Fall in Action!

The Fall foliage is starting in a big way in Claire, Chloe, and Chris' yard. This beautiful tree is at the bottom of their driveway and two additional ones at the top are starting to burst with color as well.

Last week on our morning with the grandkids Chris explored a bit while the girls did some of their "worksheets". Chris didn't like it when I told him that he was tearing the edge of the clothes hamper that he had found in Chloe and Claire's room. If looks could kill......

Next we moved to the kitchen where the three made some corn bread muffins that we had with our chili for lunch. They cooperated so nicely with each other and the girls were very generous in letting Chris have his turn to stir. The muffins were actually quite tasty and they really enjoyed the activity.  

Of course this past week included Halloween. It is clearly NOT my favorite holiday but I know the kids love it. Claire and I had a lengthy conversation about Halloween and I told her how I felt. She could not understand why I didn't love it as well. Several times she reminded me that everything about Halloween is "just pretend" and emphasized it each time. We did have a great evening at Aunt Suzie and Uncle Eric's house. They had decorated things up, fixed pizza, and made it a really fun evening. Aunt Suzie carved some really nice looking pumpkins that greeted us at the door. The girls dressed as mermaids and Chris was a Dracula type guy. It was a very rainy evening but that did not put a damper on the party. Paula, Suzie, and I walked the kids (including umbrellas) to a very few houses to trick-or-treat and they were completely satisfied.

With the Halloween festivities behind us, we now move towards one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving. I am continually reminded how blessed my life is. Thank you God!

October Celebrations!

Last weekend I traveled to the Seattle/Gig Harbor area where I met up with my sister from Iowa and attended a baby shower for her daughter-in-law who is expecting her first baby. The shower was a great party, one of the most fun showers I have ever attended. The food was excellent and the caterer made this darling fresh fruit salad decoration as part of the food presentation. What a hit it made!

My sis and I spent some great time with her son, daughter-in-law, and her daughter-in-law's sister and mother from Florida. We shopped, went sightseeing, and enjoyed time together which happens so infrequently. It was refreshing and a wonderful change of pace for me.

This weekend we celebrated Suzie's birthday. The family came for a taco dinner and following the party, Chloe and Claire extended their stay by sleeping over at Papa and Grandma's.

Chris was the life of the party, he kept us all smiling.

Claire went right to work in the "art corner" of our diningroom. She actually spent quite a bit of time coloring and drawing the entire evening as well as the next day.

Aunt Suzie got some help with blowing out her candles...

And the birthday cheesecake was enjoyed by all....

After the other family members left, Claire and Chloe modeled their colorful fall dresses and the following morning,  their new dresses sent to them by Aunt Jeannie.

Life is good, no doubt about that. We are looking forward to some play time with the grandchildren on Tuesday of this next week, come rain (which is predicted) or shine!

October Arrives!!

Paula, Mike, and the children often spend time in the foothills and mountains hiking. It is excellent exercise for everyone, and the children often tell us the exciting things they see and do. A few days ago, Mike sent me this picture of the girls crossing a flume. (Yikes, is what I thought!!!) Claire is in the lead and Chloe following close behind. From what Mike says, Chloe wasn't too keen on that little section but Claire led with confidence. They have completed up to 5 mile hikes which I find quite amazing for 4 year olds.

Chloe, on the other hand had no problem "leading the way" to climbing trees. Mike found Chloe up in a tree a few days ago. Claire was a bit hesitant to try it but when Chloe insisted that Papa and I see her climb on Tuesday when we visited, Claire soon decided it was the thing to do. Papa gave her some hints to get started and up she went too. 

Papa and Chris watch as the girls do their tree climbing.

Our sweet friend Miss Chris sent a little surprise for the kids that will be great for those hiking days. The canteens are so cute and the kids loved them.

They "wrote" thank you notes to Miss Chris. Below you see Christopher working on his with his color crayons.  

Halloween will be here before we know it. The three C's are totally prepared. Chris doesn't model his costume in these photos but I am told his is ready as well.

Chloe and Claire pose with some new dresses that are certainly bright and cheerful! :) When I ordered them I didn't realize they were quite that bright, but they are definitely fall colors and can also be used in Hawaii when we go in a couple of months. Wow, is all I can say! :)

Our visit for this week was so enjoyable and we look forward to a few hours with our grandchildren again on Tuesday. Enjoy your week!

September Birthdays!!

On Tuesday of this past week we had some park time with the grandchildren. Below Chris explores and enjoys the tunnel slide.

We had two family birthdays this week. On Wednesday Uncle Eric celebrated his birthday, and on Friday Daddy Mike celebrated his day. Saturday night the family gathered for a taco dinner.  Our immediate family plus a few extras enjoyed a good time and lots of laughs. Below Cousin Jesse and Chris have some talk time. Chris seems to be thoroughly enjoying the moment.

Uncle Jon lights the candles on the birthday cake for Daddy and Uncle Eric.

Claire and Chloe enjoy the cake and ice cream.

Chris opts for another strawberry. The boy really put away the strawberries and fresh pineapple that we served. Pretty healthy choices!

We heard a funny story this week that I want to include in the blog simply so that someday it will be in the blog book that we make each year. On Labor Day weekend Claire and Chloe spent some time with us. We were invited to our friends' house for a delicious BBQ dinner. Our friend Earnie, the chef, told us this week about a conversation he had with Claire at the BBQ. Earnie had made the girls some little boats out of tin foil so that they could play in the waterfall fountain on the patio. And play they did...what a great time they had. Earnie relayed that he saw Claire wad up some little thing and put it in the boat before putting it in the water. He asked her about it and she replied, "It is baby Moses, but don't worry, I put a life jacket on him." We have sure laughed about that this week.

Can't believe the last week of September is upon us! The best part is that the weather should cool down just a bit. Enjoy your week!

Tuesday, the Best Day of the Week!

Tuesday was the day for seeing the grandkids. So in this case, Tuesday was definitely the highlight of our week.

Claire and Chloe are now in the 'Busy Beavers' class at pre-school and Claire is modeling the official hat she made to announce that she is now a 'Busy Beaver'.
Chloe put her hat on Papa's head so he could feel like a 'Busy Beaver' too. He, however, was a one-eyed version. The girls told us lots about their class and filled us in on all the details of their new friends and the events that have taken place so far. Chris spends lots of time on Papa's lap or snuggled up beside him on the couch. Can't say that Papa minds that at all.

We all took a short outing to the store and stopped for bean burritos on the way home. Chris loved his burrito, and Chloe ate hers entirely, in short order, leaving a small trace on her face.

Claire had opted to try a new kind of burrito and found it to be just a bit too filling for her.

We are looking forward to some fun hours on with the C's Tuesday, coming up this week. Given some of the other appointments scheduled, it will definitely be the highlight of this week too!

Goodbye August, Hello September !

Life has improved for Papa Norm. He is stronger, in way less pain (at times none), and he is able to get around much easier than when first home from the hospital. Last week we offered to stay with the kids for a few hours at their house for the first time in quite a while. We were excited and so were Claire, Chloe, and Chris. There is one thing about going to see them at their home, we are ALWAYS greeted as if we had been gone for a year. It does our hearts good. Here Papa and the joys of his life are posing together.
Claire had lots to tell us.....

Chris continues to smile for the camera...no matter how close....

Sweet Chloe giving me the pleasure of snapping a picture. She is the least interested in posing most of the time. On this day, no problem. :)

Claire, still working on all she had to tell us.....

On Sunday, after Sunday School, we brought Claire and Chloe to our home for a couple of days.

Chris was facing surgery on Tuesday morning so the girls hung out with us until Chris was home on Tuesday afternoon. Among other things, we decided to have a semi-fancy tea party. Claire and Chloe were very excited and we found some old hats for them to wear for the occasion. We got out the lace tablecloth, my grandmother's antique teacups and saucers, and made some tiny fancy sandwiches. We had strawberries, carrots, sandwiches, celery with peanut butter, and tiny cupcakes for dessert. Claire and Chloe had pineapple-orange-guava juice for their "tea" and found it to be quite delicious. We cut flowers from the yard and made a bouquet for the table and then they took it to their Mommy for taking such good care of their brother.

Chloe and Claire got the "pinkie" in position at just the right time for these two pictures.

We had a lovely time at the tea-party which ended a great two days of swimming time, park time, lots of story time, and time to work with the Lincoln logs. Papa read to them from one of my Dad's old, old, old, books called "Billy Whiskers". They were so interested in the story. Papa will have to read more the next time we see them.

The doctors think that Chris' surgery was successful but future tests will tell the tale.

Here, as you can see, he has a sleepy, quiet look. With all the anesthesia and other medications he wasn't exactly himself. He was, however, hilariously funny, at times, looking very wild eyed and being very silly. We sure laughed at him. Hopefully his pain will diminish soon and he will be back to normal. His private nurse/Mommy took wonderful care of him and and as you can see he was happy to be in her arms.

I am reminded, once again, how blessed we are!

Welcome September!