Mini Family Reunion

A few weeks ago Shannon called and asked if she and the kids could come for a week to visit. Their school district was going to have Fall break and their babysitter would be out of town and Shannon couldn't find an alternate. Then another day, Corinne called and asked if she could come with just Henry. It sounded like a win win opportunity.

Corinne arrived first on Friday night. Fred and I had tickets to see The Piano Guys at the Tuachan that night, so they were in bed when we got home. Corinne, Henry and I headed to Kohls in the morning for a little shopping. Naptime and then it was about time for Shannon and her gang to arrive. We drove down to Ancestor Square for a Community Halloween type festival that advertised bounce houses. The kids played in those a little while and then they went on the beautiful carousel that is there. Headed home and hung out at home the rest of the evening. Brian went to the grocery store to stock up on supplies for chili for the ward Trunk or Treat chili cook off. He also baked us cookies, made homemade chocolate sauce for the ice cream he brought back.

Sunday was church. I asked Brian if he would be willing to sing in our choir today. We are always short on men so he came with me to choir practice and sang during Sacrament meeting. Scott sang in the choir when he was here too. It was so much fun to introduce both my daughters in Relief Society. I had swiss steak in the crock pot when we got home. Food always tastes so good after three + hours of church. Naptime and more playing for the kids. A walk down to our neighborhood park to play for the kids. Fred got his one on one time with Mima. Baby steps to letting us in her personal bubble zone.

 All us girls after church.

Gramma & Buddy too.

 Monday Corinne and Fred got up to attend a session at the temple at 7:20 AM. Shannon and I passed on that. There will be other times to attend together. When they got home, Corinne, Shannon and I went for mani/pedi and lunch out. Brian and Fred took the kids to the park again. All were fed and taking naps when we got home. Corinne had to pack up and go home.

More time hanging around at the house until we took Shannon's Family to the Jump House. Lots of trampolines. We thought it would be more little kid oriented, but it still worked. After Shannon's kids were in bed at 7:00 or so and then we "let" them go out to dinner. We didn't want to feed or put Mima and Buddy to bed. We are lazy grandparents.

Tuesday we all went to the Children's Museum here in St. George. It is really a wonderful place. The kids had fun there. We went out to lunch at Chick Fil A and then back for baby naps. Fred and Brian had baby duty and Shannon and I did some shopping. I buy Mima's cute squeak shoes at a shop here in town. We went there and to another little shop for cute inexpensive clothes for Mima. Next was Walmart for last minute Christmas gifts that we could send back with Shannon and Brian. Now we won't have to pack gifts when we go there for Christmas.

I got to paint Mima's nails. It's really hard to paint itty bitty nails. 

Infamous Grampa Wheelbarrow Ride.

Next was getting ready for the Trunk or Treat. Fred and I went first and Shannon's family followed. Again, it was really nice to be able to introduce them around to special friends. I think we all had a really good time. Back home to bed.

Where's Waldo and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego

Wednesday I had to return to work and they left by 8 AM to drive back to Denver in one day. Shannon said they kids traveled well and they would be up to doing it again.

It was so wonderful to have them all here. I'm so glad we have Skyping capabilities. It makes it feel like they are just around the corner.

GEM OF THE WEEK #2

 My Gem of the week is Garrett. He is nine years old now. My fondest memory of Garrett is when we went to the airport to pick up Corinne and her family. I don't remember the occasion, but it was when Garrett was still pretty much a baby. He had fly away crazy blonde hair and the biggest happy grin I have ever seen on a baby. Corinne was wheeling him out in the stroller through the terminal and that grin simply lit up the entire airport.

 Garrett is the tenderhearted boy of the family. 

 He loves being a Cub Scout.

 He loves his Mom.

 He asked for almost a year if he could take violin lessons. 

Corinne and Ben figured if he asked for that long, it must be important. 

He got his wish. 

 Garrett has such a sweet face and is so handsome. 

 He's a good helper.

Here's a nice memory. 

We love you Garrett and are so happy that you are our #2 grandson.

1st Gem of the Week

I want to start a new Blog Tradition 

~ Gem of the Week ~

I've had a picture of Fred and I with all of our grandkids on my blog since last Christmas and titled it "All of our Gems so far". I was updating my blog today and decided I needed to update that picture, but I have no new pictures of everyone. I decided I would start highlighting each of our "Gems" and share my feelings or things I know about each grandchild and what they are up to. We will see how long I can keep it going.

Richard will be first. He is our first grandchild. He was born 6 weeks early and on his Grandpa Fred's birthday. A pretty special way to start out I would say. Of course, being that early he was a teeny little thing. I remember when I walked into his bedroom for the first time and he was sound asleep, I tell you that was a brand new excited feeling that I've never had a second time. All I wanted to do was pick him up and hold him. I was surprised how excited I felt. It totally came out of nowhere.

I don't envy Richard being the oldest. I think being the oldest child is a hard position to have in a family. I think we tend to make all of our mistakes on that first child or should I say test out our parenting methods?

Richard takes a lot of pride in the things that he does. He does have a tendency to become distracted in his pursuit of perfectionism which makes life difficult at times. He loves to build with Legos when he is at our house. I know he does that at home along with a bunch of other things. He loves to read and draw. He is not too excited about practicing the piano. He loves being a big brother to Henry and is in charge of Henry when his parents go out on dates. I think Henry is in good hands with Richard although I don't know if Richard changes diapers yet.

What I appreciate most about Richard is he is always the one of Corinne's boys to come to Fred and I and give us a hug. He never needs to be prodded. I think he genuinely wants to express his affection and appreciation to us. We are grateful for that. 

Here are a few pictures of Richard over the years. 

I'll get better at my format, but for now it's a start.

 This was May of 2011 while visiting our house and helping Grandpa Fred in the garden.

 Lego time at our house in Bremerton.

Pinewood Derby car construction at our house in Utah

 Richard took a community class on fishing.

 I managed to crop a picture from our Disneyland Trip with just me and Richard.

So to you Richard our firstborn Grandson.

We love you and are thankful you came to us first to teach us how to be grandparents. 

We are still learning.

We love you!!!

I'm more than excited.

Shannon called and asked if she could bring the kids for a week visit.

Their school district has their Fall break and her babysitter won't be available.

She tried to find someone else to fill in.

No luck.

Guess she will just have to take time off work and come here.

Dog gone it. 

NOT!

Here is Buddy's Halloween costume preview.

Where's Waldo?

Shannon's friend crocheted these hates for their costumes.

Mima will be Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego.

Do you remember that computer game from the 90s?

Shannon asked me to keep an eye open for a red raincoat or jacket for Mima's costume.

I looked a bit, but no luck. So I ventured out to Joann's for a pattern.

I think this is perfect. I made it over the weekend.

It was a success and I'm happy!

They're coming!

Disney's Diamond Celebration 60 years

Fred and I joined Corinne's family on their big trip to Disneyland for 5 days!

Each morning she dressed the boys in matching shirts (at least color).

The resort had a shuttle that ran every 20 minutes to Disneyland.

It was our mode of transportation and worked out really slick.

Richard and Henry on the Carousel.

Spencer and Garrett.

First afternoon was the parade. It felt good to sit down even though for this grandma it wasn't very comfortable. Hot too!

These pictures are not necessarily in date order. I at least grouped them so the boys had on the same color shirt. Hopefully it was at least the same day. This is the Grizzly Run in California Adventure. When Fred and I went on it Wednesday morning and I got soaked. My jean capris were wet until late afternoon. Damp pants were kind of miserable.

This is another day on the carousel. Henry, Spencer & Richard.

Spencer on the Radiator Springs Racers.

Spencer again!

Love this photo of Corinne. She loved it. The boys not so much at this moment, but they did go on Splash Mountain more than once.

California Adventure ~ Cars land

Here's another morning of bright colors and sad baby.

Spencer and Henry once again on the carousel. 

This was the afternoon parade in California Adventure. The bench was GREAT!

Back to Disneyland - ToonTown.

Pretty cute!

Looks like more toontown???

Another super picture of Corinne's family.

Handsome boys!

 I took this picture of Corinne. I think she is beautiful and keeps a peaceful look about her, even amid life's challenges.

Eeyore and family.

Pooh Bear & Family.

In California Adventure, Fred and I went to see Disney's Alladin - Musical Spectacular twice!

It fantastic ~

Tower of Terror which Fred and I didn't go on. No thank you.

This was the first morning again out of order. I have blended picture from all three cameras here.

This is our bus stop. 

Oh yeah - pictures totally out of order. 

This was waiting for Paint the Night Parade.

I have never been on the Mark Twain Riverboat so we went on it. Nothing exciting. 

Been there Done That.

This was fun.

Ghirardelli Chrissy - Oh My it was HEAVENLY!

Had to get a snapshot of Fred by this old Rambler. 

His Grandpa Howes bought a brand new 1964 Rambler so Fred has a soft spot for Ramblers.

Fred's folks gave us his Grandpa's Rambler when we got married. 

Selfie. We didn't get many pictures of us and none of us with Corinne' family. 

Picture taking is a lot of work. I didn't include any of the great pictures of the parades, but this is more a post about our family time. 

Picture of the picture. Radiator Spring Racers. It was fun!

Splash Mountain - Ditto.

Little bit of swimming at the pool the last morning with Grandpa.

Lunch at Arbys before heading home. Henry was totally out of it. Poor Baby.

Meal Time.

This was a really enjoyable and good trip. Only three negatives:

1. The air conditioning on Corinne's van went out on the way to Disneyland in Las Vegas. 

They did finally get it fixed after two trips to the fix it shop. We'll leave it at that.

2. It was hot and humid. It was hot. It was hot.

3. My feet were killing me. I mean sometimes I felt like I was going to die. Too much standing in line to wait for rides and for parades. Next trip we won't go from morning until night. 

We are too old for this anymore. 

The positives:

1.  It was really really fun and great to not be at work. 

2. I didn't have to cook all week. 

3. I think we did all the rides and entertainment we had planned on.

Favorite Rides:

1. Star Tours - went on that three times.

2. California Soarin - went on that two times.

Next California trip we want to go to Universal Studios and Knots Berry Farm.

Thank you Corinne for inviting us to come along.

Wonderful memories to be had from our California Adventure!