Pantaleon Montecillo - What I Remember

Roots and wings are the best gifts that we can give to each other and the future members of our family - our children and grandchildren. I read somewhere, that family provides the roots - the more roots, the healthier the plant - unless the plant is root bound and have no room to grow.

Plants with shallow roots are easily blown away by the slightest wind. The more the roots intertwine with each other, the stronger the family, the more support available to the young ones. Young people will eventually go and make their own way -a strong family provides a strong base to rise from, when they are ready to fly out into the world. Strong rooted connections will provide a good safety net to catch them should they fall.

I want the members of the family to understand that most of this accounts are from memory. Mostly my view of the Pantaleon Montecillo Clan were formed when I was young, during my formative years. I was in my teens when I left Catmon in the early part of the sixties. There are a lot of things about the family that I don't know about, a lot of family dynamics that are very mysterious to me from my vantage point.

Had a conversation over the weekend with cousin Levi Adelan, that helped illuminate some things but also left me with more unanswered questions.

Maayo gyud unta ang mga tugpuanan sa atong kabataan!

Tatay Panta

I don't know very much about Tatay Panta except that he was the last Kapitan in Catmon. His reversal of fortune happened when the Americans came after the Spanish American War - that is my perception. He had a hard way to go. He lost not only his prestige and position, but also his wife. He was left with a lot of children to care for - some of them still very young. A major blow to the psyche for sure!

So if any of my family members are reading this - please contribute what you know.

Nanay Teresa

Don't really now much about her. Lola Milyang used to tell stories about her but I was not paying attention. She was born a Rivera - I had the opportunity to meet some of the Rivera relatives from Bantayan Island, when I was young.

Her sister Josefa, married a Jurado and was the mother of Lola Ninang Monsanto, Lola Lolang Ares, Lolo Babeng, Lola Pipang, Lola Malta Innocencio, Lola Uding Ruedas, Lolo Titing, I think I am missing some names - like Tio Quirico's father in Bohol, etc. I wish I had paid better attention to the details.

The Rivera family lived close to the beach in the proximity of where the high school is located now. They owned land on both sides of the Naghalin River up to Bagalnga.

I guess, what I am hoping to happen is that our family would start to reconnect and strengthen the connections through the sharing of memories and pictures. I am hoping that this would start bringing us all closer together. It is a legacy that we can leave to the future generations and bind them together, no matter where they are.

I will post what I remember of the Lola Talina and her children.

There is still a lot of work to be done. I hope the family will continue to share memories and photos. Mecmec Concha does a really good job! His work has been inspirational. I hope and pray that he continue to keep all of us informed and connected.

Thank you, Mecmec!

Getting Together Logistics

Emily is coming this week, on Thursday. With our hectic and busy lifestyles, the logistics of getting everyone together is challenging. She will be in Michigan from Thursday and staying until Monday. Emily is not available on Saturday and Sunday. She is leaving on Monday night.

I am leaving for Central Michigan University tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM. I will not be back until Friday evening. I am scheduled to be at a fundraising event for First Step on Friday night. First Step is one of our community partners serving victims of domestic violence, mostly women and chilren.

I am taking students to sort food at Gleaners' Community Food Bank on Saturday morning. I have a Wayne County Legislative Breakfast to attend on Monday morning at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn; then a Student Government meeting to facilitate at 11:00 AM and another at 5:00 PM - that takes care of the rest of my Monday.

Lauren is off all day on Friday but working on Monday. She suggested that we get together at her house on Friday. Donna is going to find out about the schedules of her family members. Garrett and Brandon are off on the weekends but they may have plans. I am still waiting for Leto to call - I know that he is working on Friday. But I don't know his actual schedule. He has been doing a lot of training and development for his company.

I hope and pray that I will at least get some time to see and visit with Emily. I am looking forward to it. Something will work out!

A Global Connection - Finding Family on “Facebook”

When I was growing up in the Philippines, I was told that all Montecillos are related. A distant Montecillo ancestor settled in the northern part of the island of Cebu. Cebu is a Philippine island steeped in history. This is where Magellan landed, when lost his way to look for spices and other treasures.

Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan; a small island off the island of Cebu. The island chieftain, Lapu Lapu, refused to pay homage to the King of Spain. The Spaniards did not settle in the Philippines until 1565. Lapu Lapu is the first Filipino hero.

The first Spanish settlements were established in Cebu. The settlers were mostly soldiers, who married local women. That is how our family story began. My Montecillo ancestor settled in northern Cebu – Catmon, Sogod and Borbon. As the family grew, various branches moved away and settled in different parts of Cebu and other islands in the Philippines.

I belong to the clan of Pantaleon Montecillo y Menchavez. My great grandfather, Pantaleon, was the last Spanish Capitan of Catmon. His mother is a Menchavez. He was first wife to Teresa Rivera. When Lola Teresa died, he married Catalina Loyola.

To test the family story, I asked all the Montecillo members on Facebook to tell me their story. I forwarded a link featuring the Pantaleon Montecillo Clan Grand Reunion in 2006-2007. I belong to the Emilio (my grandfather) Branch of this clan.

Here is a sampling of the replies:

Era Montecillo works with the Camphill Community at Coleg Elidyr, Victoria House in Wales. She has been working there for a few years. The college educates and trains young people with special needs. She said, “Tita, that family featured in the link you sent me, is my family. I belong to the Pantaleon Montecillo Clan, Cesario Branch.” Lolo Cesar is one of my grandfather’s younger brothers from the Loyola marriage.

Ameera Ares lives and works in Qatar with her family. She wrote, “Tita, I belong to the Gervacio Branch of the Pantaleon Montecillo Clan. Tata Batyong is my grandfather.” Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States after the Spanish American War in 1898. Filipinos fought with the US troops in the First World War. Tata Batyong was a soldier in the war. He decided to stay in the US after the war. He brought his brother Emilio to Detroit in 1917. Emilio is my grandfather. During one of his trips to the Philippines, Tata Batyong married in Catmon and decided to settle there in 1926.

Frances Montecillo-Narvaez lives and works in Switzerland with her family. She wrote, “Your great grandfather, Pantaleon, was the best cousin-friend of my great grandfather, Panfilo. He named his eldest son after Pantaleon. Panfilo moved and settled in Tuburan. The family have scattered all over since their time.”

Ian Mark Schomber lives in Germany. He found out about me in Facebook. He is from the Menchavez side of the family. His mother called Cebu and told her sister-in-law, Yeldez, about me and my quest in Facebook. Yeldez immediately had her son send an e-mail confirming that we are indeed cousins. The e-mail spoke of the Menchavez family gatherings in Sogod.

This is only a sampling of the Montecillo “Facebook” connection. Most of the family is still in the Philippines. Outside the country, most of us have settled in the US and Canada, with a growing number in the Middle East, Australia and Hong Kong. An exchange of pictures and stories through Facebook, e-mails and blogs have continued to connect us. With the help of technology, I am connected to a truly globalized family.

My curiosity is leading me to find out a little bit more about the Mexican and Spanish Montecillo families. I understand they are into grassland ecology in Mexico and vineyards in Spain. This could be a lot of fun.

Keep connecting and keep the connections strong!

San Francisco Family - Taken End of 2007

My sister Jette Rojo Meehleib - she is the "prettiest" - a member of the jet set - currently attending an "International Surfing and Classic Rock Festival" in La Union, Philippines. Go figure.



Taken with brother Athan (Jonathan) and sister Jette. Athan teaches first grade and is going for his graduate degree in reading.



My San Francisco family - Nanay Julia is a Menchavez from Bawo. Nanay is superwoman -very active and into everything.



Tatay home from the hospital! I did not really get to meet him until I was 12 years old in Catmon. We did not start really connecting until I was 42 years old here in the US. We are slowly but surely getting to know each other better.

My Family - Back In The Day

Donna and I - my swimsuit caused a lot of gossip - my belly button is showing. Not a good thing to do in Catmon in the sixties!



Daddy and Mama goofing around in the water. Happier days!



Lola Bette wading in the water - near suba and Tata Batyong's payag.



This family photo was taken during one of the summers we spent in Catmon with Lola Bette.

Going To San Francisco

The Original Plan

After the last delivery for the Madonna University Christmas for Kids Project, the original plan was to sit back, relax, be with family (in Michigan), go to church and celebrate a quiet Christmas.

A Dose of Life's Realities

Received word from the family, in San Francisco, that Tatay was taken to the hospital. Tatay is in his 80's, every hospitalization is risky. At 61 years old, I have never spent Christmas with him. So I cried. It happens - when I am not in control of circumstances in my life.

Decisions, Considerations, Decisions

Had 60 families with 154 children in the background counting on having a good Christmas. Had to focus on the packing, last minute shopping and deliveries to these families.

Had not shopped for my immediate family, had very limited $$$ for travel - holiday travel in the US is expensive. The obstacles were countless, financially!

Have never spent a Christmas away from my children and grandchildren - unless they have chosen to do so. They are the most important people in my life. Have spent the last 30 Christmases with the family in Michigan!

Drafted Lauren, John, Dominic and Larry to help. I was losing focus, got lost in neighborhoods that I was familiar with. I felt very splintered and acted very scattered. I was also searching the net for cheap air fare to San Francisco. So was Frank and Lauren. The regular economy class fare to San Francisco during the holidays is over $750.00.

Donna and Frank encouraged me to go - so did Larry. What would I ever do without him and the support he provides???

So on December 23, I made the decision that if I can find affordable air fare, I would go. So, I gave the kids an "I Owe You" for Christmas when the right price came up.

I flew to San Francisco on December 24 to spend Christmas with Tatay and family, but mostly Tatay.



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Complicated - Subayon

It is complicated is often used in "Facebook" regarding relationship status.I think it means that it is difficult to explain.

I grew up being difficult to explain. I can remember the expressions;the looks in the faces when I was introduced or when someone asked about me. In my day, people were interested in family lineage.

I am the daughter of Teresa Montecillo and Juan Rojo. No, they did not marry - so I am illegitimate - a stigma I carried when I was growing up. I never felt good enough. This was very hard on me, causing alienation towards some of the gossipy branch of the PanMon Clan. It was Tata Batyong, Lola Sayong and Lola Eliang who constantly assured my inclusion as a Montecillo when I cried about it.

Tata Batyong would say things like "tell them you are a Montecillo, the rest is none of their business."

Lola Bette was also hard to explain. I was often asked where she came from - she was not Catmonanon nor Cebuano for that matter. Lolo Milong brought her to Catmon from Detroit. Although, I spent a lot of time with members of her family - she would always tell me to leave her family out of the conversation. So her family came and went, when they visited. We visited Bogo and Mabolo.

People often asked what my plans are for the holidays. I spend my holidays with family - my complicated family. Which family?

So here are pieces to the puzzle. Subayon.

Mama Teresa married Dad Ron Elliott. Mama and Daddy had Donna. So now, I have a sister on Mama's side. Dad Elliott's rule is that there are "no steps" - so Donna and I never had the "step" relationship.

I married Lee Rankine - Leto, Rosanne and Lauren are the gifts from the union.We were married for 20+ years. Lauren got together with Mike Hallam and had Dominic. Leto got together with Tracy - so came Manny Henry-Rankine. Rosanne got together with Creek Noke - so we now have Zachary and Gus Rankine-Noke. I love them all!

After Mama Teresa died,Dad Elliott married Mom Josephine Miller Currie bringing her three children - Julie, Karen and Roger. Then Michael was born. Donna married a Rhadigan and had Nicole. Then she married Frank Hayden - Garrett and Brandon came along. Nicole married Simon Haidi - their children are Mina, Gabriel and Alexander.

Julie married a Badamo and had Gina and Joey. Gina married Scott Barber. The children are Shelby, Megan and Gino.Karen married Mario Del Grecco. Michael married Carrie. Roger never married.

I have spent the last 30+ Christmases with this wonderfully blended family. I spend almost all the other American traditional family holidays with them.

I learned to "subay" from Lola Miliang de Dios and from the countless birthdays, weddings,"canta misa" ordinations and of course, funerals - mostly the Montecillo side - that we attended from Catmon to Sogod to Borbon to Naga to Tuburan to Carcar -wherever Montecillo's lived.The experiences gave me a solid Montecillo grounding.

This is where I learned that families can be very complicated but very rewarding if there is cohesion.

Tatay Juan Rojo is ill in San Francisco - I have never spent Christmas with him or my siblings on the Rojo side. Nanay Julia is a Menchavez - so I am blood related to my brothers and sisters there. On the Menchavez side, they are my cousins. I am trying to decide whether to fly out tomorrow or on Christmas Day. I am conflicted on how to allocate my meager resources of time and dollars.

I will pray - I still have three families from Christmas for Kids to finish up.

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Updates for Family Connections - aka Some of Lola Bette's Lessons

The people we serve.

Just had a snow storm - have 10 inches of snow in the ground - still some folks are outside, some find shelters for the night. God have mercy! It is cold out there - yes,some of them die from exposure or from fires. They try to find shelter in abandoned homes - yes, we have a lot of those also! Go figure????

I see some of them at the soup kitchens - times are hard in Michigan.

Have 58 families for the Madonna University Christmas for Kids Project - about 162 children. These are the left behinds of our consumer society, the excluded from the holiday cheer in the packed malls - they watch television and see excess. And wish and hope!

I have a couple of students combing the malls and stores for gifts and groceries!

I wanted to win the Lotto - so all the people on my list plus Sr. Caroline's 500+ families and Ms. Rodriguez's 100+ have hope for the holidays. My friend brought me down to reality, very quickly - Larry said that if I had the money - I would still be broke because I will always give stuff away.

My standard reply is: "I came with nothing and I leave with nothing," Lola Bette used to say that.

Among the things she told me is that "all people placed in your life are gifts from God - so you better be kind, nice, etc... because they could be angels as in the story of Abraham of the old testament or Jesus in disguise as in the gospels." So how can I argue with that???

It is the same the world over - need, want, wish, hope - lines are blurred. Most people look away - I can't seem to do that - never developed the capacity to look away from injustice and misery!

I try to train students to look at misery and poverty without flinching or running away - it is the only way that we can collectively define the problem, get to the root causes and find solutions.Acts of love are very scarce yet essential in finding solutions.You know doing, something for nothing - no expectations,no strings,suspend all judgenment, etc.

Am I a dreamer or what?

When I was young - we never really had presents but we had a lot of joy and laughter.The best part was "panaygon." We went from house to house and sang Christmas carols.

My godparents - Papa Abog Concha and Mama Uping used to give me a few centavos plus "puso" and whatever else they had to offer. The others who remembered me were my godmother, Mama Natang Roldan, Tio Dido Flores and Tios Doring Flores. One year Auntie Mafe Ares brought me apples and grapes, another year raisins and prunes. That was before she came to the states - same with Mama Natang.

What I really wanted for Christmas were parents - on given days in December, I used to go to the beach and watch for the white ship coming in from Manila and hope, pray and wish that my parents were on it - coming to claim me forever. At least one of them anyway. My idea of parents were very sketchy in my mind. My ideal parent was Tia Ason Estenzo.

I am eating Divine Chocolates - Fair Trade chocolate from Ghana as I write this. I wonder about the children there and what their Christmas is like. The chocolates are excellent - especially the dark ones - reminds me of the "chocolate bits" that Mana Nene Villamor used to give me when she was making "tabliya." Heavenly!

My life is good and full.

Dominic performed in his school Christmas Concert last Thursday - Dad Elliott's birthday. He had a saxophone solo and played a very nice rendition of Oh Canada! The only saxophone solo - I might add. Dominic wants a router for his computer and Xbox 360??? It does not sound like a Christmas gift - sounds like an equipment used by th IT department.

Leto and Manny came to see me yesterday - Leto just finished a short story about one of his adventures in Catmon with Jonald Concha - written in Spanish, no less. Manny wanted a Wiii for Christmas - can't seem to find one.

Zachary had a birthday yesterday but I haven't been able to talk to him. He wanted a Wiii??? for birthday and Christmas. They are hard to come by these days.

With the help of the Madonna University community, family and friends,I hope to give each child on the CFK list an article of clothing, a toy and a book, the family food for the holidays.

Is this too much to ask from the wealthiest, best educated population this world has ever known.

Merry Christmas to all Montecillo/Rivera/Menchavez/Loyola folks wherever you are! I am thankful that I have family like you!Keep me in your prayers, okay?

Geography Makes a Difference

I am at Lauren's house in Garden City. Slept in the living room couch, woke up saw wall; peeked through blinds, saw street. Peeked at backyard as I drink my first cup of coffee and saw the deck dusted with snow, the yard bounded by the fence in three sides. I go for my walk - all flat, no hills. Garden City Park has lots of trees, walking pathways are made of concrete. The house is warm with love.

At home in Northville, I wake up; windows wide open, the view of the lake and gorgeous sunrises coming over the hill greet me. Have no kitchen window but I watch the lake and the hills beyond as I drink my cup of java in the living room. Sometimes I say my rosary. When I go for my walk, there are hills, mud in the footpaths when it rains. I am alone a lot but not lonely.

In summer when I am walking on top of one of the hills, I think about May and the kalumboyan and Cogon; where I watch the sea from afar and listen to the rustle of cogon grass stroked by the winds of May. Peaceful and soothing.

Now, the lake is rimmed with snow. It is half way frozen - in the the shallow parts mostly - soon almost all of the top will be frozen; ice - a couple of feet deep - the shanties of the ice fishermen will appear, spoiling my view.

I take ownership of the geography that surrounds me. I like to feel part of it all.

I have spent much of my childhood by the sea, in the sea, watching the sea in Catmon; listening to the music of the waves, a symphony with a variety of movements. Being in the water is like being one with the symphonic creation.

The beauty of the geographies are different but still beauty.

Have studied the changes in the geography through the seasons - the tableau seem to nourish my soul and renew my spirit. I think about the wondrous God Creator, steadfast but always changing - I, too, one of His Creations is always changing.

Grief, and Life Goes On

Fonda believed in serving. She worked very diligently for the victims of Hurricane katrina. Fonda (yellow) and Mary Therese - Americorps/VISTA.



Fonda at the MCC Service Leadership Camp. Fonda is a very thoughtful person.

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Fonda was in a car accident on Tuesday - we had our first real snow - some sleet, makes very treacherous driving.




Fonda did not make it - all her organs were harvested and donated. She will live on in others both physically and in spirit. God rest her sooul!

Abnormal Month, First Snow, Freedom

Well - we had flurries a couple of weeks ago - the warm weather have lasted a long time. The first snow came - a dusting at Thanksgiving, a little that stuck or at least covered the grass yesterday - temperature in the 20's. So it is getting cold.

I hate wearing coats, I hate wearing layers of clothes, I hate wearing boots most of all. But had to break it all out to prep for winter.

Freedom - got my car back - driving again - I just wanted to drive and drive and drive today. I hate driving!

Sounds like I am pretty stressed - too many projects going. It is that time of year. Having the panels of the "The Names Project AIDS Quilt" on display here tomorrow and Friday. The "Christmas for Kids Project" is going have 8 families so far, have the "Students Helping Students" T-shirt and Bag Sale starting, having a Fair Trade Sale next week, have papers to read and check, meetings to attend, etc...

Have 3 students losing their homes - the foreclosure rate is very high in the area. Students needing help to register for next term. Students needing placements for last minute community service and service learning projects.December grads needing recommendations in their portfolios and resumes.

So relax - breathe slowly now - in and out, in and out.

Although I think December is the most abnormal of all months, - it is normal December in life. It is a normal December for me in my job.

Thanksgiving Aftermath, Sock Story and All That

Oh, Oh, Oh - still in my pajamas - have not made it to church, have eaten too much and have become laggard.Discovered that I did not bring enough clothes - so had to wash what I wore - still in the dryer.

The Thanksgiving feasts here at Lauren's and at Nicki's were sinfully great and excessive.Now comes the leftover days - add the "bring house" leftovers from Nicki's and John's family party - we are grazing on the food.

John did break down last night and made hamburgers. He also cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast but then warmed up the apple cobbler from his sister's house - pure gluttony.

I finished one of the books I was reading - "The Elephant and The Dragon" by Robyn Meredith. Got caught up with my work e-mail - just the reading part. Checked on my Facebook and updated some stuff, got caught up with some of my groups, events, projects and sent some greetings.

Working with my beading.I design and make beaded jewelry. I started in my teen years taking "jewelry making classes" in Japan and have just started back up. It is hard to "design on the fly" and make the jewelry right away. It is hard to make time.

Had a big argument with Dominic last night - he cried and I cried - sometimes things are said that shouldn't be said - and we both did. It is hard to raise assertive, opinionated,outspoken lawyers. Sometimes the line of respect is blurred and crossed. We kissed and made up.

Been for a couple of short walks - Garden City holds a special place for me. I served as the Executive Director of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce for over a year, before my divorce. A lot of fond and happy memories in this town - lived here for 14 years...

The "sock story" - my sister or was it my sisters and I were going shopping or something. I have never gotten into the "dressing/make-up/primping business" and would usually throw on my back whatever I can get my hands on. So,I put my shoes on even though my socks did not match, much to my sisters' "chagrin" and they say "embarrassment."

Well,dryers love to eat my socks one sock at a time.I hate to throw away the remaining sock - I think it is wasteful and bad for the environment. So I keep them and wear them.

Socks are worn under shoes, boots, pants - and who is going to be interested in my socks - I am sure the "Fashion Police" have better things to do - besides I am too busy with other more important things.

So there you are and here I am - always trying to be the best person I can be like Lola Bette taught me.

Black Friday

Well, Donna is working today - it is the biggest shopping day of the year. I hate shopping, so I stay home. I am highly allergic to malls or box stores. I think it is better to support the Mom and Pop shops. Better for the community, better for the environment and better for the economy.

I have only been to a Wal-Mart once - in Texas- when the store was the only game in town. I went in, picked up what I needed and walked out. All the time feeling guilty for not planning my trip better. Felt like I wanted to go to confession after.

Lauren started her shopping at 5:00 AM. Claims she got pretty good deals but then she has a lot of shopping - our family, John's family - the numbers add up.

I confess that I was tempted to shop - even went to the bank to get some $$$ - but then changed my mind and went for a walk instead. I gave Lauren some money to shop for Rosanne, Zachary, Gus and Creek - we have to put those in the mail soon.

My thing is give books, gift cards, gift certificates, give cash - supposedly, it is not fun to open those in opening on Christmas Day. A present is a present!The youngsters - Donna's children, Julie's children and my children used to tease me by shaking the books and pretend to guess what was inside.

Books can give and give for a life time not just Christmas.

Family Day - Thanksgiving 2007

Reflecting on this year's celebration, I have to say it was most relaxing. John picked me up at home on Wednesday night - Lauren's birthday. I bought her a new roasting pan and placed the uncooked turkey on top as a joke. I already gave her a cook book and a cutting board with matching trivet. She is not into cooking but it is a start. She works a lot of hours and has always been that way.

I woke up at 6:45 to fix the stuffing, stuff it in the turkey and put the turkey in the oven - had it all done by 7:30. I thought about Uncle Tasio doing the same thing when we spent thanksgiving with him. Of course my mother, Theresa did the same thing while we slept. I went back to bed! Lauren and John started to do the other fixings at about 9:30 AM. The usual fare - cranberry sauce, green beans, potatoes, corn, pumpkin pie. chips and dips, salad, etc.

Michael - Dominic's Dad called to wish Dominic a happy thanksgiving. Tatay and family called from California. I talked to my sister Jette Meehleib and family in Arizona and Rosanne and family in Alabama.

We are celebrating individually this year - last year, we celebrated at Michael's and Lauren and John were not able to come because John's family lives on the opposite side of town.

Leto and Manny arrived at about 11:00. They brought the pecan pie, poppy seed coffee cake and dinner rolls. I fixed the vegetarian fare for both of them - vegetarian stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, etc...

Larry came at 1:00 PM - we had our dinner. After dinner, Lauren, John and Dominic went to celebrate with John's family in Commerce Township. Manny was dropped off at his Grandma Sharon's to celebrate with Tracy's family. Larry, Leto and I went to Nicki's to be with Donna and her family. Donna was in charge of taking pictures but she forgot so please use your imaginations.

Nicki served her dinner at 6:00 PM. We visited and talked - Rosanne called at 8:00 PM. Manny was dropped off to be with us at 8:30. Lauren came back at 9:30. We visited with each other while picking on desserts and fruits. Nicki served some very sweet mango wedges and pineapple wedges. What gluttons we turn out on this day!

We all headed for home at about 10:30.

The left overs are still in the fridge - we will continue to eat whatever is left this weekend. I am a bit tired of it and thinking of cookin some rice today. Some fish to go with it sounds good right now.

Needless to say family days like thanksgiving are very full days with lots of travel and driving to get together with family.

I promise to take the Christmas pictures.

More From The Party

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Precious Baby Gus

This is Yohannan Auguste Rankine-Noke. He is the youngest of my grandchildren. He is a little bit bigger than this. I am looking forward to seeing him soon.

Rosanne's Children

Zachary all handsome and bright!

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Big Sister Jasmine, Zachary and Gus

They live in Mobile, Alabama. I don't see much of them. I miss them a lot!

More Pictures

Garrett and Alexander laying down on Dominic's trampoline. It is one of the best spots in Lauren's yard to take naps and read a book.

Random Pictures

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Pictures From The August Party

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