Richard & Marilyn's Blog

Summer 2008

2008-08-13T16:33:00.007-06:00

Here's "Old Glory" waving in the warm breeze. Richard gave me it to me for my birthday last year, since I have always wanted the American flag on my own flag pole! (Notice there's two flag poles? The other is for flying the Canadian flag too, when my Canadian relatives visit! Not

Believe it or not, there are 30 peaches on this little tree we planted last summer!

If you look closely, you can see all our little Austrian pine trees along the road -- that's our 'snow fence', and it works just great!

Grandpa Rich making Cotton Candy for Ruthie!

2008-07-03T09:42:00.005-06:00

Cute, story here...
Rich told Steve & Laura that when they started having kids, he was going to buy a cotton candy machine so he could get their kids all fired up on sugar & then send them home, ha ha! So one day in the fall of 2006, Steve & Laura came over with a gift wrapped package. When Rich opened it up, it was... you got it... the cotton candy machine you see in the above picture. He was really surprised, looked up at them and said, "Does this mean what I think it means"? Sure enough, that's how we found out they were pregnant! Not too long ago, Grandpa Rich decided to bring it out & see if it really did work... apparently, it sure did, and Ruthie seemed to think it was just GREAT! :)

Friends together at Bonefish Restaurant... yummy!

2008-07-02T16:42:00.005-06:00

Friday night out for dinner with awesome friends. In front of Marilyn is our friend Wally Moreland... goofing off. Behind me is my great buddy Colleen Merrow (Mom to Jason's best friend, Denny) and across the table from her is Wally's wife, Helle, also both terrific friends. Between her and Richie, is Chip, Colleen's husband... and all around great guy to hang out with. A good time always seems to find this group whenever we get together.... the few, the lucky, the grateful... us!!

Marilyn visiting Ingrid in South Carolina

2008-07-02T16:10:00.005-06:00

Earlier this year I went to Aiken, SC to visit my good friend, Ingrid. She & I went to travel school way back in 1989, so we have been great friends for a very long time now! We've been through several moves within Colorado & out of state too, and is my favorite person to go shopping with. Sure miss her, and wish they lived closer! At least this way, I get to take a trip to the South!

Ozzy and Libby Saba

2008-05-21T16:16:00.003-06:00

On February 1, 2008, Ozzy went to doggy heaven to join Libby, who arrived first on July 28, 2006. Ozzy was such a cool dog, with an incredible personality, and Libby was an adorable, loving little ball of fluff. We miss them both very much, but are happy they are both together again having fun! Now we have Max to spoil as an 'only' dog, with our love and attention!

Ozzy & Libby - Christmas time

Max has a new past time with Dad... he just loves to ride around our 'yard' on the ATV with Rich.

Go Max go!

Mother's Day - May 10, 2008

2008-05-21T16:05:00.004-06:00

From left to right are, Jason, Marilyn, Jenaya, Lyndsie, Grandma (Tania), Dan, Roxy and Mike. We all met at La Loma, our favorite restaurant for chile rellenos, for our 6th Annual Mother's Day celebration. They are the best ever!!

Jason and Lyndsie with me.

Russian Easter - April 27, 2008

2008-05-21T15:52:00.003-06:00

This year was my first attempt at making the traditional Russian Easter desserts that we enjoy only once a year, on Easter Sunday. The pyramid surrounded by easter eggs is called Paskha, and tastes a lot like cheesecake without the crust. The tall breads are Kulich, with almonds and raisins in them, and eaten with the Paskha. They are baked in coffee cans, hence the shape. I was complimented on what a good job I did making them, so dessert duty has now officially been passed on to me from my mother!! The XB on the side of the Paskha represents "Christ is Risen"in Russian.

19th Anniversary

2008-05-21T15:41:00.003-06:00

We went downtown on 12/28/2007 to celebrate our anniversary, first with a romantic, but chilly horse and carriage ride, and then dinner at the Capital Grille, which is one of our favorite restaurants!

After the driver dropped us off right in front of the restaurant, we went inside and were shown to our table. It was so pretty and unexpectedly they had rose petals scattered over our table and a beautiful card waiting for us.... we had an amazing time!

CHRISTMAS 2007

2008-05-21T15:20:00.004-06:00

The 2007 Christmas season was our first one with a grandchild and it was so much fun! Ruthie had a great time ripping on the wrapping paper, and was more interested in it than the gift itself... which is pretty typical for a 7+ month old... you go girl!

"Gigi" and Ruthie

Top: Max and Ozzy in their winter sweaters.
Bottom: Gemma and Juliah posing with their "loot".

Thanksgiving dinner 2007

2008-05-21T15:13:00.002-06:00

I know Ruthie, you just can't wait.... it's turkey for Thanksgiving dinner next year - woo hoo!

Our 2007 Thanksgiving celebration, with the big feast over here. Ruthie was having a great time along with the rest of us. But we all missed having Matt, Katrina and Gemma, who couldn't make it for dinner.

Not another visitor! - Sept., 2007

2008-05-21T14:55:00.001-06:00

No... it's not the same coyote that tried munching on Ozzy last year... this is a new one! After I ran around photographing him, then yelling my face off at him... I guess the 'crazy woman' in me freaked him out enough to high tail it outta here, and he hasn't been back - yea!

Grandpa Richie loves his little Ruthie!

2007-08-31T22:25:00.003-06:00

Taken at Rick's graduation celebration over at Steve, Laura and Ruthie's home!

Steve, Matt, & Rick with their Dad - 08-25-2007

2007-08-31T22:16:00.003-06:00

Here's a shot at Steve & Laura's home on Saturday, August 25th. Everyone gathered to celebrate Rick's graduation from CU Denver, with a Mechanical Engineering degree. We are so proud of him and his accomplishment.

Grandpa, Ruthie, Laura & Steve at Texas Roadhouse

2007-08-24T10:58:00.001-06:00

Here we are having dinner at Texas Roadhouse, a favorite for both of our families. Ruthie is such a happy girl, she had a great time at dinner, although she sure enjoyed being held while we were eating, so she could see what was going on.

Ruthie at Texas Roadhouse

2007-08-24T10:51:00.001-06:00

Ruthie is definitely a girl that likes to go out. Here she is wondering why I always have to take pictures of her. She's having dinner with her Mom & Dad, Grandpa & me (Gigi = goofy grandma). The way time flies, she'll be chewing on something other than her 'blankie' for dinner.

Stayed tuned for more Ruthie pictures!!

2007-08-15T10:22:00.000-06:00

Dianne, Janell & Garry - June wedding in Canada

2007-08-15T10:15:00.003-06:00

A snapshot of Janell with her Mom & Dad (my cousin Garry), just before she walked down the aisle to tie the knot. What a gorgeous bride, and what an amazing wedding/reception. So incredibly well done, kudos to Dianne, and Garry (of course).

The "Newlyweds"... Al & Janell

2007-08-15T10:10:00.002-06:00

The happy couple just sent me this picture. They live in Warman, Saskatchewan, which is just outside of Saskatoon! (that's in Canada, for those of you who don't know).

Our "lawnmower" and its handsome driver!

2007-08-12T14:49:00.001-06:00

With 5 - 1/2 acres of native grass, we obviously needed more than just a regular lawnmower. Rich really enjoys the outdoors, and especially driving his tractor. It's a 1953 Ford Jubilee, she doubles as the lawnmower and with the blade, a snow plow. Shortly after this picture was taken, the left back wheel fell off... no injuries, thank goodness, but got to get that fixed now!

Baby Ruthie at Grandpa Saba's "South Fork"

2007-08-11T13:37:00.001-06:00

On August 4, 2007, Ruthie made her debut to the family and friends of Grandpa Richie and Gigi (aka Marilyn), with everyone amazed at what a sweet, even-tenpered personality she has. Patient while being picked up, cooed at, having faces made, and all those other things grown ups do when smitten with such an adorable bundle of joy! She's such a doll... Laura did a great job... and Steve too, of course!!

A very proud Grandpa Richie & Ruthie!

2007-08-11T13:27:00.002-06:00

What a little darlin' ... arriving on 05-03-2007, at 8 lbs. 1 oz. and 21" long. Ruthie Ellen Saba, the first grand daughter for Steve's family. We couldn't be happier, or love her more... she is a real beauty!

Our new home - Elizabeth, Colorado

2007-08-11T12:17:00.002-06:00

After selling our home in Roxborough Park the end of last September, our buyers contract on our house was contingent on selling their home, sold their house in two days.... boy, were we in a state of shock! We had thought, based on the soft real estate market in 2006, we would be "good to go" through the end of the year.... uh, NO! I literally had 10 days to find us a a new home. I went out looking for 3 days straight, viewing roughly 21+ houses. We were fortunate enough to come across this home, which was a custom builder's spec home, on 5.5 acres, zoned for horses (no, we don't ride), and our very own well. I brought Rich back to see it, and he was just as happy with my find, as I was. So here we are, and we just love it on the Saba "South Fork"!

Finally.... the NEW SHOP!

2007-08-11T11:38:00.005-06:00

After way too many years of having the shop for RK Original Wine Cellars in our garage, or driving 12 miles up Deer Creek Canyon to another "garage", we have recently finished the new shop on our 5.5 acres, next to our home in between Parker & Elizabeth, Colorado. Rich is very happy with the 2,000 sq.ft. facility, and I am even happier that he doesn't have to spend so much time driving back and forth from the shop anymore!