Only one more year till 10

Happy birthday to Daniel, the boy whose whole face smiles, who is such a great big brother, addicted to football card collecting/swapping, loves soccer and all things factual and geographical, and has a huge measure of compassion. I love him more than I could have imagined, and with each year I enjoy his company more.

Never change that smile Big Dan!

See ya later

94 years old is an okay time to go. It really is. But it's never a good time to be the one saying goodbye, because the finality, the farewell, it's never something we are built to be ready for. At least that's my take on it. I'm okay with Grandpa dying, but I'm not really okay with not seeing him again. And I know my mom didn't want to say goodbye to her dad. But today I woke at 5.30am, got up and looked at my phone because I knew the time was close, and as I was standing there half awake, holding the phone, it started ringing. I knew it was my parents calling, and then the news was real in my world. 

See ya later Grandpa. I will forever count steps and think of you. And Andrew and I will "forever" count our marriage months because of you. Just for the record, I usually win that one. We're on 174 months, which is nothing on you and Grandma at 878 months. Seriously, every month?!! Hats off to you for that, and for a life of faith, love, hard work, dedication and fun. 

Your legacy will live through many generations.

See ya later.

bits and pieces

a boy addicted...

a 4 year old who wrote all his numbers 0-50 

without me knowing. you'll have to try hard to see them, 

but they're all there, backwards and all!

then he needed to sleep. :)

a little school baby, miss C is a hit in class. 

she's tired of being cuddled by all the kids, 

but she loves this attention!

first snow of the winter. don't know why I always 

take a picture of this, but I always love it.

a morning of stamping and making cards. they loved it. should do it more often.

a sweet smiling nephew

 three tiny people trying to make a tiny snowman 

out of a tiny bit of snow

watching an early winter sunset while playing on the beach 

and looking at the snow on the mountain.