Hanna and Amber Hike in Hoyt Arboretum - March 26, 2009

On Thursday, March 26th, Hanna and Amber hiked on the trails of the Hoyt Arboretum near the Portland Zoo just outside of Portland.    As you can see they had a very muddy good time, getting lost only once a trail, but somehow, Amber kept finding the way out so they finally did get back home to Amber's home in Hillsboro, where DeeDee and I were watching Isaac and Abigail.

Hanna Hikes Hamilton Mountain - Sunday March 22, 2009

Hanna really likes to hike in the mountains, something DeeDee and I don't have high  on our "to-do" list - the stairs to the second floor of our home are good enough for us.   Last week when Amber was visiting with the grandkids, she and Hanna went on-line and found some organized hiking groups.    Hanna signed up for a hike on Sunday the 22nd, which was to go from the Columbia River up to the summit of Hamilton Mountain (elevation 2,480 feet/756 meters), which is in Washington, about 35 miles east of Vancouver.    Sunday morning at 9:15 I dropped Hanna off with the group at their meeting point in Vancouver, from where the hikers carpooled to the trail head in Beacon Rock State Park near Skamania, WA.    Hanna called around 2:30 to say they were just about back at the trail head, so DeeDee and I left Scappoose to pick her back up at the original meeting point in Vancouver.    She had a great time and experienced all sorts of different weather, including low clouds, rain, hail, and snow.    The one thing that did not occur on the hike was SUNSHINE - well we are in the Pacific Northwest you know, where sunshine is a rare commodity in the Winter and early Spring.

One of the hikers took photos, which he sent to Hanna, so the rest of us can enjoy the hike from the comfort of the chair in front of our computer.

Driving around LA after Universal Studios, March 14, 2009

I don't have any photos of this part of the trip, cause I didn't want to get in trouble taking photos of peoples houses.   Hanna had asked to see "big houses", so after we left Universal Studios, we drove to the corner of Hollywood and Highland, then west on Hollywood Blvd past the Kodak Theater where the Academy Awards are held and Graumans Chinese Theater, and then to Sunset Blvd. and the Sunset Strip.   As we got into Beverly Hills on Sunset Blvd, we took some side streets up into the area where Hanna's "big houses" are.  Most of the houses were behind gated walls, but we were able to see a few of the houses.   At the end of one dead end street as I was turning around, Hanna suggested we stop, go up to the front door, ring the bell, and ask if Susie was there.    She figured that would give her a chance to see inside the house.   I said, "NO" and kept driving.    From Sunset Blvd in Beverly Hills, we went north up Benedict Canyon to Mulholland Drive, then back east on Mulholland along the crest of the hills toward LA, to Clearwater Canyon where we turned north toward the San Fernando Valley.  Back on Mulholland, Hanna had spotted a private driveway with the gate open and said we should just pull in and look around.   Again, I said, "NO" and kept driving.  As we drove down Clearwater Canyon we saw some huge homes on the sides of the canyon walls, many of which are partially supported by large stilt-like structures - I can't begin to imagine what their fire and earthquake insurance must be.   Clearwater Canyon also brought us out of the world of the Rich and Famous and back to reality in the San Fernando Valley.   I think Hanna saw the types of houses she wanted to see, and remarked that she would live in a house like that some day.  Around 5:30 we finally made it back to Rob and Wilma Simpson's home in Valencia where we were staying.

Universal Studios, March 14, 2009

On Saturday, March 14th, we spent most of the day at Universal Studios in Universal City, just north of Los Angeles.   Of course, Hanna and I had to stop at Starbucks on City Walk outside of the park to get hot chocolate.  Then we went into the park where the first thing we did was go on the tram ride tour of the back lots.   While in the tram, we were attacked by Jaws, drove through the Red Sea as it parted for us, just as it did thousands of years ago during the Exodus, were almost killed when a bridge blew up under us, dodged some Jurassic park creatures, and somehow survived an 8.3 earthquake in a BART station in San Francisco.   After the tram ride, Hanna and I went on several of the rides and we watched many of the shows.  We liked the Shrek 4-D show the best, except when Donkey sneezed and we felt something wet spraying on our faces - it was just water, but is sure is very realistic.   The only part I didn't like (cause I am a major arachnophobiac) was when the large spiders were crawling all over the screen and with the 4-D it looked like they were coming right into the theater at us and at the same time air (or something under our seats) made it feel as if the spiders were crawling on our feet and legs.   And, when the evil Lord Farquaad pointed his spear at us, it looked like it was right at the tip of our noses.   It was along day, fun filled day and we left around 3 PM.  

Elizabeth Susan-Ann Robertson

On to Springville after leaving In-n-Out.   We had a good time visiting with Jen and the kids and meeting our newest grand child, Elizabeth.   We all took turns holding her and giving her back to Mommy when she started crying.    She has the longest beautiful fingers - maybe she will be a concert pianist.  Jen said Elizabeth has long feet also, but they were covered since she was in her little sleeper outfit with only her head and hands sticking out. 

Ian and Emily gave Hanna the grand tour of the geese and duck pens in the back yard and introduced her to both flocks.  

We introduce Hanna to In-N-Out

Late Thursday afternoon, 3/12/09, DeeDee, Hanna, and I flew to Southern California for a three-day weekend.   Friday morning DeeDee and I went to see our tax accountant Dale Finch about our 2008 Federal, California, and Oregon income taxes.   After leaving Dale's office, we drove to Springville, CA to see Jennifer, Emily, Ian, and to meet Elizabeth Susan-Ann (17 days old).  On the way, we stopped at In-N-Out Burger in Bakersfield for lunch and to let Hanna experience In-N-Out for the first time, since there are no In-N-Outs in Oregon.   Hanna said that In-n-Out is better than Burgerville in Oregon and is now her most favorite hamburger. 

Proud Grandparents

On Thursday, Feb 26th, our oldest grandson, Corporal Aaron Robertson, USMC, graduated from the US Department of Defense Language Institute's Foreign Language Center, located on the US Army Garrison- Presidio of Monterey in Monterey, CA, where he has been stationed since February 2008 learning Russian.  Aaron and one other graduate were selected to give the Commencement speech, of which Aaron gave his part in Russian.

The photo to the right shows Aaron after graduation, with his dad, David Robertson. Even if we can't see much of Aaron in the video below, the video is special to us, because we get to hear Aaron's name announced as he receives his diploma. 

 

We have our own Cookie Monster, Tuesday, March 2, 2009

We have our own Cookie Monster, and her name is Hanna.   Hanna was busy yesterday afternoon making cookie dough, which needs to set up in the refrigerator for around 24 hours before baking.   Then, tonight after dinner, she took several rolls of dough out of the refrigerator and started making batch after batch of cookies.  Hanna will take one container of cookies to school tomorrow for the GAP (German American Program) students who will soon be going to a school in Germany for four weeks, but the rest of the cookies will stay here for us to enjoy.  Believe me, they do not last long.  I have a made a deal with Hanna: I'll make the dinners and she will make the cookies.