I was surrounded by people that I love during the month of February! Kelli, Jared, Scarlett and Lila brought lots of sunshine to an other wise cloudy and snowy winter. On President's weekend Ashley, Todd, Toby, Ben and Chase's visit added to the warmth. During the month I celebrated my thirty something birthday and we took a weekend ski trip to Killington Vermont. Todd and Toby built a really cool igloo Scarlett kept us smiling with her grown up antics.... We went sledding in Faunstock Park Randy and Jared warmed by the fire after a dip in the hot tub. Nice robe Jared! Of course.....there were lots of chances for snowman building And some beautiful scenery in Vermont Randy brought me flowers and Kellli made me a red cake for my birthday Lila learned to crawl on all fours and pull herself up to things Even fairies and princesses need a nap occasionally Our in house stylist Lila loved going for a spin with Scarlett [...]
This sweet kid turned 7 years old today. Gav is athletic and smart and a great example to his 2 younger brothers. He is a great Lego designer too! I love you Gavin.
And 2 became 5! Eleven years ago we celebrated Jason and Kimberly's marriage at the LA Temple followed by a dinner and reception at the Orange Mining Company. We're proud of this beautiful family and send our love, especially today!
I have spent the past two weeks hanging out with the grand kids. I missed being with Ethan, Colin and Maddie but they are coming to visit next month.
Randy and I went to Boston this past weekend to celebrate Chase and Toby's (belated) birthdays. It was very cold but we tried out their new trampoline. We were creating some weird energy....check out Ben's hair.
Birthdays were celebrated at "Monkey Joes" jump house with several of Toby's friends. Chase got in on all the action, including climbing the highest slides with no fear!
The weekend before I was in Southern California hanging out with Max, Abby and Charlie while their mom and dad vacationed in Guatemala. We had such a fun time. Rhonda came down to visit. Megan took us to Pretend City with Gavin, Miles and Tate, then the boys came over for a sleepover. We played on the beach and saw "Tooth Fairy" plus had breakfast at Ruby's on the Oceanside Pier. I got to visit with Nathan and Megan and Ryan and Leanne too.
Happy Birthday to our sweet Charlie who turns 5 today. Her infectious smile tells the story of a (mostly) happy girl whose emotions are transparent. Health conscious, articulate and full of love! Grammy loves you Charlie.
Can't believe that it was 2 years ago today that we welcomed this little blonde cherub to our family. Chase has well earned the nick name "Chaser" for he is full of life and faster than lightning. Happy Birthday Chase! We love you!
This is a recent picture of our lovely daughter in law Leanne and our son Ryan. Today is her birthday and we want her to know how much we love and appreciate her!!!
This little family had its beginnings 6 years ago today when Kelli and Jared were married in the L.A. Temple. Happy Anniversary to a really sweet daughter and our favorite son in law.
We enjoyed the Christmas holiday in California where we spent time with all of our grand kids. Everyone was together for 4 days at a rented Beach home in Ventura. Of course there was Beatle's Rock Band during the holiday. And a lovely Christmas Eve dinner hosted by Leanne and Ryan. And the sweetest nativity reenactment ever.The cousins had a blast being together.They all put on a special talent show at the Beach Housefollowed by a dance-a-thon.Buddies having a picnic.New Year's Eve Party at Ryan and Leanne's home. New Year's Day we gathered at with Ron and Rhonda's family for yummy lunch,hot-tubbing, "bounce-housing", football watching and just visiting. Great day![...]
It's a great day because Toby is turning 6! This artistic, energetic, charismatic kid likes to tease his Grammy. Hope he knows how much I love him. Happy Birthday Toby!
My favorite son in law turned 30 this past weekend. Though we celebrated with him and his family at Disneyland the week before I wanted to give him a shout out so he knows how much he is loved! Happy Birthday Jared!
Today Randy and celebrate 37 years of marriage. I could never have imagined then how much more I would love him now. Happy Anniversary Randy. To celebrate I'm taking you to see Finian's Rainbow in January!
We had a memorable Thanksgiving this year. The evening before we took the train to NYC with Todd's family to see the Macy's Parade floats as they were filled in preparation for the next morning. Back in Carmel we were joined by Jared, Jessica and Addi in anticipation of the holiday. Grammy bribed these early risers to sleep in each morning by offering a prize if no adult was awakened before 7 am. It was beautiful! Of course there was some Beatles' Rock Band. Even these two cuties got in on the action. To our knowledge Chase had not been drinking.Rock Star Mom The Mellow GuitaristThe intense drummer. So intense his eyes are red!The Dancing Fairies? These boys can always find something crazy to dress up in down in Grammy's basement. Toby...did you eat off the back left wing? Looks like there has been a cover up.Papa's organic, range roving, "brined" turkey was superb!Ben made a special turkey decoration for the celebration! Toby and Ben helped Papa put up the Christmas tree![...]
On Saturday I rode my broom to Boston with my Dressed to Thrill partner at my side to attend Ben's Birthday/Halloween party. Unfortunately we scared the 20 children at the party and I had to lose my chin and teeth to convince even my own grandkids that I was their Grammy.Ashley (the party girl) had decorated the house inside and out and served soup and salad to the adults and theme cut sandwiches, cheeses and fruits to the kids. There were fun games to play outside on what turned out to be a warm and beautiful (though breezy) day.Ben was so excited to be 4 and to celebrate with his friends!On Sunday we spent some time at the beautiful Pier Park near Winthrop enjoying the sights of Boston and 3 energetic little boys who greeted daylight savings time with a 5 am wakeup![...]
Tis the season when long lost family and friends flock to New York / Connecticut to leaf peep. We had a houseful most of October and even though the weather was rainy, the leaves did not dissappoint. Last Saturday we ventured to Essex Ct. to ride a century old steam engine and tour boat along the Connecticut River. Jim, Grandad, Peggy, Jared, Addi and Jessica. (Cryssi, Brent, Kaison and Grandma were below deck and Randy 'sigh' was in Florida)
October 27th is a great day because 2 of my favorite people celebrate their birthdays!
Happy 4th Birthday Ben! This energetic cherub has been waiting all year to be 4. Full of love with a twinkle in his eye, Ben is so fun to be with. Grammy loves you Ben! Randy' mom also celebrates her 81st birthday today. Beloved by all of her children and grandchildren and everyone who knows her, she is the "perfect" grandma to model.
It seems impossible that this precious little guy is celebrating his 1st Birthday! On the move...he is already walking to keep up with Gavin and Miles. Wish we could have been in California for a birthday hug! We love you Tate!
Fall here in NY is definitely my favorite season! Randy spent 2 weeks of it in China :( but Jason, Kim and family came to keep me company for a week.Here is a view of our front yard as the colors change.We took a road trip to Boston on Jason's birthday where we celebrated Ashley and Jason's birthday with chocolate fudge layer cake.Colin liked it A LOT!30 Something!From Boston we drove up to Vermont to visit some of Jason and Kim's favorite hang outs. We stayed at a quaint Inn near Killington.We visited Sugar Bush Farms where we stocked up on maple syrup and cheese after greeting the farm animals.Back in Carmel, Ethan took a pile of Geo Trax.......And created this masterpiece.Thanks Jason and Kimberly for taking such good care of me while Randy was away!Sweet Maddie made the week so much fun![...]
Randy and I recently spent a week in North Carolina with Jason and Ryan's families. Besides celebrating Abby's birthday and blessing Madeline, we were thrilled with Jason and Leanne's first place win as team East and West in the Bushwack Adventure Race. After the eventful weekend we drove 4 hours east to Rodanthe where the boys had rented a beautiful beach home for the week. The weather was sunny, the waves in front of the house were awesome, the pool was heated and we had such a relaxing and enjoyable time. Our house had an elevator! Randy finally relaxed!Abby loved helping us care for Maddie The House from the movie "Nights in Rodanthe"...5 doors downVisited Kitty Hawk where the Wright Brothers flew the first plane.[...]
Last Sunday Jason gave Maddie a name and a blessing at their ward sacrament meeting. This little angel (and I do mean angel) wore a beautiful dress made by her Gramma Harbertson and was all smiles during the meeting. Afterwards we gathered at Jason and Kim's home with Ryan's family, Kim's parents and her brothers Bryce and Mark and their families to enjoy lunch and celebrate the special occasion.
Lucky Grammy and Papa got to spend Abby's 7th birthday with her while visiting Jason and Kim with Ryan's family in North Carolina. All told, Abby opened birthday gifts on 3 different days, enjoyed 3 yummy birthday cakes and was treated by Aunt Kim to "Paint your own Pottery" on her actual birthday. We love you Abby!
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