Congrats Mom

After 35 years working for Dr. Lombardi Mom finally retired. It's hard to think about Mom even being old enough to retire and looking at Mom she definitely doesn't look old enough but it's official. My brothers and I threw a retirement party for her last weekend that was supposed to be a surprise but uncle Eric spilled the beans months ago so Mom had to fake it. We were able to keep the guest list a secret so she was surprised by how many people were there and from how far. We had a cousin from Nebraska, aunt from Florida, friend from Oregon, uncle from Minnesota, my Godparents from Arizona and a ton of friends and family that still live in the area. Mom was touched as were my brothers and I. I'm so proud of my Mom for all of the hard work as a single Mom raising 3 boys into men. I couldn't have had a better example of hard work and dedication while never losing faith and always praising God for all of our blessings. You did it Mom! and we are so proud of you, now go enjoy retirement. At the party I made a joke about Eric getting 34% of your estate while Dan and I get 33% and while I was of course joking I hope to inherit 33% of 0 because I want you to spend every cent you have ever earned on enjoying your retirement and doing whatever makes your heart happy. Love you Mom.

Mom with aunt Kathy and uncle Ken. I know I inherited their bloodlines but I already look older than all 3.

  

Uncle Eric is hogging the mic and notice he has champagne and Danny and I have beer 

Robert, Danny Jr and my beautiful baby Michelle

 Now I know I drank a lot that night but I didn't think I was drunk enough not to remember the story I told my uncle and brothers. From the looks on their faces it must have been one hell of a story or I'm just good at telling stories.

Uncle Dan, uncle Ken, uncle Eric, uncle Mike, daddy and cousin JD

Ok so uncle Mike and I aren't even related by blood but I may have to have a serious talk with Mom and ask uncle Mike where he was in September of 1977 because other than him being like a foot taller then me it's like looking in a mirror. Ok maybe a mirror after I woke up from a long coma and turned grey. Either way it's nice to know I will still have style in my older years. 

                                          

Foul Balls and Fireworks

Daddy got his hands on the company Angel tickets so the entire family plus Bella got to enjoy the Angel game last weekend. The Angels lost but it was still a great time and we had the best seats I've ever had right behind the Angels dugout 4 rows up. It was a sunny day but we had a nice breeze and a lot of sunscreen. We snuck in some of our own goodies but I did by a couple micheladas for $37. We had a great time and this was the first time ever the whole Graham clan went to a game together. Usually Isella and I or me and 1 of or any combination of the girls go but never all of us together so it was definitely a family milestone.


Last Tuesday a few of Daddy's high school football buddies got together for a couple of beers and memories. Since Daddy doesn't do any kind of social media it was fun to catch up with a couple of friends I haven't seen in 20+ years. Nino still keeps in touch with everyone so he has become my version of Facebook. Whenever I wonder how someone is doing I just ask him. It was especially great to see Raul who moved away right after high school. You wouldn't guess it by the picture of Raul, Nino and I but we were 3 of the famous "Flab 5" offensive line who blocked for super bowl champion Reuben Droughns in high school. I had to cut out a little early since I had a long drive back to Riverside but I really hope we are able to do it again soon.


We stayed home for the 4th this year and enjoyed the awesome fireworks show in our neighborhood. Fireworks are illegal in Riverside so we didn't have any of our own but our neighborhood is known for having the best illegal fireworks. My neighbor across the street smoked a ton of meat and a lot of neighbors came by and we ate, drank and played Loteria. They even had prizes for the winners and even though I didn't win I came away with a bottle of booze because Michelle won a game.


Until next time....

SEE! I told you we had great seats!

Daddy, Raul and Nino

Grads and Dad

The second best day of the year next to Christmas just past and this Father's day was one for the record books. We had a graduation party for Michelle the night before so we had planned a simple, relaxing day. After my favorite breakfast of spam and eggs Isella, the girls and I sat and watched the entire season of Cobra Kai. Cobra Kai is a mini series based on the second generation of the Karate Kid. Ever since I heard of it I was obsessed and had to see it but it is on YouTube Red (whatever the hell that is) so I asked the girls to figure it out so I could watch it on Father's day. We watched the entire 10 episode season with a couple of bathroom breaks mixed in and it was amazing. Thank you girls for another spectacular Father's day and I already can't wait until next year.


We also had a couple grads in the suite this year with Michelle graduating from Arlington HS and Sophia promoting to high school. I am so proud of both of you girls and am so excited to see you conquer the next step of your lives. Sophie is going to be a freshman in high school next year and I know she is going to do great. I am so proud of Sophie for sticking up for a friend who had a bully draw a nasty picture in her yearbook and Sophie went up to this bully and told him that she would kick his ass if he did that again. SOPHIE YOU'RE AMAZING! Michelle is going to go to RCC next year to study the family biz Cosmetology. I could not be prouder of you girls and I am excited to see what God has planned for your future.

Michelle and I recreating a picture from a long time ago

Michelle with her friend

 Proud mom and dad with the grad

 I know it looks like it but I swear that I didn't wear the same shirt to both graduations

One of the table center pieces mom made for the party

Dad giving mom some sugar....sorry girls

Life is Sweet in the Suite

With the summer here the suite is booming with activity. We have a lot of graduations in the family this year. Robert, Danny and Michelle all graduate from high school this year and Sophia is promoting to high school. It's amazing how fast the time has gone, it seems like yesterday that we kissed Michelle goodbye on her first day of kindergarten and now she is graduating from high school. We are so proud of her. She has been through a lot over the last year and I couldn't be prouder of how she has not only hung in there but finished strong with good grades and even took a college class to get a head start. Other than graduations there is another holiday coming up that doesn't get as much publicity as other holidays but in my house is a huge celebration FATHER'S DAY!!! This year we are actually going to scale back on the festivities because of Michelle's graduation party the day before but I still anticipate an epic day. I am going to sit with my feet up and binge watch Cobra Kai. It is a series on the next generation of the Karate Kid. The girls are going to make sure that I have plenty of snacks and always have a tasty beverage until it is time to shower me with gifts. After Father's Day Isella and I have our 17th wedding anniversary, Sarah's birthday, Andrews birthday, Isella's birthday, mom's retirement party and finally Sarah's wedding in September. We should have plenty to blog about in the coming months so stay tuned.....

Here is baby Alexis thinking about what to get Papa for Father's Day

Michelle at her senior photo shoot. 

Hawaii Sucks!

OK I've never even been to Hawaii but I'm upset about my little brother who is going to be moving to Hawaii in August. I am happy for Janelle to be able to be close to her family but that means we lose them and it's not like we can hop in the car to go see them. My little niece Zoe still hasn't warmed up to me and is still afraid of me and now that she will be in Hawaii I'm afraid she will never love her uncle :( Little Daric who is my namesake, well at least 50% my namesake is going to grow up without knowing where the first half of his name comes from. My little brother Danny named Daric after me and our older brother Eric, so DAR for Daryn and RIC for Eric. At least my name comes first :) With all of the girls in my life I was looking forward to doing stuff with my little nephew. I love my brother and wish him the best but I am going to miss him and the family.

Little Daric flexin for the ladies!

Look at those shoulders, he's definitely a wrestler 

 Daric after a hard days work

Welcome to the Family Lola

As much as Isella and I said we would not get another dog, we broke down and couldn't resist when we saw little Lola. I definitely didn't want another pug but I guess we are just a pug family that lives the "PUG LIFE"