Playing Catch-Up On the Blog

I can hardly believe it has been two months since I have updated our blog. The time has been taken up by countless activities including a move for Papa Norm and I, as well as a quick trip to our beloved Kauai timeshare. I will try and do a catch up with a few comments and photos of the highlights.

The track season ended with great improvement from both Claire and Chloe. Claire ended up in first place the last two or three meets. Chloe moved up in her placement as well. We are so proud of how hard the girls worked and we enjoyed very much seeing Mike as one of the coaches of their team. Christopher was the assistant coach and got to help Mike with the practices by blowing the whistle when needed.

 

 

I continue to enjoy my time in the 2nd grade classroom. Below are Claire and Chloe hard at work. They both received awards last week for excellence in academic achievement. We were not at the awards presentation but later when I asked Claire if she was excited when she received her award, she answered, "I wasn't really sure what those fancy words meant until Mommy and Daddy explained it to me." We are still laughing about that response.

 

 

One of the highlights of the past months included a Grandparents Day for the 2nd grade class. In one of my last posts I mentioned that the girls had interviewed us and the class subsequently did a study on the time period that covered their grandparents childhood. It was great to hear some of the comments and information the students passed along. At the conclusion of that study unit they hosted a brunch for Grandparents and they entertained us beautifully by singing a number of songs. Each student had also made a self portrait of what they believe they will look like in their old age.

Another highlight was a visit to a local pumpkin patch. The three C's had so much fun and the light rain that came, off and on, didn't put a damper on their enjoyment at all.

 

 

Along with the fun things we did, we also were able to move from our home of 38 years to a lovely but way smaller home near the three C's. We live about 10 minutes from them which is so much better than the hour drive it was previously. It has been a tremendous amount of work but in the end will be well worth the effort. What a blessing to have everything on one level at this point in our lives.

 

 



Just three days after moving (planned a year ago...who knew we would move in the same week?) we left for a few days on Kauai. Only part of our family was able to go, Jon, Suzie, and Lisa, but we had a wonderful relaxing time. Some dear, long time friends, Gary and Patty, also went along and shared our condo and since they hadn't been to that island previously we had a great time showing them around.

Life is good and we continue to take each day and hopefully live it fully. The move has slowed us down a bit and we seem to both "feel it in our bones" but we are not complaining. We shared a great Thanksgiving with most of the family but somehow I didn't get any photos taken.

My last photo on this post shows the beauty of the trees in our new town. These trees happen to be at the three C's home and I couldn't resist taking this photo.

Looking forward to the celebration of Christmas!

Keeping Active

Chris got a new haircut! His Daddy and he decided to buzz his hair. Chris described his new haircut as "awesome". Paula sent me this shot so we could see.

 

 

When the three C's came for one of their last days of swimming, we got to see the haircut in person. So dang cute!!!

 

 

Chloe still working on her diving, she was diving so well by the end of the summer. We are so proud of her efforts and how she kept trying.

 

 

Cross-country track started for the girls. This sport is more Claire's sport than Chloe's, but they both give it their all when running. This is the first meet, Claire is in the lavender tights in 3rd place at this point.

 





 

 Chloe is in the blue shorts, second in line in this picture.

 

 Claire pushing hard and came in 2nd.

 

Chloe at the end of the pack carrying her shoe in her hand. It came off but she picked it up and continued on.....



 

 Sisters....after the first race.....

 

The second meet. Claire second from right and Chloe fourth from the right. Get on your mark, get set, go!!!!! Chloe is all smiles in the last photo of this series. She often is waving at her friends and family as she runs by. Claire, on the other hand, is pretty much business and has her focus on the goal. Claire came in 2nd and Chloe 5th in this meet. We love their unique personalities!

 

 

The girls had some homework to do after the second meet. They were required to interview a grandparent for a story they are writing. Chloe interviewed Papa Norm and Claire interviewed me. It was fun shocking them with stories from the old days...:)

 





Second grade school photos. Love these precious girls.

We will soon be living closer to our grandchildren and will be able to take part in even more of their activities and hopefully be support for the family overall. So thankful for the times we do have together.

The Summer of 2015 Winds Down!!

Wow, who knew that the summer of 2015 could possible go by so fast? We did, however, squeeze in some special time and moments with Claire, Chloe, and Chris. Needless to say, we always welcome time with them and below you can see some snapshots of those times.

Claire and Chloe spent the most part of one week with us during Vacation Bible School time at church. It was so fun to see how excited they were each day and to pick them up and hear all the details. Most of the afternoons were taken up with swimming and/or art work.

Below Chloe stops swimming for a little snack...

Another break from swimming to use the bubbles, you never get too old to enjoy bubbles!

One evening they made a very special dessert for dinner....

Another early morning shot before we take off....

One evening we took them to the local casino for the buffet. Neither girl had ever been to a buffet and they couldn't believe the choices...

On the final day of VBS Chris, Mike, and Paula met us for the ending program. Chris was so taken by the darling little baby in front of him. He kept her laughing for a long time.

 

 

 

Following the week of VBS the girls attended a music camp at a church in their town. We enjoyed attending the musical program at the end of that week.

 

 

 

 

Early in August, Mike and Paula celebrated their anniversary. We asked to have the kids so that they could have some free time to travel or just do stuff together. We had a super fun time with the three C's. There was lots of swimming, of course, some movies, art work, and a trip back to the Casino again so Chris could have the experience.

 

When they arrived, as often happens, they had some art work for us. Chloe made the picture below for Papa. The bird (Chloe knows how much Papa loves his birds), is holding a pencil in his wing and has written "I love you". We thought that was quite clever of her.... :)

 

 

 

 

Paula sent a couple of pictures recently of an outing they took and one with a couple of friends over for a play date.

 



 

 

 

Last weekend we had some unexpected time with the three C's. A fire came too close for comfort to their home and their family, as well as the neighbors, all evacuated for some hours. We were thrilled to pick up the kids from Mike while he went home to check on things at the house. Paula had to work so it was good to know she was safe and sound at the hospital. Mike kept in touch to keep us posted and to relieve the nervous children's minds. They left with only their clothes that they had on so they borrowed some of Aunt Suzie's old t-shirts that happen to still be in our house. The girls even swam in t-shirts. It was during that visit that Chloe began to perfect her dive. The smoky air is certainly apparent in these pictures.

 

 

 





School began this past week and Paula and Mike sent us precious pictures of Claire and Chloe beginning second grade and Chris beginning pre-K as a Busy Beaver at his school!

 

 

This past weekend Chris came for a boys only (except for Grandma) weekend with Papa. It was busy couple of days and the Olive Festival was going on in our town. We went to the parade and bed races and for ice cream on Friday night. Chris kept saying, "The girls aren't having this much fun" which of course kept Papa and I entertained. Early Saturday morning we were up for breakfast at the firehouse where Chris met some new friends and had a great time. Following that we went to the festival in the park across the street and he played some games and bounced in the bounce house. We swam, had lunch, and then hit the sack for a lovely nap! The nap may have been more for my benefit than his although he was literally 'out' in seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

Breakfast this morning and then off to Sunday School to meet Mommy and Daddy and the sisters. Chris didn't want us to tell the girls anything he had done over the weekend!

 

 

We are thankful and blessed to be able to have time with our grandchildren and look forward to the next opportunity that comes along!