WELCOME DRUE TO THE FAMILY!

Now that Rachel and Jeremy are married, I would like to introduce our grandson, number 14.  Drue Jensen Guarino turned eleven years old on September 25TH.  His birthday is the same day as Taysom's birthday.  Taysom turned "Sweet Sixteen" yesterday.  I hope her day was amazing.

Rachel and Jeremy had a full house on Friday evening celebrating Drue's special day.  Rachel made a delicious "Oreo Cookie Cake" and homemade "Chex Mix" because Drue loves it.  

Drue is an outdoorsman like his Dad. He loves target shooting and is learning about guns and gun safety.  He's a happy camper when they head up to Dear Creek in Utah to enjoy nature. 

He can't wait for our family reunion in Colorado next July.  Cabins, outdoors, campfires, hiking and a great lake add up to his idea of fun. 

      

The Best Of Life

Shea spent Friday night with his best buddy so it was the perfect opportunity for Nathan to have a sleepover with Papa and Granny Franny.

Nathan picked up potty training very quickly because he wants to be just like his big brother.  He was ready to have a  big boy slumber party.  He didn't have one accident.  Thank goodness because he insisted on regular underwear and he slipped into bed with us in the middle of the night. 

Nathan loves to take pictures unlike "Shy Shea".  He loved posing, especially for the bum-bum shots.  (All boy!)  

He's not much for breakfast but I know how much he loves butter.  So G-Ma served a breakfast in bed of delicious whole grain bread with butter and milk.  Most of my grandchildren insist on pancakes or waffles.

No sleepover would be complete without watching "The Tigger Movie" three times, "Cars" twice and "The Mickey Mouse Halloween" flick once.

We can't wait for the next "Amazing Sleepover".  Now Papa and I have lots of housecleaning to do.  Bye! 

Nathan's First Sleepover Alone!

Labor Day Weekend, Full Of Fun And Memories

Labor Day weekend was a blast with Maxine and Jack in Carlsbad, Ca. We spent a great day at the San Diego Zoo and a few precious moments wiggling our toes in the sand at the beach, eating fish and chips and watching the sunset.

Maxine had a really great plan for Saturday. We traveled about an hour and a half away to visit Pomona, the small town we had grown up in. It was surreal to view the home we lived in as children, the schools we went to and a hundred memorable places we hardly recognized. You see Jack and Jim lived in Pomona as children too. Maxine and I meet the the boys that would be the men we married right there.

We also visited our Mommy's grave site near by. We had a prayer and shared choice memories we all had of this sweet little lady. She pasted on in 1972 before reaching the age of 52. We miss her still.

The climax of our day was a delicious dinner at "The North Woods Inn". Our entire family has great memories of the amazing food and love shared there.

Thank you Maxine and Jack for the best long weekend ever! You may have noticed the date of this entry and realized our little vacation was the weekend after Labor Day. We would have been crazy to be traveling on the real holiday, RIGHT? Besides Jim and I had this long weekend open. Giggle, giggle! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Saturday Rocks!

I wasn't sure if I wanted to go.  It had been years since I went to the "Harvest Festival" but Sydney convinced me it would be fun so I accepted her invitation.  It was a scorching  Saturday mid-morning with temps. above the normal but we trudged out in pursuit of finding a treasure or two. 

We did it!  We did it!  What a blast we had,  I wish I could have bought much more.  The festival had definitely improved .  There were treasures everywhere.  

The place was packed but we didn't have any children so we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves weaving in and out between herds of shoppers and they were shopping and buying just like us.  Sydney got some new Christmas ornaments and a wonderful framed glass sign.  I got one too as you can see from the photos.  The printing on the glass just made Sydney and me laugh.  You know how I love to laugh and you know how much I love my grandchildren.

The other plaque said just how Daddy and I feel about being in this world without each other.  Winnie The Pooh knew what he was talking about!  Giggle, giggle.  I hope you can read it from the photo.

We had a fun lunch and I just had to purchase the most "Fabulous" caramel chocolate apple I had ever seen to share with everyone when we got home.  DELICIOUS! 

I hope you've had as much fun this weekend as I've had. 

 

School Starts Monday

Before you watch the video, let's visit a moment.  I still remember most of my first days of school.  How about you?   In fact I still have dreams or should I say nightmares about forgetting where my next class is or what my locker combination was.  Crazy!

I wondered if I'd like my new teacher or if she or he would like me.  I was afraid I wasn't smart enough.  Mostly, I wanted to look good in my new outfit the first day and find my best friend fast.  Nothing can go wrong if you're with your best friend and looking good.  GIGGLE, GIGGLE!

Shea is quit shy.  He adores his family and likes complete structure in his day.  Rules are rules and he lets you know if you waver from the routine, nicely but firmly.  He's very smart like all my grandchildren.   I'm using him as an example but I know everyone is anxious about going back to school.  

My thoughts are with all my "G-Kids" this week as they start their new adventure rather it be in the first grade, fourth grade or the tenth.  

Enjoy something and do something nice for someone each day you live.  Of course there will be bad moments but make the good outweigh the not so good.  I'll always love and support you and Heavenly Father is as close as your heart. 

What are your memories of that "First day of school"?    

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SYDNEY

We looked at a photo album today and little Abigail looks just like her Mommy at that age.  In the blink of an eye Sydney turned thirty one.  Well,  actually she'll be that "Old" on Tuesday.  

We celebrated with a nice Sunday dinner and a delicious "Nothing Bundt Cake"      How many times can I count my blessings for having a wonderful family.  Sydney is a gracious, beautiful, thoughtful young woman.