Boys and their Toys

Steve came home a few weeks before Thanksgiving

claiming he had bought this Mario racetrack

for when the kids come over to play.

OK - I could buy that.

Then the week of Thanksgiving he has 'snuck in'

a Polar Express Train set - claiming it's also for the kids.

Maybe I could buy that.

But then today he makes another trip to

the hobby shop to 'add' to his train set.

Is it just me or does it sound like he has

started a new hobby that he doesn't want to fess up to?

2009 Thanksgiving

I've learned that you never know what's going to happen

this time next year - or in the years following.

When Steve and I first got married I volunteered to

take over Thanksgiving for my sister

(she did Christmas)

and since we invited all my side of the family and

all of Steve's side of the family - plus

friends and their families-

we always had anywhere from 30 and up to 50 guests.

This year we had 8

and that's counting Hadley.

Only one table to set.

I think we all had a good time.

Plenty of food and time to play and relax.

I know Spencer & Coen had fun with Popo's new toys

& Jen & Karl enjoyed Popo entertaining the boys for awhile.

Even though I enjoy 'traditions' - I'm not afraid of change

and I know it's just part of life and growing up.

OK -actually I know I'm too old to host one of

those huge feasts anymore so a little change is good!

But of course - I'm always hoping all my kids

will join us one of these times - maybe Christmas?

Happy Belated Birthday Gracie

Sweet Gracie Girl had a family birthday party last night

minus a big chunk of the family.

She woke up from her nap with a bark and a sniffle

so the cousins were warned away.

But that's ok - they were all at her kid party

last week on her real birthday.

The family party was Grace and her 'adult' family

and we had a great time celebrating with the birthday girl.

She has mastered the art of blowing out those candles!

As I watched her 'sample' the plastic food for her shopping cart -

I was thinking it's probably a good thing the cousins were not there

to help her taste each item.

She wasn't so under the weather that she couldn't tease Nana.

I asked for a smile and she gave me her silly face instead.

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Gracie Girl

and hope you feel all better real soon!

I love you so much!

Lucky 13

I know I'm a little behind here but I've been busy.

Hadley Elizabeth

born November 13

at 3:13 pm

and even though they weighed her at 6 lbs. 14 oz.

I'm thinking their scale was off by an ounce

and it was probably 13 oz. :)

She is beautiful and the boys are delighted with her -

they want so much to "help"

take care of her.

Mommy & Daddy are terribly 'sleep deprived'

but doing great in spite of it.

She is our 6th grandchild - third granddaughter.

Our lives overflow with God's Blessings

and we are loving every minute of it!

Watching them Fall

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn."

Elizabeth Lawrence

"The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds,

no matter how hushed,

are as crisp as autumn air."

Eric Sloane

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me,

Fluttering from the autumn tree."

Emily Bronte

HAPPY AUTUMN AND FALLING LEAVES!!

Happy Halloween

Halloween has changed since I was a kid.

I don't believe that there were ever any pictures of me in costume taken -

but it doesn't matter because I always just put on

dad's old clothes and went as a bum -

and I still got just as much candy as anyone else.

Also, my parents use to have over 100 kids come each year.

When they ran out of candy they turned out the lights

and retreated to the back of the house.

We're lucky if we have a dozen kids at our house.

I remember when we would get stuff like homemade popcorn balls,

bags of popcorn and candy apples from the neighbors.

You'd never get away with that stuff these days.

Hard to believe that these pictures were taken just last year -

they have all grown so much since then!

We didn't use to buy all the fancy costumes for our kids -

they were either homemade or those cheap

all in one boxes with a one piece costume and a mask.

But they were still cute and got plenty of candy.

Looks like we may have nicer weather by this weekend -

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween!

Jackson is 1!

We celebrated Jackson's 1st Birthday tonite

with presents, pizza and, of course, cake.

As most kids - he thought the tissue paper was pretty neat -

But he was mostly into this big yellow truck Jessie's parents had gotten him.

In fact, big sister Ayden had to step in and finish opening his presents for him.

Every boy needs a truck and he was very focused on his - so cute.

However, he was so focused, even after about 9 tries,

I still could not get him to look up for a picture

And the cake - well - he wasn't too sure about all that - but it was all very good.

Hard to believe he could be 1 already!

Happy Birthday sweet Jackson - We love you!

How Quickly They Grow!

Spencer wanted to come for an "Overnite"

and last night worked best for all concerned.

He hasn't spent the night here by himself

since he was 2 and Jen & Karl had a wedding in KC.

I think he had a good time but it reminded me

of how much he has grown in 3 years.

This is Spencer now

( in our 1st of 5 or 6 sleeping arrangement choices)

He still likes to have his 'guys' but

he doesn't want them in bed with him now.

This is Spencer at 2 with his monkey & horse "guys"

Spencer now allowed to eat breakfast in the den

preferred the cinnamon toast -

powdered donuts were not a top choice anymore.

Spencer at 2 when powdered donuts were 'yummy!"

Spencer has always been a really good kid and we enjoyed his visit.

But it's funny how it's almost easier now

when he can tell you what he wants or needs -

and yet, sometimes it was easier

when he was 2 and I could tell him what he wants and needs.

:)

"Children's children are a crown to the aged."

Proverbs 17:6

Quiz and a Quote

QUIZ - Who can tell me where this picture was taken?

I doubt if many will know but a few will.

I took it during a 'calm' and it

made me feel happy and peaceful.

I LOVE AUTUMN!!

This picture also makes me think of the peaceful times

I've spent on front/ back porches.

Therefore - a QUOTE:

"The best kind of friend

is the one you could sit on a porch with,

never saying a word,

and walk away feeling like

that was the best conversation you've had."

Unknown

Stevie is 28 Tomorrow!

My baby boy is having another birthday-

and even after 28 years he's still getting away

with everything with that "who me?" smile.

It's hard to resist - he's still so cute!

This is Stevie when he was 2 -

This is Ayden and Jessie and Ayden is 2.

I'm sure someday we'll see some

Stevie in her but you can't deny that

she looks just like her mom -

such big beautiful eyes.

This is Stevie when he was 1.

Jackson is not quite 1 but he's close.

He has a lot of his mommy in

his looks too -but there are moments

when I get a glimpse of Stevie-

especially when he smiles.

Stevie - Have a wonderful and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

LOVE YOU ALWAYS

Anniversary Time

The last 3 years we have celebrated our anniversary with

David & Vicki and it's a tradition I hope

we continue for many more years.

They are at 35 years and we are 37.

Had a great dinner at Sam's Steakhouse -

even though the guys were disappointed there

was no Beer Cheese Soup.

Happy Anniversary to all!

20 Years Wait - for This?

About 20 years ago we took the kids down to Branson and on Steve's list of things to do (and anyone who has been on a trip with Steve knows there's a list) was to see the Shoji Tabuchi show.

However, this was his 'last day' event on the list and by that time the kids (who were about 13, 9, and almost 8) had come to the end of their limit with his 'shows to see'.

We ended up going home instead.

Years later there were at least a couple of times when he tried to get us in to see the show but either it didn't fit the plans or Shoji was on his own vacation.

THIS WAS THE YEAR!

I almost couldn't believe it when at intermission he turned to me and said, "This is awful - let's leave." The irony was too much so I made him let me take his picture by the Shoji sign. But at least we got to see the 'famous' bathrooms - they were quite impressive.

Other than that show we had a good time and did several things we had never done in Branson before. We took the Branson Scenic Train Tour, went to the Dixie Stampede, saw SIX, The 60's Show, and Red Skelton show - all which was pretty good. We of course went to Mel's Hard Luck Cafe and stopped in to see Liz (Mel was working at home) and we went down to the Landing where we ran into Jonathas who told us to go eat at Shorty Small's (I think that was the name) - anyway it was yummy!

Now we're back home and trying to get the house back together after having the wood floors finished -which is why we left town in the first place.

Lucky for us none of the local thieves knew that the floor people had left our front door unlocked :).

Ayden is 'almost' 2!

We celebrated Ayden's 2nd birthday today

(it's just a few days early)

and had lots of fun and good food.

Here is the birthday girl sporting her pretty "2" dress and

enjoying her peanut butter & jelly sandwich.

Mommy & Daddy helping get all those presents open.

And somehow cupcakes taste better when daddy feeds it to you.

Brother Jackson found something that made him grin.

Cousin Spencer checking out the toys.

Cousin Gracie showing her mommy how to party.

And cousin Coen trying his best to keep the party lively.

Ayden is kinda like her Nana - she prefers "low-key" parties.

She got a little overwhelmed by all the people and

activity a few times but I know she'll enjoy all her new toys

and I hope she had fun. I think the whole family is probably

taking a nap right about now - good idea!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET AYDEN!!!

Things are Improving

I have walls now - YEAH! Now if I could just get rid of all the pesky flys that have snuck in - I guess I should be grateful there are no birds of creepy critters.