Graham's Blessing

Fred and I headed back to Phoenix for the long anticipated Baby Blessing for Graham.

We settled right back in easily because we were here last month.

I definitely think the two back to back visits was the reason for our big breakthrough with Evan.

He didn't hesitate one bit at any time to be close to us. It was super awesome.

Jess pretty much has Evan in the kitchen everyday in one way or another.

Whether it's cooking or baking, but usually "baking".

He loves to mess in the flour. 

Jess was mixing fruit dip here. Cream cheese and marshmallow topping. 

 Evan definitely approved!

 Graham is such a content baby. There really was not much crying or fussing.

He is such a doll. I don't know if we got enough of him. 

 His little face. There just aren't words.

 We walked to their community center for adult exercise and playground for Evan.

Grandpa went "exploring" with Evan.

 

                                      Now Evan gets to show his Momma where he'd been.

 Evan is quite the character.

Evan just crawled up into my lap. It was a shock and so wonderful.

It became common place after that. Finally - it felt like both Fred and I finally wormed our way into Evan's safe zone.

 Here is my seat mate in the car. 

 I will never tire of looking at this face.

 I can't get over just how sweet and calm he is. 

I did pray that this baby would be a happy baby.

Maybe it worked???

 Grandpa did what he could to encourage riding the new trike. 

I love watching Fred play with our grandchildren. He is such a wonderful Grandpa.

Now on to the spotlight for the weekend.

Look at this beautiful boy.

 Love his eyebrows. He is so much McGuire.

 Baby blues from his Daddy and gorgeous lips from his Momma.

When I see a picture like this of Fred and me with any of our grand kids, I think about how when the kids gets older and look back at these, by then we are going to be wrinkled up old grandparents. 

I want us to always look like this.

 Evan was done my now. But is an accurate depiction at some moments. 

  This is a very special and blessed family.

We are so proud of them and love to watch them with their boys.

It's incredible!!

February visit with Shannon & Kids

Shannon and the kids braved the snowy conditions and drove to see us from Denver.

I just love it when grandkids arrive and slip right in and start playing with whatever they find.

Coloring for Mima.

 Legos for Buddy.

Dolls and legos.

 I took off Friday and Monday so I could spend time with them. 

Fred doesn't work on Thursday & Fridays.

We went to the train park on Friday. It's amazing that they don't tire of riding this little train.

 Mima wanted to sit by me until she realized everyone else was going to be facing backward.

I ended up alone. 

Del Taco was lunch. It's great that they have a play area. That's what we always look for when considering what we want to eat.

 Home to setting up the race track.

 A balanced meal for Mima. I still have fun dishes for the kids, but I usually forget to get them out.

Saturday we visited the Temple grounds and the Visitor's Center.

Sunday we didn't go to church because Shannon forgot the kids church clothes. 

 Monday we went to the Children's Museum. Since the first time we went through the museum it has been improved drastically and is really so much more interesting and fun.

Tuesday I went back to work. 

Our closing activity was dinner at I Hop.

The kids love their happy face pancakes. Basically a chocolate pancake with chocolate chips.

 It was a good meal and our waiter was really great with the kids.

It's already been a month since they were here.

We had such a great time. We'll see them again in June.

I think Shannon is such a trooper to make that long drive to see us. 

I'm glad that the kids are good travelers. 

Now with Shannon being a stay at home Mom, maybe they will come more often. 

Corinne & Clara come to town

Corinne and Clara came to visit.

They got to fly to see us all by themselves.

I think this is the 2nd time that Corinne has been able to come by herself for a visit.

The other time was when I had my foot surgery and she came to help take care of me for a few days.

They arrived on Friday afternoon. Somehow we found ourselves at Freddy's for a burger.

 Clara is quite the chubs. She is so soft and cuddly. I'm so glad that at this age babies don't really care who holds them. Isn't she just a doll!

 Look at her thighs. Squishy Squish.

Corinne is really having fun dressing Clara. 

We are so thrilled that she now has a daughter in her life.

 We made a visit to the Visitors Center.

 Here we are after church on Sunday. 

Four generations here.

 Fred didn't wear this T Shirt to church. We just didn't warn him before he got out of his church clothes that we were taking pictures.

 I love her expressions in these three pictures.

Maybe indifferent?

"If I have to".

 "Really Mom?"

 Clara has so many cute little outfits.

 On Sunday we went to visit the Daly's.

I got to have grandma duty keeping her occupied so Corinne was able to visit.

 

 Clara really talked up a storm while talking to her great grandma.
It was really sweet.

It was so wonderful to have Corinne and Clara all to ourselves for a few days.

She doesn't really look like any of her brothers. 

She definitely has her own look. I'm excited to watch Clara's changes as she grows. 

Clouds & Rain in Phoenix

Fred and I found really cheap flights to Phoenix before Graham was born.

We guesstimated which month the baby blessing would take place and choose February. 

Unfortunately, Graham was hospitalized in January and so the blessing was rescheduled for March.

So we are getting two visits out of one event.

The afternoon we arrived it was pretty nice and sunny so we were able to spend a little time outside.

 Just like all little boys - Evan loves being outside.

 Scott is such a wonderful Dad and husband. I love watching him with his family.

 Fred slept quite a bit of the afternoon the first day. 

I guess Scott does a lot of catnapping too.

 This little man is so soft and cuddly. 

I don't think he looks much like Evan. 

Graham definitely has the McGuire genes.

I think he looks so much like Jess's brothers.

I started calling him Mr. McGuire.

 Overall I think Evan does pretty good with Graham.

Like all toddlers, you need to keep an eye on them.

Evan really loves sitting in this baby seat when Graham is not in it.

 Jess is so very good with the boys. She is creative and patient and doesn't get riled up.

She is definitely in her element.

 Jess and Scott are so good with their babies and each other. 

 Grandpa got his turns holding Graham. 

Graham didn't care who was holding him.  

He is a very relaxed little boy.

This is the one time that Fred sat in the middle and I was in the back.

Gravity makes it hard to lift myself up into the back. Honestly it's gravity.

 This was me in the back.

I love just having Graham lay next to me so I can watch him wiggle and stretch.

Babies are a wonder.

 In general his expression is kind of serious, but this baby has a great smile.

I love this picture of Scott with his boys.

Here is a comparison photo of the boys. 

 Evan was 4 months old and Graham is 2 months old in this picture.

Evan was premature so he started off pretty small, but he is at the top of the growth charts now.

Graham started out basically at 10 lbs. So we have two really BIG grandsons here and I'm excited to watch them grow.

Our visit was just right. 

Fred and I are very content to hang out at home. If you include some good food, it's a done deal. 

We went to the park for a short time, Fred and I went out to lunch while Scott and Jess got the boys ready for naps. When we got back, it was their turn. 

We're headed back next month. Yippee!!!