The ABC's - All 'Bout Christopher

Greetings!  Once again, I've been derelict in my blogging duties, with my last post being in April, 2011 about three of my sweet grandkids when I visited them in New Mexico.  Oh, how I love to re-read my blogging posts, and savor the wonderful memories, but boy, I have such a tough time doing the actual blogging!

I have been thinking about this "ABC" blog for ages because I wanted to honor Christopher (and yes, it took all summer to work up the required energy!).  It has been a big year for him, so this All 'Bout Christopher blog seemed perfect.

First off, as any sentimental Mom would want to do, I have to say, how did my baby turn 18 and graduate this year? Where did the time go?   Here's the oldest picture I could retrieve easily (since it's framed in my office) without going through thousands of pictures in the totes in my office closet.  Look at this sweet baby!

  4th Birthday - 1998

This picture was taken in St. George in March, 1998 on Christopher's fourth birthday, only six months after he came to our family.  He was wearing the special birthday visor made by his pre-school teachers (he was so proud of it!), new three piece sweat suit for his birthday and his new watch that matched.  He was always so adorable, sitting at our bar where he was getting ready to eat his favorite for his birthday dinner . . .  mac and cheese, of course!  He usually asked me to add colored marshmellows to it like I did the day he came to live with us!  Such fun memories.

It seems like just yesterday when he was a cute faced kindergartener sitting in a big chair reading to his classmates while they were gathered on the floor in a semi-circle below him. I have a picture of this sweet scene but it's too hard to find since it was before I went digital so you will have to imagine it in your mind . . .  

Okay, enough for the past.  Can't you just hear him saying, "Thank heavens!" This past year marked many milestones for him:

 

March, 2012:  Christopher's 18th Birthday: 

The long awaited 18th birthday arrived, and what a special treat it was for Christopher to be able to celebrate this birthday 2 days early with his Papa!  I had flown to Washington State to help Dad drive to Texas where he had decided to relocate, so we stopped in Riverside on the way so we could be with Christopher for his birthday and have a few days rest.  There's a great Greek restaurant nearby and we brought in yummy Greek food to celebrate!

 

And here's the birthday boy:

 

April, 2012 - Senior Prom:

The following month was his senior Prom, which was the first school sponsored dance he attended during his high school years.  He and his girlfriend of one year, Hailey, eagerly anticipated and planned for his prom for months.  Well, to be fair, I should say she planned and they both anticipated.  I, of course, couldn't wait to take the pictures.  Because he hadn't had a high school graduation picture taken, which is a long story best left unexplained, one of my goals was to capture the perfect photo of him in his tux that we could always look back to and use as his senior photo.   And here it is . . .  Isn't he the cutest?  (P.S.  What a nice memory as his Mom to take his senior picture).

 

Christopher's Senior Picture

 

Then we took a bunch of pictures right outside my apartment. Aren't they the cutest couple?  And so perfectly color coordinated!    Of course, that was Hailey's doing!  : )

 

 

 Had to get a picture with this beautiful door as the background.

 

 

And then, off we went.  There is the most beautiful place close to where I live called Riverwalk. It has a mile of meandering streams, ponds and a gazebo area with a waterfall and lots of trees.  I love to walk there and look at birds and take pictures.  So off we went to photograph Christopher and Hailey.  I had just started taking professional pictures there a few months earlier so had already scoped out some of the best spots.  As a matter of fact, after I shot Hailey and Christopher, I had another family waiting!  Crazy but very rewarding and fun day!

 

Pictures were over and it was time for them to head off to meet 18 friends in a party bus to go to the Monte Carlo themed Senior Prom.  They had a great time.

 

May, 2012 - High School Graduation:

The following month was his long anticipated high school graduation on 5/31/2012.  His senior year marked his third and final year at John F. Kennedy Middle College High School in Norco, only about 5 miles from us. While it's the largest middle college high school in the US, it's also very small and intimate with only 750 students and a graduating class of about 250 students. It's unique in that he had to apply and be accepted plus the HS is on the campus of Riverside Community College (RCC) and the electives consist only of college classes.

 

The students go back and forth between HS and college classes all day. Kids roam the campus freely because they are trusted and respected, very different than the 3,800 student HS he came from with security guards and detention if you are ever caught out of class. All the kids get to know each other and have a much more enjoyable HS experience. Unfortunately, California had a budget crisis when he entered HS and many college classes were eliminated. Prior to the funding crisis, he should've been able to complete his AA degree during his HS years, but we are very thankful that he graduated with 20 college credits and with honors also! 

 

Graduation day has finally arrived.  Here he is walking up to his seat with his small graduating class.

 

It was a very hot Southern California day - at least in the mid 90's.  I packed lots of icy water and everyone clamored for a place in the shade (except for those crazy people in the sun in the picture!)  But it had to have been pretty warm for the fully dressed graduates under those hot gowns! 

His graduation was held at nearby Norco High School since JFK doesn't have a football field. 

 

 

It was finally his turn to be called up to get his diploma.  Hold on to that cap!  Don't you remember worrying about it slipping and falling off your head?  I still do 30+ years later!
 

It was so nice because the students got special recognition for their accomplishments as each of their names were read.  As Christopher was walking up, the announcer said, (drum roll, please . . .)

"Christopher Thorpe Clemmer,

Graduating With Honors,

20 College Credits Completed,

Continuing on at Riverside Community College."

 

It was over so quickly.  Following are some pictures of our new graduate. Isn't he the cutest? And smartest, also!  Please note his signature red tie which has always been his favorite and the candy lei.  I wanted to buy him a flower lei but he was so practical and didn't want it, so he got this one candy lei instead.



And we couldn't miss the pictures with the proud parents (who are also a tad bit short, wouldn't you say, compared to our six foot tall son?)

 

Then, it was off to PF Chang's, Christopher's favorite restaurant, for his favorite dinner of lemon scallops.  Christopher is wearing his new white shirt which was monogrammed with his "CTC" initials.  This shirt was an 18th birthday gift from a very special man, Jim Chambers, who is our Home Teacher from church who watches over us and comes to visit at least once each month.  He has always worn monogrammed shirts and wanted Christopher to have one to start his adult life.  What a great place to wear it,  at his high school graduation! (And what an amazing coincidence  that
Christopher had his arm raised in such a great pose so we could see the monogram!!)

Of course, Hailey was with us enjoying the yummy food and festivities.

 

And afterwards, we had to have frozen yogurt for dessert to end a hot and fun summer day.  Yum.

 

The day after graduation, it was back to JFK for his final time to turn in his cap and gown set. And, of course, it was a perfect opportunity for a picture with his diploma with his great school as a backdrop. : )

 

One last very fun and important addition to Christopher's life . . .       He was also adopted last year by a sweet puppy who showed up at his house.  After posting signs around the neighborhood, and holding his breath that no one would respond, he named her "Cookie".  She quickly found a way into his heart. 

She is a miniature pinscher and chihuahua mix with a ton of energy who wriggles with delight whenever he is around,

and who always wants to be picked up and snuggled. 

And, guess what? She always gets her wish!

Cookie loves her Uncle Champ and had a blast celebrating his fourth birthday with him at his favorite park in April.  They love to run and play together and even smell the same smells wafting about:

But the best part was helping him open his gifts and figure out his new puzzle with treats hidden underneath the movable slots.  Her long snout gave her a decided edge.
 

Any more treats, toys or fun?

 

So, what is in Christopher's future?  He has been working part-time for the past 18 months for a medical billing office doing various clerical tasks.  He started college at RCC two weeks ago and currently is taking 15 general education units.  At this point, he wants to transfer to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, more commonly known as Cal Poly Pomona, which is about 45 minutes away, into their well acclaimed engineering program.  He plans to be an electrical engineer. 

 

I'm so proud of the decisions he has made thus far in his life to graduate from high school with honors and to continue on to college towards an engineering degree.  He has a wonderful future ahead of him and I love him dearly.
   

GREAT JOB,
 

CHRISTOPHER!  : )

Champ's First Blog - "Puppies are the Best"

My name is Champion Thorpe Clemmer.  Everyone calls me Champ. 

Today, September 3, 2010, is my two year anniversary with my wonderful human family.  I was five months old when I came to live with them.  Mommy asked me to write this blog since it was about me, and I am the expert, you know.

And just to warn you, Mommy loves to take pictures of me.  She has thousands.  Really.  She says I'm the guinea pig (is that like a puppy?) because I'm so cute and always happy.  It's all  Cory and Christopher's fault.  They won't let her anywhere near them with a camera.  So you'll get to see many pictures of me in my blog.  But don't let Cory fool you.  He likes to take pictures also as you can see here.

Cory and Mommy rescued me from a crazy place with lots of dogs, most of them scary and mean, a bunch of horses and lots of dirt out in the middle of nowhere.  When Mommy and Cory came to pick me up, 30-40 dogs jumped on the fence and growled so much that they couldn't even get close to me.       

I didn't have a name then but had just been called Shih-Tzu.  Mommy was so sad and also mad that I hadn't had a name for five long months and realized I couldn't have been loved or pampered much.  She asked Cory to name me.  He named me Champ, which was just perfect for me.  Because I am a champ.  It didn't take them long to realize that I was a Champ for having survived five months without much love or attention. 

I was a very happy puppy when we drove away from my first home.  I was happy to be sitting on Cory's lap.  And my first snuggles with Mommy above were awesome.

The first night I was in the family we went to a cool place called Petsmart and I got so many fun things.  Here's a picture of me snuggling in my very own bed in the shopping cart.  This bed is still my favorite to this day.  They bought me piles of toys, treats, a crate, blankets and food.  I felt so loved that first night.  And Cory held me lots, which I liked a lot then.

I slept with Cory for the first few weeks and this was cool.  He and I were buddies.  I cried a lot at night when I was in my crate and I was pretty sick at first. 

When Cory and Mommy took me to the puppy doctor the next day, they were pretty disgusted when some ticks jumped off me onto the vet's table.  Plus the vet said I had eye infections, ear infections and a weird thing called demodectic mange.  This wasn't my fault, you know.  I didn't have a lot of loving before my family adopted me.

I have two big sisters, Sunshine and Sierra.  They are 80 pound Golden Retriever puppies.  I love playing with them and teasing them also. 

 

I also have another big brother named Christopher.  He plays with me a lot now and gives great baths, too.  I love picking him up from school and get really excited to see him.  He gave me an awesome bath tonight so I would be very handsome for my second anniversary tomorrow.

I didn't really like the time I went to the doctor and came home with less body parts and a weird thing around my head.  It was called being neutered and wasn't much fun.  They said it was for my own good but I didn't like the whole thing.  And this miserable blue pillow around my head wasn't good for sleeping with, either.  I didn't even feel like smiling in this picture, which is unusual for me.

 Cory was really my pal for a long time.  He played with me, took care of me and even snuggled with me.  I don't see him much any more and miss him.  He is very busy working out and wants to be a professional body builder.  He has humungus muscles and is now over six feet and 220 pounds.

My first Halloween was really fun except that Mommy dressed me up in a weird Halloween costume that said "Trick or Treat".  Luckily, it doesn't fit anymore so I don't think I'll be seeing it next month if I'm lucky.

Thanksgiving was also a fun time when I was a young puppy.  Even though I still had that stupid blue thing around my neck, I was very thankful to be in such a great family with so much love and attention.

My life is busy and full.  One of my favorite things to do is sleep.  And I sleep a lot.  Usually within a few feet from Mommy, wherever she may be.  I'm below her desk in this picture and her sneakers are on the floor from a recent walk.

I really love to go to the park and take walks.  When I first came to the family, I was very scared at the park.  My tail was always between my legs. Whenever someone would come towards me or come up behind me, I would stop and look around nervously.  We didn't get much walking done.  Everyone at the park was so nice to me and pretty soon I got more comfortable.

 

My first Christmas was a bomb.  I didn't realize how fun it was to get presents.  I got to have a sleepover with Auntie BK and had such a great time running around her humungus backyard with orange trees.  I take my toys with me everywhere I go.  This candy cane toy was one of my favorites until I tore it apart so much. Luckily, Mommy knows how to do surgery on my toys; I usually watch her intently as she is sewing them up again.  She says this is the only time she will ever do the "S" word, whatever that means.

I snuggled quite a bit with Mommy.  She liked it a lot.  I didn't.  I'm not a lap dog but like to stay at a distance.  But sometimes I give in and let Mommy snuggle me because I know she loves it so much. 

But after all that snuggling, I'm pretty pooped and like to hang out alone especially when it is quiet and I can rest my head on the nice quilted tree skirt thingAuntie Sharyn made for Mommy years ago.

Oh I forgot to show you this picture with the Thanksgiving pumpkin top atop my head. I  wasn't a happy camper but I was comfy on the leather couch.

 

That reminds me.  I think Mommy wanted a girl puppy.  Can anyone tell me why girls find it necessary to dress up boys with hair things and cute clothes?  I don't find it amusing, but try to be a good sport, nonetheless.

Mom says it's getting late and I should stop my story.  But I'm having so much fun and it's only two in the morning. Mom and I are alike in so many ways.  We are both night owls, hate to get up in the morning, love the wind blowing in our faces, love broccoli and cabbage, love bike riding and walking.  But before I end, I want to show you a few more cute pictures. I had barely covered my first year!

My favorite thing to do, beside sleeping, is playing with my toys.  The best toys squeak, loudly.  I play with them and squeak them so much that they usually lose their voice.  But I still love and play with them because I'm a very loyal puppy. 

When Mommy says it is time to go to bed, I always run back and find my favorite toy to sleep with during the night.  The blue toy was my first ever toy and is named "Mr Blue".  He has been re-sewn so many times and has lost his voice, but he is still my favorite.  And Mommy says I'm just like having a toddler around.  By the end of the day, my toys are scattered from one end of the house to the other.  And I have LOTS of toys.

I also love going to the park and running around.  Sometimes I will hide beneath a bench and stick my head out to say hi.  I also love rolling on my back and getting a good scratch.  Mommy and Auntie BK and I go to parks and look at birds and trees almost every weekend.

I have been to four states:  California, Washington, Oregon and Arizona.  Luckily for everyone, I am a very good traveler and love road trips.  Here I am driving though Oregon snuggled up on a blanket because it was raining and very cold. 

 Here's a picture on my first birthday, April 2, 2009. 

This is Mommy's favorite picture ever.

 I love to frolick in the grass and take walks most every day.  We have a neat place with lots of ducks, geese, birds, trees and even a small dog park very close to our home.  Aren't I so handsome?

 I like to explore in the pretty shrubs and flowers.

But sometimes a boys just needs alone time.  So I crawl under Mommy's accent table.  Even though I'm at 16 pounds now, I can still fit, but not as easily as when I was a 10 pound boy.  And sometimes I only go under part of the way.

  

Sometimes I play with my toys underneath or just poke my head out and watch the action. 

But I always come out happily.

 Life is good, very good.  I'm a very happy and thankful puppy.