Need a Smile?

With permission, I am posting one of my all-time favorite family pictures.  This captures the dynamics of this family perfectly!  How I laugh every time I see this picture!

Have a wonderful, happy day!!

How to Eat a Cupcake, by Lilly and Jade

Words cannot express these images.  They tell their own story.  Look at the reactions, the gestures, the pure joy of eating....it's all about the cupcake!

(Thank you Jacque for capturing such happy moments!)

Make-Up Tradtion a Must!

One of the best traditions a girl could ask for was started over 30 years ago when Grammy took her girls to the store for their own pick of make-up.  With a set budget, we would set off for the best deals, so excited that we got to pick our own stuff!
The tradition continues into the next generation.  My mom still takes her girls to Ulta, gives us a budget, and we scour the store for the best deals on our favorite brands.  Sometimes, we end up with one very expensive brush, and other times we splurge on different styles.  I am not one for much make-up, but this is one of my favorite traditions and I couldn't wait to start this with my own girls.  We now have a few more that join in, but it is always a fun hour at the make-up store!  We met up at Ulta, a budget was given, and the fun began.  Even Jade and Lilly wanted their own bags with lip gloss!  Girls just know what they need!

 

 

Happy Birthday Jade

Our adorable, sweet Jade turned 4!  She is one smart cookie!  I wish I had a book of all the Jade-isms that are sweet, hilarious, and very inquisitive - sometimes all at the same time.  No one can melt a Grammy's heart quite like this beautiful grand-daughter of ours.  I love how she asks so many questions and really tries to understand and remember your explanation.  Did you know that she is memorizing all the Articles of Faith?  At FOUR???  She recites them with her Mom and Dad for "scripture time".  Amazing!

 

We had our first grand-daughter tradition this Christmas Season - a cookie date.  It was one of my happy Christmas memories of 2013.  There are so many happy memories, but this was a great way to start the season.

 

J - Jubilant as she enters the door every single time she comes to visit Grammy and Grandpa.  Hands down the best part of our day!

A - Able to remember everything you say and do.  If you are sick, she remembers.  If you promise her something...she remembers!

D - Delightful as she expresses love to all her family.  There is nothing better than a hello from Jade on the phone and a "Wanna go to lunch?"

E - Energetic.  Loves to play, loves to dance, loves to be active!

How we love Jade!  Happy Birthday!!

Fluffing the Tree

Fluffing the tree is a very tedious task which takes talent and patience.  Years and years of practice to perfect the art of "fluffing".  That is until you have grand-children and then, it's more fun watching them work on each section of the tree trying to get it to "fluff" just right.  Jade and Lilly were serious about this task and took it very seriously.  Maybe it was climbing up the ladder that they loved.  Either way, fluffing this year was memorable and just fun!!

Sometimes, Homework is FUN!!

One of my assignments included finding a place to go on a field-trip with younger students that would also be educational.  The Vertuccio Farms/Pumpkin Patch was the perfect place for me and Jade to explore and "be educated"!!  How many times does a student get to spend time with her grand-daughter and received a high grade?? (Of course I got an A on the project/write-up!!)

 

End of 2012 and Random Pictures

During the holidays, Jacque took some pictures of Tyler, Jenny, and our two adorable Grand-daughters.  Since this is our "family history", I wanted to make sure some of these are recorded.  Expressions on Jade and Lilly's face are hilarious, show their individual personalities, and bring me so much joy. 

 

 

So, this is Tyler having fun with Lilly.  She thought is was so funny for Daddy to be jumping over her!

 

To ring out the old year and bring in the new, Brad and I invited Jacque, Aly, and Eric to join us for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, The Golden Gate.  We have been going there for over 25 years and the owner, Sue, knows all her clients like they are family.  It was a fun evening and the food was delicious as always.

 

Good-by 2012!!!