Romee shows Benji what to do with the pieces of the puzzle, which often end up in his mouth.
Romee has a great sense of humor, in spite of her young age.
Between her enchanting time with books, Romee is a high energy little girl who loves to run, seems to be interested in everything, and learns quickly with a rapidly increasing vocabulary.
More reading with Gramma Rikki
Romee tries out the cold water at Donner Lake.
“Are you coming into the water?”
I continue to feel deep gratitude for all of you who were so supportive during those precarious stages of Romee’s early life with the heart surgery right after her birth.
Pure joy!
On June 14th, there was a big turnout of demonstrators from the tiny town of Truckee with lots of creative signs.
Tom, Barrett’s dad, came to visit. The kids were enchanted with Grandpa Tom.
I love being Gramma Rikki
I had no idea that being a grandma would bring me so much joy.
Oh my goodness Erica…..SO MUCH JOY SURROUNDING YOU AND ALL YOUR BELOVED FAMILY,!!!
You know what it’s like be grandparents. It brings so much joy. I saw the joy it brought you in the photos you shared with me.
Dear Erica
How lovely to see Romee and Benji. They are such beautiful children and in one photo Romee looks endearingly mischievous! You are obviously relishing being a grandmother…you look so happy!
I am so excited about Memoir 3 and hope it will be released in the UK.
Lots of love Hermina
Dear Hermina,
How lovely to hear from you. Thank you for your comments. Yes, Romee is full of mischief!!! She is also very excited about life, what’s to learn everything, runs instead of walks, and has endless energy. Who would ever guess that she had open heart surgery at birth? Memoir #3 is in the final stage of editing. I think it will be finished and published in about two months, if all goes well. I hope it will get to the UK. I think of you fondly. Lots of love, ERica
Oh Erica! ..Oh Rikki… Those two are just delicious…bright eyed, glowing -peachy-skin and the obvious curiosity factor fully engaged in both of them. And You! your delight and big love shining with the sheer joy you are experiencing. Being a grandmother is indescribable, isn’t it?
I am so happy for all of you.
xxxooo
Sidney (“Sabin” – my grandma name)
I would love to hear about your grand children sometime!! Thanks so much for your message. I always love hearing what you have to say. Warm hugs, Erica
Happy Birthday Erica!
Fabulous pictures, adorable family.
Looks like Fun!
Love, Rebecca
What a great to hear from you, Rebecca!! Sending much love, Erica
My heart sings with your grandmotherly joy! Your delight illuminates your face- what a gift you offer to your family. Be well! And I hope you have many more visits with Romee and Benji soon.
So lovely to hear from you, Lisa!! You know what it’s like to be a grandma!! Warm hugs, Erica
Erica, Thank you forsharing this special time and photos. Romee and Benji are are such beautiful children. They glow with health and joy, as do you.
Look forward to seeing you soon.
Much love, Sara
Can’t wait to see you, Sara!!! ❤️
<3 <3 <3
I think of you fondly, Geertje. I hope you’re thriving!!
I think of you fondly, Geertje! I hope you’re thriving. Love always, Erica
Happy birthday, Erica! May your new “birthday year” be filled with everything good. It was certainly off to a great start, being able to spend it with Barrett an his family.
It was worth the wait for the update on Romee and Benji. Both are adorable and beautiful (those eyes! that hair!). Their happiness is reflected in their little faces (as yours is in your face). Thank you for taking time to write an update and for including the terrific pictures.
I can’t wait until the third installment of your memoir debuts, and I eagerly look forward to reading the medical mysteries book you’re about to embark upon writing. You do, indeed, have fascinating stories to tell!
Sending you and yours lots and lots of love,
Janet
Thank you for your lovely comment, Janet!! I’m sending you lots and lots of good wishes and many blessings. Love, Erica
A birthday with kids and grandkids. It doesn’t get any better than that. Well, yes there was one big putrid sore. I hope you could take comfort in the protesters.
Happy belated birthday.
So lovely to hear from you, Jane. I think about you a lot and pray that you are doing as well as possible. You are a beautiful spirit. Love always, Erica
How beautiful and heartwarming to see the photos and read the stories about your family! What a blessing! I also can remember how exhausted I was by raising – as a single mother – 3 Kids and studying Economics at the same time. Being a parent requires a lot of Energy and strengh. Looking forward to your new book, dear Erica! With love, Traude
It always brings a smile to my face to hear from you. Thank you for your kind words, Traude. I didn’t realize you were a single mother–with three kids. Wow!! Amazing! i love reading your blogs. You lead such an exciting life with all your walking/hiking adventures. I hope our paths cross again. Love and hugs, Erica
Hi Erica – Linda Williams here from Denver. Such beautiful grandchildren who exude joy, confidence, curiosity, and love – all attributes taught to them by their family! And what a great photographer who is able to capture it all so very well. I can’t think of a better way for a grandmother to have spent her birthday!
It has been a joy to be able to follow their inspirational journey over time which truly exemplifies the power of love.
All the best to you! Can’t wait to read the third of your trilogy.
What a big treat to hear from you, Linda. I still think of you fondly and admire the person you are. Thank you for all those kind words. I hope you will enjoy my third memoir when it’s finally published. It’s about my trajectory through the world of medicine, including medical school, residency, work in a remote clinic taking care of Hispanic and Navajo patients, and then the story takes off onto an unusual path. Your feedback will be important to me. Sending you love and a big hug, Erica
I made nice comments on Facebook. Here’s my off the wall comment. THAT GRASS!!! Wow! I doubt they use any forbidden substances on it. Feed and weed,for example.
You caught that! I’m impressed. I have talked to them about those subjects. They don’t use feed and weed because that part of the yard, under the play structure, is turf. I told them I would pay them to have it removed. They said it was a less toxic kind of turf. I’m still looking into this matter, but I have to be careful about not interfering too much.
I love reading these updates and especially seeing the photos. Erica, if you did nothing more than beam your joy and happiness into the world you would be making a huge contribution to the whole. Both of your precious grandchildren have inherited their grandma’s intrinsic contribution, doubling and tripling it in uncountable ripples which reverberate into the cosmos and to the farthest star. Thanks for sharing the blessing of your love with me and those others who read your posts. Love always, Daniel
What a treat to her from you, Daniel! Your words touch my heart. I have such fond memories of you. Sending you much love and warm hugs, Erica
Happy Birthday Erica!! So much love to YOU and yours and thank you for the share. Can’t wait for installment 3#. Micaela
Thanks so much, Micaela! Much love, Erica
Dear Dr. Erica — So happy you have made another trip around the sun. What a blessing to be able to spend time with your lovely grandchildren in a beautiful place!
Thank you, Arlene. I am full of gratitude. Many blessings, Erica
Such a happy grandmother and lovely photos!
Lore
Thank you, Lore!! ❤️
I love seeing these photos Erica! You look so radiant! 🙂 I’m looking forward to your next books.
Thanks so much, Suzanne! I think of you fondly.
What beautiufl little beings these are! and LOve the photos of Danni and Barrett and you. A great radiant family!! sooooo happy for you dear Rikki.xxo
love the current book title!
I’m relieved you like the new book title, It was hard for me to find a title that I liked. Thank you for your kind words about the photos. I’m looking forward to seeing you and Kenn sometime. Love always, Gramma Rikki
What a treat to see you and such beautiful children living surrounded by nature. Makes me smile deeply. I so enjoy these posts. Carol
I’m grateful for your kind words. I think of you and wonder how you’re doing in your new living situation. I have a feeling it’s going well. Sending you much love and hugs, Erica
Such wonderful news and photos! Those kids are so beautiful and full of life! …And Happy belated Birthday!
Also, I’m so excited for your next book. Can’t wait.
Much love always, Kelly
Thanks so much, Kelly!! I’ll let you know when memoir #3 comes out. I think of you fondly. Much love always, Erica
Those children are so beautiful! Lucky you. I love Truckee and would be a great place to live, My inlaw lives there. I like the title you choose for your book. Blessings and kindness for you, Jim
It’s always such a treat to hear from you, Jim. I miss you. I hope you’re thriving–in spite of these times we live in. Much love always, Erica
Dear Erica, What a wonderful way to spend your birthday! The children are so precious and I always look forward to reading your wonderful blog posts about them.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A WONDERFUL FRIEND AND DOCTOR!
Love, Patty
p.s. I love your new title. Can’t wait to read #3 and #4! You are a terrific writer!
Aw! Thank you so much for those kind words, Patty!! Love always, Gramma Rikki
Happy belated birthday, fellow Gemini, mine was the 18th. Loved all of the amazing photos of Romee and Benji. They are such beautiful children….old souls! I’m looking forward to memoir #3 and counting the time until Book #4 comes out. I definitely want to get them both. Thanks for being such a beautiful light in all of our lives.
Thank you, Cynthia. Happy belated birthday to you too, fellow Gemini. I hope you did something enjoyable for your birthday. I appreciate your kind words. I will let you know when the third memoir is published. Sending you lots of good wishes, Erica
What beautiful children, both looking so healthy. Gorgeous scenery and a more than happy Grandma make a perfect picture. So glad that all is going very well for you all!
Thank you so much for your kind words and your good wishes. Many blessings, Erica
Love seeing photos of healthy and happy family! Thank you for sharing. Look forward to the next memoirs. So enjoyed your first 2 books. What a mountain climber you were! Amazing stories.
Thank you so much, Debbie, for those kind words. I let you know when my third memoir gets published. I’m so happy you enjoyed the first two, Many good wishes, Erica
Excellent pictures as always and a good title.
Thanks very much!
Erica,
I lived and my son was born in Truckee. I built many log homes there in the 80s. Nice to see you and Donner lake again.
Your son was born in Truckee??!! And you built many log homes there? Wow, Tim! I had no idea. You’ve led a very full and fulfilling life. Love and hugs, E
Your babies are adorable!
Thank you, Linda! xxox E
Totally delighted and enchanted with your birthday visit with Romee, Benji, Danni and Barrett! Thanks for sharing these photos with all of us and a special thanks for being such a special and ecstatic Gramma Rikki. We are so happy that you are all so happy… What the world needs now is our joy! ❤️❤️❤️
Love and gratitude, Gramma Didi
Dear Gramma Didi, Thank you for kind words. Yes, the world needs our joy, indeed! See you soon. Love you, Gramma Rikki.
Erica, the children are beautiful, glowing with health, vitality, curiosity, and embracing their world with open arms.
Actually, that’s the way you look when you are with them: full of joy and a sense of wonderment at their being.
Hi, to Tom, too.
Thank you so much, Faith, for those kind words. I will let Tom know that you said hi. He will be pleased. I love running into you on the trail. Warm hugs, Erica
Wonderful pictures, dear Erica. Wonderful that Romee and Benj are so close in age to be companions. Wonderful the natural environment they are growing up in.
Wonderful too that the book project is moving along.
Thank you, Chris. I appreciate your kind words, as always. I think of you fondly. Much love and hugs, Erica
Your babies are absolutely beautiful, Erica. Their spirits glow through these photos. I am thrilled for you and your dear family. Isn’t it a joy witnessing Barrett be a dad! I love that with Max. My love and care for you always, Karen
It’s so lovely hearing from you, Karen. Thank you for those kind words. Yes, it’s so great seeing our sons as dad.I miss you and think of you fondly! Love, Erica