Car Show at River Ridge High School

This paint job looked like it belonged at North Thurston High.

She is a beauty.

Can't miss that bright orange!

Favorite car of the show....this mud spattered VW Bug!

Joel loved them all.  We had a good time looking at old cars.

Celebration for Bob

Joleen made the cupcakes.

Ben furnished the house.

 Joel and Grandpa watched Toy Story 2

Quinn licked the frosting.

Kemp, Jay, Ross, Shannon, Grace and Brooke called.  E-mail from Sonja.  We are blessed.

The Way to Start a Day

 So begins Robert's 78th Birthday!

Happy dog!  Happy man!  Happy day!

Happy Mother's Day-Grandmothers, too!

I don't know what transpired in order for Grace and Grandma to both need to scrub their piggies, but as usual, Grandma made it fun. Thank you for being the best mother and grandmother we could have. Love, Grace, Shannon & David.

When There Were Just Three

Cooper Point days to 1966, when the family consisted of these three boys.  Kemp, Jay and Ross........

The Almost Easter

Big family dinner plans faded quickly when Shannon woke at 1 AM Sunday morning with a high fever and aches and pains.  The flu had struck.  She and Grace had arrived late Sat night.  We cancelled Easter dinner.  I went to my early morning meeting  and while Bob went to church.  I came home and tended to the sick and her child.

After church, we had to do something for Grace.  Coloring eggs did the trick.

It was raining hard outside so we agreed to hide the eggs in the living room, just as we had done when her mom was little.

Sorry that Shannon was sick.  And sorry that the rest of the family missed due to our quarantine.  But Grace did her best to make it fun for us!

Precious Moments

 This was a spontaneous moment.  They never would have posed this for me at my request.

Grace came to play during spring break.  She entertains little kids very well. 

A Good Moment From the Past

I love them all.  The dog got big, the boy grew up and the quilt, even though he still uses it, is about worn out.  Only the couch is gone, but we still have the matching love seat. 

Stamps and More Stamps

 While waiting for spring to come, Robert has spent his rainy days on his stamp collection.  He showed me this pile of stamps, most were all the same, but different.  Here are his little green tags to keep them identified.

Magic.  Here is the completed page.  Just proves that you need to watch those Liberty Bell and Flag stamps!

WAKE UP TIME

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Kid Time

Finding the "happy" Joel

Quinn's sign language for "I don't know."

Dark, rainy days take their toll.  But a great way to have a peaceful hour is with a pan of water and a few plastic tea dishes on the tile kitchen floor.

No, the sun did not come out, but it did stop raining for a bit.  Joel and Grandpa needed some time away from the girls in the house.

Such a good investment of our time and energy!

I Looked Out the Window and What Did I See?

Kemp and I have been playing the "where's the crocus?" game since the end of January.  That is when they generally make their appearance in the Pacific Northwest.  March 8 and six weeks late.....here they are.  Reminds me of just how very cold this winter has been.  Welcome signs of spring!

Getting a Smell

This was eight years ago this spring.  Sailor is checking out Robert's running shoes.  She has run with him every morning that he has gone since then.  Now anytime she hears the sound of nylon clothes slipping on or catches a "runner's" smell, she is whimpering at the door to get going.  I had forgotten that this exercise had been from the start.

Childhood Hiding Places

Today Robert got the Christmas houses all packed away.  He has several minature people that he places here and there between the houses and shops.  However, in taking them down, he noticed that all of the minatures were lovingly placed INSIDE the houses.  Hmmm.  When and how did that happen?

I remember that he was very facinated.  Now I know what Joel was doing.

And That's That

Two weeks later and I think we are done!  Heard the birds singing today. Perhaps spring is around the corner! 

11 Days Later

We are making progress!  Last night I was able to cover most of this with layers of makeup so that I was able to be seen in public.  The Arnica recommended by Ann really helped the purple color to fade......to the mustard yellow!

Mysteries and Puzzlements

What makes LED Christmas lights look like that when not using a flash?

The drooping bruise on Thursday, day 4.  Looks like she is growing a beard and needs a serious shave.

But on day 5, today, we get TECHNICOLOR with Stereophonic sound.

What does Olympia and Atlanta Have in Common Today?

Tonight it is SNOW!  However Joleen arrived this afternoon in behalf of her siblings with these beautiful spring flowers and the most delicious berry mix ice cream!  Thank you kids!  And thank you Joleen for doing the delivery.

Before and After

My face got acquainted with the floor on Monday morning.  Bless Warfarin......How lucky, there were no broken bones in my face.  The concrete is rather hard.

Family Christmas on New Year's Day

Ross was able to come home for three days and so the other four available siblings with their families came to celebrate the homecoming, Christmas and being together.  We missed Jay and Kerry who live in Georgia.

Joel loves his Uncle Ross.

The wonder of technology!  Christmas morning in Georgia with Elissa, Natalie, and Libby with their new Grandma pj's.  I love doing this each year.  And they let me, so I am happy. 

While this isn't the best posed shot, it is typical of constant activity with Ben and JoLin's family.

This was the Grandma nitie for Grace.  You can't tell but the green in the design are frogs.  Grace was such a little mother to the little kids. 

Shannon and David's family of three, slept in the upstairs bedroom which has 2 twin beds.  Yes, someone slept on the mat on the floor. 

Phil and Joleen were at the house everyday, most of the day.  We ate all of Joleen's cookies and other good food!

 Kemp and Sonja came on Saturday, a very frosty winter day.  These two along with some of the others walked down to the pond.  It was iced over well and wasn't breaking to heavy thrown rocks.  So Ben walked on the ice and yes, he fell in.

Sailor got an amazing new comb/brush for Christmas and since it removes ALL loosened hair, it is easier to have her in the house during this frigid spell.  She wanted to help clean up after the feasting was over.  She cried and was so depressed when Ross left.