We Will Miss You Grandpa!

This has been a very sad week for our family. Our dear father, father-in-law, grandpa and great-grandpa passed away. His pain and discomfort are gone now and although we will miss him terribly, he is at peace, as are we, knowing that he is with his Heavenly Father. With his family gathered around the last couple of days of his life, he talked and reminisced and was able to say lots of important things to his children and grandchildren. He has left a wonderful legacy and was always a man who worked and lived with great integrity. Below are some of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who had gathered to help celebrate his 90th birthday a couple of years ago. Claire and Chloe are in the front with their cousins.

Grandpa Ove hadn't met Christopher yet, but was looking forward to visiting him in the near future. That was not to be.

This picture is from last week. Christopher, being held by his Mommy, is grinning big time at Papa. He really seems fascinated by Papa and we have decided it might be Papa's voice.

Claire and Chloe enjoying nature as they ate their lunch. The flowers and rocks and just about anything else outside makes these girls smile.

Papa and I had made a trip to the North Coast and brought home some rocks from near the ocean. You would have thought we had brought these girls a million dollars. They loved touching and describing the rocks that will now be added to their "collection".

Today, was our play date for this week with Chloe and Claire. Claire was a bit under the weather, but managed to have a great time talking to us about a lot of things. We didn't go outside but enjoyed our time inside reading and playing. One of the highlights of the day was at lunch. Chloe had wanted a turkey sandwich like Papa was having. Claire didn't want that but I made her a tiny little finger sandwich anyway, hoping she would give it a try. When it was time to pray for lunch the following prayer was offered by Claire.

"Dear Jesus, Thank you for this day. I don't really like this turkey sandwich and I'm going to give it to Papa just as soon as I am done talking to you. Amen."

She could not have been more sincere, but Papa and I could hardly contain ourselves. Out of the mouths of babes....

Chloe kept us laughing too. She wanted Papa to tell her lots of stories and he did tell her several today, mostly about when he was a little boy. She adds to the stories as they go along, and if she repeats them to anyone they will hopefully realize that she has an incredible imagination.

Chris went on a little hike with his Mommy and Daddy today. He came home all smiles.

Here he is looking up at his Mommy in such an adoring manner. He is probably wondering when he gets to eat again!!!

Chloe and her new pom-poms, taking a little chance to get outside after Claire had fallen asleep.

After over two hours of trying to upload a video of Claire telling a story today, I have given up. This blog site can be so frustrating! So if you would like to hear her story, click here, I uploaded it to YouTube instead. Keep smiling Grandma Sharon!

Playdate with the Grandchildren

When we arrived for our playtime with the girls, Claire was at the top of the "nature walk" watering her flowers with her watering can. She and Chloe were so excited to show us flowers, rocks, and as usual, both were talking as fast as they could at the same time. We eventually went inside and the girls promptly sat down and wanted Papa to tell them a "once upon a time" story. He was happy to oblige and below as you can see they really get focused on what he is saying. Sometimes they can tell you back their version of the same story at a later time. Chris, meantime, looking bright eyed and content managed to surprise us once again with how much he had grown in just one week. He was in a cooing and jabbering mood today, especially with Papa. A special treat for today was to have lunch down by the creek. I could spend a lot of time just "chillin' " in that area, given the opportunity. Have a listen to the sounds that we took in while we enjoyed our lunch and then a little play time time.

Papa and Chloe took a little time to swing together before we headed for home and they headed for a nap. Papa couldn't resist commenting on Chloe's face. It may have been more dirty that I have ever seen it, but she was oblivious, and the important thing was she was having a wonderful time.

Here's to more days by the creek!!! Welcome spring!!!

Glimpse from the Past Week...

The first four pictures of Claire and Chloe should have been movies. They were dancing with their "beautiful boa" and exercising with their exercise ball. I, however, was just snapping pictures and the result was blurry. I have never claimed to be a good photographer and this is proof. :)

Papa and the girls enjoying a book together. One of several books we read that day.

Chloe holds Christopher. He is growing so fast she won't be able to do that before long.

Claire's turn to hold Chris.

As the girls were eating their lunch we were talking about the rain and how it had made their creek grow. Chloe was concerned about the fish in the creek and if they "loved each other". The conversation went from the point of how fish kiss, to how dogs kiss, and how Eskimos kiss. You never know what subjects we will cover from day to day.

As I have mentioned before, the girls ask me about my parents quite often, where they are, and how they died. This week they wanted to see a picture so I brought one along. They both looked at it and then Claire said, "But they are really dead, right?" Claire also retold us the whole story of how Papa's biological father died (on a motorcycle) with great detail. We are really aware of the stories we tell and what we say, because, obviously, they soak up everything!

Eagerly Awaiting Spring!!

Our time with grandchildren happen to be on St. Patrick's day this week so we took advantage of the wee bit of Irish in our blood to celebrate. Chris and Papa did lots of cuddling that day.

This is the first official smile that Chris has given for my camera. The little bit of drool is just a bonus!

My sister (Great Aunt Jean) sent an incredibly beautiful quilt for Christopher. Don't know if you can see it, but there are different tiny creatures peeking out the windows of the little houses. Her work is always amazing and has such detail. I believe it will end up as a wall hanging for his bedroom.

Claire and Chloe were butterflies a good part of the time we were there. They really get into their roles.

Papa and Claire share a little quiet time with a book.

The girls put on some new flowery dresses to dance in and to get us in the mood for Spring. Believe me, we are ready for Spring to arrive.

Enjoy your week~!

Two On Three!!!

Good Morning Christopher! Papa and I arrived fairly early one morning to spend some time with the three grandchildren. Mommy Paula had a short appointment and so we all decided that we would keep Christopher along with the girls while Mommy kept her appointment. Papa and Christopher had a heart to heart talk about breakfast options as we sat with Chloe and Claire while they ate their breakfast.

Claire expounded a bit on how we digest food.

Mommy left a bottle just in case Chris got hungry and since he seems to be hungry all the time it was no surprise when he insisted on having some milk. Claire and Chloe did their very best to assist me as we fed him.

Next the girls wanted to write in their "field journals". Apparently they write/scribble/draw about all of the things they discover when playing outside. I know Daddy took them to Table Mountain this week so I'm sure they have lots of things to draw and talk about following that outing. Chloe reported to Papa and I on the phone about what she had "stepped in" at Table Mountain (cow pies.... only that isn't what she called them) and we laughed all day about the drama in her voice. Papa helped Claire make a spider web in her journal shortly after the picture below was taken.

The girls began Pre-School this past week and will be attending a few hours, three days per week. What an adventure for them, entertainment for us as they relay all of their stories, and a little break for their Mommy. We can verify that her days are busy and very full managing two three year olds and a new baby. We are not sure how she does it!!!

Walkin' and Talkin' With Papa

As the winter months come to a close (hopefully) we take every possible opportunity to get outside. We took a long, long walk one day this week and Chloe and Claire were so happy to have Papa along. Taking a moment to check out the bee activity at the top of the driveway.

Balancing on the curb...a great way to gain some skills in balancing, Claire below and Chloe next.

Checking out some daffodils and jonquils along the way. We also managed to collect some rocks and get a closeup view of the recycling truck doing its work.



Below Christopher spends some time in Papa's arms. We are so thrilled and thankful that his medical scans this week gave him more time to perhaps correct naturally and to avoid some type of medical intervention at this time. He will be rechecked in three months.


Papa gets a smile and a little talkin' from Christopher!

Below Daddy is getting a medical once over from Claire. He got a "shot", had his temperature and blood pressure checked, and was given a fuzzy green blanket to help him.

A couple of smiling three year olds.

One of several funny quotes that we had this week came from Chloe. She was talking to Papa on the phone and when she handed it to Claire she dropped the receiver. In a few moments she asked for another turn and then said to Papa, "Are you alright, Papa? I dropped you when I gave the phone to Claire".



Enjoy the week!