Family Picture

Do you know how hard it is to get 3 children under the age of 5 to sit with their father long enough to snap a picture? Just a second after this one was taken, Dawson cried, Brooklynn stiffened right out straight, and Lexy flopped backward on the couch. This one is a keeper.

Here is Lexy with the new hat I knit for her. She asked for a hat with flaps and no strings.

Saturday fun

As you can see, Brooklynn is still a very happy little girl. She just loves her Daddy, her bottle, and someone to clap and cheer her on. She is just about the easiest kid to have around.

Dawson is starting to use the computer. He tries his hardest to click the mouse when he's supposed to. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. He still continues to progress every day, more and more sounds come out of his mouth. There is still alot that no one understands, but hopefully one day, we'll know exactly what he is saying.

Lexy had her hair trimmed today, just a bit off the ends. She wants it to look like it did on her last birthday. She's already talking about her birthday and what she would like at her party. It blows my mind that she will be 5. Where do those 5 years go? Lexy loves listening to Non Nobis through our electric piano. It's a great piece of religious classical music, and she asks to hear it often. Who knows where that will lead?

I have one blossom on two of my Christmas cacti. Lexy really had to restrain herself from picking this one. She commented on how beautiful it was, and held it in both hands. I was just waiting for the little slip that would clip it off, but she didn't. Guess this might be a Martin Luther King Cactus?

Tuesday evening

No photos to post, but just wanted to update you on Dawson. He is doing so well. He is smiling more, and he was giggling last night. Just sitting there giggling! I don't think I have every heard him giggle! He is talking in a normal voice, not yelling everything. He seems a lot more attentive to what is going on around him, and I'm sure it's because he is hearing things he didn't before. One big thing I have noticed since the surgery, is that he is coming to me, instead of Papa. I really think he could hear (or feel) Papa's voice, but couldn't hear or feel mine. Now he will come and get me, sit in my lap, talk to me (although I still can't understand most of what he says), and try to engage me in a "conversation". It is just amazing. It is also so sad, that he has missed out on so much during the first 3 years of his life. I am really hoping he does lots of catching up. And by the looks of it, he already has a good jump on it.
Great Grammie and Great Grampa, this update is for you!

Surgery Day

Today, Dawson had his tonsils, adenoids, and ear wax removed, and had tubes put in. He was doing very well this evening, eating some food, and lots of pop sicles. Tomorrow may be another story. The good thing is he is hearing better already. His voice sounds different, but he actually told his daddy to be quiet, and plugged his ears. Let's hope this is the start of his hearing recovery.

This is Alexys talking with her great grandparents in Florida about Dawson. She spent most of the day with Mammie and Papa, but was concerned about Dawson through out the day.

Here she is with her brother's monkey. I think she really likes it! Almost as much as she loves the dress up dress!

Birthday celebration

Today the family celebrated Dawson's third birthday. He enjoyed cake and gifts and the company of family. He's having his tonsils out this week, so hopefully he will hear and feel so much better. He's only 3, but this week I will try to baby him just a little bit longer!

This is Madden, Dawson's cousin, checking out the cool cars that Dawson got for his birthday. Guess what he's getting for his 3rd birthday?? Madden enjoyed cake and ice cream and seeing all the cool cars Dawson got.

Even though it wasn't her birthday, Lexy enjoyed a dress-up dress from Aunt Debbie. She wanted to try it on, and wear it, and twirl! She looked beautiful with the dress and the smile on her face! Amazing what a good dress up dress can do to a princess!

Brooklynn just enjoyed the whole day- eating cake and ice cream, a good bottle of milk, a ride on the old "ice cream truck" and just being at the party. She wears this smile most of the time. I'd say they are just happy kids- loved and adored! (at least by their grandparents!)

Weather changes

I took these pictures today, just to show how much snow we lost this week. The temperatures were record breaking, into the 50's! However, it is January, and we do live in Maine, and the forecast for the next few days will certainly cover the grass and the chair. So much for global warming, eh? At least it won't be as bad as it was just 10 years ago today, when we experienced the worst weather in our life time, the Ice Storm of 1998. What I remember is it being so absolutely quiet and still with all the power outages. Then the crackle of the ice on a tree would break the silence.

Tuesday evening

The grandchildren were over for a few minutes on Tuesday, long enough for me to get some new pictures. They may visit for only a few minutes, but it lifts my spirits so much in just a short time. They really are the sunshine in my live.

The Big 3

Today is the big third birthday- the big 3! We celebrated with dinner, cake, ice cream, and presents from his Dad and sisters. He had a smile like this all evening long. As you can see, his sisters helped him open his presents. Lots of fun for all.

New Sweater

I finished my granddaughter's sweater this week, and of course, she HAD to wear it to school today. She just loves new clothes. She told me I could make her another one, and she really likes purple! Oh well. It will keep my hands busy for another few weeks.

Weather Chair

This was the weather chair on Jan. 2, 2008. This was after the snow had stopped, and before the wind started to blow. It is a pretty good visual description of all the snow we got. Today it is very cold, about 3 degrees right now, but supposed to warm up this weekend to near 40! Yeah! A heat wave!

My Sunshine

Winter Wonderland

This was taken around 9pm, and we still have more than 20 hours of snow predicted for this new year's day storm. We already have more snow than we got ALL of last year. The skiers and snowmobilers are loving this. And the guy that plows our driveway must have a permanent grin on his face these days. Fortunately, I had no where to go today, so I didn't have to be on the roads at all. The winds are starting to pick up, and things are swirling around. Just hope we don't loose our power tonight. Only 3 more months until spring!!

New Year's Eve

This New Year's Eve our gang went bowling. We had a great time (OK, when don't we have a great time?) Wasn't the same as 4 years ago when we bowled with big balls. Alice had to earn all her points this time! We celebrated almost into the new year, with pizza, a game of dice, and a toast at 10:30. We're old and have a hard time getting to midnight!

Another year begins, and we will probably make some promises to ourselves to try and be better in some aspect of our lives. Mine? I don't usually make them, other than to try and enjoy life to the fullest. Every day is a gift, with endless opportunities, and if we don't step out and get all we can, life will pass us by. If you don't reach out every day, you won't make any memories. I am so fortunate to have so many wonderful memories, and lots of room for many, many more. Thank you to my unconditional friends, who are there, making precious life long memories. Happy New Year!