Somewhere there is a HUMBUG

Do I give up?....Do we move?....It's getting discouraging.
Over the years, I have tried to decorate for the seasons, inside and out. Many years ago a friend of ours gave me a beautiful church that was strung with lights. It has been a feature under our maple tree year 'round for more than 10 years. Until night before last....

This year I also invested in some lighted, animated deer for the yard. We enjoyed them in the living room for a few evenings and then I put them out. They graced our yard for only 3 nights. Yesterday morning they were gone along with my church.

I have had Christmas wreaths removed from my door twice in the last 5 years. We have had things taken off of our porch off and on also. Mostly bags of pop cans. I guess I don't understand why people would feel free to take things that don't belong to them. Especially things that brought a little bit of "magic" to our grandkids and kids.

My Kingdom for a Camera......

Today would have been an excellent day for me to have a camera. Lalita let us watch Simon for a couple of hours. He is such a sweet little man. Joylynn was here with her 3 as well. I so wanted to get a new picture of Danika and Simon. We have to have cameras here at Christmas time to get all 5 of the grandchildren's picture together.

Here are 4 of our little ones in black and white.

Lots to be Thankful for....

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on blessings, share moments together and partake of the harvest bounty. We don't even have a garden so we depend on others to harvest and provide the bounty for our table. One of the main things on our Thanksgiving table is the traditional Kangas stuffing with 3 lbs of onions and a whole stock of celery sauteed until cooked. It can be a bit toxic if you are sensitive to onion fumes.

We are thankful for all of our family, especially the new additions. Simon, Danika and Rowan. Also our newest feline friends, Peanut Butter and Ninja. Peanut Butter has decided that she

likes Harlan a lot. If you knew how much he is not a hands on pet person, you'd find this humorous.

Aunty Krystle has found a new love in her nephew Rowan. He seems quite taken with her as well. He has such a face!! Don't you just want to kiss it.

We are Thankful for increasing health and energy. Miss Danika is starting to interact socially and is such a bright eyed little cutie.

Of course we are Thankful for the constant activity of the older two grandkids. They were thankful that we hadn't bagged all of our leaves before today.

As far as Mad Max the Road Warrior dog. Who knows what he is thankful for. He just appreciates the chance to come to "Gramma's" house and play with the kids and get a bunch of attention. He is such a great dog. There are none better IMHO.

I love this picture of him that looks like he's praying. At least he bowed his head.

God bless us, everyone, as we look forward to celebrating the Christmas season and the coming New Year.

More November Fun

Rowan and his parents showed up on Saturday night to surprise me. He came to Gramma's for his first bath. I was able to give him the bath in my new kitchen sink. His daddy was there to get him ready and take a few pictures but Mom got the job of comforting him after so traumatic an experience.




He got to meet the cousins except Simon and got to chill with Aunty Joylynn. So fun!









Wyatt held him and told him "You're my best boy".

Danika was trying to let him know that it really isn't so bad to be a part of this big clan but he still looks a little apprehensive.

Special times and special people

Fall has got to be one of my favorite seasons. Winter is my very favorite, but Fall is right up there.

Friday is probably my favorite day of the week. We have pizza night and often have family over to share the pies with us. This week Jess, Joylynn, Wyatt, Genevieve and Danika joined us.

The uncles and aunty played tag team in keeping the kids occupied. Uncle Cam was being a human stair blocker for Genevieve.



Weekends in general are so much fun with all that we get to do with friends and family. This weekend we got to help celebrate Rashell Duckworth's 18th birthday. We have just been surprised with a visit from Logan, Alyssa and Rowan. And if we could be in two places at once on Sunday, we would definitely be here at Generations Church and in La Grande, Oregon wishing a very happy birthday to Kiel.

We wish you all the best today and in the coming year. We look forward to spending many special weekends together. Phil 1:3

Grandkids Galore!

Rowan Charles Newton

Wyatt Earl Martin

Genevieve Kay Marie

Danika Jane Kelly

Simon Miller


We are truly blessed with the cutest and best pirates and princesses.

Aunty Courtney and the Uncles love these kids alot too.

You can see pics of Simon on Lalita's blog www.imlearning.blogspot.com

Another Day of Celebration

Last November 5th we celebrated Alyssa's step into "adulthood". Today at 22 she is imbarking on a whole new chapter as a "MOM"! Take a walk with me through the past "year of Alyssa".

Here she is with various family members in various settings doing what she does best "bringing sunshine into the lives of others."

Home improvement projects were the summer jobs that were tackled on our various weekend visits to Lacey.

Here she is just the other day with her brand new son Rowan.

Lys, you are such a people person. I am amazed to watch you with your siblings, your husband and with others. Your gentle compassion is humbling to me. I have learned a lot from you in the past year.

Hope your birthday is very happy. Kiss that little guy for me, too.
I love you, Sunshine.
Mom

Rowan has crib pals

He likes his crib because he has friends there. He got the tiger from his Gremmy. His Ikea bear came as a result of a shopping trip to Ikea that his mommy took with his Aunty Crystal G. I don't know where his blankie bear came from but I'm sure he is going to love all of them.

Day 3 and we still haven't gotten tired of having him around. We are glad he likes his pacifier though :)

Hanging out with Rowan

We are going to enjoy having this little guy around. He is such a sweet baby. Can't wait for him to meet his cousins. Good times at Gramma and Grampas are soon to come.


Everyone is taking time to get acquainted with Rowan.

We definitely see both sides of the family in him.





















It is going to be hard to leave Lacey this time because of him. But we have a Wyatt, Genevieve and Danika not to forget Simon, too, that are waiting patiently for "the uncles" and Aunty Courtney, Gramma and Grandpa to come home.

We will see you all soon. We love all of you grandkiddos.

Welcome Little One

Join us in thanking God for the safe arrival of Rowan Charles Newton. Born on Thursday, November 1st, 2007. He weighs 8 lbs 1 oz and is 20.5 inches long.

Only one picture to share at this time. I'm sure to add more in the days ahead. Alyssa and Logan were quite a team in birthing this little guy. Congratulations he is a cutie!