn and had a barn sale. That was a chore!!! I had a 2 day yearbook conference with 12 of my students at the end of June. Over the 4th of July I had a 3 day horse seminar with Jimmy. He was so good. It was about 5 houses down from my in-laws so I popped in to see them. Minnie had surgery so I wanted to check on her. Jimmy is very well trained and I am finding out more and more that I just need to find out where all his button controls are.

Janette and Paul Richard (my 6 year old great-nephew) came into town and we took my in-laws to a Mud Hens game in a limo for their 65th anniversary. We had so much fun. We got a suite and Dad got to throw out the first pitch! Paul Richard got in the crazy hair contest (he has a mohawk) and he ran the bases after the game. The Hens won too!!!

Last weekend I went to a 4 day Zumba conference. There were 6000 instructors there and it was crazy fun. I went with Christy. She was my student and is now an instructor too. It was dancing all day long and a party every night. We collapsed into bed every night, exhausted. The first party was an opening celebration that showed examples of all the different Zumba dances. The second party was a Pitbull concert. I had no idea who he was until this conference, I am a country girl. The third party was a neon party with black lights and a band. There were some CRAZY outfits there. I saw drag queens, angels, bunnies, bathrobes, and even a pregnant woman that painted a Zumba sign on her belly with neon paint. Like I said, crazy. The shopping was so much fun too. They had tons of deals for us and bought tons of outfits. It was like a huge fashion show and we loved every minute of it. Beto is the creator of Zumba and he popped into classes, walked around greeting people, and ran all the shows. He is an amazing dancer. He is like a Zumba Justin Bieber. Christy and I also got certified in Zumba Toning. This is my 3rd certification and her second. I have Basics 1 and Basics 2 and now Toning. I think I will do Gold next (that is for the older crowd). They also have Aqua Zumba and Zumbatonics for kids. A new big thing is Zumba in the Circuit at Curves. I am qualified to teach that if I want to. Nice to keep my options open. I will be teaching at a charter school this fall and a dance studio said I can have their place on Tuesdays. I am also thinking of turning my basement into a studio too. Options.

This past week we had Sam and Maya (Paul's nephew from Denver and his 11 year old daughter) and Jim (Paul's brother from Maryland) staying with us for a few days. They were here for their class reunions so I got lots of time with my Miss Maya. I took her to the Wyandotte Street Fair, swimming in the pool, shopping with Paul's sisters, and riding Jimmy Choo. Her and Paul played lacrosse (her favorite sport) and we took the pups for a walk on the trails. Her and I even did a night swim. She left us this sweet thank you letter. She is one amazing kid.

Today Cheri and I did a Zumbathon at Christy's studio for a family that lost their 6 year old son in June. He was on a field trip at the zoo and died from heart complications that no one knew about. He was from Bedford and it was so very sad. It was 90+ degrees today and we danced for 2 hours. It was a good thing I brought a cooler of water because Cheri and I needed it. Christy had gifts to raffle and 50/50 tickets too so I think she will be able to donate a nice check to the family.

I hope this finds all of you doing well. Cheri and I are planning a trip out east to see my friends and family out there. I haven't been to New England since I was 19! It will be a fun girl trip. I will keep you posted.

Love ya!
Cindy

My new granddog, Nala!

2011-07-17T22:33:00.000-07:00

Anna's USA prom!

2011-07-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

Anna's mom, Eva, came to the USA for Anna's graduation.

2011-07-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

My June barn sale!

2011-07-17T22:27:00.000-07:00

Cheri taking the Alpha Phi bear around England.

2011-07-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

I love the goofy look on this guy's face!

2011-07-17T22:25:00.000-07:00

Cheri bugging a bobby in London.

2011-07-17T22:24:00.000-07:00

Cheri on top of the world....uhhhh....rock

2011-07-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

Cheri and her buds in England.

2011-07-17T22:22:00.000-07:00

My wonderful yearbook group at conference this year. I love these girls!

2011-07-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Choo waiting for our class to start.

2011-07-17T22:18:00.000-07:00

My dream horse - Sampson the Friesian. He was BEAUTIFUL!!!

2011-07-17T22:15:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad Ramirez's 65th wedding anniversary in a suite at the Mud Hen's game.

2011-07-17T22:10:00.000-07:00

Paul Richard at the Mud Hen game.

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Zumba Queens! Cindy and Christy

2011-07-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

6000 Zumba instructors at Zumba Conference 2011 in Orlando Florida! We are in the back left. Can you see us? haha

2011-07-17T22:07:00.000-07:00

Beto, the creator of Zumba, being mobbed my his fans. He doesn't look like he minds too much.

2011-07-17T22:05:00.000-07:00

Beto surprised us by popping in our Warm Up/Cool Down class with Tanya.

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Me and Tanya, one of Beto's top instructors.

2011-07-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

Me, Donna, Christy, and a female Elvis on our way to the neon party.

2011-07-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

Christy dancing in one of our classes in Orlando.

2011-07-17T22:01:00.000-07:00

My beautiful kids! Cheri, Charlie, and Clint at the Wyandotte Street Fair.

2011-07-17T21:59:00.000-07:00

Maya's face painting at the Wyandotte Street Fair.

2011-07-17T21:57:00.000-07:00

Maya bungee jumping at the Wyandotte Street Fair.

2011-07-17T21:56:00.000-07:00

Maya riding Jimmy even though Jimmy was more interested in eating.

2011-07-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

My wonderful hubby watering my plants.

2011-07-17T21:51:00.000-07:00