MIA... but With Good Reason

Big Kids Overnight.

Levi and I dressed alike, not planned!

Teaching Lulu to do Cross-stitch.

Building towers with colorful, plastic cups 

and watching them fall.

Levi got called on the carpet for bugging his sister and 

jumping on the couch!

Do you think he took me seriously?

*============*

Tom and me with five of our grandchildren

We all went together for a day trip

 to Baker City, Oregon.

It's about a two hour drive, north of Boise.

We went to see the

National Historic Oregon Trail

Interpretive Center

(http://www.trailtenders.org/)

It's a hands-on museum and the kids

had so much fun. They even got to play inside a

wagon and dressed up as pioneers.  

What a great museum!

Anything you wanted to know

 about the Oregon Trail, you can learn there!

Did you know that the wagons weren't pulled by horses?

They used Oxen because the Oxen will eat anything!

Oh look, it's a Pioneer family...

NO wait a minute!!

They didn't wear tennis shoes back then!

Or did they?

*============*

Valentine's Day Party

Every Tuesday, we have the Kimmy's family 

over to our home, for a dinner.

Just so happened, Valentine's Day landed on

a Tuesday!

Kimmy made us a sugar free, fat free

dessert, that was so yummy!

*============*

The day after the party, Tom and I headed over to Seattle.

We thought it was going to be smooth sailing, 

because of all the snow that melted.

NOPE!

Our 8.5 hour drive, took 10 hours 

because of fog, black ice and snow.

But well worth it !

Look at how big Trey and Scarlett are getting!

(Our son, Todd and Stephanie's children)

 Trey is four and Scarlett is one.

 We were so busy.

First off were swim lessons!

Trey is like a fish in water.

Then we celebrated Tom's 65th birthday.

The kids were amazed at Tom's singing ability,

or scared ! 

First time bowling for Trey 

and he beat me!

The kids were amazed at how the ball 

just shoots back up to the rack!

And of course we snuggled and laughed a lot.

Miss you guys!

*========*

When you visit Seattle on a beautiful day, there is

nothing like a ferry boat ride.

We rode a ferry to visit my

 ninety one year old,  Aunt Bobbie.

I don't think Tom even noticed he was the only

man in the Tea Room that day. 

 What a guy! I'm blessed!

The ride back was just as beautiful!

Seattle, 

my old hometown!

~~~~~*****~~~~~

"He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong."

Titus 1:9

The Big Melt

We've had so much snow this Winter.

Here is the Boise area,

it has been "record levels" of snow.

Not only snow, but freezing temperatures that 

wouldn't let the snow to melt.

So for two and half months,

 starting back on Dec. 6th,

we've been buried under several feet of snow.

Until now!

Here are a series of pictures from

 our backyard snow melt.

  

Just when I thought the snow was going away,

it snowed two inches!

The picture below is interesting,
because it looks like fluffy mounds of snow.
I was actually standing on one of those
mounds, taking the picture.
Rock hard snow!

This was a few days ago.

Most of the snow is gone, in the major

part of our backyard.

The North side still has snow. 

I can't wait to start hanging up laundry on the line outside. Getting dirt under my fingernails from working in the garden.

~~~~****~~~~

"Do not be conformed by the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is God's will - His good, pleasing and perfect will."

Romans 12:2

SAHG

I love being a Stay At Home Grandma,

(SAHG)

I can be called anytime;

Day or Night;

Ahead of time

or even

Last minute!

Our kitchen is always prepared. 

I have on hand at all times:

Cookies, milk, bread, carrot sticks, popcorn, celery, peanut butter, ice cream.

crackers, cheese, apples, bananas, raisins, granola, graham crackers,

and hard boiled eggs (for Levi).

Toys are accessible for big and little people.

I have a special designate toy area and book shelf. 

Each child has their very own toy box.

Sometimes, there can be surprises waiting inside each box.

The Group Toys, are at the bottom.

The other day we had

Miss Ila May

over for a couple of hours.

Just her!

Ila May loves to have Tea Parties.

She is such a hat girl. 

Today, a cloth napkin was her hat.

Ila was free to do or be,

 anything she wanted.

Snuggle time with Papa

Yes, making faces is a must.

Then the next day we had 

Mr. Blue Eyes, Isaac.

He is now 8 months old.

Playtime

and then

nap time.

Papa got a little nap in, also.

Can't get enough kisses!

This is the BEST  job in the world!

I love being a

Stay At Home Grandma!

~~~***~~~

"Even to you old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you:  And I will bear you and I will deliver you."

Isaiah 46:4-5

Visiting McCall

I love to visit McCall Idaho!

This is where my girlfriend lives 

with her husband.

We have known each other since,

I was 4 and Didi was 3.

Below is our Kindergarten picture!

Usually, Tom and I visit during the summer.

This year we decided to visit for

 McCall's world famous, 

Winter Carnival 

It takes us about 2 hours to get there 

and the

scenery was beautiful.

We didn't waste any time joining the thousands of

others, celebrating.

We looked at the ice sculptures and

took in a few of the other sights.

There were people ice fishing on Lake Payette.

For the fireworks show,

we had the best seats.

This is out on their patio.

If we got to cold,

 we'd run inside.

Next day...

We headed down to the parade,

 along with thousands of others.

The place was packed!

This is a definitely, a hometown parade.

The streets were blocked off and we hiked, walked

into town and found a perfect viewing spot..

Flags were hoisted and we all saluted.
Everyone cheered as the flag went by!

People on the floats and the princesses
 threw candy and beads.

Little kids, all bundled up in snow gear,

 would run for the loot.

It was cold but sunny! 

Best parade I've been to in years!

Didi and I went snowshoeing.

Or tried!

We laughed long and hard!

That's what you do when you know someone

 so well and for as long as we have

 (61 years!!).

Tom and I had never been to a Hockey Match.

But now we have.

I was more impressed with the

Zamboni.

LoveYou Didi  !!

~~~***~~~

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, but fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."

Romans 12:10-11