SNOW AND KIDS = FUN!!

We had a blast today up at the old ski run. This is quite the popular place once a little snow starts to accumulate here on the mountain. We hit it just right, not many people as school wasn't out yet. Linde and Luke are the first to arrive for the holiday so we took full advantage of spending some time outdoors. What fun the kids had and so did the rest of us. We even stopped and convince Steve to join us... and surprisingly he did. I really don't know who had more fun, the kids or Gramp and Gram just watching them. What a great afternoon!

Check out my Slide Show!

"Oh, Christmas Tree"

These pictures are for the grandkids getting ready to come to Grammie's house for Christmas. Over the years I've collected quite a few snowman ornaments and as the grandkids get older they love to gaze at all the decorations on the tree. The exception to all the snowmen is a little cornhusk mouse dressed in red. She turns 30 this year! She has been finding her way into the branches since 1977. My Mom sent her the year Nathan was born. She's come to symbolize precious memories of years past. Every year for just a few minutes she takes me away to another time and place. A time, place and people I loved then and now.

NAUGHTY OR NICE????

Dr. Hamblin just couldn't let the party end without trying to convince Santa that he'd been a good boy this year! I just had to blog this! Our dear friend of years and years, Dr. Hamblin on Santa's lap. Years ago the "Hamblin boys" worked for Steve at the Beam Plant in St. Johns. We laugh and joke and say that's why he's a Dr. today, cause he sure didn't want to spend the rest of his life working for Steve! Now the good Dr. "practices " on Steve. Lately Dr. Hamblin has been keeping a close eye on Steve and we appreciate that so much.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa

What a treat it was for us to be Mr. and Mrs. Santa for our Christmas party at church last Saturday! We welcomed everyone coming to the breakfast that morning and then all the kids gathered around to sit on Santa's lap and get a bag of treats. Steve has had more fun with this Santa suit over the years but this is my very 1st year as Mrs. Santa. Thought you kids would get a kick out of the "old" folks! Merry Christmas All!

Nathan and Jennifer's Family

Shelbi holding Dax, Nate, Harlee, Jen holding Trexton

Jen and the boys, Trex and Dax (9 months)

Dax

Nate with Trexton

Steve and I had such fun watching Nate and Jen's little ones. Shelbi is so responsible. She gets her homework done promptly then makes her lunch for the next day. She is such good help with the boys. Harlee keeps us laughing. She is so cute I just love watching her. Steve gets such a kick out of her. We forget that she is three and not six. She still is trying to figure out which brother is Dax and which one is Trex. As Steve says she has a 50/50 chance of being right! Dax and Trex are growing and going. They are just too cute to watch, such good babies and so happy. They have the best Mom. She is amazing, we don't know how she does it all, but she sure does a great job. Cutest little family. Can't tell Nate is proud, can ya? And as always, Nate loves to have his picture taken!

Sunset In the West

A couple of days ago I was looking out the kitchen window just at sunset. I grabbed the camera as fast as I could before this faded. I didn't catch it all and it was getting dark fast but I thought that this is a rather unique picture. Love the western sunsets, never know what kind of glorious treat we are in for! I always look forward to that time of day!

"MINI" TIME

This is our little Mini "Valentine". She's gentle and easy going and loves carrots. She's a little chubby as I have a tendency to overfeed and have to back off now and then.
Kyron, Kason, Kenzi and Kooper all had fun riding Valentine over the Thanksgiving holiday. Kooper wasn't too sure what was going on but after a few minutes he didn't seem to mind. And it's obvious who else didn't mind.

Oh, Oh! Kooper Attacks The Laundry Detergent!

Lesson learned... Always keep the laundry room door closed when the kids are visiting!! Kooper had a blast discovering the laundry detergent! We couldn't resist a few pictures of him attacking the detergent! and best of all, he didn't even get in trouble for this mess! How could anyone scold a face as cute as that!

YEARS LATER... STILL A "NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK" FAN

While Linde was home over Thanksgiving she rummaged through some favorite belongings she'd stored away years ago. And look what she came across! Her "NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK" t-shirt. The last time she wore it must have been in Jr. High and here she is with it on, still looking great!! Her kids got quite a kick out of it but the funnest thing was seeing the look on Luke's face!

And, YES, we have ELK in Arizona!

A few ELK shots for you to see today. I wish we could have seen this many when Wes and Hannah were visiting! The picture directly above this post was taken yesterday near Sunrise Ski Area. The other pictures above were taken around 8 this morning, across the road from Steve's business. I think there are mostly cow elk as the bulls are fast being taken by hunters this time of year. What a beautiful sight.

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

So, after the hot tub then the kids all ended up in "Grammie's tub." What fun they had, with little Kooper right in the middle of it all! (Cousin Addie, Kason, Kenzi and Kooper)

Fun in the hot tub

One last trip to the hot tub was what made Addie happy on Tuesday morning before she headed home to Florida. Linde was a tropper and had three of her four in also. Kenzi, Kooper and Kason sure enjoyed getting to know cousin Addie.

Just Playin'

I can't believe Kooper's One! Yesterday we played on the swing and also jumped on the tramp. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, the Koop or the Gram!

The "BIG GULP"

Amanda and Cousin Wes bonded immediately, when each discovered they enjoyed trips to Short Stop to REFILL! When we were playing games on Thursday night, Wes brought Amanda back a BIG GULP from his run. Before Wes, Hannah and Addie left for the Grand Canyon on Saturday, Amanda made a quick trip to Short Stop and surprised Wes with a GALLON of DIET COKE!

Chelsee, Camdyn and Amanda

Camdyn turns it on automatically when anyone pulls out a camera. She loves Amanda and we got a kick out of how she leaned into her.

Camdyn says good-bye

It's been such a treat to have the family together for a few days. How we have enjoyed all who could be here. I'm so much like my Dad in this way, I HATE good-byes!!! It doesn't matter if I am going to see Camdyn in three weeks, it's still tuff seeing that car drive away. I always cry when the kids leave, it's a given. I was doing really good and keeping myself together and then the sniffles started. Maybe one of these days I'll get it together! Questionable! So, here are a couple of shots taken before Dan, Chelsee, Camdyn, Duke, Kevin and Amanda left today. (FYI, Duke is Dan and Chelsee's beloved Lakeland Terrier)

Cousins

Camdyn (8 mo) and Kooper (1yr.) enjoy each other so much. They really are good little friends and such fun to watch.

Camdyn and Kooper

Isn't it great to be cousins! Camdyn and Kooper playing in Grammie's toybox. They sure look like cousins, don't they?

The Turkey AFTER the ATTACK!

Kyron, Kenzi, Kooper and Addie all chose their cupcake.. then Kason reached in and grabbed the turkey's head. How they all giggled and had such fun watching Kason eat the turkey's head!

The Thanksgiving Turkey BEFORE the ATTACK!

This cute little turkey cake is made of cupcakes and then decorated. What fun all the little ones had when I brought it out. I knew they'd love it. Each took their turn picking which cupcake they wanted. Then came the ATTACK!........

I'm Thankful For...

* my ability to love
* my wonderful family...(including the cutest grandkids in the world!)
* a good husband who works hard for our family
* a warm, cozy home
* my friends, near and far, (you know who you are)
* my brother and his family
* my Aunts and Uncles
* my best friend, Pinky
* my cousins and their families, I love them all, they are a huge support to me
* VERMONT
* the seashore and the peace I felt there
* the seasons
* babies
*animals
* seagulls
* puppies
* horses
* turtles
* barns
* Kooper dancing and making me laugh so hard
* Camdyn's beautiful lips and eyes
* Kenzi's cute cheeks and the way she looks over her shoulder
* Shelbi's love of life, she's magical
* Harlee's snuggles
* Kyron's blue eyes and ability to learn
* Kason's hugs every morning when I visit
* Dax's smile, bigger than any around!
* Trex's easy going nature
* America
* those fighting to preserve our freedom
* missionaries
* newleyweds
* new Moms
* the best parents in the world
* the people in my life who lift me when I'm down
* that my kids all have jobs!
* chocolate
* Cheese Puffs
* Lemon Meriange Pie
* Caramel Popcorn
* Fudge
* sunsets
* nature
*riding my bike
* scallops
* Mexican food
* Chinese food
* hugs and kisses
* people I love, even if I don't see them very often
* jeans and sweatshirts
* people I've met over the years that have impacted my life
* the fact that I belive in God and his daily blessings to me.
And the list goes on and on and on.....

HUGE Arizona Snowman

Believe it or not, this is a snowman.. Snow in the White Mountains of Arizona was a treat for little Addie. She was determined to make a snowman and her Dad willingly obliged. Even though it was the scrawniest snowman ever created, Addie was thrilled and squealed with delight. We were happy to find snow higher in the mountains to fulfill Addie's wish of snow while she was here for her visit.

Wes, Hannah, Addie and Colleen enjoying a lovely afternoon in the White Mountains. What a treat for me to have FAMILY from the east, (Florida) for Thanksgiving. I am enjoying every minute. We are all anxious for the rest of the tribe to arrive. What fun it will be. After a 70 mile drive we not only found snow but also ELK! Stew, if you're reading this Wes will be able to testify that ELK really do exist here!

Hannah, Wes and Addie found snow in the White Mountains of Arizona

The Lonely Little Wooden Bench

I'm just a lonely little bench,
Alone and oh, so blue,
I can't stand waiting one more day,
Until I'm filled with you!


Gram says the kids are coming soon,
Their cute and smiling faces,
They'll jump and scream and sit on me,
Exhausted from their races.


Around the yard, and up and down,
What fun and joy we'll see,
And when they're tired, all worn out,
They stop and sit on me.


I hear them giggle now and then,
They squirm and wiggle too,
I wonder if they think of me
I surely hope they do!

So, hurry fast and hurry now,
The leaves are falling down,
This lonely little wooden bench
Can't wait 'til you're in town!!

Colleen in the Aspens

Last month a few of us got together and went riding up in the mountains. What a lovely time of year with the aspens turning to gold. We rode for over 4 hours, enjoying every minute! Pinky was the worse for wear as she remembered our outing for the next week, every time she sat down! Wonderful day!

Pink

Pinky on her trusty steed!

Colleen and Pinky

We sure enjoyed the entire day! This isn't exactly a "glamour shot" but who cared at that point. We were laughing and just enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

Steve in Vermont

This is Steve in Vermont. He thoroughly

enjoyed his time in New England. We

had so much fun seeing family and friends.

Every day now he comes home and

says, "Don't let me sell everything we

own and move to Vermont!"

Doesn't sound like a bad idea to me! :)

Jim, his wife, Diane, and Colleen outside the Weathervane. What fun we had! Good seafood is always such a treat for us, but the company is even better!

My brother, Jim

This is my brother, Jim. I can't even begin to describe what he means to me. He's been a constant source of strength for me during the past couple of years. I know I can always call him and he can make me laugh and cheer me up on any given day. He never seems too tired to listen to me babble on, even when I know he really is tired. I'm so glad for the chances I've had to see him recently. Twice in one year! That's some kind of a record! He reminds me quite frequently that I am the "OLDER" sister. Bless his heart! Love you Jim!

Cutest little flower ever!

Camdyn's cute as a button in her 1st Halloween costume. She's such a happy little girl and loves everyone. We enjoy watching her grow and all the new things she is discovering!

What a lovely day!

What a great day it's been today! Wonderful weather, with the leaves fighting hard to cling to the braches, it won't be long and snow will be on the ground. It's been so beautiful here for the past few days, great days for bike rides and playing with Nash in the back yard. I was thinking today of the peace and serenity I feel when I'm outdoors. That's my favorite place to be. I think lately my house is proof of that too! So guess tomorrow will be toilets and mops for me. Looking so forward to Thanksgiving and all of the grandchildren here. What a treat that will be for me. Our children will all be home with the exception of Tim and Tori. We sure will miss them! I'm having such a nice day, chatting with our children and others I adore as well. Wonderful time of year!

Comfortable in my jeans!

Steve had business in New England and surprised me with a ticket to accompany him. Needless to say, you know where I ended up! Yup! In Vermont, of course!! This pictures makes me look like I've been working hard but to be honest I just couldn't resist the tractor seat and all the memories flooding back from years gone by.

Kenzi was ready for dance class, (ballet and tap) but stopped just long enough for a quick picture with Gram.

It's always difficult for me to leave the grandkids once I've spent a few days with them. I sniffle for a little bit and then manage to pull myself together. Would love to have all nine grandkids in and out my door all day, every day!

Kooper and Grammie gazing

I love this picture, we both look so completely content!

Am posting some pictures from my recent visit to Vegas. We enjoyed the Garden Room at the Belligiao. The kids totally loved it. I think I could take up residency there, it was just so amazingly beautiful. What a delight to see the expressions on the faces of Kyron, Kason, Kenzi and Kooper. Koop was just in awe and Kenzi skipped and danced around the entire area. And me, of course, I had plenty of "Kodak moments" as you can well see.