a bath in a bowl

 She's a pro.  That baby is tiny and slippery, but it went well.

 She's washing a little stuffed bunny rabbit.

 And then all at once, this went into the bath.  It's a toy that makes insanely loud noises that she lifted from my parents house when we were there.  My dad had even put in new batteries and everything.

And then she tossed it in, and it's been very quiet since.  Even drying out the batteries and everything--did not work.

Yes, indeed.

Love, Val

catching up

Hadn't seen these guys in a while, but Jay made it to some football, and we'll be together again at the lake soon.

We made it to a very cold football game a couple weeks ago, and it was a lot of fun.   Glad for the blanket and warm coats.

 These kids though, ran up and down until they were HOT.  They'd arrived dressed for cold--mittens, snowpants, all of it, prepared.   Soon they were tearing it off, even to running up and down in stocking feet.

 Kids are crazy.

Even the big ones.

Love, Grandma and Grandpa

a sweet monday

 It was rainy and warm, and this tree!  The picture can't even capture the way it seemed to glow.

We've got babies:

 So much baby hugging, and she's doing well! She's gaining weight and all Heidi's hard work has paid off, every three hours coaxing the food into her.

 Hey Boss!  This girl woke up this morning and came out of her bedroom door waving at her family.

Good morning, Sweetheart.

 Get up!  You're supposed to eat!

 Hello!

 There were cousins last Friday, so much fun:

Awww, onward to Tuesday.  Life is good.

Love, Val

sweet maria

Happy Birthday, Maria

So much love,

Mom and Dad and Everybody

our little baby went home

 They stopped here first to pick up the big sisters, who were so delighted to meet her.

 She slept through most of it, but woke up briefly and stretched, peeked at us, and went back to sleep.

So good to have you home, Peanut.

Love, Grandma and Grandpa and Everybody

happy birthday, joe!

 Heidi brought you home from college just about fourteen years ago.

You never left--you've stayed right here in this family with all of us.

Here's a pretty picture from nine years ago:

Thanks for all the ways you make this family better--your patience and sense of humor, the ways you are helpful and also for wisely keeping your mouth shut at the right times too.

It's been a whole lot of fun with these girls, and that little peanut born last week too.

Happy Birthday, Buddy.

We love you,    Val and Jay and Everybody