Grandkids

When you have grandkids, especially a lot of them, you learn to lower your expectations when it comes to taking photos. There's always someone not looking at the camera or on the verge of crying or caught with their eyes closed or half open. I have come to accept these conditions and cherish the photos anyway. After all, these are the faces of my most cherished treasure!

The Grands

Life is so fun, joyful, exciting, and adventurous with the Grands!

Here's some of what's been going on lately...

Snow fell off the bed over the weekend... Twice!

Jessica said after the 2nd time she got her sleeping bag and took it into the loft to sleep. Good plan.

It's raining this morning. Phoenix area kids rarely have the opportunity to use umbrellas so Snow and Storm deployed theirs for the walk from the car to the school!

Sunny is in 4th grade and you know what that means: Science Fair!

It's hard to believe the school year is almost over. I'm looking forward to Grammy Summer Camp in a few weeks. More time with these lovable kiddos!

January 1st

Last night we hosted the grands for a "Cousin's New Year's Eve Party". We went to Peter Piper Pizza for pizza and wings and games. We came back home, put on jammies, and attempted to stay up until midnight eating snacks and watching "Ferdinand" and "Sing". Unfortunately, at 10 pm, they gave up, watched the ball drop in NYC on TV and went off to bed. Fortunately, they did not wake up when the neighbors shot off fireworks at midnight.

This morning we had donuts and pancakes for breakfast, played, and then their parents picked them up at 10 am. 

What a great way to start the New Year!

Group hug at Peter Piper Pizza!

HO HO HO🎅

This year's Santa photos - Enjoy!

Thunder (7), Snow (2), Blizzard (1), Santa, Skye (7), Summer (9), Storm (4)

Grammy's Summer Camp

Well, I HAD intentions to post regularly about Grammy's Summer Camp this year, but it's been a whirlwind of activity and I'm just now getting around to it.

We are halfway through this year's camp and we've had such fun! It's been a little chaotic in that I never know on any given day just how many grands will be attending, but that just adds to the excitement.

My schedule is to have Sunny and Thunder on T-W-Th. Skye drops in as needed. Storm and Snow are here on T-W for the Bible Study I host that Jessica attends and for Movie Day.

This year our overall theme is "Down on the Farm". My DIL Janel and her mom have graciously supplied us with activities related to farming. Our daily schedule includes Time with God, chores, reading time, worksheets, board games, art, science, cooking, Brain Quest, Flash Cards, and of course, swimming.

I made a reading bingo chart for each of them and a chore chart. They also have a daily reading chart to record the minutes read on. At the end of each week they get to choose from the treasure chest if they've completed their reading minutes. They will get money for their piggy banks at the end of the summer for the chores they've completed.

As a side note I just want to say that they're old enough now to do some chores that are really helpful! I told my daughters that having them do chores three days a week is almost like having a maid, hahaha!

Here's a glimpse into our camp so far...

Storm and Snow playing Candyland and 

goofing off the first week of summer camp

At the movies: Storm, Thunder, Snow, Sunny, Skye

Lunch, then worksheets while the littles napped.

Tio Zach dropped in one day and had fun with Snow 

Thunder completing one of the Reading Bingo options - reading in the bathtub

A field trip to Barnes and Noble, learning about Job at Bible Study,

completing a "Down on the Farm" activity sheet

Playing after the Wednesday morning movie

Just Wishin' and Hopin' and Plannin' and Dreamin'

When Toys R' Us announced their shut down, Jessica and Adam took the kids to the store to see if there were any great bargains to be had. While they were there Snow and Storm found their hearts' desire. Alas, the cost was too great.

But they're wishin' and hopin'...

Two!

Snow celebrated her 2nd birthday last weekend. Her favorite character right now is "Min Mouse" so, of course, she had a Minnie Mouse themed party!

She had so much fun with her cousins and was very much the center of attention, as she should be on her special day.

Snow has a very strong personality. She is a sweetie, but she definitely knows her mind. As my daughter says often, "I don't want to break her strong will, but I'd like to mold it"!

I've signed all of the grands up in the Barnes & Noble Kids Club and as each birthday approaches I receive a coupon for a free treat at B&N to celebrate. When we go to the store to enjoy our treat I always buy them a book. Snow thoroughly enjoyed her Triple Chocolate Chunk cookie (split with her mom and me) and enthusiastically chose a book to take home.

Snow, you are such a special little girl, Gramps and I love you!

Trying out the skateboard with a little help from Tio Zach

Her look says it all... 

Trying to see if there's anything in the purse

I've never met a two-year-old who looked at each and every card

Our official two year old photo

Dad/Daughter

The church that Jessica and Adam attend has a Dad/Daughter event each year. Adam and Snow attended the Western themed event last night.

Adam said she had a blast and participated in all of the activities that she could. She sure looks like she had fun in these photos!

Adam and Snow had their first Dad/Daughter date when she was five days old and attended this event...

Can't wait to see what next year's theme is!

HO...HO...HO

I was so excited about the grandkids' visit to Santa this year. I literally spent weeks anticipating it. You see in October it occurred to me that since JD, Janel, and Blizzard would be here for Thanksgiving it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have all six grandkids in a photo with Santa! Yippee! I plotted and planned... Katie bought matching "Cousin Crew" pj's for them all to wear. I made a reservation to see Santa so we wouldn't have to wait in line.

The big day finally arrived. We drove to the mall in anticipation of the awesome Santa photos we would be getting.

Alas, it was not to be. For some reason as we approached the first photo station, Thunder decided that he did NOT want his photo with Santa. He started throwing a fit like a toddler (most unattractive in a six year old). We managed to get a shot of him in the first photo, but when we reached Santa he completed revolted.

I am bummed. But, on the bright side, I got a photo of five of the grandkids with Santa. I am focusing on the bright side. Really, I am. Yep, one of these days I'll be able to focus on the bright side.

So, here are the Santa photos, the much anticipated Santa photos...

Skye (6), Snow (1), Grammy, Blizzard (10 mos), 

Sunny (8), Storm (3), Gramps, Thunder (6)

Hmmm, wonder if I could insert a photo of Thunder in here?!

Storm is very into Christmas this year and was thrilled 

beyond words to see Santa!

Skye asked for an Appaloosa, but Santa explained that he 

doesn't bring live animals...

Blizzard's first meeting with Santa went very well!

The last time I had a photo of Sunny alone with Santa was in 2010, 

before Thunder was born

After we left the mall, Katie called me and said that Thunder had a change of heart and went back in to take a picture with Santa and Sunny. {{sigh}}

Thanks for Your Prayers...

Storm was released from the hospital late Monday afternoon. Since he's been home, he's gotten his appetite back and is moving around quite well. Thank you for the prayer support you gave us during this time!

As you can see from this photo, Mom and Dad are relieved and Snow and Storm are only interested in watching Netflix. Thankful that their lives are getting back to normal!

Look Who's Into Barbie Dolls...

Recently Snow and Storm were over and she discovered the Barbie dolls. This is the first time she's shown an interest in them. She picked out two of them and put them with her baby dolls and spent the night calling them "baby". She even fed them with the baby bottle. Cute!

Cousins

A few weeks ago Jessica, Adam, Storm, Snow passed through Kansas City on their way to Branson, MO for a family vacation with Adam's family. They coordinated with JD and Janel to join up together in Kansas City for a visit.

This was the first time Blizzard got to meet relatives from JD's family (except for me and Dan). They provided me with cute photos of the cousins all together for the first time.

I would have been envious, but since I knew I was traveling to Kansas a week later I managed to restrain myself😉

Seriously, I can't wait until Thanksgiving when JD, Janel and Blizzard plan to travel here. I'm eager to have ALL of my grandkids together!

Snow - ready for take-off

Storm - a seasoned traveler

Meeting Blizzard

A Happy Mother's Day

Hope you all enjoyed a great Mother's Day yesterday. Now that my kids are all grown with families of their own my Mother's Day is spread over several days. Two weeks ago I celebrated Mother's Day with my daughters with pedicures, lunch, and shopping. We had a fun, leisurely day. On Saturday I celebrated Mother's Day with my husband by going out for breakfast and then more shopping! Yesterday I celebrated Mother's Day with my mom, Jessica and Snow with lunch at Tagliani's and then, you guessed it, shopping! I must admit I'm almost shopped out.

Here is the sweet photo that appeared on my phone yesterday morning with the caption of Happy Mother's Day...

One!

Snow celebrated her first birthday over the weekend. Wow, this year has gone by fast!

Here is our last official monthly photo:

Isn't her birthday crown precious?!

Her party was loads of fun with lots of children in attendance. She enjoyed opening the presents and seemed to like her cupcake. 

Snow is such a sweetie. And a talker. She literally talks the entire time you're holding her. She looks at you earnestly as she speaks, like she's willing you to understand what she's saying. Of course, only a very few words are intelligible. She says hi and bye with gusto. To make the "I love you" sign she points her index finger up in the air. It is so cute! She walks everywhere holding on to something, but hasn't worked up the courage to let go yet. She will... soon!

Snow, you are such a joy to us. We love you!!

The birthday girl with her presents 

Feeding her baby doll

Happy Birthday to you, dear Snow!

Cousin Summer: "Oooh, I love your crown...!"