These are a bit out of order, but all with in the season..

Gavin and Jen decorating their first Christmas tree together.

Here is one of the few pictures of Corey and Brandy and their family, all together, all smiling, all looking at the camera. It's quite a gathering when they all come to visit. Just love it!



Uncle Gavin with Brooklynn and Kloe as they open their gifts from Jen and him. He does a great job selecting gifts that each will like. We enjoyed Christmas breakfast at Corey and Brandy's.

Jen and Alexys look over the beads and try to decide what to make.

Dawson (not exactly sure what the eye thing is, but he did it every time I took a picture- I told him he looked like Popeye!) showing off one of his gifts.

Brooklynn was quite thrilled to open any gift, no matter who it was for. Here she is examining Uncle Gavin and Jen's gift, a stamping set, perfect for her little hands.

Brooklynn and Alexys enjoy some chair time with Papa. Lots going on all around, but nothing like a seat with Papa.

Julie and Ken, Christmas 2009. What a great time for all. It was nice to have all the family together at some point in the day, and it was nice to have "just adults" for dinner that night. We hope all enjoyed all the wonders of the holiday, and hope that you were fortunate enough to share time with little ones, who truly make all the work worthwhile.

We want to wish all a Merry Christmas, and offer a toast for a safe, healthy, joy filled Happy New Year.

She's 3!

Today we celebrated Brooklynn's third birthday. It was quite a party. She had lots of fun opening her many presents. Big sisters tried to help her, but she really didn't need any.

Lexy had on a beautiful party dress, and we had curled her hair earlier in the day.

Dawson really wanted it to be his big day. But his will be here in a few months.

Earlier in the day she told her grandfather that she would "blow out the candles on the cake. I'm so excited!" And she did, and she was! So cute.

Kloe wanted a nice picture and I would say this is the one. She helped with the packages, too. Lots of excitement for all.
Brooklynn got the ultimate gift for retaliation. A drum set. Just the right size. And she actually did a great job playing it. What's next? An accordion? A set of bagpipes?

Happy Birthday, little one!

This one is for Sue M., one of my oldest, dearest, friends....

First off, this is what it looked like at the "opening" on Friday. We got our first snow fall. It was beautiful, but just way too early. By evening, it was mostly gone, but I took this picture with you in mind.

This is our den as it's been for 22 years. White walls, white ceiling, white trim. It's what our whole house is. White, on white, with white. But you always said, "Be bold! It's only paint." And you thought we weren't listening.
Here it is! It's green- "Bottle Green"! Really green. And what is really funny, is...we like it. New carpets go in on Wednesday, so it will really be a whole new place.

Thanks, Sue, for your ability to see color anywhere. And for the encouragement. Love you!

Happy Halloween!

Here are our little goblins! Dawson is actually wearing part of Brooklynn's outfit, but they really spoke when he put them on!

The grand daughters

I needed to put on a new page, and I just didn't have a new picture of Dawson, so I'm calling this the grand daughter page.

Lexy and Kloe are sharing an apple peel. I got a new apple peeler, and they both wanted to eat some of the peel, so they did the "Lady and the Tramp" approach to eating. (I'm not saying anything about who is who!!) Unfortunately, it broke before they got to the middle. It would have been fun to see what their reaction was when they met!

And this was such a great picture of Brooklynn I just had to post it. Again, as always, she is sporting that big smile that make wonderful dimples. This picture doesn't do her hair justice, as it is just a mass of curls. I really want to play with it, but she hardly lets me touch it.
Next time, Dawson gets his own page.

School has started

It's the first day of school, for 3 out of 4. Lexy is in first grade, Kloe is in kindergarten, and Dawson is in Pre-K. Brooklynn got dressed for the occasion as well, not to be left behind. According to Papa, they all had a great day, and are excited to go back. Time flies, so cherish every day with the ones you love. Share in their laughter and make wonderful memories to hold on to.

Saturday, August 8

Hard day. Today I went to a funeral for my cousin. Seems odd to be saying that- funeral for my cousin. He was 58 years old, and died quite suddenly from a rare, very rare, form of leukemia. It was wonderful to see all my cousins, and 2 surviving aunts, but just not a happy circumstance. He has 2 sons, one married with a pregnant wife, the other was still living with him at home. Their lives will be changed forever. That baby will never be held by his grandfather. I'll never have another bear hug from Brian. Wow, never is a powerful word.

Good week. My father and I had a conversation this week. A good talk. The door might be opening a bit. My grandchildren might be able to meet their great grandparents after all. Also, I got to spend one on one time with my brother, something that I haven't done for a long, long time. No deep conversations or anything, but just shooting the breeze with him. Hope we might be able to do that again sometime, only not to go to a funeral. Wow, might is a very hopeful word.

Life is short.

Summer is on it's way....

What a glorious sight to see a double rainbow. Behind me the clouds were very ominous, but by simply turning my head the other way, this is what I saw. Lexy was disappointed that I didn't get a picture of the end of it, as there is a pot of gold there. They learn young, don't they?

This was taken back in May, but I just had to share the amazement. These blossoms are simply beautiful, so fragile, and so short lived, but absolutely gorgeous.
Ken grabbed a picture of all 3 grandchildren on the blue car. They seem anxious to have summer be here, hoping to get in the pool soon. After the glorious weather this weekend, I think it will be soon.

Events in May

One nice sunny Saturday, all the the great grandchildren ( plus one more) of Herb and Betty Dow, headed to Bangor to build a bear. It was a great time for all, even the parents that went. Lexy is such a good big sister. She gathers the little ones for a wonderful picture capturing the mood of the event.

Brooklynn....not really sure about the whole event..

Dawson, listening intently (or totally spaced out, not sure which)....

...and Lexy, really enjoying it all.

Then we headed back to Corinna for our annual spring "Sock Birthday" and a cookout. I think this should be used for some sort of advertising for the swing set. Here are 8 out of the 9 kids, all using AND enjoying the swing set. (Brooklynn is just going up the steps on the slide.) Fun Fun!

And here is little Alyvia, trying very hard to be safe. She knew the helmet was supposed to be on the head and buckled, but she just didn't know what was the front and back. Too cute.

New Sweaters and Old Friends

Ok, so it's been a while since I've posted, so I have some catching up to do.

Here is the latest knitting that I have finished- a new cardigan for Alexys. It has a different stitch on the cuffs and the back. I was so pleased with how it turned out, that I have started one for Brooklynn, too. Lexy loves it, but she doesn't want to take it home. So it stays here at Mammie's.

I had the privilege of attending a special function where one of my dearest, and oldest friends' grandmother received the Gold Post cane, in Newport. One of the best parts was seeing two very dear life long friends, Kim and Shelby. We were quite the trio through school, and it is such a wonderful relationship that we still share. No matter how much time passes between visits, we can pick up right where we left off. We all face different difficulties in our lives, and it's nice to know that these true friends will always be there, in some form or another, for each other.

Alexys' 6th Birthday

Today we celebrated Alexys' 6th birthday. It was a very pink day here. She wanted another doll cake, pink, please, and purple ice cream. Mammie was able to do both.

She had great fun opening her presents. Lots of clothes, and some new dresses, and a new PINK jump rope.
I think she was pleased with the cake, and presents, and everyone that helped her celebrate her big day.

Dawson certainly had a good time.

And, of course, so did Brooklynn.

I think she was making her wish as we were singing to her. I hope all her wishes come true.

Happy Birthday, Lexy!

Highlight of the week.....

I was so excited to see the grandchildren after a week away. I finished the Little Red Riding Hood for Lexy, and she was so happy. She and her grandfather headed for the living room to play Little Red Riding Hood! Certainly makes it all worth while.

Here is Dawson showing off his new hat and T-shirt that we brought back from the Grand Canyon. Do you think he likes it? Just look at that smile.
Brooklynn shows off her new shirt and bracelet that we gave her.

Here are all three with their new gifts. The smiles certainly tells us they liked them.

Brooklynn gives such great hugs. She really puts her "all" into them. I'll take one anytime she has one.

It was great to get away, but I was so happy to be home, and see the grandchildren. They always bring such joy and happiness into my day. I hope it always stays that way.

What a week!

What a week! Great time, unbelievable sights, awesome scenery, wonderful memories. Here are just a few highlights from our week in Las Vegas.

The Mirage-saw Cirque de Soleil-Love! Fantastic!

Red Rock Canyon
Scenery in the neighborhood.

Entering West Rim of Grand Canyon.

Guano Point Lookout.

Breathtaking.

Canyon view with Colorado river below.

Hoover Dam- new bridge construction- amazing.

The girls on the dam.

Wow! We took in so much, and made some fantastic memories. The Grand Canyon was an emotional journey for me. Thirty years ago, Ken and I honeymooned there, and to return 30 years later, and see that, like our relationship, it has endured, and means even more to me now. Ken is MY rock, my security, and I love my life because of him.

If you ever get the chance to see the canyon and all it's beauty, do it!