Catching Up

Alyssa planned a group volunteer opportunity for Honor Society. This past week she and her friends provided childcare during the kindergarten orientation and a PTA meeting at my school.

For those of you not on Facebook here's a photo of the antique table Alyssa refinished for her senior project.  It looks terrific in our freshly painted living/dining room surrounded by chairs my grandpa made.

Noah's game was a blow-out so he got to play different positions than he usually does.  Here he's waiting for the kick-off.  Too bad the kick was short and it didn't get within 10 yards of him.

Here Noah is breaking up a pass. He loves to play defensive end.

Noah making an unassisted tackle.  It was a beautiful day for football.  Sunny with a breeze, but not too hot.  After the game we had a great barbecue at the coach's house. Alyssa went shopping for a dress for the Homecoming Dance this afternoon.  It's beautiful!  I'll post photos of it later.

Weekend of Birthdays

What a great weekend!  Grandma turned 100 years old on Saturday surrounded by family and friends.  Mom and Dad planned a great party, cake, ice cream, and lemonade.  The Wilbur Senior Center looked beautiful with Michelle's and Enid's table decorations.  The photos Alyssa and I used with the flowers were a great success. It was so crowded at the party that we didn't get much quality visiting time done there with our cousins from out of state.  The best visiting took place at the Willows Inn sitting outside at the picnic tables and at the park where the kids could run and play.  My grandma is an inspiration for how to live a good life.  She has always had hobbies, her art, and is widely read and interested in the world. I know 60 and 70 year olds who won't touch a computer, but grandma keeps in touch with her children and grandchildren by email and reading our blog posts. 

My mom had to grab some "baby time" with Stratton as her youngest grandchild is now 6.

Here are some beautiful great-grandchildren: first row, Haden, Dalton holding Stratton, Gavin, Bryce sitting on Grandma's lap, Rowan.

Standing, Alyssa, Grayson, Ryan, Fuller, Noah, and Felicia.  Brandon and baby Myla weren't able to make the trip.Nine out of ten grandchildren were also present:

Katie and Suzanne sitting with grandma, in back are Leanne, Chris, Michelle, Jim, Me, Jay, and Mark. Leanne's sister, Debbie was the only grandchild not able to attend.

 Then the Jones family traveled onto Forrest's mom's house where we celebrated more birthdays:  Roland's, Mellisa's, and Anthony's.

 Austin and Noah are the cousins who are closest in age so I had to snap a photo of them side by side. They are both 8th graders this year, but Austin will turn 14, 6 months earlier than Noah.