happy birthday

It was a great day to be eleven.

Gifts and cake

Girl, you have gotten so grown up.  This has been a great year of you turning from a kid into a very grown up type of person.

I hope the year ahead is absolutely as wonderful as you are.

Happy birthday, with love forever, Grandma and Grandpa

lacrosse

These two, cutest players ever.  This game tonight was cold, stiff wind blowing, but it didn't stop her. It was a tough game, but they play hard.

This one was player of the week while we were at the cabin.

Way to go, Girl!

So much love, Grandma
 

the olympic program

There was singing and after that, games in the lunch room.   

This is the long jump.   Our little girl is a great cheerleader.

Balance beam

It was a fun night.

I love you girls, Grandma and Grandpa




 

fifteen

It was a great Saturday night, presents and cake.

Fifteen years of little old you

This was the day we first fell in love, and all these years later, still just crazy about you.

Hoping FIFTEEN is a wonderful year.

Happy Birthday, with love for always, Grandma and Grandpa and Everybody

sunday

 

We spent the afternoon with these guys.  The little one kept letting this dog outside, and we kept letting her back in again.

It's cold out today!

Yeah, you!

Today though, she said all our names and was downright chatty, sat with Grandpa on the couch and watched the Olympics, very sweet.

This one was working on her desk and set me up with some fancy coloring books and markers, and we kept company while she cleaned.  She shared her mango candy and it was pretty nice.

 

And this person in the cutest Snoopy t shirt was peaceful and nice, told me she loved me when I left.

When we got home homework was in progress.

Waiting for the dryer to finish before heading back to school:

And this cat IN the plant.  Zoom in if you need to, little wild animal.

And now it is almost bedtime and tomorrow is Monday.

Nothing but love, Val

tomorrow is february

This is the special event at their school, sea lion exhibit, much research and many projects.  

And we spaced it out and were not there.

Disappointing and stupid.  It looks like a really fun night and our student worked pretty hard on this.

As a gesture of my regret we got pizzas and cupcakes after work on Friday night and headed up there for supper.

Julia and Tim came along and we had a really good time, lots of wildness and video games.

And this contraption which did not lead to any injuries however painful some of the stunts looked.

Heidi was babysitting this little guy for her friend.  His name is Teddy and how adorable is he??

Apparently he's quite mischievous and Heidi was very worried he'd get into one of his troublemaker moods and eat something weird while under her supervision, so she kept him on a leash.

Anyway, today it was over twenty degrees and we made it through this very long January.

Tomorrow is a new month.

February we're counting on you.

Love, Val

 

happy birthday joe

I hope you had a wonderful birthday and you guys had a fun anniversary too.

It was fun to hang out with these people.  They've become very civilized these days.

Well, not sure about this one.  I was very nervous out in the yard at dusk when she wouldn't come inside, kept up with the tricky maneuvers running around while I followed her with the big garage broom and a skewer for marshmallows, ready to fend off any predators coming her way.

When she went inside, I quick whipped the door shut. Enough funny business.

Anyway, so many memories of all the years you've been in this family, and nothing but grateful.

We love you very much,   Val and Jay and Everybody