Grandma'a Song

While watching an episode of "Reba" with Rebecca on a hot summer afternoon I discovered a song that I love, and yes it is a country song. The entire episode makes me cry because it is a little too close to the heart but when she sings to her newborn Grandaughter the tears really flowed.

This song is dedicated to the sweetest Grandchildren ever!!!

Angels Lullby

Midnight moonlight shining through the curtain lace

Paints a perfect picture on your perfect face

One sweet angel sleeping in my arms

You are the promise I knew God would keep

You are the gift that makes my world complete

And you'll never know how much I love you

But I'll keep on telling you my whole life through

Now I believe in miracles, and you're the reason why

So dream on while I sing you my angel's lullaby

Miracle in May

A few days before we were supposed to go to Kansas for the arrival of Nora, Cydney called and told us that she was having timetable contractions. We had already decided to leave a couple of days earlier than planned but I was really afraid that we would not be there in time for the arrival. We went through Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri to get to Kansas. FINALLY at 1:00 a.m. we arrived in Overland Park. Much to the dismay of all her contractions had stopped. It was difficult to see her walk around because she was so miserable and all baby. After a few hours of sleep we went and met Ken at his school and had a picnic lunch on the grounds. Charlie had a great time running and running. I kept making Cydney walk and move around hoping that it would send her into labor. To the point that she was frustrated with me. Sorry Cyd!

I know that she will be mad for putting these pictures on but I am only because I can't believe that she was actually walking around at this point and this was two days before she delivered. I was so concerned because she was so swollen and her blood pressure was going up and down. I tried to get her to call her Dr. but she is very stubborn, can't imagine where she got that from.

We went to a local park for a barbecue to walk around a little. Charlie loved running and being outside.

We played games on Memorial Day and waited and watched but still no baby. Later that night she came into our room and told us she had been having contractions for several hours and they were going to go to the hospital to be checked. That was about two in the morning and at seven we finally headed over to the hospital to check on them. A little while later her Dr. came and broke her water trying to get things to progress. Her labor progressed pretty well and she was trying to go on without medication.

The wait was pretty difficult, who wants to see their children go through such pain. My mom always used to say "If I could take the pain away I would." I understand that so well!

The Dr.s and nurses were getting concerned because Cyd was getting so tired and seemed to plateau. After sometime she finally agreed to have an epidural and things moved along very quickly. At 5:22 p.m. Nora finally entered the world.

Yep at 10 lbs. 7 oz.!

When Ken came down the hallway to get us he wouldn't tell us how much she weighed because they both wanted to see our reaction when we heard the birth weight. Like I said before she was all baby. I was so relieved for her to have it all over for her.

The happy little family.

I told Cydney that one of the blessings after child birth is the wonderful time together and that we are blessed to forget the ordeal when you have that little one in our arms. Thank goodness many of us would stop at one if we didn't.

What a sweetheart!

Grandpa got her first but notice the phone in his hand as all of the phone calls began to start. Everyone was so anxious to hear the news and that all was ok.

My turn, she has quite a little scream.

Reb's turn, she was quite the "proud" aunt. (not meant in a bad way of course.)

Just listen to that scream that disappeared so very quickly!

I just love being a Grandma, and especially a mom!

Yardwork

During the time Kerry is home until he leaves again he is constantly on the go, this trip he was in the yard getting it ready for the Summer season.

The Golden Chain tree is absolutely beautiful this year.
Kerry surprised me by putting Honeysuckle on the side yard to grow over the arch. He just waited for me to find it, which sadly took a couple of days before I finally did.
I decided to emphasize the yard in red this year. Kerry and I put the planters together and placed them along the side yard.
I'm anxious to get these herbs going and to use them.
Kerry put the grow boxes with the peppers together. The peony bushes were just ready to pop as we were getting ready to head to Kansas. The hanging baskets and Impatient plants ready to go. And then the large flower pots on the patio. No potato plants to take over the patio and side yard this year.
Kerry also tilled an planted the garden. I can hardly wait to have fresh tomato's and peppers!

Push Over!

One afternoon I was going into the kitchen and looked into the family room and saw this picture.

We love to try and snuggle with Quate' but he really isn't a very social dog within thirty seconds after the first picture was taken I heard a a thud and realized that he had literally pushed her over and out of the chair.
You just don't mess with him while he is in "his chair."

Mother's Day

For Mother's day we gathered at Jessica's house for dinner, I love that we can get together as often as we do even though we miss those in the family that can't be there. When we get together at Jessica's lately means that we are going to play games later.

All moved into their place they are happy and relaxed.

I didn't think that she was really going to take this picture, but I was playing Hide and Seek with her anyway.
These two were deep in conversation and just loving the time together.

Each of the mom's got a White Willow figurine, or verse on a plaque from me for Mother's day.

Happy Mother's Day

A Place of Their Own!! Moving Day

While Rachel and Cameron were not in their new home as quickly as they had hoped to be the day finally came that they closed! I had been able to sneak in and put these on the counter to surprise them.

This is the front of the new home, it really is nice inside!
There is something magical about going into your own place for the first time.

Both Cameron's Grandma and I suggested that he carry her across the threshold was a good tradition here as well.

And then the real moving began. We have moved enough in our family to know that if you can get a kitchen set up quickly the rest falls into place pretty quickly

Natalie was limited in what she could do because we wouldn't let her lift anything we are all just so excited for her.

Lot's of hands mean light work, but also some rearranging for Rachel to find the perfect way she wants things. If she's anything like me the arranging will be an on going thing.

Where to go next?
The guys were waiting for a trailer to arrive to bring the heavy stuff over so Dave just chilled while we were in the kitchen.
The following Sunday afternoon when Kerry was home we initiated the home with a family dinner. The little hill behind the house was a great place to gather and to play.

It didn't take very long to feel like a home there!

Rosemarie and Patti joined us for dinner.

Spencer was delighted to have Grandpa back in town with him.

Rachel had bought some building blocks for the boys to play with when they came to visit. Cameron and Caleb had some quiet time to break them in.

We are very excited for them to be able to buy their own home but it will certainly be much more quiet in ours.!

BIrthday fun!

When we got home from O'ahu we all got ready for the day and headed out to Caleb's birthday party. I am really having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that he is already five.

He has discovered Star Wars and so this is the master piece Jessica made for him this year.

Even the Death Star made it's appearance.

While he was waiting for the magician to get set up and all of his friends to get there he enjoyed watching Star Wars, I managed to get him to look at me and give me this sweet smile.

The magician in Star Wars costume finally got ready and he held the kids captivated while trying to entertain the adults as well.



I think that the magician had a lot of fun bringing the adults into the show and making fun at the same time.

For the biggest part of the show he held the kids in the palm of his hand, but went just a little bit long.

The climatic ending was getting Jessica into the box and sawing her in half, while she was handcuffed to Caleb. As you can tell by the next picture he was getting a little concerned towards the end of the trick and was very happy to see her step out of the box.

Spencer had enough and started to wander around, he went upstairs and was playing with me on the stairs.


After the magician ended it was finally time to open presents and eat that cake.

A very fun day for a very fun little boy!!!!!

On his real birthday we went to dinner at The Mayan in Salt Lake as a family. It was fun to watch the boys faces as the divers performed and came around to the tables.

How old are you now?

We can't seem to resist posing on the statues there, at least the fountain wasn't on yet. Aren't those women beauties? Doesn't that statement make me feel old?

We miss you Cyd and Ken!

"The Eternal Twins"

Of course it was still time for presents and I couldn't resist building on the trains since it has been such a major part of his life for the past year. He had an abundance of Star War stuff too.


Don't you love that smile? I've always said he's curious enough that he has the mind of an engineer but wasn't thinking this kind. No matter he makes a pretty darn cute engineer.

If we could just keep him this age for awhile.