November 27, 2010.

Like my sister Sam said, today marks the day that my dad passed away, 6 years ago. It is a long time but yet you can still feel and remember like it was just the other day. It was weird because I was driving home from Chuck's house on Saturday, trying to rush up there early so that I can put lights on the house, and I thought about him hard, something that I haven't been doing and don't often do anymore as much as I used to. I was upset with myself that I let that happen. But I have since thought about him, and wonder everyday what he is up to. Whether he is going to make my day hard or easy, or if he'll try my patience with a patient at work. There are certain things that happen and I know he is in control of it, so I laugh it off and carry on and send up a thanks. The cliche' of "You never know what you have until its gone", doesn't apply to me or my family with this situation, because I for one knew what I had in my dad and I was very lucky to have what I did with him. It's easier to move on everyday, but it's never easy knowing that the little-big things will happen without him there. There is one thing I envy of all my siblings, and that is that he was able to meet every one of there spouses and they met him. But with his own words, he would have said, "Bones, thats because your special and I look at you different". I can go on forever, but there are things I would love to keep for myself. Dad, I hope you are happier than ever, whereever you are, and that you have all the best things waiting for us. Although, we would all disagree and think you were happier here on earth, Im glad to know that your always watching over us. Watch over Chris when he goes to baseball, watch over Melissa when she is cooking and knows to turn the oven off, watch over Sam being so far away and driving down at Christmas, watch over Jenny when it comes time to get her promotion for manager, and most importantly watch over mom and give her all the happiness in the world that you can grab and let her live a long healthy life! I love you dad and think about the day often of when I will see you again.

The new and improved, Charlotte!

I told Lisa to send me a pic of Charolotte and this is what I got. I thought it was so cute, she made the front page of my phone. And I have been showing her off ever since.

My mom, Lucille Ball.

So I'm at Barnes and Noble(did you know a whole day can pass while your in there, and you wont even know it!), and I was looking through this book about Lucille Ball, who I absolutely love, and came across this picture. I immediately thought of my mom, who I think resembles this pic almost to a "T". Same hair, makeup, and smile. I showed my mom, and she started laughing.

Good-bye to the YODA!

This would be Chuck's first car he bought. It was a 2003 Toyota Tacoma Pre-runner. After putting new tires and new brakes, he took a stall on him and never worked again. His friend bought it off him, so we were at the house cleaning it up to have one last farewell with him. I got to enjoy him for 3 1/2 years! Good bye YODA!! R.I.P.

A day in San Diego.

Pondering the thought of driving home or staying the night....driving home won.

One of many sunsets in San Diego.

I think Im actually going to blow this one up and frame it. I'm quite proud of myself with this picture. Chuck would call me the paparazzi, but in the end he is always happy that I got cool pictures.

These are statues next to The Midway ship. Bob Hope is to the left facing them making a speech, and the person holding the sign, says "thanks for the memories, Bob."

The true story behind this statue, was that the marine was so happy to be home and on land that he grabbed the first girl he saw and kissed her. He didnt even know her.

So you can say you got on your "Soap Box".

I have the talents of Picasso.

Along Seaport Village, they have sidewalk people trying to earn money, and this guy's talent was making rocks balance on top of each other. I wanted to sit there and watch him all day, but Chuck said no and I was running out of money to give him to keep going. He waited for the right time for enertia and balanced the rocks.

The now infamous Carnival Splendor that was stranded at sea for a couple of days with no power, and a bunch of Spam that never got eaten. One thing is for sure, I would have loved to have been a crew member, with bunches of overtime on my paycheck. And also a passenger to get a free cruise out of it again.

Halloween at Disneyland.

Chuck once again is in blue and once again beat me at the Toy Story game in California Adventure. I will get there. I have been getting pretty close.

Chuck also show me the Abraham Lincoln Museum that I also had never gone in before. We got to watch a little show about him and things like that. This is a picture of the stage where he talks about his address at Gettysburg.

These were some of the first tickets to be sold when Disneyland first opened up. Never knew they had all these hidden secrets about Disneyland...Thanks again, Chuckles.

This was called a "D" coupon, kind of like the "E" ticket people used to get back in the olden days. Check out at the top right corner of this ticket...look at how much it cost: 0.35cents!!! Compared to 76.00 now for only 1 park!! Where is a Pontiac Dalorian when you need one!

So Chuck took me on the train that goes around the back side of Disneyland because I have never been on it since going to Disneyland. He couldn't believe that I never rode it. So the pic above and the two below are of this dinosaur exhibit that you can see when you ride the train. I thought it was the coolest thing ever at Disneyland. I will be riding it now everytime I go. Thanks Chuck for broadening my horizons.

Annual Halloween Bash!

We went as ourselves for Halloween.

This is my cool pumpkin up close. I used red sprinkles to put on the mouth for blood and saved some of my gooey stuff for around the mouth and inside.

My mom went dressed up as a bag lady! Pretty clever.

Buzz, my sister Jenny and me.

Mine, Candy's, Charlotte's, Chucks (his had so many warts on it) and the winner!!! (bottom right) was my brother Chris's. His best friend happened to be the judge, so he was impeached!!

All a glow, at Halloween.

My sister Jenny and husband did a really awesome thing with their pumpkin and made a Rat Resort. I think they should have won for Best Costume Design! Better luck next year.

My pumpkin. It came in 2nd, but it sure didnt win the $40 up for grabs! I thought it was the best job I ever did. I didn't even use a stencil either. Chuck was actually shocked because I dont have a creative bone in my body.

Buzz Lightyear, to the rescue and beyond!!

Buzz and me. He loves me so much!! Yea he tells me all about his day and wants me to be his godparent more so than uncle Chris.

Pumpkin Patch.

This wasn't the biggest pumpkin out there. Oh, there were bigger ones! By far the coolest patch I have ever been too.

One of the three tractors on display at the Yucaipa Pumpkin Patch. I tried to be Picasso-like.

Chuck's stepdad, John, and his mom Christine.

Frankenstein came up behind us to capture the Kodak moment.

Pizza night with Meemo and Peepo.

Chuck and Kanoa

Chuck and his two favorite people in the world!

Three generations....Charles Edward Franklin,Jr.; Charles Edward Franklin IV; Charles Edward Franklin III. Waiting on Charles Edward Franklin V!

The purest of hearts, Meemo, and her hard to handle grandson!

We had another get-together with Meemo and Peepo and decided to do pizza at their house rather than going out, and it worked so much better that way. We were able to stay longer and relax. Also Chuck's dad is newly engaged to his fiancee, Kim!