November blessings......

We spent the first weekend of the month in Provo to attend Henry's blessing. The two days were pretty full. First we took Corinne and the big boys to Wendy's for lunch. Ben stayed home with Henry. Next we took the big boys to Trafalga in Orem. There grandpa played mini golf in a new way which would be no rules, no score and no taking turns. Then we bought the tokens for the arcade games. Between all of us we earned almost 600 tickets, but that still just equals junk at the counter. Corinne went for a hair appointment and to buy two new pairs of shoes while we were gone for over three hours.

Next we met up with Scott and Cate for dinner at Firehouse Subs...YUMMY. We got to hear all the details for Scott's job offer with USAA in San Antonio TX. They will be moving there sometime around June. Scott graduates with his Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering in April. They are very excited.

We spent Saturday evening at Corinne's watching Monsters University with the family. Sunday morning we attended Henry's blessing. There were 5 baby's blessed. Following was a yummy roast beef dinner at Corinne's. As we were saying our goodbyes with enthusiasm, Spencer jumped off the couch into grandpa's arms and bumped his face on grandpa's shoulder and got a bloody lip. We had to leave amongst his injury. Poor little Spencer. I hope that doesn't dampen his enthusiasm next time.

Here is Grandpa Fred holding Henry. We didn't get any family pictures taken. I wish we would have.

Here's me. I don't know what's with my shirt? I guess that is fat that makes it look like that.

Here's our San Antonio couple.

We did have a very nice weekend. I even stayed awake all the way home. That doesn't happen often.

It is nice to come home after a trip. Back to the work of settling in.

Henry Ensign Thornton Welcome!

Meet Henry Ensign Thornton. He is Corinne's fourth son. His due date was Monday the 14th and Corinne so much wanted to have Henry born on my Mom's birthday which was the 4th of October. Two of Corinne's older boys were born early, so it wasn't unreasonable to hope for the best. Well Henry didn't make his appearance until the 11th, but that is my brother Craig's birthday. 

Henry's middle name is my Mother's maiden name. Each of my three older brother's were given Ensign as their middle name. My Grandfather's name was Horace Darwin Ensign, but he went by HD Ensign. He was quite an influential person in the growth and founding of the church in the Fresno and Clovis area of California. He and my grandma Laurine were called as Mission president's in Australia in the mid 60's and served in the New Zealand Temple after their mission. So my Mom was very proud of her Ensign roots. President Monson referred to my grandpa in one of his conference talks many many moons ago which is always exciting and makes your chest puff up just a bit. So anyway I just wanted to share the family history behind Henry's middle name. I know my Mom is so very pleased for Corinne to honor her family in this way.

Margot (Corinne's mom in law) is there to help. I'm so thankful for Margot. She has always been so good to my daughter. We will head up there in a few weeks to meet our little Henry. Another beautiful little boy for Corinne.

Welcome Long Awaited Granddaughter

Introducing our granddaughter who will continue to be known as Copper on line. If you would like to know her real name, please email me gayledaly@outlook.com. Here she is in her first picture that Shannon sent me at work yesterday.

First of many bows ahead!!!

 She is looking a lot more content and comfy here in Momma's arms.

Here is my Shannon feeling better today. Copper wanted to come into the world feet first, so Shannon underwent her second C Section. I think Copper looks like she is going to like the camera.

Here is Daddy Brian holding his 2nd mini me. Both babies look like Shannon too, but the Drees gene is pretty strong.

I get to take a couple days off next week to go and help out. I wish I didn't have a job. I want to be able to help Shannon longer. She will be recovering from a C Section, have a new baby and 14 month old baby. 

Anyone want to go and help?

Crib delivery

Fred and I went shopping to a consignment furniture store a few weeks ago. We found a pretty crib that we thought Shannon might like for Copper. They had not purchased one yet as Little Buddy will still be in his crib. They said they would like it so we bought it. This weekend we delivered it to them in Las Vegas along with a birthday present for Brian. His birthday was the 17th. Anyway we had a nice stay in the Drees Bed and Breakfast. Enjoyed play time with Little Buddy and visiting with Shannon & Brian. We managed to fit the crib and our over night stuff in my new little Elantra truck. It was impressive that Fred could make it all fit, although in his packing, he forgot his own bag of overnight supplies. He made a trip to Wal Mart when he discovered he had no luggage. Luckily he had forgot his suit there our last trip so he did have clothes for Sunday.

Grammie and Grampie bought Little Buddy his first bag of Animal Crackers. As you can see, he liked them.

Little Buddy has the cutest little front teeth. He also has grown out of the walking style of monkey arms in the air. Shannon pointed out and I agree, that although Little Buddy looks so much like his Daddy, his head, ears and eye shape is Shannon all the way. He is such a nice combination of both parents.

I asked Brian to bake me a loaf of one of his yummy homemade breads. He bakes the best stuff and is also a super yummy cook. We enjoyed some bread toasted tonight with our chicken soup dinner. The last two visits following an evening of Brian creating his masterpieces in the kitchen, I do come through the kitchen and clean up so I do earn our keep.

I also went line dancing tonight with a work friend. It is kind of wierd to be in a totally new environment. Overall, I find that all women laugh at the same things and act basically the same silly way. I fit right in. My feet are tired and the muscles on the side of my upper thighs were burning. I guess I don't side shuffle very often.

Visiting Teaching St George style

I hope my words paint the perfect picture because I don't have a picture to post. Last night I was able to ride my new cruiser bike to visit one of the sisters on my visiting teaching route. As I cruised down the rode I thought to myself, well this is the life. I had a lovely visit with Carrie and she wished me safe travels home. I go outside (it's dark) and walk my bike to the street. Ready for mounting (I don't remember what way I was trying) and then down I went. Backward with the bike still somehow connected to me...slow motion again and landed on my lower back and somehow didn't hit my head. I lay there a moment realizing I was in big trouble as to how I was going to get my sorry big butt off the street. I reached over and pulled the kick stand down. I started to lean on the bike to get up and realized that wasn't going to work. I knew I'd fall the other direction. So I very lady like (NOT) rolled over to all fours and did a downward dog to get up. I was very thankful that it was dark and I'm 99.9 % sure no one saw me. As I peddled home I finally began to cry. Not because I was hurt, but so humiliated and disappointed that I can't even get on a bike and enjoy riding without falling down. The few times Fred and I have ridden around the neighborhood I could really sense my fear as I lack the feeling of coordination (you know leaning into a curve or turn) and almost freeze up with fear of falling.

Today my tailbone is so sore. Walking hurts and any movement from one position to another is bad. My neck is feeling like it would welcome a nice chiropractic crack! I haven't seen a chiropractor since we left Bremerton.

Happier news to come next.

Labor Day Weekend Events 2013

Labor Day weekend was a trip to Provo to celebrate's Garrett's 7th Birthday.

He choose a Harry Potter Themed party.

Here are all the party guests.

Ben came up with the activities for the party, hats, wands and Corinne ordered the glasses.

Chocolate Harry Potter Cake with ice cream.

 Ben and Corinne both worked on making their own pinata of the golden snitch. 

It really turned out pretty cool.

 Corinne and Ben & the boys came out for a swim at our campground pool. Here is the only shot I could get of all three boys together.

 Ben was the only adult who went in. Spencer was having a great time having his Dad's full attention.

 This is Ben, Garrett & Spencer.

 I forgot to get a picture of our campsite set up. So this is it being taken down.

 The campground had a great playground for kids. Here is Garrett on the old tractor.

 Spencer and Richard here.

 Spencer liked to jump up on everything even though he needed our help to get on the rings.

 Garrett in the playhouse.

 Spencer on the slide.

 Here is Richard on the tractor. He was asking Corinne what all the levers and pedals were for.

 We went to a park at the bottom of Provo Canyon next. It wasn't as good as the campground playground as far as toys to play on, but luckily Grandpa Fred came prepared with a couple balls, nerf torpedo type football thing and this big foam glider.

Richard was able to fly it pretty easily from the beginning.

 After a little guidance, Spencer got the hang of it too.

Happy Birthday Garrett and thanks for inviting us to your birthday party!

Weekend retirement and Yes, it's my birthday!

I wanted to share that Fred and I are adjusting to the joy, freedom and reality that we can actually see all of our children and grandchildren any weekend of the month.....if they will have us. I say weekend for two reasons...

1. I work full time
2. We were just called to be the webelos leaders. In case you wondered......I totally told our new bishop that I do not like little boys. He smiled. So all he knows about Fred and I is that and we have a daughter in Las Vegas and we have a son who was in scouting. That 20 minute appt. is the only amount of time we have had to visit with our bishop. We are very disappointed that we have not had the opportunity to have a get to know you as a new member of our ward appt.

Back to happier thoughts. We drove to Shannon's on Saturday after we had a surprise drop by from Scott and Cate. They were headed back to Provo from their California trip so we took them to Red Robin for lunch. We enjoyed our short visit hearing about their anniversary trip with Cate's brother's and their wives. Anyway, Shannon and Brian were asked to speak in sacrament meeting so we offered to come and sit with Little Buddy. We went to Panera for dinner.... Our family tradition that may ever end...we seem to always take our children out to eat. I asked Brian if he would make me his fabulous chocolate cake while we were there to celebrate my upcoming birthday.. Which he did. I brought some of it home and sliced it up in single servings and put them in the freezer. Tonight I served it up with cool whip and fresh strawberries....yummy!!! It is a chocolate bundt cake with sour cream and lots of chips etc. in it. Pretty yummy looking huh? Thank you Brian.