A NEW ADDITION

JUNE 28, 2007

We got the news this morning at 4:30 AM PDT that our baby Stephanie who is expecting her first child in November saw that a GIRL will be entering into the family. Congrats to Stephanie and Aaron who have proved to just about everyone was wrong when they got married almost 3 years ago when he was 19 and she just turned 18. Not only have they made it together as well as I've seen by a young couple, they have seemed to make great decisions in their life choices. Aaron comes from a military family background so it really wasn't a great surprise that he is in the US Navy. If memory serves me correctly, and for those who really know me, know at times that can be a big problem,(CRS) Aaron's first choice was the Air Force, but Stephanie wasn't too crazy about the idea of Aaron flying around at Mach 2. Then when he thought about going into the Navy Seals, Steph almost had the baby right then and there. So, like any smart and great couple they compromised and Aaron is working with BOMBS. How special.

Since Stephanie was 8 when she came into my life Kim and I knew she would make a great Mom. She would play Mommy with her Barbies all day with Barbie (The Ho) carrying a baby around most of the time. As she got to be a teenager, "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH" she would baby sit all the time and whenever we went anywhere the littles ones would flock to her. Over the past three years I believe Stephanie was trying to please everybody but her. a little schooling, working, sometimes both at the same time, she just didn't seem to be as happy as when she was holding a baby. Very much like her Mother is today. My advise Stephanie is to continue to follow your heart and be the best Mom you can be. ( I Hope She's Just Like Herself and MOM.

So that's the story. Updates to follow.(Nice call Jaime)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Good Evening Everyone, (it's actually after midnight PDT) but I thought it would be real nice to wish all you Dad's out there a Happy Father's Day. Those above the text are just some of the Dad's I know who give their hearts and souls to their children and the rest of their families. If you care to share some of your great picture moments, just send to me at rsmcloser@cox.net or send a picture text to 702-743-8098.

It was tremendous hearing from all my children today and spending some real quality time with Matt and Jaime as we made our first venture into the "Kohen's" sacred swimming area this year. Usually we find Phil throwing Matt into the pool but he escaped his yearly beating when The "Big Guy" and that's not me, decided that Jaime might enjoy being flipped over a couple of times.

It felt good calling Russ to wish him a Happy Fathers Day before he could call me. He is truly a great Dad, and all his and Dani's efforts for Rex and Carli are what I hope Aaron and Steph, who will be celebrating all sort's of firsts this year, go in with the same comittment as they have.

Thank you Barb for your call and lengthy conversation about the do's and dont's from a complaing, somewhat middle aged, fool at times. Your advise and comments were right on and followed to the letter. Again Thanks.

Stephanie, my favorite mother to be, was visiting her grandparents in South Jersey. Father's Day for her and Matt will come each year with a never ending period of grief since their Dad and my friend Michael passed away a year and a half ago. I could never replace Michael, nor would I want to, but both Steph and Matt know where I stand with them and as long as I'm still kicking and screaming, I've got their back. My Dad has been gone for 43 years and there hasn't been one day since then that I can't recall what my last words to him. "Happy Birthday POP". He died on his 50th birthday, just one day before my parents 25th wedding anniversary. So, Matt and Steph, if you read this, you know I share your grief. Remember on his birthday you celebrate his life, not his passing.

Last but not least, I also heard from my favorite niece Laura, and my almost daughter Valerie. I talked to Chris on his birthday Friday, I thought I missed the day and from my brother Happy who missed my birthday for the last 2 years, I really didn't expect to hear from today, but I wish you too brother a good father's day, not a great one, because I know that can never be. I'm so sorry about that you can not imagine.

For, Randy (dad) my oldest friend in Vegas, for JJ my (dad)partner in so many ways, for Scott(dad), where's the beef? for Gary(dad), I won't root against the Mets in Denver,and of course for Phil(dad) who will find the "Secret to the Conspiracy", I bid you all once again a Happy and Healthy and Wealthy Fathers day 2007.

Rich

IT'S BEEN A WHILE

Hello to all. Yes it has been a while since my last posting. Actually close to two months have past since the "Birthday" blog and it never ceases to amaze me that so much happens to this family in such a short period of time. The funny thing is that every time I plan to sit at the computer to do this something else interferes with the posting. Where to begin. Let's start with my favorite topic, "The Little Ones" and now the "Other Little One" on the way. First Rex and Carli. May 11th Carli turned two. Unfortunately her Dad has already trained her to say "Yea Big Papi", and for those of you who don't follow the "SOOOOOXXXXXX!" Big Papi is not me. It's David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox, the famous "Evil Empire" haters from Boston, Ma. I am also Big, and I am also known to some as "POP-POP, but certainly not Big Papi. I sure hope when I get to see Carli real soon, she will be able to see that I am younger, stronger, better looking and I can switch hit ( ooh that sounds terrible ) from both sides of the plate. (Gees, that sounds even worse). Rex, my big boy, is already 4 and 1/2 as of April 27th, and he already knows that New York has a better team than those hated Yankees. My goal is for Rex to say "Lets Go Mets" before the 2007 World Series, Mets vs. Sox, which we will be watching together!!!!!!!

My baby Stephanie felt her baby for the first time this week. Probably scared the ____ out of her. We will find out at the end of this month whether we will be buying pink or blue. Jaime, has looked into the future, as only she could, and predicted a girl. So everybody who is going to attend Stephanie's baby shower here in L.V. on September 9th should all get "BLUE'' gifts. Kim will be going to Norfolk on or about October 15th to prepare for the big event. More likely than not, Aaron will on deployment at that time, so Kim, don't twist her arm, will be there for assistance, and everybody who knows Stephanie, knows that she will need all the help she can get. Love you baby.


Another piece of good news is the return of the youngest son Matt from completion of his studies at Job Corp in Reno NV. The highlight of his stay according to him,was the vocational training that actually kept him away from the facility. He says the place is like a "Detention Center" away from home. Most youth that are placed in Job Corp are court assigned. We didn't know that, so he tells us that at times, it was a pretty scary place. However, he certainly did learn how to take care of himself, complete his program, get the credits for his GED and prepare him for a great future. His immediate plans are still are a little unclear, There's a girlfriend in Pahrump, but one thing is certain and that is, the young boy who left here in January has come back a young man whose head is on straight and is going in the right direction. I'm sure Michael, would be as proud of him as we all are here.

Russ and Dani are fabulous. They recently sold their home in Chandler and can now finally settle in their new home in the northern part of Phoenix without having to pay 2 mortgages. Now, maybe Russ can watch his beloved SOOOOOOXXXXXXXX in his own home rather than sneaking outside his neighbors window and watching the highlights on ESPN. Dani, be careful where you step from now on,you guys don't need any more casts this year. Kim and I should be visiting in the next few months and we hope to give you guys a little alone quality time, well deserved.

Barb's birthday is coming up this month on June 25th. She will be 34 but doesn't look a day over 21. That's a good dad for ya. We haven't talk to each other a whole lot lately but if she is as busy as I have been so long it's taken me to do this posting, we really understand. Happy Birthday Barb from the Vegas side of the family.

Jaime is coming off her own birthday celebration, her 24th, this past May 5th. She flew back to NJ for a short visit and some home cooking. She eats here a lot, because number one, it's free and number two, the traffic is miserable coming home from work at that time of day. She also says the foods not too bad here either. It's been a difficult first part of the year for Jaime at work. After setting and breaking most of the company first year sales records, this year has been just a little tougher. However, she seems to be back on track and it wouldn't surprise me to see some more records broken by the end of the year. Jaime has become my movie partner and we see many more movies than most people. We don't always agree about each movie but one thing is absolutely for sure, nobody makes Kettle Corn better than the South Point Cinema.

Kimberly has found a new hobby. She has starting to crochet everything in sight. She started with baby stuff for Steph but is now doing everything from sweaters to rugs and shawls and whatever anybody asks for. She is on summer break from her Judiaism classes and Bugsy,Doc,Sandy and Closer plus about 20 tropical fish keep her plenty busy. Besides it's a better hobby than palm tree dancing. She did however make a another attempt at the podium position at the Grandview which I believe she will ultimately get and end up working there by 2009. Maybe I'll retire then, and let her bring home the bacon.Hmmmmm.

Speaking of the Grandview, many changes since April. I now have my own "Line" and continue to hire and train new people as we speak. Phil and I hope to have 15 people on each of our teams by no later than Phil's birthday on July 5th. This will be the first time in a quite a few years that I won't be soaking in his pool on or around "the 4th". I am going out of town for a few days of R&R. Working in Timeshare takes a lot of patience and dealing with rejection. Personally, I find it a lot easier, than my buddy Phil, who stresses may outweigh the pleasures of it's financial rewards. He introduced me to "The Secret", the widely popular book by Rhonda Byrne that is sweeping the nation. In it's most simplistic form, it's the way you approach your life. The "Laws of Attraction" says, that what you put out to the universe is what will come right back at you. Nothing new here to anybody who already has a positive outlook on life. The secret to "The Secret" is to practice the secret, which is I must say is easier said than done. If you want to know more about "The Secret", there is a direct link to the secret on www.lakeskiwanis.blogspot.com. That site was created by the multi- talented, the same Phil Kohen, whom I mention here from time to time. He and Ilene are the founding members of the Lakes Kiwanis Club in Las Vegas. They started it in 1999 and Kim and I have been members for the past 5 1/2 years. Kiwanis, for those who do not know, is a worldwide service organization to improve children's lives all over the world one child at a time. We have weekly meetings, service projects, and social get together's'with some really great people. Check out our most recent posting at the address above and feel free at any time to post comments or suggestions or events that you would like Las Vegas to know about or anything else you would like, but sorry, it must come with a "G" rating.

Well that's about it for tonight. Don't miss Shrek the Third at a theater near you. Once again, they asked me to play the lead role but I was too busy selling those Timeshares to anybody who would listen.

Good night all.

Rich