Leaps and Bounds

Pretty G'vieve

This sweet girl is the spittin' image of her mama. Her eyes have changed to be the same color even. Purple is definitely their favorite color and the similarities don't stop there. Personality and temperament plus a whole lot more. It's rare to get a photo of her where she isn't making a goofy face so I take advantage of posting the few shots that are so lovely.

Look alike cousins

Or should I say act alike cousins. I guess there is a new animated movie called "Rio" that is coming to theaters so the Happy Meal boxes are made to put on your head as a Carmen Miranda hat. Cherise took the picture of Henry at their house and Wyatt put on his hat here at home.

Changing by Leaps and Bounds

I have to say that Garrett has taken off in his development. He has taken to feeding himself and is a Cheerio Champ!

He is also perfecting getting around on his hands and knees. I believe that it is officially called "creeping". He has been pulling himself along on his tummy (crawling) and rolling all over for awhile now. We have tried to coral him to the rug area only with bins and chairs and pillows. There was about a 12 in opening in the coral this a.m. and he made a beeline for it. My days of leisure are over :o) He is on the move!

Slow news week

Did you see this downtown?

One of the mornings I was taking Burnside into town I snapped a picture of this critter on top of Jake's Seafood building. I love crab but would need a few friends to help with one this size!

I love Willow Tree figurines

I have a couple of friends that have an extensive collection of these figurines. Alyssa and Logan have a couple. I picked up the one on the left over a year ago and put it aside for last Father's Day for Har. It is called Grandfather. This past week Joylynn showed up with the one on the right it's called The Quilt and I love it! Har and I have spent a good deal of the last nine months in these positions.

Speaking of quilts...

I finished these four recently. One of them was for Naomi's birthday so I wasn't able to post the pictures until now.

They couldn't be more different in their color palettes. I have a couple of others in the works. They are super cute and fun.

Creative motivation or blackmail?

We have cats and I really like them, but it's difficult to get people motivated to tend to the not so pleasant job that comes with pet ownership. The boys used to take turns cleaning the litter box and it got done fairly regularly. We have had a change around here and someone else is now the responsible party. The above note did bring about results but I think we need to help our boys see that there are other ways to communicate.

Ways that will not offend the First Lady. Sorry Ma'am.

Family celebrations and dreams come true

Wyatt is HOW OLD?

Our #1 goofy grandson turned SEVEN this week!

Uncle Hayden had help decorating.

He got all kinds of cool craft type things from his Mom and Dad and siblings. He got lots of books and some clothes. At party #2 on Friday he got tons of toys!

They were all cracking up about something while waiting for everybody to start singing "Happy Birthday" to Wyatt.

Can hardly believe that seven years have flown by so quickly. We LOVE having such an amazing and loving grandson.

Gifts from Goldendale

Naomi and Mike had to be in town for a couple of classes so we've seen her a couple of times. She ran over from Howard's to bring a gift for the birthday boy. She also brought us some of her amazing homemade bread! What a treat!

Cousins!!!

Rowan and Katie got here just before bedtime on Wyatt's birthday. Garrett was already in bed but really wanted Katie to come to play with him. They are so cute together!

Big kids

What do you do when a photo is overexposed? Make it black and white. Here are some of our adult children at "the Party Part II" on Friday night.

It was a dream... now a reality!

For the past 30+ years Harlan has dreamed of having a Yamaha keyboard. Today he got one. It sounds great! He and Hayden have both taken turns playing tunes on it. Harlan is going to get some headphones to use when he wants to play and people are needing quiet.

The maestro with the manual for the new keyboard under his arm and his bass guitar in the background. His little snowman band should really be packed away but the kids get a kick out of them playing.

Making spectacles for ourselves

Harlan and I both crossed over to the camp of officially being glasses wearers. We are in great company and feel quite mature, though a bit queasy getting used to the progressive lenses =:-0

Loving gifts from afar

My cousin Deb, who happens to read my blog, saw that I wished for more sacred Easter decorations. She handmade me a cross and butterfly window clings! They are beautiful!!!

These chicken and chick clings, that she made, were also in the package. I love having decor that depicts my unique situation as the mother of eight. I have 5 chicks that are independent, one that has just broken out of her shell and two still in the nest! How cool is that?

Thanks so much Deb. I will think about you every time I stand at my sink.

Birthdays, appointment and SPRING

Birthday Girls!

Harlan's sister Naomi was born on April 5th and so was our Cherise! Just a couple years apart ;o) Even though Cherise couldn't be here for her b'day, Naomi surprised us and popped in for a couple of minutes!!! For the first time ever, I think, her card was in the mail before her birthday... so it will be waiting for her when she gets home. Hope Cherise's card gets there tomorrow.

Happy Happy Birthday Ladies!!!

Danika's bi-annual Appointment

Danika needs to see a pediatric endocrinologist a couple times a year along with periodic blood sugar checks. Today was the day. She is a trooper when it comes to getting poked.

I wish I would have taken more pictures during the visit but here is a waiting, weighing and leaving shot.

Bunny Brigade

My poor grandchildren are always subjected to some sort of seasonal dress-up poses. Here they are playing Easter Bunny.

Bunnies getting ready for bed and spending time with their mom.

Sprigs of color

Took a couple of pictures while waiting for Wyatt at his school. I love seeing the hint of light green starting to peek out on the trees. The flowering trees are starting to rain down their petals already. Sun shone for a couple of minutes too. Must be Spring!

Fun with our "only child"

Lovely arrangement

Joylynn and Wyatt showed up Friday afternoon with this huge bouquet of beautiful flowers! She said that Wyatt was disappointed that the butterfly wasn't real. I'm glad that it isn't as it looks so pretty sitting on that branch. The vase is absolutely gorgeous as well. Thanks guys!

One of our adults and our "only child"

Hayden was out of town this weekend so Har and I were responsible for only one child. Cam. We let Krystle tag along with us on Friday night but the rest of the weekend we dragged Cam around with just us.

We dragged him to the Game store in the mall and made him play with the brand new Nintendo 3DS. It's a pretty cool little game machine with a pretty hefty price tag.

Made Cam go with us on a road trip

Where we met up with these guys!

Logan, Alyssa, Rowan and Katie met us in Kelso, WA for lunch!

Rowan decided to have a Mexican pizza and Katie wanted Mac & Cheese.

She loved it!!!! What a cutie Katie bug! Caught a picture of double cuteness in the bathroom mirror.

Here is the whole group. It's kinda weird having so few people at the table, though I guess a table for 7 would be a bunch of people to some. Depends on what you're used to hey?

Motoring home

I know I posted a picture of Harlan at the wheel last time but I think we look good in our silver car. It matches our hair :P

After lunch we headed south as Lys and Logan headed north. I think we should do this with K & C and Henry some weekend. Perhaps plan to meet in Goldendale! I think that is about half way.