Merry Christmas 2011

If Christmas is about KIDS (big AND little) then this one hit the mark!!  Here is a photo journey through the Holiday!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Who is that big kid?? 

Uncle Corbin is very practiced at this baby thing!!

Norah's Special Grandma Visit

It was Norah's turn to come to Grandma's house for an overnight visit.  We decided 2 nights/3 days would be enough for her first time away from home without a big brother along.  We had a great time and ALMOST made it before she got too lonely for "mama and papa".  Her family was due to come the next day for a Lakeland Village Christmas party....they  just showed up a little early in order to console their Norah.......MIDNIGHT....and of course she was sound asleep by then!  Oh well....the party just started early.

We shopped Goodwill for some bargain toys of her choosing (the princess castle was a real find).




We played dress up.





We colored with fun new paper and color books.

We had several fun bubble baths......

Our most special day was when we got dressed up in our party clothes and went to the Tea House in Port Orchard for lunch and dessert and TEA of course!  ( Norah doesn't like tea.....we had water in our teapot and cups!)  Norah picked out what she wanted me to wear.....the sparkliest thing she could find in my closet!

 

Happy Birthday Mom...Grandma...Karen!!!

For my birthday I was surprised by a family outing to Zoo Lights at the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma.  This is always such a festive event and it was fun to be celebrating my birthday with all the kids....big and little.

Happy Thanksgiving

I was THRILLED to be included in a Thankgiving celebration in Bellingham with my cousins and half of my own family.  To me it felt like days gone by when we would all get together and there were lots of people.  We now only have one member remaining of the older generation.....Aunt Dorothy. We have added 2 more generations to the "cousin group"......so there were first cousins and second cousins and third cousins and cousins once and twice removed......the whole set up.  Thank you to the Bellingham crew (JENNY!!) who hosted the gathering.  Here are a few random pictures of the day......I was having so much fun I forgot to take lots of pictures

Jenny set a beautiful table in her lovely home.






Cousin Kris and her mom, Aunt Dorothy with me.

 Ron carving ONE of the turkeys and Dan mixing up his signature Asain salad.

First cousins Carole, Karen, Kristi and Julie........with Danny added in below (and 4th generation Rylie peeking from above!)

 3rd generation cousins Alissa (holding 4th generation Max), Jodie, Amber, Jerad and Jenny (our hostess!)

Happy Birthday Simon!!!

Simon is 2 years old..............how did that happen??  He is a cutie for sure!!

Happy Birthday Simon

Happy Halloween

What fun it is to spend Halloween Trick or Treating with 4 llittle ones (and their parents).  Walking around this neighborhood in Downtown Puyallup is like stepping back into my childhood.....just people being friendly, porches decorated, Halloween lights and LOTS OF SMILES!!  Here are a bunch of pictures of my ADORABLE grandchildren!!

Max

 the Monkey!!

                     Simon the FROG!   

Elliott as Buzz Lightyear..........

 
and Princess

Norah.................

  .......and the fun begins as we walk the quaint neighborhood and collect the special treats of the night................