Easter 2010

My son Sean brought my Granddaughters for Easter!!! YEAH!!!! I was one happy camper. We had a wonderful week. We played and then we played some more. We did everything from fish to swim. Well , we didn't fish in the same place we swam... But being Easter, we had to color eggs. The girls loved it and so did Gramma...

This is Sammi - with such a serious face ............

And smiling Sloan. AND we did not spill one container - which I thought was an accomplishment.

This is Sean with his girls.....

Ready, set, go ---- The Easter bunny found they girls EVEN tho they were in Ohio! That bunny is something else :-)

This is Sloan and Sammi with "Lucy" See the girls just with their PJ's on on Easter morning - April 4th, 2010. Now we are in NE Ohio & we all know what the weather can be. The week they were here was beau-ti-ful.....We could not have ordered better weather - 70's & 80's. I had indoor things planned, but never had to do them because we were outside all the time!!! It was great. Thank you Lord!! Although the girls - being from GA - would really liked to have had a huge snow!

This is what happened when you eat a Blue Raspberry Ring Pop!!!


Sean and Sloanie Bug

Mrs. Swan was walking to the lake, and she saw the girls and she puffed up to protect her babies and just kept on walking - thank goodness.....

Sammi fishing. She decided that laying down was much easier than sitting up and watching the cork! Maybe that's why she didn't catch anything...

BUT Sloan did! Her first fish!!!! And she was so excited....As were we....\

Two monkeys at Amazone .....

Next door they have bunnies - Bugsy and Penny - and the girls fed them carrots each day and wanted to know if they could get a bunny and keep it here at Gramma's...Well I had to do some fast talking....

I loved this picture because of the boots. I had gotten them boots because it was so wet here in back yards and especially around the lake. AND it was a good thing - they wore them lots

Gramma and her girls!


Sean, Gramma and the girls right before we left for the airport for them to go home..

After they left, it sure was quiet here. I rested the rest of the day they left and then the next day I did have to mop the kitchen floor because my feet were sticking to the floor. Might have been those Blue Raspberry Ring Pops! I sure miss them and will until I can see them again.....

What I did on my trip to Peoria, Illinois

I went on a little trip to Peoria, IL to visit with my son Scott and his family. A two week trip turned into three and 1/2 weeks because of 3 snow storms..... So my DIL Megan made me a little list of "what all I did when I was in Peoria"...Thought I would share along with some pictures.

Had Super Bowl Party - well I didn't - my kids did :-)
Went to church
I went to at least 6 restaurants & also had Scott grilled steaks, chicken, and hamburgers -- all of which were grilled in the snow!
Took Granddog Boomer to the vet.
Took Emily to get her ears pierced for her birthday.
Went to High School basketball games (and then had pizza afterwards) and also Middle School basketball games.
Saw Emily cheerleading at the Middle School BB games
Attended Book Fair & chili supper
Lunch with the girls
Emily's 14th birthday party with sleepover
Lived thru 3 snow storms
Bowling
Cleaned and did laundry
Cooked, baked treats
Helped plan baby shower
Shopped - several stores
Hung out with my sister
Chauffeur for grandkids
Broke turkey wishbone with my son - I lost - he gets his wish!
Saw Phantasm 1 and 2: Horror movies filmed in the 70's (My son's idea)
Stroked the bird (ask my sister )
Laughed, cried, worried
Played rock band - bass guitar & also sang
LONGED for a snickers shake at Culvers (but never had one - my choice) Oh why??????:-)
Pants on the ground (you just had to be there for that one)

AND I did all this in just 3 1/2 weeks!!!!!!

This is a picture of me and Kyle and Emily - before we went to church!

My sister Judy and I playing rock band - this was at the Super Bowl party!

Kyle and his friend Leyna going to a Vice Versa dance!! When did he get old enough to go to a dance????

Emily's 14th birthday sleepover with friends. They decorated their own cupcakes and as you can see it did get a bit carried away and Gramma got "decorated" too!

What a cool picture of the girls!!!!

Emily opening her birthday gifts!!!!! Yes like the rest of the family - she likes Michael Jackson!

My granddog Boomer!!!!

Kyle and Emily after the basketball game!

AND this is Miss Em cheerleading!

Also my son got sick and was home for 2 days - so he and I just hung out! That's where Phantasm came into play! :-)

I'm sure if I stop to think, I'll think of something else, but for now that's it!

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?????

Where have I been? Wasn't it just the first of December and I was excited about heading to Georgia to visit with kids/grand kids for Christmas. Well, yes it was. It is now January 29, 2010 and all is just a blur...... It is now even a new year - 2010. To me - that alone is almost unimaginable. It is almost futuristic! BUT it is not in the future, it is NOW!!!!!

I am "almost" done with my PT and my shoulder is doing so good as my therapist says & I am so looking forward to being done. Surgery in November and should be done with PT by the end of February. Would be a little sooner, but I am visiting #1 son and family in a week - so will be a little behind. But SO looking forward to the visit!

So sharing pictures of my grand kids from visit! The first is a picture of Owen and AJ. We went bowing & they love it. Gramma was not too happy that because of her shoulder she could not bowl with them, but next time.......

This is Tyler! Man oh man what a character! He is such a snuggler, wonderful little person - and IF kids knew how to curse - Tyler would. He has such a temper & I have no clue where it comes from. His mom & dad & brothers do not have ANY of his disposition. He definitely is one of a kind, and that is just fine! We are feeding the ducks and geese at the "duck pond" - until we had to grab him because the geese wanted to bite him! The geese didn't know what they were in for :-)

Trying to get a picture of Gramma and the three boys is like .... well .... just doesn't happen!!! But this is the best I could do!!!!!

We spent Christmas with Sean, Jen and the girls - Sloan and Sammi! Loved this picture of Sloan with her "Whatever" look --- We had such fun doing girlie things - like getting their nails done in red & green & sparkles -

This is Sammi! You all know that Sammi is just Sammi with a personality as big as all outdoors!
Always silly and mostly always smiling!

Again, trying to take a picture of Gramma and the girls is HARD! But this is the best I could do. We'll keep trying that I guarantee!!! We had such a wonderful time and I will treasure all the memories, and I am so praying that the grand kids will too! You know what? I bet they do!!!!!!!!!!! I truly feel so blessed!

SO here we are just beginning the year 2010 and I'm already saying "Where did January go"! Well, I'm here to say I want things to slow down already - but in the meantime, I intend to enjoy every MOMENT I can.

A BELATED HAPPY NEW YEAR to all you!!!! May God's richest blessings pour on you and your families!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHEN!

Today is Thanksgiving, but it is also a more special day. Today is my youngest son Stephen's birthday! Below is a picture of Stephen and his family!

And a picture of him and his three sons!

And the picture below is of Stephen in his classroom where he teaches with his 50's look - with the curl in his hair and his letter jacket from high school! The students always have him doing something silly - and they love him!

He is a wonderful, funny guy! He is tall with long arms and gives the best hugs. It's like his arms just wrap you up! He is so many things, and I could tell you all of them, but after all he is my son so I am a bit biased :-) He has grown into such a wonderful man, and a wonderful father to his three sons. They are so blessed to have him as their dad. I am proud of you son, and love you very much! Happy birthday and so many more.

November 26, 2009

This morning I felt so lonely, I didn't think I could get thru this day! My children and grandchildren were not with me, but we were going to my dear, dear friends and so put a smile on and away we went!

Well, it was a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL day! We decided that just because it was the four of us that we would not just have a couple of things. So we had a big turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, Marilyn's pink stuff, cranberry salad, a wonderful fruit mixture inside a small pumpkin, veggies and dip, wine, coffee, pumpkin pie and cherry pie and rolls! Ok what did I miss? We laughed and shared and laughed some more. We played a card game called "Golf" and laughed some more.

Now we have been friends with Marilyn and Howard for 30+ years. We exchange birthday gifts and Christmas gifts. Well this year we kinda got behind in the birthdays, but decided we would do them today. I opened mine before Marilyn. I read the card (had to control my face) - I opened the gift (had to control my face). I'm thinking Marilyn probably thinks I don't like it. Then Marilyn opened her gift. She opened the card and burst out laughing so hard, she almost fell off the couch ---- she then opened her gift and the laughter continued until tears flowed! You guessed it, we got each other the SAME card and the SAME gift!!!!! PRICELESS!!!!!

I hope you all had as wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving as I did. God bless you all. I am so very thankful for so many things this evening, but the blessings of friendship is truly a blessing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OWEN!

Today is Owen's 7th birthday! Owen is No. 3 of my Grandchildren - No. 2 of my Grandsons - and my No. 1 - 7 year old!!!! Below is the lastest picture that his mama took! He looks so grown up!

The rest of the pictures are just some of my favorite ones!

He has the most beautiful brown eyes, and they are eyes that see right through you. They are eyes that you can see through to his soul. His eyes tell you all his emotions without him ever saying a word.

He is silly -and also very sensitive ~~~~

He is giggles - he is laughter ~~~~

He is Owen! Happy 7th birthday my sweet little man! Gramma loves you - to the moon and back again!

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN???

I know that as I get older that I often wonder - how in the world did "this person or this person" get this old!!!! But often times in my own, I just think that this is the order and this is the way that life progresses. So - as I said - often times - I just dismiss it!

This was a time I just could not dismiss! HOW IN THE WORLD DID THIS HAPPEN???? Wait a minute!!!!!! This child was just born!!! I know he was!!! I bought baby clothes, shoes, toys!!! Yes, I did... But THEN!!! There was puzzles, legos, trains & THEN!!! video games, movies, bicycles, THEN!!!! X-box games! THEN! Cell phones, Rock Band, etc.......... In a blink, I truly wonder where did the years go!!! I can only imagine how my son & dil feel - because I have lived this "where did it go" 3 times......They are just beginning.....I feel for them & and at the same time - they will be experiencing such a wonderful time in their life..... So just roll with it & enjoy!

So to my Grandson!!! I love you so much! You are too blooming cute! Oh wait, he is 15 and cute is not a word in his vocabulary! But you gotta admit ----he is!!!!! Can we say HANDSOME!!!!! No I still like "CUTE" HANDSOME comes with a tux :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN

This is No. 2 son Sean Michael! As you can see October 5th in their family all started with Sean.
36 Years ago Sean Michael entered this world. Sammi had to be a C-section, and when they were deciding the day, they tried to work out another day, but for several reasons, the 5th was the day! So 4 years ago today Sammi entered this world.

Sean will really kill me when he sees the picture I put on the blog of him, but hey I love the smile. AND today he is in Vegas for a trade show for his business. So I call him this morning to tell him Happy Birthday & Vegas is 3 hours behind us......SO his phone rang around 4 AM this morning.....No wonder he didn't answer it!!!!!!! See what happens when you don't tell Mom EXACTLY what time and what day you will be there!!!! Expect the phone to ring at 4 AM!
Have a wonderful day son....I love you!!!!!!

AND, if that is not enough on October 5th ------- Yup, there is more!!!!!!!
Sean and Jen got married 7 years ago today on October 5th!!!!!!! So Happy Anniversary!!!!!!

AND Jen's birthday is Wednesday - October 7th......................So for one week, it is just one big party at their house!!!!!! Well basically I believe that Sean & Jen's birthday and their anniversary has now just all turned into a Happy Birthday party for Sammi :-) AND I believe she would tell you that too :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMMI ~~~~~~~

This is Sammi ~~~~~ Sammi turns a whopping 4 years old today! Even tho she turns 4 her birthday falls short of her being able to play soccer. So she goes to her sister's practice, and this is her sad "I wanna play too" face!


Sometimes, if they are a girl short, the coach will let her practice, and this is her "Put me in coach, I'm ready to play" look!!!!

This is her - "Look out world here I come" face -- because with Sammi you really never know and that is what just makes her Sammi ~~~~ A pistol that is for sure!!!!!!

She told us she would save one of her birthday balloons for us - and in the next breath - she said, "but I'll have to go buy you one, because these are mine"......OH! Sam, Sam ----I love you so!!!

You make my heart smile!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLE -- LATE :-(

Yes I am late! I was not at my computer when it was Kyle's birthday and then I had trouble with blogger.......OK, I know enough excuses.. So I am eating some crow today because I am late for Kyle's birthday! This is Kyle...You have met him before. He turned 15 on September 22nd. It is so hard to believe that he is 15. Wasn't I just waiting for him to be born? The picture is from his Jr. High graduation. He is now a Freshman and going to his first homecoming dance this week! This boy is so funny! He has the most delightful sense of humor, the cutest crooked smile (I guess Gramma can say cutest) and a devilish look in his eyes! He does have a serious side, but I like his crazy side better :-) All in all he is packaged in a box that is marked SPECIAL! Next year the Sweet 16 party!!!!!!! I love you Gson!!!!!!!

A FEW THINGS I KNOW FOR SURE AND A FEW I DON'T

This is the name of my blog. As days happen, I always think of a million different things that I do know for sure, and then a billion more that I don't!

One thing I know FOR SURE is that family IS!!!! We are forever - whether we like it or not, we are tied together. No matter what! If you get along or if you don't.....If you agree or if you don't....If you love or if you don't......What it really comes down to is ......Family. We laugh, we fight, we cry, we yell, we scream, we alienate, we hate, we profess undying threats against one another...... we agree that one is wrong, while we believe we are right. Ultimately what do we want....we do want family..... At least that is what I want to believe.

Family IS: It just is: Nothing more nothing less! AND over my years, this I know for sure, family doesn't have to mean "blood". I have difficulty that family denotes name or blood, because I have not found that to be true. I have "SISTERS" that I have known for 10 years thru internet, but have never met, but they truly are my sisters. How we met is for another day! We love each other, nurture each other, help and care and devote our time to each other...we have been together thru death, marriage, birth, divorce, separation, and know more about each other that in some cases, we know about each other's families & THIS I KNOW FOR SURE..... we are not blood.................but WE ARE FAMILY....WE ARE SISTERS....

And what I know for sure on this day and any other if you were to ask me....Is that FAMILY IS!!!!!!!!

The Photographer

This is a picture of my #3 son Stephen and his family. His wife Tammi - is a fantastic photographer. You can look at her work at www.tamminowackphotography.com and see what I mean. Needless to say this pic is not one of her works, so just keep on looking!
She has started doing underwater photography and I think it is fantastic! This next picture is of my son Stephen and grandsons O & A! I do believe that she won a contest with this picture!
I want her to do a picture of my granddaughter Sloan with the long hair underwater cause I think the long blonde hair underwater would be beautiful. What do you think Tammi???

This is a picture of grandson AJ -- Isn't this cool! And I love that you can see his face & also his feet and legs!!!!! She really is "all that" when it comes to photography and definitely has her own style! I think she is fantastic, and I really don't tell her that enough. Like I said before, just check out her blog......

www.tamminowackphotography.com :-) Have a wonderful week-end everyone! God Bless.......

GRAMMA'S CHARLOTTE'S WEB

This post is for my Grandbabies: All 7 of them - from 14 years to 2 years: Check what Gramma had in her backyard!!!

Gramma always checks out the hummingbirds each morning when she opens the blinds.....well this morning the sunshine was shining just the right way and look what I found! Not one.......in the bushes, but.....................



but a second web right next to the hummingbird feeder! I hurried up and grabbed my camera, and never thought they would turn out enough to share with you, but I think you can see that Gramma's Charlotte did a pretty good job. Now it doesn't spell anything about Wilbur, but I'm just sure Gramma's Charlotte was a busy spider all night long & wonder if Gramma's Charlotte did both webs????????

Whichever it was, you have to admit that those spiders were busy, busy, busy! I thought the hummingbird would get tangled in the web, but fortunately that didn't happen! Gramma would have to have rescured her. Or him! :-)

So to all my Grandbabies, and you Charlotte fans ----Enjoy Gramma's Charlotte's Webs!!!!