2011 in a nut shell

I'm so far behind, I almost want to give up but i'ts been a fun four months so I thought I'd just give a quick up date. We spend four days a week with this adorable cuties and I love them dearly. Who wouldn't, look at those faces.

What a great surprise to hear that Andy and Bella were coming for a quick visit. We made the most of our short time. It was adorable that she wanted to buy a gift for her mom for Valentines day rather than for herself.

We started the year off with Caleb's fun birthday party which I don't have a photo of here but Jill and the boys came down for that and we all went bowling and then had a fun party for Caleb.

This a Caleb and Kellen showing their creativity and putting all their animals and toys in the spots they think they would live. We have been able to visit them several times this year since we are serving in the Portland Temple. Last week we were able to go to Kellens baseball game and that was so fun.

This is baby Harlan, our great grandson. He spent two months in the hospital and is now home and doing great, he is up to 9 lbs. Can't wait to visit him again and see his progress.

It was a very happy St. Patrick's Day. We got to have Joseph and Justin visit us for a few days and then we met up with Jill at the airport and were able to spend a couple hours with her and Erica. She changes so fast and is such a little doll, look at those eyes!

Joseph wanted to make no bake cookies so we did but he soon lost interest and Justin and I got to finish and eat them all. They were yummy

Our little gold pro, he beat all of us and was pretty pleased with himself. Love that smile!

SPRING BREAK !! I have always loved Spring Break and the time to spend with my kids. We always went to visit one of their sisters, Tina or Melanie, when they were younger and I still

have to go somewhere for Spring Break. This year Dad went along, since he has not excuse:), and we went to Utah to visit Grandma. Just so happened that Jason had planned a trip to visit Grandma too so we were lucky enough to spend time with him, Megan and Kevin. SO GREAT! Emily, Carly, Easton, Jenni and Michael were all there as well and we all had a wonderful visit.

Grandma is her amazing self at 93.

On to Vegas for a great with with Emily and Steve. We never run out of fun things to do there. This time they took us to see the drive over bridge at Hoover Day, which was amazing, and we went on a train ride, hung curtains, went to church and ate yummy food to name just a few things.

Carly know whats good!

Our little engineer.

Grandpa trying his best to win Carly over, she wasn't quite sure.

Off to the Beach! The fun never ends around here. Janet, Ila and Val came to OREGON! It's a miracle! We all went to Maygan and Matthew's beautiful wedding and then spend a few days at the beach together. It was wonderful to see then and have them spend time with us in Oregon. I think they liked it here...who wouldn't.

The boys at the wedding, they are always glad to see each other and were so cute and patient all evening.

Love this picture and wish I had one of Darren and Jill, they were there too but not seated at our table. We all had a fun time together.

Matthew and Maygan Shannon, the wedding was beautiful and so was Maygan.

Well, that is what we have been doing so far this year, it's all been so great and we count our blessings daily and hope the next four months are as much fun. I'ts Spring so I am very happy, the tulips are beautiful right now, I should have added a picture of them.

HAPPY EASTER!!

Finally posting some Christmas pictures.

Joseph helping grandpa with a Scrabble game.

Four Little Duck Fans.

I loved our tree so much this year, we got it up much earlier than we have in the past since we usually wait for Jennifer to get home but sad to say she and Michael went to TX this year. I know, I know we have to share. There were lots of great gatherings to attend and we enjoyed them all very much and tried to make the season bright even though it was just the two of us for the first time ever. Very different in deed!

We did end up having lots of visitors and that was the most wonderful part of the holiday season for us. This is Cierra and Michael, Michelle and Grant Coppedge.

Brad and Kristy, Marc and Connie, Kellen and Caleb all arrived Christmas Day.

We had Christmas morning again the day after with Kellen and Caleb, Marc and Connie, so fun! Later that day Darren and Jill, Joseph, Justin and baby Erica arrived. Yeah!It is always so amazing to me how quickly babies change, we just saw Erica a month ago but she is totally different already. We had such fun with her, she is a very good baby and a joy to have around.

The big winner! You have to understand, it is so exciting when someone beats Dad and Darren.

That was it in a nut shell, it came and went so fast but we love Christmas and the joy it brings.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Couldn't resist.

I had to share this photo of Emily at age 19months showing that she regarded Santa in about the same manner as Carly does this year. She is not about to go of Melanie. LOVE IT! I remember it as if it were yesterday, Dad was standing next to them in his red and white stripped pants. It took place in the nursery room at Market Street Chapel.

Erica's blessing day

Here is Erica all dressed up for her blessing day. She didn't know what all the fuss was about but she loved all the attention and by the look on her face, I think she loves her daddy. She was so tired after the day, she slept the whole night for the first time ever.

I love these two photos!

Aunt Connie finally got to meet Erica. Jill's whole family were there for Thanksgiving and the blessing so there were lots of cousins to play with, they had a great time.

We all had a great time and many thanks to Darren and Jill.

Annual ride on Amtrak to CA

I didn't really ride the freight train but took this picture of a UP train when the kids and I went to play along the tracks, don't tell their parents. It was a cool place but I don't really like them hanging out there without grandma but I'm pretty sure they do. My Amtrak experience was pretty good this year, the train was on time both ways which is a miracle in itself. I slept well and the people I met were quite normal, sorry no funny stories. I sat by a very liberal woman from CA who had, accidentally, one child and that was enough and I listened to her all evening. She didn't ask me one question and I was afraid to tell her we had 8 children on purpose. I liked her stories though and she didn't snore or cough so she was great. On the way home they gave me another sleeper car free, I'm not sure why, I think it's Dad's pass but it was WONDERFUL! You would have laughed if you could have seen me trying to put the seats down to make my bed, couldn't read the instructions, some cute young guy finally came to my aid. I always love the ride home, the mountains had snow and Autumn leaves, I read and napped and had a wonderful day.

I've never seen any one put their hair up in rags but isn't she adorable? The before photo: AFTER! Love those curls! Love this girl and spending time with her.

In and Out for lunch after a fun movie.

I'm so glad we haven't outgrown the $ Store game, it's a favorite.

The weather was fantastic and I LOVE these trees, the streets were lined with them as well as Autumn leaves. Ben, Bella and Joshie on our walk to the tracks.

Holy smokes, what is this boy doing?? Scared me to death when I looked out the window and he and Bella were both shooting BB guns in the back yard. They know how to be careful and all was well.

Thanks Melanie and Andy for a wonderful few days, I feel so comfortable at your house and loving visiting and catching up and eating all your yummy food, thanks to Andy and Beth, I can say brussel sprouts are delicious. Love you!

Halloween Fun went on and on

It all started with a weekend trip to visit Marc and Connie to go to a Tigard game. It was so much fun to spend time with them and watch Kellen and Caleb play soccer. Darren, Joseph and Justin drove down from Seattle to meet us and we had such a great time.

The game was awesome and Tigard won, of course. Kellen was a ball boy and that was fun to watch this little guy running out with the ball and water that weighed more than he does.
Joseph had a great time playing on the side lines with him.

The next day was beautiful and we took our annual trek to their really super fun

pumpkin patch. Aren't they adorable?

Joseph just lost his tooth before this picture was taken.

After that trip dad and I tood the day care kids to the pumpkin patch and then had a littlel party with them. They were all adorable this year.

Next the young single adult had a fun pumpkin carving FHE and then a dance on Friday. The fun never ends around here!

We were so lucky to have Jenni and Michael visit for a few days and she was such a good sport and accompanied us to all our various activities and was here for Spooky Dinner with the Mitchells. Who knew we would be able to see so much family and have such a great October? This Fall has been beautiful here in Oregon and we feel very blessed.

Meeting our new baby, Erica Ruth Jolley.

I could hardly wait to see Erica in person and was able to take a nice relaxing train ride to Seattle and spend a few days with her and her family, it was amazing. She is so precious and adorable and so much fun to sit and admire and snuggle hour after hour, which is pretty much what I did.

She still has her days and nights mixed up so Jill isn't getting much rest but other than that she is very calm and content and just a joy to her family. Her brothers are totally loving having a sister, the first thing Justin said when he saw me was, "Grandma, we have a new baby sister and she is sooooo cute!"

I did manage to tear myself away long enough to go to Joseph's soccer game on Saturday which was a very rainy day but it was a blast watching the little kids run around the field. Justin came prepared with his boots and took full advantage of them playing in the puddles. That was the only bad weather day we had while I was there the other days were beautiful.

Joseph and friends waiting for the game to begin. Cool dudes!

We made cookies, did some shopping, went to church, played games and just had a great time together. I loved having the job of driving Joseph to school every morning, he is in 1st grade already and just looked like such a big boy going off all by himself to the play ground for a few minutes before school started. I know it will feel like a blink of the eye and Erica will be in first grade since I remember visiting Bethany as a new born as if it were last week and she just informed me today that she will be taking drivers ed starting Monday. They grow up too fast!!

Shouldn't Jenni just be learning to drive?

It's so true that time flies when you are having fun and my visit came to an end but I am so grateful for those days and being able to bond with Erica, I miss her and I love her to pieces!! Thanks Darren and Jill, Joseph and Justin for having me.

Erica Ruth Jolley at age 2 weeks.