Kim is a retired MRI technologist with a passion for gardening, art, working out, beekeeping, and volunteering. She married Mike and moved to California from Detroit to help raise her two stepchildren and now plays an active role in their lives. “Being a positive influence and modeling behavior for developing children while preparing them to be kind and productive adults is the most important thing any adult can do,” she says.

Mike is a hardworking senior vice president and general manager of a global company. After postings across the U.S. and Shanghai, he decided to move back to Auburn to help care for the grandkids “who still think we’re cool enough to hang out with.” Despite his workload, he manages to focus on family and plans to fly fish, kayak, and travel after retiring. Most of all, he’s looking forward to “hanging out at the pool with family.” His pool pals are Mikaila (12), an ace student who’s independent, emotionally intelligent, and athletic (she plays both volleyball and basketball); and Preston (10), the jokester in the family who loves music, video games, and playing football and basketball (he throws like a pro!). Often, instead of catching the ball, Grandma Kim must duck!
What’s the best part about being a grandparent?

Being involved and having an important role in shaping the kids’ values, morals, and personalities. We get to have fun with them and hopefully influence who they are becoming without the challenges of day-to-day life. We're able to focus on each child, listen to what they have to say and how they’re feeling, be a confidante, and be silly with them, while being a safe place to land when life becomes confusing.

How do you spend time with your grandkids?  
Day visits and sleepovers at our house, playing with our pets, swimming races, playing board games, watching movies, sushi dinners out, cooking together (Preston is a master griller), or just talking (the kids are always asking Grandma Kim for life stories). When having sleepovers on Tuesday nights, both kids join the Wednesday water aerobics class that Kim organizes for the neighborhood ladies. So, it’s two tall, lanky kids in the pool with Grandma Kim and the 70- to 85-year-old ladies bopping to Motown!

What lessons do you hope to impart to your grandchildren?
Be kind, be a hard worker, be polite, and ignore bullies—they’re mean because they’re sad. Keep active. Always face your fears and keep learning no matter how old you are. Granddad taught Grandma Kim to swim when she turned 50 and now, she’s a fish in water! When Grandma Kim shares her stories, she makes sure there are lessons to be learned—and somehow there are always laughs to be had, too.

Tell us a funny/poignant anecdote about your grandkids.
Grandma "Kim" took Mikaila for sushi and while the waiter was taking their order she exclaimed, “I love sushi—it’s my favorite food!” then proceeded to order chicken teriyaki.

Marilyn is a fourth-generation El Dorado County resident. She and Tom met at El Dorado High School and got together after two marriages each. Their blended family of six came together in 1985, and they’ve been in Placerville ever since. Marilyn retired from Marshall Medical Center and Tom retired as an El Dorado County Office of Education bus driver in 2014. Ever since, they’ve completed numerous home improvement projects. “We’re constantly fixing something or constructing something; we’re always buying a new tool!” says Marilyn. They’ve also embarked upon many road trips—including one to Alaska. Their children started their families young, which meant Marilyn and Tom became grandparents at 43 and great-grandparents at 68. Allison (31) is a loving mom and natural leader; Brittany (29) is outspoken, loves tattoos, and is a doting mom herself; Amy (27) is a friendly mom with a beautiful voice; Kimberly (26) is a soft-spoken Disney fan; Josh (21) is loving and wants to become a police officer; Zach (18) is energetic, creative, and autistic; and Henry (6) loves mechanics and is learning karate. Great grandbabies include Emma (5) who’s got red hair and a fiery personality to match; Jackson (5) who’s shy and loves tools and music; Melanie (1) who’s fearless, inquisitive, and isn’t sure about being a big sister; Westley (2 months) who loves when big brother Jack rubs his head; and Reign (2 months) who bites through binkies and isn’t too sure about big sister Melanie either.

What’s the best part about being a grandparent?
They keep us young and challenged. Each personality is different and interesting to know. We love that even at their current ages, we still have good relationships with them. I (Marilyn) am still one of their go-to people when they have issues.

How do you spend time with your grandkids?
The four girls live close by, so babysitting and activities are a constant: trips to the ocean, zoos, museums, cruises, camping, and many more excursions every year. Also, cooking and crafts at home and teaching them how to drive. Three of the girls lived with us for a while. We still meet for lunches and play dates. Now with the great-grandchildren, we go to the zoo, park, and play in the backyard.

What lessons do you hope to impart to your grandchildren?
Honesty, tolerance, kindness, understanding of others, and a good work ethic. It’s important that the girls, especially, respect themselves, be independent, and stand up for what they believe in. If you ask the kids, they’ll tell you: “You don’t lie and don’t curse in G’ma’s house.”

Tell us a funny/poignant anecdote about your grandkids.
We always talk about Grandpa’s babysitting skills. Like when he fell asleep, and the kids decided their hair was too long. They cut their hair and all the dolls’ hair before Grandpa woke up!

Marina retired six years ago after 20 years of homeschooling four sons through 12th grade. “[It’s] my biggest accomplishment!” she says with pride. All four even graduated from four-year colleges. She now spends her time alongside younger moms attending the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) program or with those going through the Grief Share program at their church. Steve retired this year—after 32 years primarily teaching English in public schools to immigrants and refugees—partly to be able to spend more time with his three grandchildren. He loves sports and learning new languages, which he says plays a part in “how I interact with my grandchildren.” The three babes include Lukas (2), an incredibly tech-savvy, active little boy who loves sports and is learning Spanish; Ellaline (5 months), the first granddaughter who’s full of giggles and loves watching his older brother Lukas; and Gabriel (3 months) who is basking in all the attention.

What’s the best part about being a grandparent?
Abuelito says grandparenting is the best of both worlds. I’m able to grow a relationship with them without all the sleepless nights, dirty diapers, and discipline! Oma totally agrees and will add how heart-warming it is to hear a little voice call out “Oma, Oma!”

How do you spend time with your grandkids?
We LOVE to hold and sing to our two youngest grandchildren, look at their faces, and marvel at their beauty. As for Lukas, it can range from reading books, to throwing rocks, shooting hoops, kicking a soccer ball, and blowing bubbles—all in the course of one packed afternoon!

What lessons do you hope to impart to your grandchildren?
Oma: I want them to learn how important it is to stop, be still, and listen to God speak. Mother Teresa said, “Out of the silence of the heart, God speaks.” I believe it’s important to hear His voice in this fast-paced, stressful world. They also need to learn how to have good coping skills to successfully navigate the pressure of life.

Abuelito: I want them to learn that their God-given feelings are very important…and to acknowledge and manage the especially difficult feelings of anger, fear, and sadness instead of neglecting them.

Tell us a funny/poignant anecdote about your grandkids.
While sitting on the shore of Lake Tahoe throwing rocks at a small buoy, Lukas wasn’t as able as his abuelito to hit their target. Abuelito wanted to help Lukas know that hard things can be accomplished if he keeps trying. So Abuelito said: “sí se puede” (meaning “yes you can”). Sure enough, when Abuelito threw the next few rocks, Lukas responded: “sí se puede.”