I'm celebrating, big time. I just found out that Michelle and kids will be coming to live with us for a while, until their house in AZ sells. Now that Grant is living at home after his divorce, we will have ALL of our kids living here. (except Blaine, who will be in Denver setting up a new business). I just want to jump for joy!!

My Delta.com favorite destination

Yes, I recently returned from another trip to AZ to see those amazing babies.

Here are a few highlights from my trip.

The first order of business is always to do the craft that I bring for Kimberley.

This time we did stamps.

On Saturday, we went to Chili's.Here is Michelle, a.k.a. "hair lady" coiffing the Bims for church Asher was taking a nap just before church, so here is Mommy, sans Asher.
Father and Son

Did I mention that Asher was asleep?

On Monday we went to the mall.
Asher was definately not asleep.

No trip to the mall would be complete without ice cream.

This Tucson mall has a kid's play area.

Lest you wonder, we really didn't expect to do much shopping.

(With 3 kids? pa-lease!)

Evidently sunsets such as this are a nightly occurance.

Monday evening was Beth's choir concert at her church.

That black sillouetted dude is my brother, Gary.

He spends much of his time recording musical groups and producing CDs.

Once again, I say good bye to my grandbabies.

My Friend Betty

This is my dear friend, Betty. We have been friends for over 30 years and I never seem to take pictures of her. We go out to lunch and shopping whenever we can, and that just isn't the type of activity that one usually takes photos of. So, the other day I decided that I didn't want to go through my entire life without taking a picture of Betty. Here we are shopping. We met when we were both working sewing drapes. We each eventually started our own drapery businesses. I continued in the drapery business but she opened a pre-school in her home. Both Grant and Michelle went to her pre-school and I am convinced that when she retired a couple of years ago, we lost one of the best pre-schools in the area. She has raised 6 wonderful, sweet boys and is now a grandma, like me. I'm sure we'll be friends forever!!

The Larsens and the Goodwins

January has been quite the month. Lots has happened, but the best part of January was a two week visit from our friends Tiffany and Kyle Larsen, their two darling kids, Ellie and Erik and Tiff's mother Anna Goodwin and Tiff's brother Bob Goodwin.Erik doesn't look like an Erik Larsen because he's 1/4 Chinese. Isn't he beautiful?
Pretty little Ellie calls me Grandma Mare, and I love it.
She begged me to paint her nails. She didn't have to beg very hard.

I had fun getting to know Tiff's mom, Anna. She's a great lady and I'm glad to have her as my newest friend. Tiff's brother Bob, treated me to lots of magic card tricks.

She cooked us a giant feast last Sunday. It was amazing. I learned a lot about Chinese cooking.

One thing I learned was that it's a ton of work.

But, the feast was amazing.

Ellie and Erik kept our house full of fun and laughter.

Tiff is expecting #3 but she still looks trim and lovely.
I wish I were an Asian beauty like her.

We went shopping one day and I bought Ellie and Kimberley matching dresses. I hope that they'll be able to be together sometime while they still fit them. They're from Baby Gap and were on sale for $15 each. How could I resist?

On that shopping trip I bought more dress-up clothes for our toy closet and Ellie went around the house ballet dancing up a storm. She likes to dance way up on her toes. She has her own Ballet shoes which she brought on their trip and her mom can't wait to put her in Ballet lessons. Hurry, Kimberley and visit so you can dress up in this pretty Ballet costume, too.

Our fun company left on Saturday night and we miss them. Fortunately, they will be living here in Utah county for a while and we'll get to see them whenever we want.

This blog is for Blaine.

We've had plenty of snow so far this winter. This is what it looked like outside yesterday.You know I love it, especially when it is so sunny after a snow storm.
I am dedicating this blog to my son-in-law, who is constantly bragging about the warm winters in AZ. Here is a taste of what it will be like for him next winter in Denver.
Blaine, would you like for me to send you a snowsuit for your birthday to save for next winter?
Ha ha (that was MY evil laugh.)

Christmas in Arizona, Kimberley's birthday and Family Fun

Grandad finally got to meet his darling grandson, Oliver.While in Arizona we brought the kids their Christmas gifts and had another mini Christmas with them.

Oliver was oblivious to all of the festivities.

Finger painting becomes arm painting.

Boys chillin' on the couch.

It's really New Year's day so Blaine was teaching Asher about the fine art of couch potato football.

While there we celebrated Kimberley's 3rd birthday. She got to help make the cake.

Yummmm. Chocolate cake!!

Asher knows "funny" when he sees it.

Uncle Grant was a hit with Kimberley.

The adults get to play Life, Pirates of the Carribbean sytle.

Aunt Kristin
How cute is this?

Saying good bye.

We had a great trip and it's hard to say good bye, but never fear,

I'll be returning before you know it.!!

Oliver's blessing.

Last Sunday we were all able to be in AZ for Oliver's blessing.

We were so very grateful to have Grant and Kristin there with us. It's been a long while since the whole family has been together. Ken and I were just so happy. My brother Gary was sick, so he wasn't able to come, even though he lives right there in AZ. I guess we need to photo shop him into this pic. The proud parents.

The proud great grandma.

The proud aunt and uncle.

The proud grandparents.