The Wee Ones

Happy Birthday Emmy

2010-04-07T06:47:00.000-07:00

Today is a special day. This day my first grandchild was born ten years ago. Hard to believe time has flown so fast.

Emma is a sweet and loving young lady. She always has a smile for me and is such a soft hearted little girl.

So thoughtful and sweet. Growing into a young lady so quickly.

Adores her daddy......

and her sister.

She loves her cousins and is so kind and patient with them.

Just look how they all crowd around her while having a snack and making silly faces on my computer.

Oh Emma your mommy would be so proud of the beautiful little spirit you are today. Happy birthday my love.

Off With The Fencing!!

2010-03-17T05:51:00.000-07:00

I remember how I felt when my braces came off at fifteen. It felt so smooth and I thought my teeth were huge and long after seeing them cut in half by a silver brace. Well Emmy served her time for now with her braces. This is a documented event of the day her barbed wire fencing came out of her mouth.

Here she sits waiting anxiously for the big event.

Oh yes glee is shining through.

Little did she know the torture they would put her through. I guess they want to make you look strange before looking at how pretty your teeth are.

O.K. open wide. No reason to choke on this huge thing. Poor girl!

Awww! Off at last. Torture over.

So even though she had braces it only straightened her four front teeth. She lost all the rest except the back two molars during braces. Ha ha! She cracks me up. She still looks lovely though.

Another Soccer Star

2009-10-12T05:36:00.000-07:00

Last year Emma played soccer and we could see how much she had learned about the game. This year she just seems to have really blossomed. On Sunday we watched her play and it was such fun to see all the action.

Here you can see her on the left going after that ball with such a determined look on her face. Watch out little girl in blue.

I love this action shot with the grass flying from their cleats. Crash!!

She looks like she is thinking pretty seriously about the next move here. She did great and we look forward to next weekends game.

I love soccer.

New Assistant Coach

2009-10-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

Lucy has decided she wants to play soccer this fall. In the four year old age group they have four practice/game sessions falling on Tuesdays.

The soccer star. She told me she was brave. Of course this was after the game while driving home. Bravery is easier when you are eating your snack and in a warm car with no other soccer stars around.

Last nights game was spent helping her coach. This is what we saw.

Yes coach. You tell them.

Might be just a bit boring here. "Let's move!"

Oops!

Oops again. I don't know why she was doing this but I have about ten pictures of the hand over the mouth. What a crack up.

So maybe I can walk on these cool orange cones to kill the coaching time.

Yay! Finally done...daddeeeey!

These Crack Me Up

2009-09-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

Little Eyes

More Little Eyes

From

Little Man Is Four Today

2009-08-31T20:44:00.000-07:00

It is so hard to believe that Byron is four today. Time has flown and this much awaited birthday finally arrived.

He has been talking about his birthday for months now and informed me a week or so ago that he was going to turn five, not four. He wanted five candles, not four. Five presents, not four. I wonder what we will do when he finally turns five.

His mommy baked cupcakes with him today and he got to have some fun gifts like a new fishing pole. We will be joining him for a jet boat ride on the Rogue River this Friday for his birthday and mine. Should be a fun outing.

I just love this little boy. Is he not the most adorable little guy? He is a busy little ball of wind one minute and a snuggly little love the next.

Oh and a silly little tease. Happy birthday my little man. I love you.

Fairy's Live Here

2009-08-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

Emma and Lucy were using their imagination while I was busy in the house and here is what they came up with.

I remember as a child I would imagine and dream about fairies and little villages. Emma and Lucy gathered together things they would need to make a little fairy house. Now all we need to do is wait for the fairy to come move in.

Here is the little house up close and personal. Wouldn't you like to live here? I would.

Clever Emma cracked an almond and used the shell for the little bed. She will be cushioned by a moss mattress and a leaf pillow. There was also a floor of moss and a little tree made from a weed. How cute is this?

I will be moving my one big toe in soon.

Celebrating Four

2009-06-09T23:57:00.000-07:00

Today Lucy turned four. Wow! It hardly seems possible that she is growing up so fast.

That cute little dimply smile and teeth that turn in like her mommy's did.

She is small but has grown so much this last few months. I have seen some of her clothes finally become a little short on her. But alas still baggy around that skinny little waist.

Those adorable big brown eyes can melt you in an instant. Then again the next instant can frown you down and put you in your place.

Little girl who loves reading, snuggling, spending time with Grandad outside, cooking with Gram and Spiderman. Kyla is looking down on her smiling.

Happy birthday little girl. I love you!

A Star is Born

2009-06-04T06:11:00.000-07:00

I went to Emma's school talent show this week. I am always amazed at these kids. At that age I know I would not have been able to perform before my entire school.

Emma and her friend waiting patiently. They were 19th in line out of 21 performances so had a bit to wait and be nervous.

She really doesn't look nervous at all to me but I'm sure there were butterflies in her stomach. Waiting, waiting, waiting.

They both worked hard in this little dance routine, choreographing it themselves. Here they are performing.

A Year Old Today

2009-04-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

Ayden turns one today. He is the sweetest little snuggle bug who lays his head on my shoulder and gives me loves. He absolutely adores his mama and is so happy when she walks in the room. What a doll.

Where has this year gone? What happened to this tiny little baby boy? Wow!

And those faces! I call him my little rubber face doll.

Just look at those little eyebrows. They just add to his funny faces.

Oh and the dimples! Killer dimples just melt my heart.

Yes. This is the look. You have us all wrapped around that little pinkie finger of yours.

Happy Birthday my little boy! I love you so much.

There Are Some Days

2009-04-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

We had everyone here for Easter Sunday and all I can say is there are some days that photos just don't seem to happen. This was one of them. First of all, I was very busy cooking and so I didn't get a lot of photos taken. Then for some reason very few pictures turned out and I missed the egg hunt completely. Most shots consisted of a blur of running children or a few gross shots of nose hairs. I won't go into that issue but let us just say that the name of the nose hair shot photographer began with a "J" and ended with an "ill". Of course I can't play innocent because I took several of my mother in law warming her nose under a blanket asleep.

Yes we are talented.

Emmy's Birthday

2009-04-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday we celebrated Emma's 9th birthday for the family at our house. She will have another birthday party this Saturday with her friends. It is hard to believe she is nine years old. Time surely does pass quickly.

She told me she wanted a vanilla and chocolate swirl cake. She didn't care how it was decorated but just that it was swirled. I decided that I would make cupcakes because I had found this cute little cupcake stand at Walmart. I also found these adorable silicone cupcake holders. Perfect for a spring time birthday.

Waiting patiently while Grandad finishes lighting the one candle that I could not light.

She made her wish and it must come true for she blew out every single candle. See how much smoke nine candles makes?

Byron had a sad day with a buzzed haircut. But when the cake came out he was the first one to raise his hand and all thoughts of missing hair disappeared.

Jed took Emma and Lucy to the Saturday market and they got to have their faces painted. Doesn't Emma look so grown up?

I love the paint job. They look so cute and it washed off very easily that night.

Oh how she has grown.

This is just for you Emma. When daddy lets you read this we thought you would like Grandad's goofy face. I think this was when he was threatening to eat all your cupcakes.

2009-03-30T16:48:00.000-07:00

Bread Baking With Byron

2009-03-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

Whenever the grandchildren stay with us we usually have a battle over helping to cook or bake. Emma and Lucy made cookies last time and this time I had a ~~lot~~ little help from Byron.

He loves to help put the ingredients in the bowl but that is not his priority.

See that happy little flour covered face? He loves the mixer.

He is the operator of this mixer and we have to be on the lookout for the flour going in all directions (especially down the front of his clothes) when he turns it on. It quickly goes from zero to as high as it can possibly go with this little engineer.

See! You just need to get very close and see just how this thing works. Oh and to make sure it is working properly.

Here is the proud bread dough making boy. I didn't get his picture with his bread. Ran out of hands.

But it sure tasted good. Thanks Byron. You make the best bread.

Cookies

2009-03-17T06:45:00.000-07:00

Emma and Lucy were here a weekend ago and wanted to make cookies. We decided on snickerdoodles. I have made many recipes for this and I always come back to the one I found in a children's cookbook. I haven't found one nearly as good anywhere else.

We even made our own colored sugar to roll them in instead of the usual cinnamon and sugar. Here they are smiling with their cookies.

Oh and of course what would a photo shoot be without the goofy face picture?

Snickerdoodles
¾ cup sugar
½ cup butter
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

In large mixing bowl cream the ¾ cup sugar and the butter with a wooden spoon. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
In small bowl stir together flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Stir into butter mixture with wooden spoon till well mixed.

In a small bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Shape dough into one-inch balls; roll each in the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Put balls two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350º for 10 to 12 minutes.

Stay tuned for baking bread with Byron.

Walk On The Wild Side

2009-01-20T05:25:00.000-08:00

Ayden has begun walking around things like the coffee table recently. He is a little wobbly still but thinks he is so, so smart. He is almost crawling as well. He gets up on all fours and crawls a few steps then dives for whatever he is after when he judges that he is close enough. So funny.

"Here I am Gramma, walking like a big boy."

"Yes, I am a smarty pants and I left you a pile of drool and smeary finger prints as a souvenir."

A Little Routine

2009-01-15T04:46:00.000-08:00

Lucy is set in her ways. I guess most three year old kids are to some degree. When she spends the night with us she is always the first one up. When her eyes open, the first thing out of her mouth is "I want cereal". Even if she wakes up in the middle of the night it is always the same. I have to tell her it needs to be morning time to get her to go back to sleep without eating her cereal.

Occasionally she will eat scrambled eggs and toast or french toast. Once in a while she will switch it up with a pancake but not often. Last Tuesday she informed me that she was a "good cooker". She helps me each day and has the measurements to making her oatmeal down. She knows where the measuring cups are, the bowl we use, how much water and oatmeal to use. She likes the Old Fashioned oatmeal. I have tried to get her to eat instant and she won't eat it for me. Perhaps she will for her dad but at Grandma's, nope!

Here she is with her beloved Quaker. I do admit he is kind of ugly but she loves him just the same.

Thumbs up for oatmeal!

Down the hatch!

HOLY SILVER TEETH BATMAN!

2009-01-14T12:19:00.000-08:00

Emma had her braces put on this morning. She seriously looks like she hates them, like she's miserable, like she will never smile again, like she won't have friends now doesn't she? Jed sent me this photo from his phone so I will try to get a good close up the next time I see her. Silly girl!

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T00:21:00.001-08:00

Here are a few photos from our Christmas day.

Kelli got a Wii and here Brian and Kelli are trying hard to be guitar heroes.

Big smile from Kelli

The happy Koehler family. I love this picture.

Jed and the girls right before opening gifts.

The best I could get of the boys. Ayden was a little miffed at having to sit in Byron's lap. He is trying to learn to crawl and this is not his idea of crawling.

Same goes here for the girls. Lucy was in her shy mode here. But still cute.

Group photo. Ayden was the only one who wasn't looking forward here. Notice how he is grabbing for Emma. I love these little people.

Little Boys

2008-12-17T10:55:00.000-08:00

Dave and I watched Byron and Ayden while Jill and Wade went to dinner last Sunday. As usual they were a bundle of energy but so much fun.

Little Ayden is so darned cute. He is squeezable pudgy and always has the cutest little smiles.

He cut his first tooth the other day and a second one is soon to pop through. Jill is having a very hard time letting her little man get older. As we all do we just want to keep them at their baby sweetness for a little longer. That is until we have to get up twenty times during the night.

One thing both Dave and I are loving right now is how happy Byron is to see us. The minute he comes through the door he runs and jumps into the closest persons arms. It is the cutest thing.

But try to get a picture of him? Ha! Most of them are a blur running by. He won't sit still long enough to let the camera focus. Here is a rare still one of him but believe me it wasn't for long.

I have this little nativity that my sister, Loretta, gave me last year. It has a couple of little sheep and Byron always runs over and brings them to me calling them his dogs. Cracks me up.

Gate Crawlers

2008-12-05T06:13:00.000-08:00

I was going through some of my photos from the summer and getting rid of blurry and bad ones and came across these. I had forgotten about this day. Dave was letting the kids climb the gate and we were having a difficult time getting Byron to hold still long enough for a picture of all three. So this is all we came up with.

If you enlarge this and look closely at the ears on Byron and Dave, who had to hold him in place long enough for me to snap this, their ears look identical. Hilarious!

I love this of Emma. Just about the sweetest eight year old I know.

Byron was up and down this gate about twenty times to Lucy's one. I am tired just remembering.

Program Sunday

2008-11-24T05:53:00.000-08:00

Sunday Emma's choir sang at Valley River Center. Kelli, Jill, Byron, Ayden, Dave and I went to watch her.

Here is the group between songs. Are those t-shirts just about the niftiest things around? They made these tie-dyed shirts a few weeks ago and they really turned out cute.

Here Emmy is after the concert. I just couldn't seem to get a good shot and my camera batteries were going dead.

Look at that face. She is thinking, "O.K. Grandma, enough already!"

Costume Up

2008-11-23T15:39:00.000-08:00

Lest I forget what the little people looked like on Halloween I am posting a few photos.

Byron was Woody riding a horse. He loved that horse and Grandad's cowboy hat.

Little Ayden came as a sock monkey. Isn't this the cutest outfit?

Emma was adorable as a cowgirl. I think she looks like Jessie from Toy Story but she said she wasn't. She was wearing chaps as well and it was so cute.

Of course Lucy was a horse but she was pretty tired from all the trick or treating and would not keep her costume on and would not let me take any photos. So here you have it. She is dressed as a pouting toddler.

Oatmeal with Cows Milk

2008-11-19T20:58:00.000-08:00

So Lucy loves oatmeal. I don't mean instant oatmeal or quick cooking oatmeal but the Old Fashioned oatmeal. Every time she is here that is what she ~~orders~~ asks for. I try to mix it up a little bit and get her to eat an egg and toast, a waffle, a pancake, anything else. But nope! She is a girl with a routine and she is sticking to it.

This morning she was eating her oatmeal and said to me, "Gramma, I don't drink soy milk". I said OK Lucy I will give you regular milk. She got very stern with me and said, "Not regular milk, Gramma. I drink cows milk". I told her that regular milk is cows milk but she insists if I call it regular milk that it is not cows milk. So from now on it is cows milk. Little stinker.

Baby Cakes

2008-11-17T22:29:00.000-08:00

Little Ayden. Who me? I am being very good Gramma.

Doll face.

Mamma I'll share my car with you, kay?

Bug Hunting

2008-11-16T19:45:00.000-08:00

Byron and I took a little walk a while back and this time of year there are plenty of box elder bugs buzzing about. He is fascinated with bugs of all sorts but these were very easy to spot so we spent a lot of time looking down.

Found one.

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

We took the kids to Herricks Farms a couple of weekends ago to pick out a pumpkin and have their yummy free apple pie and ice cream. I posted some of this on my other blog so I don't want to duplicate photos too much. Here are a few things from that day.

I was trying to get a photo of all four grand kids in these pumpkins. Emma did great with little Ayden but we were having a little difficulty with Byron staying in one place. Aunt Kelli was trying her best to contain the monkey.

Of course what would a photo be without Jill and Kelli's usual goof ball act.

Emma got in on the goofy faces as well. I think this face might just be for good old Uncle Handsome (aka Brian).

Byron plucked a flower and I just love this shot. So sweet.

The gathering of pumpkins and of course Lucy modeling for us.

A little Halloween decorating went on by Emma. She is my decorator every year. However, I think maybe some little three year old people might horn in on her job in the future.

Last but certainly not least we let the kiddos bake and decorate the cookies and cupcakes.

The Boys

2008-10-09T04:56:00.000-07:00

Just a few photos of the little men in my life. I am having so much fun just watching them grow and change.

Little Ayden's feet. Adorable. Kissable. Sweet. Oh, and big.

I just had to ~~steal~~ borrow this one that Jill took from her blog. It is so stinking cute. He just cracks me up with his silly little faces. What a doll.

Byron is very hard to get a photo of these days. He is a whirlwind of activity and rarely slows down. However, I will have to try the trick of "say cheese" in the future and see if it works. Little cute boy. I love this kiddo.

Emma's Eyes

2008-09-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

We've Got A Zoo In The House

2008-09-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

Kristi, Pat and the kiddos visited over Labor Day and brought these cute expandable socks for the grand kids. They are only about an inch or so big but when you put them in water they expand into full pairs of socks.

Lucy had pigs on her toes. Emma had giraffes and Byron had monkeys. They are adorable and all of the kids loved them.

Byron giving Emma a little help with her socks.

Poor Emmy. She is so good with those little people who just adore her. What a good girl.

Birthday Boy

2008-09-02T16:37:00.000-07:00

On Labor Day Byron had his third birthday party. Jill has made every cake so far and has done such a great job decorating.

The first birthday was a monkey theme.

The second was a helicopter.

This one was a car/truck theme. I don't know where she gets her talent for this because I can't paste two pieces of paper together let alone decorate a cake. In fact if you go here you can see what a nut job I can do. I mean, come on. Either I just stick a couple of decorations on top that I buy or I frost it and all the decorations fall off before the candles are blown out.

This was the sweetest moment. Byron had just blown his candles out and everyone was clapping and singing Happy Birthday. He was so proud of himself and excited for "cake".

Byron and his buddy, Jacob in a sliding competition.

It was a fun morning in the park. In fact we only had one little mishap. Dave's mom, GG brought her walker and Byron loves to push that around. He managed to get it and took off running with it and I had to chase him down. So we decided to give him a ride and then Lucy wanted to ride as well. Emma pushed them and the walker hit a crack in the sidewalk and tipped over face first. Both little ones went flying but each put out their hands and caught themselves. Lucy pops up and says "It's OK. I'm OK." Byron as usual just hopped up and wanted back on.

Look Who's Three!!

2008-08-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

Byron is having a birthday today! We are heading home from Seattle where we attended a wedding so won't be there to celebrate today but his party is tomorrow and we will be there. Jill and Wade took him to the Portland zoo on Friday for his birthday. I know he probably loved those animals.

Birthday here I come.

Cake. Cake. Where is the cake? Bring it on.

Happy Birthday little man.

We love you little boy.

Summer Weekend

2008-08-25T02:44:00.000-07:00

August comes and goes. Can you believe how fast things are going? Friday night I took care of Byron and Ayden so Wade and Jill could attend his class reunion. Lucy and Emma came to spend Saturday night.

Little Ayden was so happy at first.........

That is until he found out brother got to spend the night and he had to go home because his milk machine (aka mommy Jill) does not live with us any longer. One of the newer things I have noticed is the pouting lip. So cute!

Byron has really begun to love the water but look how red those little ears become. He has his grandad Dave's ears through and through.

On Saturday evening as the sun was setting Emma, Lucy and I walked to the mailbox to get the mail and paper. I love this photo.

Little Lawn Mowers

2008-08-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

A couple of weekends ago Emma and Lucy decided to pretend to mow our grass. Of course it is not growing much now since it is so hot but worth a try anyway.

Nice mowing outfit for Emmy. At least she is protecting her ears as well as her skin from the sun.

Somehow I don't think this is getting the lawn mowed but it might qualify her for ~~goofouts~~ tryouts for high school musical.

Little Giggles

2008-08-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Little Ayden has got to be one of the happiest little babies around. He is such a good natured little guy.

Grandad is holding him and Jill and I are talking to him. He begins by looking at me pretty soberly.

But look at that little smile begin. It is almost like he can't help himself.

There goes to a full blown laugh. I love this little pumpkin.

May 3, 1978 - August 13, 2006

2008-08-13T05:20:00.001-07:00

Boogie Dance

2008-08-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

Byron was visiting this past weekend and we asked him to do a little dance for us.

Here is the boy hamming it up right before the dance.

Perhaps I look kind of cute!

Shakin his booty!

To Become a Fish

2008-08-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

This year Emmy has really begun to love the water. Actually she has always liked it but we have noticed how much stronger and less afraid she is now. She swims all over the place and has graduated to jumping off the diving board and swimming right to the side of the deep end. Of course she still isn't allowed to be in the pool without an adult present at all times but I love seeing her begin to be so comfortable in the water. All this is without formal lessons.

On the board getting prepared

Knees tucked and off she goes

Splash!

Swimming back

Up and out for another jump

Cousins Come Calling

2008-08-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Saturday my brother John and his family came to visit after attending a wedding. We built a fort to sleep in using a quilt and the couches. Celina, Sean, Marisa and Emma all slept in sleeping bags and Lucy slept on the fold away bed. Sunday morning was spent looking for lizards, picking blueberries, gathering eggs, holding a hen, turkey feather hunting as well as Celina showing off her gigantic belching skills. I can't believe that can come from that little girl.

Celina, Lucy, Emmy and Marisa

Marisa, Celina, Emmy and Sean, turkey feather gatherers extraordinaire!

Peanut butter buddies. Emma taught Lisa the glorious combination of peanut butter and maple syrup on pancakes. YUM! This is what we grew up eating and Kyla loved it as well. Now Emma can hardly have a pancake without peanut butter and maple syrup.

Typical Sean face

Oh, and I took a bunch of photos on Saturday when Byron and Ayden were here and somehow they were all deleted off my camera this morning. Darn! There were some really cute pictures on there that Jill and I took.

Messing With Photoshop

2008-08-01T08:29:00.000-07:00

A Little Help From A Friend

2008-07-24T05:32:00.000-07:00

Because of prior commitments we celebrated Jill's birthday a week late with a family dinner and her favorite, cupcakes.

Yuuuummmm! Chocolate cupcakes that Dave tried his best to get Jill to agree to chocolate chips in the batter and a ganache frosting. But she said nope to his badgering. After all it was her birthday. Dave must wait for his own.

Here you see Byron watching the lighting of the candles.

Oh man he is getting a little closer. Just to see better though, right?

I don't know. He looks a little sly doesn't he? Look at that little smile.

Uh Oh! I think the finger is headed for trouble.

Here is the birthday girls herself helping Byron up to see the candles.

She gave in and let him help to blow them out. He just could not contain himself.

Hey!!! Where's my cupcake? Here is Mr. Happy Pants Ayden. Isn't he adorable?

A College Graduation

2008-07-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

Saturday we celebrated Aaron's college graduation with a lovely dinner at Barb and Rick's home. Aaron is my nephew and he has worked so hard and now has the fun prospect of finding a job.

The very relieved college graduate. As usual Barb outdid herself and made the party and food wonderful.

Cousins splashing and having a grand time in the hot sun. Lucy was a bit crabby about getting water in her face but soon got over it.

Lucy is trying to spray anyone and anything that is close enough to reach. Fun in the sun and water on a very hot day.

If you enlarge this you will see Byron's face. This cracks me up because Kallista and Lucy were getting in his water and he was pretty frustrated trying to tell them to "back off".

Kallista sneaking grandma's strawberries just there for the picking.

Kallista gave me her best "freezing face". She cracks me up.

A little fun attitude....Emmy is telling me "Don't even think about it Gram....I'm not ready to go home".

Just In Case I Should Forget

2008-07-11T03:11:00.000-07:00

Emma was helping Lucy work with some sticky backed letters last weekend and she decided this should be my newest decoration for the wall.

Lest I forget that the grandchildren's names. I am becoming elderly you know.

Before I Forget

2008-07-09T05:36:00.000-07:00

Just a few funny things that Lucy has been saying lately that I need to write down. My old age does not permit me to keep these in my head for long.

*She sings a lot of songs right now and one of them is "I'm A Little Teapot" which she sings as "I'm A Little Teatot".
*While Kelli was painting Lucy's toenails and fingernails the other day she told Kelli "I like to scraaaatch" as she stretched her arms above her head.
*Dave's mom made some cupcakes last Sunday for a dinner we were having when his cousin Lee Ann was visiting. Lucy didn't want to eat her dinner and kept asking for a "pupcake". I told her she needed to eat some dinner first and she put her hands on my cheeks and said "Grandma I love you"....."I want a pupcake and cookie". Well she almost had me with that one.
*Everything right now is "jusa cause I'm a big girl" or "maybe da later" or "I go to predaschool". I love how she adds a "d" to words right now.
*She loves to watch the movie "Babe" but she calls it "Pig and Goose". The other day I asked her what the sheep says and she said "Baaa Ram Ewe" like in the movie.

Fourth Fun

2008-07-08T01:00:00.000-07:00

Jill and Wade brought the boys to our house to spend the fourth. Wade was super chef and made the dinner and then Byron spent the night.

After dinner mommy and daddy provided some sparklers for some fun.

Little Ayden sound asleep looking like he just had beer and tater chips.

The look on Byron's face is so cute. He is watching his daddy light off some fireworks.

Here is one of those snake things. He was fascinated by this and how long it grew.

Here is the big one! Doesn't it look ferocious? Wade couldn't wait to light this.

Here he goes. Nothing. He even lit it multiple times and nothing. Pour a little gas in (against my protests) but nothing. A dud. Poor pyro Wade.

Crafty Little Pony Tail Holders

2008-07-07T06:58:00.000-07:00

While at the coast with my sister, Barb, I decided to make these cute little rubber bands for the girls hair. I had seen them around and figured out how to do it (very easy by the way).

When I had Lucy last I asked her to pick out two of these to put in her hair. She informed me no she needed five. So OK, five it was.

Front view looks like two but wait..........

Here is the mess in back and nope she did not wear these out in public. But she did think she was very funny.

A Piggy Cake And A Three Year Old

2008-06-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

The best of plans seem to be rearranged by the unknowns quite often. This past Saturday we were to celebrate Lucy's 3rd birthday with a party. But she came down with a high fever on Friday and a very sore throat and then Emma woke up Saturday morning and surprised herself and me with the stomach flu. So all plans were cancelled. By Sunday both girls were feeling a little better so we decided we would go ahead and have just a small party for her so she could open her gifts and have her cake.

When I asked Lucy what kind of cake she wanted she told me a chocolate cake with pink and yellow frosting. I asked her if she wanted a special cake like a chicken or a frog and she said a "piggy cake". I am no cake decorator but thankfully little kids are just thrilled with the simple. After I frosted this cake she kept running in and climbing up to see her "piggy cake". She was so happy about this cake. It made us laugh because all day she kept asking when she could eat her piggy cake.

Making a wish.

It took about five big puffs of air that went above her head before she finally was able to blow those candles out.

Here is the dress that Aunt Kelli got her which just happened to match the cool hot pink sandals Aunt Jill gave her. The dress had to go on immediately and she wore it all day as well as the next day. She kept twirling around and informed me that she was going to wear her new dress to preschool (or pre-da-school as she calls it). Sadly Emma was still sick on Monday so Lucy didn't get to go to preschool and she came down with the flu bug during the night so the dress will have to be worn another day.

Pudgy

2008-06-12T05:48:00.000-07:00

I could not resist this photo. Little Ayden at seven weeks is a chunker! Don't you just want to squeeze him?

A Love of Books

2008-06-11T05:35:00.000-07:00

Lucy has become quite the little book hound. I have big basket of children's books beside the baskets of toys in the living room and that is the first place she heads each time she comes to stay. She sits down and begins to pretend read as soon as she can and talks anyone walking by into reading book after book to her. I am so happy that she has developed a love of books just like Emma.

Last night after dinner she talked Aunt Kelli into reading. When I was tucking her in and reading her the two books she chose for bed time she informed me that she "loved Aunt Kelli". I told her that was very sweet and then she said "she reads me books". So cute!

My Little Tater Tot

2008-06-10T05:44:00.000-07:00

Little Ayden is only seven weeks old now and he has been smiling and cooing for several weeks now. Here his mommy had him going on about her tongue sticking out. He is the sweetest little baby boy.

Look Who's Three Today!

2008-06-09T05:45:00.000-07:00

Lucy turns three today and as she has informed me she will be in "pwe school". We will be keeping the girls this weekend and will have a birthday party for her then. Stay tuned for some pictures.

Little Boys

2008-06-08T23:09:00.000-07:00

Saturday we kept Byron and Ayden for a few hours while Wade and Jill went to a movie. You know how it is for new parents, especially the mommy. The need to get out and be a person and not a feeding machine is so paramount for a while. The good news is that I and Dave got to play and have some fun for a few hours.

As usual Byron is a little mischievous devil that keeps us on our toes. But talk about hilarious right now. He makes us laugh so much.

Ayden is so sweet. He is smiling and cooing and is just a little chunky butterball. It is so grand to be a grandparent!

Emotions

2008-06-03T05:42:00.000-07:00

Happy

Emma

Sad

Lucy

Sitting outside in the sun and the photos were taken seconds apart.

Memorial Weekend

2008-05-27T22:58:00.000-07:00

We kept Emma and Lucy on Friday night so Jed could get ready to take them camping for the weekend. It was a short time but those girls can definitely keep busy.

One of the things both girls like to do this time of year is to make necklaces out of the the flower petals from the rhododendrons.

Here they are with the necklaces trying their best to pose naturally. Ha! Ha!

Doesn't Emmy look like she is up to something? I think she is contemplating doing a little jumping.

Ready!

Set!

Jump!

I didn't get a photo of this but Emma spent quite a bit of time out turning up rocks looking for lizards. Eureka! She found a baby one that had lost part of its tail and was rather cold so not moving much. We put it in a plastic container with some grass and set him in the sun to warm up. I told her that they love sun and soon he would come alive and be less lethargic. I think she had her doubts but sure enough by the time they left he was energetic and quite fast moving. He ended up on her head in the car and her dad had to catch him.

On to a little BBQ on Monday with Jill, Wade, Ayden, Byron, Kelli and Dave's parents. Wade made these giant stuffed burgers. We couldn't even get our mouth around one. Huge double patty with cheese stuffed inside and on top. If I weren't so busy cooking I would have taken a picture. Jill wanted S'mores so Dave and Wade built the fire and the roasting of marshmallow began. That is Jill's arm holding her marshmallow. You know it! She was first in line.

Kelli faking everyone out pretending that she was just holding the baby. But I caught her with a S'more. Nice sneaky face Kells.

Byron on the run into just about anything he could get into. He was down at the chicken coop licking his chops from a sticky S'more.

He was trying to throw rocks and flowers in the pool, getting too close to the water when his parents told me to stay back and running too close to the fire as well. Little busy stinker.

Uh Oh! Looks like a time out....nose pressed up against the house. No the grill is not on....so don't be frightened.

Delpha (or GG for Great Grandma as the kids like to call her) sitting with a little stickiness on her face as well. Hmmmm! Wonder what she was eating.

Back into the house as it wasn't a very warm day. Grandad Max enjoying watching all the antics of Byron.

Mommy Jill with little Ayden. He is growing so fast.

Byron with Aunt Kelli watching a video. Nice aunt Kells.

Tiny shoes.

Sweet doll. Jill took this photo. Isn't it pretty? He is wearing the cap my mom, Grandma Mae, made for him. She made the blanket as well. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Little Glitter Lips

2008-05-21T05:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Jed sent me this photo of Lucy. It seems she had become very quiet and when he went to check on her this is what he found. Apparently she got into Emma's drawer with glue and markers and such and decided that the glitter glue looked lovely as lipstick.

She even has it on her teeth. Little goof!

A Balancing Act

2008-05-19T22:56:00.000-07:00

Byron brought his tricycle out when he spent some time with us a few weeks ago. Our house is very long and has lots of room to ride and both he and Lucy had a great time for a short while riding and pushing each other. Then........

Being a little boy, and a climber (I think part mountain goat) Byron decided he would stand on the seat of the tricycle and balance a bit.

Not one to be left out Lucy needed her turn as well. This made me nervous so they sadly were told not to stand on the bike or mean old Gram would have to put it away.

So in comes "Mr. Nice Guy" Grandad to play with them. Look at him. Doesn't he look like he thinks he is going to be building something with the Legos? Little does he know about the attention span of a couple of two-year-olds.

OK, so Grandma won't let me stand on the bike but Grandad is a pretty close second.

Lucy's turn...but watch out Grandad.

You can't see it here but Byron climbed on as well and Dave is looking a little red faced, especially when the jumping began. Being a nice guy really doesn't get you far Grandad.

A Good Little Heart

2008-05-13T05:26:00.000-07:00

While taking Emma and Lucy to school and day care yesterday we happened upon a homeless man coming down the embankment under the freeway bridge with a plastic bag slung over his shoulder with all his worldly goods inside. He apparently had been sleeping there for protection from the elements and was just emerging for the day. The traffic was quite busy and noisy as it was rush hour and I noticed Emma watching this man from the back seat.

A conversation was started with Emma asking what was happening . Dave and I explained the situation as best we could regarding homelessness and how some people are truly down and out and others are choosing this lifestyle and we don't always know which is which. This sweet tender hearted little girl told me that she had saved up some money from her birthday and other things and said if she had it with her she would give part of it to him. I could just feel and see the empathy in her little heart.

When she asked about how to know the difference I told her that there are many, many services for the homeless and by giving to one or many of these services she would be helping not just one person but many. She replied that she was going to do that. That sweet tender heart.

The Angel's Night Off

2008-05-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

Amanda from Photo Chick who is a very compassionate and sweet girl, left this poem in my comments section. It brings tears to me as I read it and I think it deserves to be put here for Emma and Lucy to read any time they want. Thank you Amanda! You are the sweetest.

The Angel's Night Off
for Emma & Lucy in memory of their sweet Mommy

Tucked in bed all fast asleep
Prayers said for souls to keep
While they rest, their Angels stay
Guarding them just like the day

Each Guardian Angel loves their child
Though days can be a tad bit wild
It's worth it all when comes the night
The babes are sweetly sleeping tight

The Angels shine and beam with joy
For every little girl and boy
But especially for these girls so loved
By those on earth and those above

Every night the Heavens peer
Down upon these lovely dears
They're favorites in the Heavens' eyes
For Heaven's where their Mommy flies

On this dear night, the Angels go
To bring a gift of love to show
A special presence so it seems
Comes to their beds and in their dreams

Angel whispers in their ears
"My love for you is always here
Though not on earth I'm still with you
I see and love all that you do."

"To watch you learn and live and grow
In awe of what you see and know
I pray each day for both you girls
That happiness shall fill your world."

"Be good for Mommy, don't forget
To pray to God each chance you get
Each time you pray, the Angels sing
For the happiness your voices bring."

"And when you both are old and gray
Or when God comes again someday
My prayer is that we'll finally be
Together in eternity."

So if in mornings they're all smiles
Quite energetic all the while
They go and go, too fast it seems
Chattering of happy dreams

Their Guardian Angels won't lose sight
Their Mommy watched them through the night
The Angels spent the night at rest
While Kyla was the Angel guest.

A Celebration For Mommy

2008-05-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

Saturday was Kyla's 30th birthday. It is important for Emma and Lucy to do something to remember their mommy by so this year I took the girls to buy flowers to plant in her memory. This time the flowers were put in pots they could take home and put on their porch to take care of.

Two little munchkins dressed in grams glasses and gardening hat ready to plant.

Emma chose these flowers to plant.

Emmy busy filling her pot with soil and slow release fertilizer. Giant grandma gloves...

These are the flowers Lucy chose. She thought we should plant them in the water. I couldn't figure out what she meant until she began to run to the pool with her flower. Made me laugh that she thought when I told her we would plant and water them that is how she interpreted it.

Lucy is having fun with the soil. Giant granny gardening glove yet again. Make note to self to buy little gardening gloves for grandchildren.

Both masterpieces when finished. Emma's on the left and Lucy's on the right. Pretty good for little people.

This is what I get to clean up next!

After blowing up all the balloons and writing their messages to mommy they ran to tie them on the tree. Last year we put helium in them but this year we didn't have time. They still loved doing it and I love this picture of them on the run.

A Walk With Grandad

2008-05-02T05:25:00.000-07:00

Dave took Emmy and Lucy for a walk last Saturday to get the mail. These walks begin with Lucy being carried and Emma leading the way. Most walks take about an hour just to go to the end of the lane and back because of a little curiosity going on. Plus Dave just likes to take his time...slow and steady.

The walk begins with a determined Emma leading the way and Lucy riding along.

Lucy decides she is now interested in walking so down she goes. Look at Emma who became a little side tracked. She falls behind.

One of her favorite things to do is collect "cool rocks". I have many heart shaped rocks that were gifts from Emmy. Looks as though she found another one.

Wait Grandad. Look at these.

Dave says "Oh yeah! Nice rocks." That is about as excited he gets. Remember slow and steady....that is why the kids love him. He devotes a complete ear to everything they do and say.

Back on track and off we go. See you later when sun goes down!

Adventures With Byron

2008-04-29T05:19:00.000-07:00

While keeping Byron when his mommy was in the hospital we took walks each morning and played outside for a couple of hours. It seemed to work much better to be able to get him to come back in for lunch and then a nap. One of our walks took us up our road past a few of the neighbors driveways. Very lovely views up along our roads.

Here is Byron all bundled up in what I like to call his farmer coat (you know Grandad Dave had to buy him a Carhartt jacket for Christmas just like his).

This is a little boy who runs everywhere he goes. So much energy!

There is a creek that runs along the road and we had to throw a lot of rocks in the water and gather all kinds of pine cones to fill his pockets. His mommy probably found those when he got home.

Next up some pretty daffodils. He loves to pick flowers right now but wait! What does this say?

Yikes! Rottweilers On Premises. I think he might draw back a bloody stub if he tried to pick those flowers! Nice neighbors that we won't be visiting any time soon I guess.

Sweet New Life

2008-04-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

We have another beautiful little boy in our family. Jill gave birth at 2:53 pm yesterday after almost nine hours of labor. She did great and is resting in the hospital.

This is Ayden Wade moments after birth who weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs. 14 oz. and is 22 1/2 inches long. Another big boy. And all this at a week and a half early.

Look at that chunky thigh going on.

Byron giving his new little brother a love.

New Baby Alert

2008-04-21T05:34:00.000-07:00

Jill is going in to have her second son tomorrow morning. I love the miracle of a new baby and am always so excited to see what they look like and sound like. Plus I can never get enough of that sweet soft skin and new baby smells. I can't wait! I wonder if he will look like Byron or be completely the opposite.

What comes to mind when thinking of what the baby will look like is the sameness of some siblings and then there are the complete opposites of others. Take Lucy and Emma for example.

Emma took this picture of Lucy with my camera yesterday. A little blurry but cute. I took the one of Emma below to show how different in coloring and everything two siblings can be. I think they have the same shaped noses. Perhaps as they age we will see more similarities.

Don't you just love the freckles on Emma's nose?

I will be back with baby news tomorrow!!

Dinosaurs, Oh My!

2008-04-14T06:05:00.000-07:00

Whenever I try to get Lucy to sing or do something on video she would rather watch it instead. Makes it difficult to have something to watch if you can't record. I caught her on tape singing one morning last week. She didn't know I was video taping her because I had set the camera on the counter and got it ready so when she started singing I could just push the button quickly and stand back.

Here are the words: Stegosaurus,Stegosaurus. In the swamp. In the swamp. Spikes upon his tail. Sharper than a nail. Stomp, stomp, stomp. Stomp, stomp, stomp.

Sweet Laughter

2008-04-09T21:36:00.000-07:00

I love this little video simply because of the laughter. Uncle Wade is helping Byron and Lucy give each other horse rides. There is just something about the sweet laughter of these little guys.

Eighth Celebration

2008-04-07T14:28:00.000-07:00

Today is Emma's eighth birthday. Happy birthday sweet girl!! We love you very much...you are a blessing in our lives.

We kept Emma and Lucy for the weekend while their dad was away and celebrated with a family dinner and cake. Make that two cakes. One for Emmy and a belated one for Kelli who was out of town on her birthday.

She looks so grown up and could hardly wait for the party to begin. She had a count down in hours. Kelli took her to see Nim's Island which helped with the waiting part. She loved the movie. Thanks Aunt Kelli.

Making a wish upon her candles. Emma loves dolphins so I made her a dolphin decorated cake which had to be a white cake with chocolate frosting.

The much anticipated gifts.

Talking with Uncle Brian who called for her birthday. I sewed Emma this dress for her birthday but when Lucy saw it she just would not stop asking for it so I went and bought more fabric and made her one as well.

Emma and Aunt Kelli the two birthday girls.

Watch out for the fire trucks. Look at all those candles...twenty three to be exact. I don't know if we can get them all lit before the first one melts. Yikes!

Shower The Jill Way

2008-04-03T04:49:00.000-07:00

No this is not about Jill taking a shower. Gosh!

Dezzie is one of Jill's good friends from high school and she threw her a sweet baby shower last weekend. (Sorry Dez, I stole your photo to use because the two of you I took you probably would kill me if I put them up here. I never claimed to be a very good photographer).

Look at the lovely table with flowers and punch and yummy food and cupcakes. Jill loves cupcakes much better than regular cake.

Lots of sweet baby gifts.

A confection delight!

Jena, another school friend is due to have her little baby boy the same day as Jill. Just a little belly comparison!

Sheri and Jill getting ready to enjoy the food.

Kelli helped out with the shower. Loving sisters!

Little Kallista feeling her cousin kicking. The wonder of it all!

The Great Eggscapade

2008-03-31T15:56:00.000-07:00

Friday night of Easter weekend we kept the three munchkins over night to color eggs. Of course Emma is a pro at this activity now and she was the busy little bee getting things set up and ready while Gram (I) tried to save some of the eggs from an untimely death. I found that it was completely impossible to take pictures and color eggs at the same time....hence the blurry photos.

This is where we gave Lucy and Byron an egg and color crayon to make their little scribbles on. After a couple of demolished eggs we got a couple with only a crack or two. Of course this is right before the big toss into purple and yellow dye. You know you just can't gently place the egg in the dye you must throw it in to watch the colored splash. Now you know why there is no photo of this....picture gram running around with paper towels and trying the catch the dye before it stained everything.

"Hey Gram. I think maybe this crayon is for throwing up in the air" which is exactly what happened next.

So Lucy began running a temperature shortly after the great egg experience and they both sat down to have a snack of goldfish and watch "Goose and Pig" (this is what Lucy calls "Babe").

Here is Emmy, the real pro egg color girl. She wrapped rubber bands around a few for a neat design. Just to give you an idea of how active Byron really is look at the blur to the right of Emmy.

Next day. Yep! Now you can see the devil come out here in person.

Lucy hopping around on her new Dora the bouncing ball. Byron has a spider man ball but it was missing a part so back I go to Target. But in the meantime he had his new monkey broom to help his mommy out.

What A Guy Will Do When Hunger Strikes

2008-03-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

Unless you have had the opportunity to see Byron in person you would not know just how big he is. He is barely 2 1/2 years old but looks more like 3 1/2. Not only is he tall like his daddy but he has large hands and feet and is quite solid and very heavy. It is becoming more and more difficult to just pick him up on a whim. To go along with his build he has an appetite for food, especially sweets like I have not seen in a long time. We must always be on guard if we have something that he shouldn't have before his dinner. He has super sonic hearing, vision and smell if it is sugar or chocolate and will come running instantly begging for bites or some of his own. One of his favorite words right now is "nack" meaning fruit snacks and he will literally grab Dave's hand and drag him to the pantry to get a snack all the while repeating "nack" over and over. The glee on his face when he gets a snack is something to behold but if he doesn't, let the tantrum begin. He makes us laugh so much with his drama right now.

Before he could verbalize Jill had taught him some sign language and one of the signs was eat. You do this by bringing your hand to your mouth with fingertips touching your thumb and tapping the lips to illustrate placing food in the mouth. Everything he does is pronounced and big and so instead of that sign he developed his way. He simply opens his mouth and points his index finger into his open mouth over and over again. Some time I would love to catch him on video doing this but until I can I just had to show this little video I ran across which so demonstrates at the end what he does.

This cat is Byron's brother.

Happy Durpay

2008-03-18T21:25:00.000-07:00

Today is Kelli's birthday and little Lucy wanted to send her a birthday video. Kelli is in Baltimore spending a week with Brian seeing the sites so we will celebrate when she returns. But in the meantime here is Lucy singing for Aunt Kelli. I love the way she says birthday (durpay).

Emmy's Program

2008-03-14T06:33:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to Emma's school program. The first, second and third grades were performing songs and dances from around the world. I love to watch the kids in action because some of the expressions are so great. Unfortunately there was no stage so it was pretty difficult to get pictures and video. But we did manage to get a few.
Here is Emma in the midst of one of the songs. She seems to be enjoying herself quite a bit. She has been singing some of these songs for a few weeks when she is visiting as well as she has shown me a few dance steps.

Lucy and Kelli are intently watching the program. I think this is one of the dances the kids were doing with all kinds of colored boa looking things. I don't really know what they were called but it was pretty cute, especially at the end when the some of the kids were arguing between themselves at how they were to be placed to make a star. At least I think that is what they were making....I couldn't see very well.

O.K. the program is over and grandma is bugging to take a picture. She really does not want to cooperate even with her dad telling her to. A long tiring day and evening. So Jed offers her a cookie and then the tune changes a bit.

Oh well now that perked her up. Just up her alley. But darn she has to go home to get it.

Here I finally got my picture.

Melted Crayons, Bubbles and Memorial

2008-03-12T03:27:00.000-07:00

While Jed was away we kept Lucy and Emma this past weekend and had lots of activities going on. Emma composed some of her own music and here is a picture of Lucy trying to copy her at the piano.
We did many things like bake cookies, make big crayons from all of the bits and pieces we have accumulated, blew bubbles, chased chickens, collected eggs, played games, had pizza with Joe and Sheri, some old friends and also visited Kyla's memorial to take her some flowers.

This activity was very fun. We just broke and mixed up the crayons bits after taking off the paper and put them in baking tins and baked at 170 degrees until they melted. After letting them sit to harden for about an hour we had mixed up colors.

Emma blew bubbles for Lucy outside until she ran out of breath. Then "Old Grandma" had to take over while the girls chased and popped them.

Emma made a paper Easter egg to hang with the flowers she and Lucy picked out for their mommy. Emma picked the carnations and Lucy picked the color, "lellow" as she says.

Outside at Springfield Memorial Gardens. Cute aren't they?

This Little Boy

2008-03-11T05:48:00.000-07:00

The Saturday before this last one we dropped by Jill and Wade's home to deliver some items from Costco. As usual when we drop by little Byron is so happy and immediately grabs Grandad's hand and drags him off to his bedroom, shuts the door and turns off the light. We then hear his ornery laugh...the one he has for teasing. He gives us lots of big hugs and keeps telling us "Bye Byes?" meaning he wants to go with us. This time was no different. He usually does not spend Saturday nights with us because they go to church early the next morning. But how can you resist this little guy getting his shoes and jacket and bringing them to you? I promised them I would give him a bath in the morning and bring him in for church which meant that he didn't really get to spend that much awake time with us. He just melts my heart because he is so happy to be going and just talks and laughs the entire time in the car.

It is the cutest little naughty things that he does that make me laugh out loud much to Wade and Jill's leering eye, you know the look of exasperation. He loves to see the animals and the reactions that he can get from them much to Kelli's chagrin. This I say because after softly touching and petting Marvin, her rabbit, he then delights in shaking the cage and making him hop away. He is such a busy little curious boy.

This is the perfect picture of him running up our lane to "Grandma and Grandads house" where he knows all he has to do is say "kack" (snack) and he gets fruit snacks galore.

Photos courtesy of Byron's mommy, Jill

Bake A Cooky Please Grandma

2008-03-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

This cook book is the same book I learned to make cookies from as a child. I was so happy to see that it was published again because of course, although my mom still has it I am sure, it was pretty sad looking when I was a child with pages missing and stained. I ran out and purchased it and Emma and I made one of my old time favorites, Butterscotch Brownies. These are so easy to make and we almost always have the ingredients on hand. We left out the walnuts because most of the kids don't like them.

Butterscotch Brownies

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup shortening

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 inch square baking pan.

In large bowl, cream the melted butter and brown sugar then add vanilla and egg. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, walnuts, baking powder and salt. Slowly add to egg mixture, stirring until well blended. Spread dough evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for 20 to 24 minutes. Don't over bake.

Heard Recently

2008-03-07T06:29:00.000-08:00

Having the grandchildren spend the night regularly I hear things that are pretty cute. Just a couple.

Byron: He came through the door after arriving home and ran into the kitchen and turned around and being a man of many words said "COOK". Hmmm! I guess we know what is on his mind most of the time. The kid loves to eat.

Emma: "I know grandma, you could buy Lucy two pairs of shoes and then I could get a pair". This was said after we bought her a pair of pants, a shirt and a jacket. We bought Lucy a pair of pants, a shirt and a pair of "sparkle shoes" because her old ones were worn out. Emma was trying to be fair of course so that they would each have four things. Little stinker.....becoming quite the little shopper already.

Lucy: "Gwamma, I hungry" at 5:30 a.m. while still in bed. I heard her on the baby monitor and she absolutely would not go back to sleep so we had a snack before breakfast.

A Message For Our Cousins

2008-03-04T05:10:00.000-08:00

A few weekends back Emma was missing her cousins from Baker. We were watching video clips that my sister, Kristi put up of some of the things the kiddos are learning in home school. Emma began wishing they were here and wanted to make a video message from her and Lucy.

Piano Babies

2008-02-26T06:45:00.000-08:00

Saturday after dumping Legos on the floor for gram to trip on, Lucy turned on the portable piano and tried to get Byron to dance with her. He was having no part of that but he did sing a little for her. Don't you just love the princess dress Lucy is wearing. Michelle, a lady that babysits the girls occasionally gave her this and she has been obsessed with wearing it.

Do a little dance. Don't you love the little belly hanging out?

On to try out the big piano

Little Piano Babies

Time With My Little Man

2008-02-22T12:15:00.000-08:00

Byron, Jill and Wade came for spaghetti dinner last night. Byron loves most kinds of pasta and it really shows on his face.

I mean literally!

Today while Jill was at her doctor appointment Gram and Byron went to Willamalane Park to play. This boy is ALL boy. He loves to climb and had absolutely no fear of going down the slide by himself. I am the one that had a hard time going after him. He can be very fast.

The swinging is fun but he definitely wanted to be on the run so this only lasted about three minutes.

Back to climbing.

Off to the sand box where a whole lot of tossing sand went on. This was great fun until the last handful went directly and quickly in his mouth. I should have taken a picture because the look on his face was really funny but I was too busy trying to dig it all out. Yuk! Mommy will probably be finding sand in all sorts of places.

Back to the car to have the yummy lunch that mommy packed him in his Scooby Doo lunch box.

One tired little boy ready for a nap.

A Dizzy Asian Celebration

2008-02-20T05:33:00.000-08:00

Lucy and Emma attended the Asian Celebration last Sunday with their dad. It looks like they had a very good time by these pictures.

Here is Emmy with her big smile wearing her headband which has her name in Japanese.

Here is Emmy with her good friend Delaney and Lucy. I love this cute photo.

Apparently Lucy was dancing very dramatically and she got a little dizzy when spinning around and fell onto a stranger's feet. Cracks me up especially when she was doing the little thing with her finger in this video that looked like she was directing the music.

Reading

2008-02-18T06:14:00.000-08:00

Emma and I finished The Indian In The Cupboard a couple of weekends ago. I have to admit I loved reading this. The Indian and the Cowboy were pretty funny and I loved reading in their voices. The way the author wrote was great. It really made you feel like you were there with them. I kind of had a soft spot for the cowboy because he was always crying. Just not what you think of when you imagine a cowboy.

Although there four more books in the series we decided to take a break from it and begin on Anne of Green Gables.

Emma began reading the first chapter after we finished the Indian and as tired as her little eyes were found it hard to put down.

Who could resist such a cute little toothy smile.

Sweets for Sweethearts

2008-02-14T06:57:00.000-08:00

For my little valentines I made heart cookies. I did this once before a few years ago and the kids really liked it. Dave used to always buy a huge chocolate chip cookie from the Cookie Company for them on their birthdays. After it closed we could never find those large cookies so after hearing some huge hints from Kelli I decided to make a version of them for valentines day.

Of course the big kids got some as well. I delivered Byron, Wade and Jill's on my lunch hour and we delivered Emma and Lucy's after work.

Happy Valentines Day!

ABC Song

2008-02-11T05:13:00.000-08:00

I finally caught Lucy singing her ABC song. She sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star as well but I haven't got her to do the entire song yet on tape.

Around Campus Today

2008-02-08T12:38:00.000-08:00

Some of you know and some don't that I work at the University of Oregon. On my lunch hour I walked around campus a bit because my back has really been bothering me. So I took along my camera.

A very dedicated duck fan. I love this bike.

Seemed to be a green and gold day. Look at these crocus popping up already!

The Sun'l Come Up

2008-02-07T06:54:00.000-08:00

This is from Emma to me. You just can't look at this on your refrigerator and not know that the sun will come up tomorrow. I have something to keep looking forward to.

Little Boy

2008-02-04T22:36:00.000-08:00

Byron came to stay with us over night on Friday. He is doing some really funny things right now and although some of them probably drive Jill and Wade crazy (like tantrums) we are delighting in his drama. Oh it is so much fun to be a grandparent.
Aunt Kelli has fun teaching the kids how to make faces and just be kind of gross in general. Here Byron is trying to copy her and he starts out with both eyes pulled down like hers but it always ends up with just one.

Right now Kelli has her rabbit in the family room and Byron is just fascinated with it. He loves to rattle the cage and scare it to see it run and then just laughs and laughs. If we won't let him do it he says "buggy", his version of bunny. Of course Aunt Kelli does NOT think this is cute so we have to try to keep him away from the cage when we aren't supervising him and he does not like it one bit. Oh the drama of it.....face down when we say no.

I mean really. See the suffering. It looks mighty painful.

Is anyone paying attention to me? Guess not. So off to have a bath and play in the bubbles.

After breakfast and a bath.

A little sleepy after lunch.

Playing With Photoshop

2008-02-03T14:21:00.000-08:00

Who Are These Girls?

2008-01-31T19:52:00.000-08:00

I ran across this photo while searching through some others and decided since these girls are still in contact with each other it would be fun to post. High school graduation day, 2003. Kim, Kelli, Jenny, Lidsay and Sarah. Seems so long ago.....

Snow, Cookies, Valentines, Paper Houses and Monsters

2008-01-28T23:42:00.001-08:00

Lucy and Emma spent a long weekend with us while Jed was away. The winter storm that blew in made for lots of fun.

Kelli and Emma have a snowball fight while Dave and Lucy prepare Brian's giant borrowed ski gloves. Not knowing we would have this much snow the girls didn't have their gloves or boots. However, Emma's farmer boots as she calls them worked great.

Kelli gets a little help from Lucy building a snowman.

Kelli presenting her most excellent creation. By that time Lucy decided it was time to make the chickens come out in the snow and wouldn't pose. Note: the hens just pecked the snow and would not put their dainty claws in one speck.

Here Emma perfects her snow dog. She was completely thrilled to have a snow day and miss school. We drank lots of hot cocoa and baked cookies twice, once with grandad and once with me.

Lucy loved being out there and playing in the snow even though she could barely walk in it she is so short. Her new thing is to ask to watch duck and pig. That is the movie Babe but I can't get her to call it that. Cute!

Emma built a paper roof to form a covered fort behind the futon. Glad it didn't snow on it.

Inside the covered fort with a couple of munchkins.

Byron and Lucy sharing a hug in the covered fort.

We also had a visit from two little monsters who walked around scaring everyone.

Looks like this monster is ready for summer. Actually his shirt was wet. Byron got to do a little sledding in town before Jill and Wade braved the roads to visit. I didn't get to see him outside at our house because he was already in and shoes off before I knew they were there. Dang!

Three of the many valentines Emma made. She is one busy little girl. We are only one chapter away from finishing the Indian in the Cupboard. I better get the next book. She is loving this story.

Finger Weaving

2008-01-21T11:18:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Emma demonstrated a skill her teacher taught her at school. It is called finger weaving. As I watched her do this I was in complete amazement. She rarely looked at what she was doing and her hands and fingers just flew. I looked at the final product and realized that it is what we used to do as kids. We called it boondoggles (see picture above). She was repeating this with yarn instead of the plastic laces we used to use. I took a short video of it so you can see just how fast she is. Amazing!

Ring Around the Rosy

2008-01-14T06:51:00.000-08:00

This weekend we taped Byron, Lucy and Emma playing Ring Around the Rosy. This got me thinking about the meaning of this game. I couldn't remember what I had learned about it but thought it seemed to be something morbid.

I found that the words to the ring around the rosy children's game have their origin in English history. The historical period dates back to the Great Plague of London in 1665 (bubonic plague) or even before when the first outbreak of the Plague hit England in the 1300's. The symptoms of the plague included a rosy red rash in the shape of a ring on the skin (ring around the rosy). Pockets and pouches were filled with sweet smelling herbs (or posies) which were carried due to the belief that the disease was transmitted by bad smells. The term "Ashes Ashes" refers to the cremation of the dead bodies! The death rate was over 60% and the plague was only halted by the Great Fire of London in 1666 which killed the rats which carried the disease which was transmitting via water sources. The English version of "Ring around the rosy" replaces Ashes with (A-tishoo, A-tishoo) as violent sneezing was another symptom of the disease.

Well that was kind of depressing. Here watch this and notice Byron at the end of the game. He cracks me up that boy.

Winter Weekend

2008-01-06T20:27:00.001-08:00

Brian left for Baltimore Sunday in the wee morning hours. We are a strange bunch right now. Dave was coming to bed at 2:00 a.m. because he couldn't sleep and I was getting up at 3:00 a.m. to take Brian to the airport. The flight was on time even though it snowed Saturday. He arrived safely without any delayed flights and only forgot his box of contact lenses and his camera cables. We will miss him and look forward to seeing him some time this summer.

Here is what Brian does best. Torture. The funny thing is even though the nieces and nephew scream and don't like it, they keep coming back for more. That is except Emma. She knows.

See what I mean? Byron just came back for more.

Jill has been really enjoying sewing. She has made four baby blankets for the newest little addition. Now I can finally say that she is having a little boy due May 1st. We are looking forward to having this new little one in the family.

Here is an ugly baby. This baby used to be one of triplet babies that Kelli had when she was a little girl. I don't know what happened to the others but I never could figure out why these dolls had just one tuft of hair right out of the middle of their heads. Very strange. Jill has been letting the kids in her day care play with it but it has come in handy for her also.

Look! Awwwww, isn't this sweet. She was goofing off and sewed some clothes for the doll all without a pattern. Just looking. Pretty good for a beginner.

There goes Byron leading Grandad to the snacks in the pantry. He now knows the one who is the biggest softy.

Some New Year Fun

2008-01-01T22:21:00.001-08:00

Byron, Lucy and Emma spent New Years evening with Dave and I. After dinner we spent most of the evening being chased, laughed at, and led everywhere. Kelli just moved back home this week and Brian is home for one more week so we only had one extra bedroom. Emma informed me that she does not like Lucy's snoring so therefore, she would like to have the bedroom. No problem though. Dave blew up our inflatable mattress and Lucy and Byron slept on it after much jumping, somersaults and rolling around. I stayed in the living room with them just to make sure that a couple of adventurous two-year-olds were sleeping instead of climbing on top of the piano, fixing a snack in the microwave or removing diapers by themselves and leaving me surprises.

Happy New Year everyone! May your lives be filled with blessings and joy.

And this is the tree....one last look before packaging flies around the room. The tree was so dry it came down the day after Christmas.

Jed with Lucy and Emma

Jill and Wade. Couldn't catch Byron with them. He was too busy running.

Brian and Kelli getting ready to tear into their gifts. Things haven't changed all that much from when they were little. Brian still tells me that I have taken away Christmas (er, Santa) and the Easter Bunny for the adult kids and he is now scarred for life. Poor little boy.

We went for our annual holiday pizza with good friends, Joe and Sheri. It just wouldn't be the same without seeing them.

I am throwing in these two pictures because they crack me up. Byron looks like he is having the best pizza of his life.

Here he just looks so mischievous. Little stinker.

The Nutcracker

2007-12-24T01:05:00.000-08:00

Emma and I went on a special date to the Nutcracker Ballet which was put on by the Eugene Ballet Company. Friday before Christmas I picked her up from her house and she looked very pretty. We had a quick dinner out and then off we went to the Hult Center. The performance began at 8:00 and I was a little doubtful that she would make it to the end which would have been around 10:00 p.m. We had great seats and she did great until the final act and at that point decided that she was too tired to stay. I had told her that we could leave any time she felt the need to.

The ballet was really spectacular from the dancers to the set and orchestra. Dave sent his small binoculars for Emma and she really enjoyed seeing each character up close. I forgot my camera so I couldn't get a picture of her before the event. When we arrived back at the house she was very cranky and her dress was beginning to itch.

This is the only picture that I managed to get.....right before she got ready for bed. Poor little itchy, cranky girl. A little melt down. I think next year we should go on Saturday or Sunday during the day don't you think?

Feliz Navidad!!!!

2007-12-20T00:27:00.000-08:00

In The Moment

2007-12-13T04:53:00.000-08:00

There was once a young and very beautiful princess named Kyla who had two little princesses of her own. She loved to be together with all of her family, especially on holidays. This lovely princess chose her Christmas tree one day before Christmas with joy and anticipation just like she always did even though she was going through hard times personally. She knew she might not be here for much longer but still CHOSE to make each moment count, especially for her girls.

The photo above shows how much she enjoyed each moment, even the most simple of moments. If only we could all live our lives IN each moment instead of what is in the past and what we anticipate in the future. Very difficult perhaps, but if we can remember Kyla and her spirit as she was here on this earth maybe it will remind us that we need to be present now.

So as I hang the stockings for all of my family this Christmas, her stocking is not only in honor of my daughters life but MY reminder that I am choosing to be in every second of each day.

Merry Christmas!

Good Morning Gift

2007-12-05T11:09:00.000-08:00

I thought as a mother of four I had seen or experienced most everything. I was wrong, very wrong. There is this gift called grandchild!

Lucy spent the night Tuesday as is usual. We had a nice dinner with the family for Wade's birthday and all went reasonably well considering there were two 2-year old children at the table in a restaurant. Only a couple of tantrums, mean faces, spilled water and hiding of eyes on grandma's shoulder, crying, not wanting to eat the macaroni and cheese, etc. That is what I come to expect. However, the fun part was also there.....holding their hands and running across the street all the while little peals of laughter coming from them both. Great fun and I still smile when I remember.

So this morning after a good nights sleep for Lucy, she ate her breakfast, took a bath, combed her hair and brushed her teeth. She was dressed and waiting for grandma and grandad to finish getting ready for work. As I was putting on hand lotion I noticed she was very quiet and seemed to have disappeared from our bedroom. Next thing as I turn around I hear "Gwamma". (Disclaimer: Those faint of heart might want to stop reading here). Lucy is standing there around the corner with her pants around her ankles, her pull-ups off and cupped in her hands with a large pile of poo sitting right in the middle of them. I don't know how she managed to take them off, walk back from the hallway with her ankles tethered together like that and not spill anything. Little stinker is so independent right now. She tells me "do it self" all the time. I must be on the watch even more when she is quiet.

Funny Face Lucy from vonda on Vimeo.

An Evans Thanksgiving

2007-11-26T01:10:00.000-08:00

We spent Thanksgiving day with Dave's family. We have much to be thankful for. We are very blessed to have families that love each other and get along. The little things that might annoy each of us really is not important in the big picture and so we celebrated not only the day but each other.
Little baby Max. So sweet!

Where it all began. This is Dave's parents and brothers.

Little Byron coaxing Grandad to come on and play.

Lucy and Emma went to Sisters to spend Thanksgiving with Jed's dad and Kathy. Friday Lucy spent the night with us and Emma had a sleepover with a friend. The rest of the weekend was spent with some good friends that we grew up with.

Gary and Patti

Cute Carrie in a model pose.

Linda and Jason

Kelli with two of her cousins, Molly and Eric. Look how she loves her dessert. Nice face Kells.

Molly and Tailen. Adorable!

20 Things You Didn’t Know About Sesame Street

2007-11-21T09:41:00.000-08:00

Jim Squires posted an article at fjetsam about 20 things you didn’t know about Sesame Street.

1. Baby Bear is Jewish.

2. The Count is nearly two million years old.

3. The Count’s laugh after counting each number was discontinued over concerns of it frightening children.

4. In 1985, Snuffleupagus ceased to be a creature only Big Bird can see. The reason? Concerns that adults not believing Big Bird about Snuffy would lead to children being afraid to speak out about sexual abuse.

5. In the first season, Grover was brown, not blue.

6. Cookie Monster predates Sesame Street by 3 years. He began his life as “The Wheel Stealer” in an unaired General Foods commercial, and went on to become involved in an IBM training film and a commercial for Munchos, where he went under the name “Arnold the Munching Monster.” Back in these early days, he had a big set of sharp teeth and seemed a little more terrifying to kiddies than the friendly blue monster we all know and love.

7. During his first season in 1979, Telly was known as “The Television Monster.” He had an antenna on the top of his head and his eyes would spin around whenever he watched TV. In 1980 he was revamped into the worrywart we’ve all gotten used to.

8. Rosita, the only Hispanic Muppet on Sesame Street, is actually a fruit bat.

9. In the first season, Oscar the Grouch was orange, not green.

10. In 1970, a single was released of Ernie singing “Rubber Duckie.” It reached #16 on the Billboard chart.

11. Bert and Ernie aren’t gay. Get over it. Sesame Workshop has gone on record about this.

12. The pilot episode of Sesame Street that was screen tested in front of a number of families in July 1969 featured only one Muppet sketch. It involved Bert and Ernie. This was the only part of the show that tested well, so the show was retooled to focus more heavily on the Muppets, and to have them interact with human characters as well.

13. After Jim Henson’s death in 1989, only a handful of “News Flash” segments, which prominently featured Kermit the Frog, were created. In 2001, the sketches, both old and new, were abandoned completely.

14. Guy Smiley’s real name is Bernie Liederkrantz.

15. The fat blue muppet that always plays a customer to Grover’s waiter has a name befitting his appearance - Fat Blue.

16. In 2002, a the South African version of Sesame Street, an HIV-positive muppet was introduced in 2002. Kami is a five year old girl that became HIV-positive through a blood transfusion as an infant. Her name is derived from the word “Kamogelo,” which means “acceptance” in several African languages.

17. Contrary to popular belief, Big Bird is not a canary. He’s a Golden Condor.

18. Although the character of Elmo didn’t debut until 1984, the Elmo puppet was used regularly as a background Muppet since the early 1970’s.

19. Barkley was originally intended to be an acrobatic ape rather than a sheep dog. As well, he was called Woof Woof at first, only being called Barkley after several appearances.

20. Ken Kwapis, the director of the 1985 Sesame Street film “Follow That Bird,” went on to be involved in the creation of such cultural TV landmarks as The Larry Sanders Show and the The Office.

Cupcakes

2007-11-20T15:27:00.001-08:00

Friday night we kept Lucy and Emma and I had promised Emma we would bake cupcakes. Emmy is becoming quite the little baker. She did the entire thing including measuring out ingredients and such. We decided that we would bake them in the shape of stars and they turned out very cute. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture because later on that night she came down with the stomach flu and I got to see that batter again.

Here grandad is trying to slow the eating of batter down a little. But these girls are pretty sneaky and fast.

Oops! Who me? No I am not eating batter.

Mmmmm! Heaven on a spoon!

Hey! I want some more! Wait for me.

Stop! Hold on. Don't take that bowl away yet.

What remained.

Friday Night With Byron

2007-11-12T14:49:00.001-08:00

Friday we kept Byron over night so Jill and Wade could have a free night. We don't get to have him alone very often so Dave and I really enjoyed spending time with the little stinker.
He can be quite mischievous but just cracks us up with the things he does to show off for us. He does jumps, hops, somersaults and generally just runs as fast as he can through the house. He is showing how independent he wants to be just like most two-year-olds and loves to climb on EVERYTHING. He also turns on all the lights, ceiling fans and such. I can't tell you how many times I have had the lights turned off when I am right in the middle of cooking, sewing and other things.

BUT he is so lovey and sweet and just adores Dave. He grabs his hand and just leads him all over the place. What a doll.