Saturday, March 14, 2009

Spring Break

This week we spent a few days taking care of Jack while his mom went to a conference. It was great spending time with him and getting to know his personality. He is an on the go baby. He hardly has time to eat and doesn't like being constrained to high chair, changing table or car seat. Now the stroller, he seems to enjoy as long as it is moving. He's crawling all over the house and will follow the cat under the kitchen table and down the hall. Always smiling and pulling him self up to furniture and toysThis is a picture of Jack on stage at his key board. He did a great job entertaining grandpa and grandma, as well as himself.

We visited this great little town just 10 miles west of Wheaton called Geneva. It has many quaint and unique gift shops and specialty restaurants. I read about it in Midwest Living so thought we should check it out. The homemade raspberry chocolate ice cream was a big hit with me but Jack wrinkled up his nose when I touched his lips with it.
Jack and his dad get in a little spring training in the evening. They are anticipating some quality father and son time watching the Detroit Tigers this year.
What could warm a mother's heart more than watching son and grandson share a goodnight story and prayer. You may have noticed that Jack finds comfort in his pacifier. He will have one in his mouth and find another, spit one out and put the other one in. So when he spit it out in the Jewel parking lot and wind blew it under a car, I had no choice but to get on my hands and knees and reach under the back tire of a car to fetch it. What a grandma will do for her grandchildren and I know you grandmas understand!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Smiles a Minute

I enjoyed 10 baby filled days in February with Angie and grandchildren. Dan was a busy dad working all day and helping with early morning breakfast and evening bath time. The days are filled with lots of smiles, hugs, toys, snacks, laundry, diapers, books, swings and a few cartoons. I'm now a fan of Backyardigans although I haven't memorized the theme song yet. Here is a glimpse of baby days in Steamboat. Cooper and Tucker are buddies. Hudson and Claire enjoy the indoor swing.
While I was there the town celebrated Winter Festival. We watched children skiing behind horses that raced down the street. One evening we enjoyed the fireworks from the deck hot tub on a beautiful clear night. Oh, the fun of living in a mountain town.Dan traveled with us to Denver and Angie and I flew with her dad to Phoenix for some warm sunny days. What a contrast.

We sure live in a beautiful and diverse country!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Baby Jack

The last week of January we drove to Wheaton, IL to visit Jack and his parents. Tom was a confident driver on the super highways following each command of his new GPS. If it hadn't been for slowing down at all the toll booths we would have arrived a few minutes earlier. On the return trip we purchased an I-pass so next time it will be smooth sailing. You know, when you are traveling to see a grandson and his folks, no delay is acceptable.

Jack is on the move, scooting around, and like his dad, is fascinated with books.
At eight months old, Jack is learning about his world by using his senses.

" You might not believe this, but, duck strings are satisfying too."
"Best of all is being held by people who love me, like mommy, daddy and granpda."


Friday, January 16, 2009

Winter's Wonder

We've been experiencing some pretty and cold weather recently. I've been staying close to the home fires. Today I ventured out, the beauty was drawing me. I had to capture the whiteness and experience the cold crisp air while we lay in wait of another snow storm.

The land was quiet except for a gust of wind that blew snow off the trees, not one cheep from a bird. I know they are near because Tom keeps a path to the feeder and they frequent it all day.

I marvel at what the trees endure, how they hold on to their little pine cones.


The snow on the pine trees look like frosting, it brings a serene beauty with the graceful lines it accents. Again, our land gives back to us by just being here. This truly is a gift that I often take for granted in the busyness of life.

And yet on these frosty days, its minus 5 degrees F as I write this and it will get colder before the night is done, I'm thankful for a cozy home.

Tomorrow it will be too cold for Conley to play outdoors so she will have to be satisfied to play with an indoor snowman.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Christmas Memories

I still have my Christmas tree up, it seems when you take it down, you are leaving behind the fun, the celebration, the season of thoughtful giving, the praises of thankfulness to God for Jesus, the wonderful music and decorations and meals prepared with love. So to drag out my nostalgia into the new year, here are some sweet pictures of our Michigan Christmas.


Conley likes to visit our old neighbor and friend, Toni who turned
92 this past December.
Did I mention that Jack came to visit ... with his dad and mom? We couldn't keep our hands off his cuteness.

When the word got out that there were cute babies at our house, Aunt Di and Uncle Steve came for a visit. So did Aunt Donna and cousin Carrie but I totally forgot to get out the camera. The camera came out to capture Conley and daddy singing
"Deck the Halls" with the Christmas duck. Conley enjoyed the tree and carefully touched the ornaments and beads.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Steamboat Christmas


How fun for us this year to fly out to Steamboat and enjoy an early Christmas. Of course I want to share the beauty of Steamboat and the sweet and innocent faces of grandchildren. Our first day, Dan and Angie took us to Strawberry Hot Springs with Hudson and Claire. Now that was amazing with the air temperature at 6F and water temperature 109F!

Angie manages to get in some last minute Christmas shopping with all the children.

And then...it's (early) Christmas morning!


To get a skier's view of Steamboat, we took Hudson and Claire to the top of the mountain on the gondola.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Let it Snow!

Today is one of the beautiful snowy days in southwest Michigan. My little helper, Conley, helped me decorate an outside tree and put together a winter planter for the front entrance. She enjoyed making "snow cakes" in the gently falling snow. Tom loves getting some fresh air and keeping his customers supplied with firewood.
Fran just loves being outside with the beauty of fresh fallen snow and spending time with Conley.