A Saturday Outing

For Christmas Shannon sent us a selfie scavenger hunt. Fred and I went out on Saturday and got started. 

Actually, the first one we took a couple weeks ago.

It was our favorite dessert. Arctic Circle Moose Tracts Shake. 

A recent accomplishment.

This where I work. I got a raise a couple weeks ago.

The prettiest place at the temple grounds. Right now it's not very pretty because it's wintertime, but at our temple it is definitely always the front side of the temple. Our big faces kind of cover it though. 

A house that would be in a novel. At first I thought Brigham Young's home would be a good one, 

but no so much. 

 Then right across the street was this really lovely B&B, but the pictures didn't do it justice. 

I read lots of novels with B&Bs.

 Next was a picture with three church steeples. Even though we live in Utah, it's actually hard to get that in a shot because you have to get some height. There are definitely three steeples in this shot, but they are teeny. Honestly!!

 Last is a sign with our city's name on it. 

 We have a few more to do. One is a picture of wild life. There is no wild life around here. Fred wants to take a picture of the birds that sit on the phone lines by a farm near our home. I keep telling him 

NO!!

Spencer's Baptism Weekend

On January 7th I drove up to Pleasant View for Spencer's baptism ALL by myself. This was the same weekend that Brent Wride passed away and Fred wanted to be sure his Mom was going to be okay handling the news so he made the decision to stay home. It was very disappointing that he wasn't able to come, but it was a really good experience for me to learn that I can do that drive all by myself. 

It is always so nice to see Gary and Margot. I just love Margot. I feel like between the two of us the boys get a real nice compliment of wonderful grandma attention. Margot is very loving and affectionate. She raised seven children so has a depth of patience and tolerance for noise. Me - well - I don't know what I give, but I love those boys and just marvel at their personalities and the moments I enjoyed with each one of them this weekend.

Spencer was so cute. He really was so happy. Literally jumping and skipping up to the stand to be introduced before his baptism and then again on Sunday to be recognized in Sacrament meeting. He does have such a sweet tender heart. The water was cold. It came up to his chest because he little. He gasped for breath going in and coming up from the water.

After the baptism, Corinne and Ben fixed us a delicious lasagna dinner. They make a great team. 

I appreciate how hard they work together when we come visit. 

Ben is always very solicitous to me when I visit. It means a lot to me. 

On Sunday night, Corinne arranged for Garrett to perform a violin recital for us at the church. 

That boy played for a solid 20 minutes at least. 

Spencer sat by me and played with my phone. 

Selfies included. 

And a picture of me.

I wish I would have taken more pictures. The weekend went too quickly.

I'm so glad I was able to go and that I took off Monday so I could stay all day Sunday. 

Now we will have a four year break before the next baptism, but only two years before Garrett's Aaronic Priesthood ordination and in one month - A BABY BLESSING.

GOOD TIMES FOR GRANDMA & GRANDPA!!

Christmas 2016

This is the first Christmas I have never decorated.

Fred did put up Christmas lights on the house.

No one came home and we didn't go to visit anyone.

I don't think I want to repeat this. Gonna have to go to one of the kids homes 

or have at least one of them come here,

Here are some of the photos from this year's Christmas collections.

Here is Shannon and Brian's family at Shannon's Company's Christmas Party this year.

Wonder what's up with Santa??

Buddy and Mima got to help with decorating the tree this year.

Christmas Day's nap was interrupted by big brother. She was not too happy.....

New swings were hung up under their deck. I think it was a good day.

Next we move on to Scott and Jess's Christmas.

I think it was their best Christmas yet.

Today was the first day they were able to take Evan to church.

 I understand he was perfect (slept the whole time).

I think motherhood looks so wonderful on Jess. 

Matching ties for the Father and Son.

Cutest present ever!!

 My only decorating this year thanks to Corinne's boys. They sent these ornaments so I hung them on the entertainment center in the living room.

Thank you!!

 On to Corinne and Ben's family.

The annual watching of the video "Santa Clause" with Tim Allen.

And frosting cookies,

I do love Spencer's toothless look. I have a special spot in my heart for Spencer.

Here is their family picture from today. I think it turned out really great. 

I'm going to print it off and put it on the wall in my entry way.

Thank you Corinne and Ben for taking it,

I sure do love and miss my children and grands. It was great to skype with them. I don't know how we would survive living so far away without the miracle of technology. Being able to see and talk with them at the press of a button is so wonderful, 

Centennial Thanksgiving

 This is what was waiting for me when I got in the car at the airport. She saved me my reserved seat. I loved my spot every time I got in the car to go some place. 

I thought I would give her cute hat a try.  

 Grandpa and Blake always hang out in the back. I'm so glad that Fred is so agile. No thanks for me getting back there. 

 Mima is so funny. I think she has extra feelers (sensors) in her nose. She likes to take little pieces of kleenex and tickle her nose with them. That's what she is doing in this picture. She isn't picking her nose. Kind of like Corinne did with the satin edge of her baby blanket when she was little. 

 Brian prepared our Thanksgiving meal for us. Everything was mighty delicious. Shannon and Brian also invited a couple who recently moved nearby that they knew from their Las Vegas ward. They had two little girls. It was a very nice time with them. 

 On Friday we headed out to a Dinosaur Museum. They also had some snakes and other icky things on display.

 Apparently my hair do has inspired Buddy to want to grow his hair out and wear it the same way. 

 After the museum, we headed out to one of the parks that Brian's company has built. 

 Always good for some swinging.

On Saturday we headed out to a Christmas Festival for some pony rides and a little train ride.

The kids were pretty excited for their first pony ride.

 For the train ride the kids had picked Grandpa and me to ride with them. We assumed adults ride for free so we didn't have a ticket for us. Well nope - we needed a ticket so when we got to the front of the line - no ticket - no ride. Luckily the kids didn't really hesitate getting on by themselves. 

On Sunday Shannon spoke in Sacrament meeting and taught in Relief Society. 

I don't worry about her. She knows what is what. She is pretty amazing!

 Monday and Tuesday Shannon and Brian went back to work so Fred and I had grandma and grandpa duty. Buddy had preschool in the morning so Fred took Blake to preschool and Shannon to work. Then picked Buddy up from preschool and Shannon up from work. 

This is Mima in their bounce house. Their new home has an unfinished basement. It is insulated with a finished floor so it is the perfect play place. Mima's hair gets so full of static electricity. This pictures doesn't do it justice.

They ride their ride on toys down here. It a great space for them.

 Shannon bought the kids gingerbread houses to decorate.

One morning they helped make pancakes.

 This is Mima's Carmen San Diego hat that she loves to wear. It is so cute!

We got to experience Mod Pizza. It's basically a Cafe Rio, but for pizza. You pay for the flat bread size you want and then pick your toppings. They have an oven set at 750 degrees that bakes your pizza in about 5 minutes. It was pretty scrumptious. 

 These were my going away selfies with the kids. 

It was really a wonderful visit. Shannon and Brian's new home is perfect for them and will fits all their needs and is big enough for us to visit!!! Until next time  ~ ~ ~ ~

Grandbaby #7 Baby Boy Evan Thomas

Scott and Jess have had a long journey to bring this little boy into the world. This is my first experience as mother of the expected father. It is a whole new feeling when it's your son who is the daddy. Especially when it is Scott who has never expressed much interest towards children or babies. EVER. Well Scott is a natural and he is already an AWESOME Father. 

 

 Jess did not have an easy delivery experience, Evan came into the world a month early. Jess had developed Preeclampsia and it's additional complications concluding with an emergency C Section. Scott was a busy first time Daddy and loving husband providing care for both Jess & Evan.

 Evan had low glucose levels and then couldn't keep his body temperature so spent some time in the NICU. They stayed at the hospital for a week. 

Then the bellirubin decided to be a problem too. All three of my babies had that problem too.

 Poor Jess didn't get to hold that little baby until about 24 hours between his NICU stay and getting meds out of her system. It was a tough time for this first time Mom. She was such a trooper. 

 I think this is my favorite picture from the hospital.

This is from home. Scott has never been one to take a nap. That may be changing. 

They found a photographer to take their newborn photos that came to their home.

For being a month early Even was 5 lbs 5 oz which is a decent size, but he looks pretty teeny!

 Shannon made this little chef's hat and apron. 

This is a tribute to Jess's career as Corporate Bakery Chef at Kneaders.

 If only Evan could be asleep like this all night long.

I can hardly wait to see all those little loose wrinkles filled out with soft baby squishy fat.

Welcome to our Family First Grandson to carry on the Daly Name!! Evan Thomas Daly.

We are so excited to meet you in February.