happy birthday dalton

I love this picture of you two.

And this one of everybody.
 

This is the amazing playroom built for Christmas.  Man, you're talented.  This is so great.

I've heard they think of many hazardous things to do in this room.

Why??

Sounds about right though.

And this picture of little baby Dalton, where you look so much like your kids.  I love this.

Thank you so much for the kindness and patience you've been extending to this whole family for years now.   You are loved very much.

Happy Birthday, Love, Val and Jay and Everybody

middle of june

Okay, this funny box really had us going.  I kind of like the cat with the ash tray.  And those dogs!  Can you imagine the contortions a normal dog would be doing, trying to get at the food on his back?
 

This gift was a hit.  It gets about ten minutes of run time off a 90 minute charge, but that's about perfect.  Lots of excitement.

Then they bedazzled the man.  He didn't mind.

The new barbies found a fan.  She had that helicopter loaded up.

And this guy in the middle of his cousins--I wondered what kind of cousin experience he might have, being so much younger than the rest.

I am happy to report, it is successful. He's having a great time and they're indulgent and kind.

Monday she got her other grandpa to give her a ride over so she could help with the kids.  It's pretty slow going, not exciting AT ALL, but here she was, patient and kind.

First he mentioned she was from the cabin.

True.

Then he called her Kari, which was also funny.

That works.

Onward.

Nothing but love, Grandma

grandpa and his little buddy

 Love, Val

the backyard in summer

Sometimes important things stay the same.  

That old saying says to enjoy the little things because one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

Yes, exactly like that.

Love always, Grandma

 

monday guys

They were impressed with the sand box and stayed outside playing in the cold morning for quite a long time.

Of course the dog thought this was the greatest EVER.

My friend Elaine gave me this little track and box of cars last week.  She said her grandsons had outgrown it and thought mine might like it.

He really did.  He stopped crying about having to eat lunch and happily munched on his chicken nuggets while he worked.

He said the cars were, "Way cool."

And this guy, he's just so doggone cute.

Julia said during the baby's nap he was still at the table working. She said the cars were having an argument, some elaborate storyline he was creating.

Pretty sweet, Elaine.  You made this guy very happy.

Love, Val aka Grandma
 

the end of march

It was warm and beautiful last weekend and some guys wanted to come over and play.  The yard is a bit muddy, so the boots were very smart.

I made a pan of taco dip and the baby LOVED it, was gobbling it up by the handful.  We got him his own bowl and Maria found him crackers. Tortilla chips seem hard for a little guy to chew up.

This was from lunch on Monday.    He and Grandpa have become buddies.

Here they finally have the Monster Truck program on the TV. The older kid loves to watch this with Grandpa and they can have it.  It is so mind bendingly boring, honestly.  But they love it.

The girls and I were laughing, noticed that while they watch this together, they chat.

"Oh, he's going in the ditch now.   Look out. He's going to be on fire."

"That tire is coming right off."

Etc. etc.  

It's okay.

Nothing but love, Grandma and Grandpa
 

A pic from preschool this week: