Bradford Street

This photo was in my mailbox today from the boy (guess I have to stop calling him that soon....) I love it when he has time to hand write a letter. There's magic in paper and pen. He's doing well, and were making summer plans to see him!

Girl's Weekend in CT

Nat, Shell, Zach and myself....

When I was raising my kids I thought that shirts (and bibs) with stuff written all over them were so tacky....would have never purchased them. Look who's talking now.....

Nat and Shell giving Zach his first boogie board lesson.

Rustic Peasant Bread (like Macaroni Grill). Shell brought the recipe -- when we mixed it up and put it on the baking sheet it looked like it was going to be a disaster....not so much!

Nat and Shell having a "Hootenanny" Sunday breakfast.

Mr. Bubbles! Oh man, does he love his bath. If you lay him on his back, his legs and arms go a mile a minute kicking and splashing. Then he stops for a moment, goes perfectly still, completely straight legs and flexed feet, then quickly back to splashing again. Nat and I were busting our seams watching him.

Here we are looking our finest. Straight out of our beds and on to the couch for knitting. Shell was the knitting star by far, but Nat and I slowly got the hang of it. I kept telling Nat, "The mistakes give the scarf character, like they were made by an indigenous artisan from a third world country". She replied, "Or, like they were made by a East Coast mom who doesn't know how to knit".

Oh, could you just gobble him up? Notice the two teeth....and the drool.

A homemade message for Bradford....we miss him!

We made plans for Shell and Zach to come for a visit during winter break, to spend some down time with them and make sure Zach remembers his Nonna! Then, much to my surprise and delight, Chip suggested that we fly Nat out as well, as a Valentine gift. A perfect, loving gift. So the two girls, Zachary, and I (and Chip as well...good sport that he is) spent a weekend of cuddling, ogling, kissing, hugging, swimming, knitting, gaming (as in Mario Kart Wii! Boy, did I fail miserably), movie watching, laughing, sharing, eating, cooking, and simply being together. I love it when my children are here. The time passed much too quickly, everyone went back to their lives, but fond memories were created. Now....when to gather next?

Bradford's Home Stretch

The Swiss Ping Pong Team

Bradford's bike after the ice storm.

Elder Nickel, Bradford, Elder J. (not sure how to spell his last name!)

Yesterday Bradford hit his "6 months to go" mark. Yea for me! He's doing well...back in Oklahoma, Owassa to be specific, where Garth Brooks lives. He's growing and working like crazy...and continues to tell funny stories, like his baptism the other day....baptised Billy, an older gentleman, who happened to be a little inebriated at his baptism. :)

Look who's 6 months old!

Zachary turned 6 months today. We can't believe it! His personality is coming out all over...he's becoming a real charmer. We get to snuggle with him in two days! Here are his new six-month photos....get ready to be charmed.

My Invitation...

Came home today to a surprise in the mailbox.......my invitation to the Inauguration! I can hardly wait....let's see, get a ball gown, call a limo service, get a room at the Washington Plaza, and party with my new friends Barack and Michelle! With about a zillion other people. (This doesn't set me apart from any of the other zillion....it just looks cool!) Actually, the one who is REALLY cool is my nephew, Nicholas. He really IS going.....will have a reserved seat and everything! Lucky!

Essential Us

Was cleaning up Christmas (isn't that one of the lesser loved jobs?) and glanced up at this photo on the shelf -- it made me smile. It truly is essential us. We're on the green boat at one, if not THE, most favorite spot of ours.....Lake Powell. Carefree, (when the boat wasn't broken...yet even when it it was -- remember the Burr Trail?), warm, laughter, memories. I love my kids.

Bradford's Christmas Card!

Is this just the greatest? Yes, this is where Bradford lives right now -- yes, it's pretty much a mansion -- complete with murals on the walls. Not your typical missionary pad. He's doing well - was so nice to speak with him on Christmas! He's probably leaving Arkansas mid January for Springfield, MO. He's pretty psyched -- he thinks it's where Bart Simpson lives.