Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Our home to Yours!

Happy Holidays!

Ethan was having a ball playing in the snow too! He only stayed out for a little bit for it was pretty cold.

Eli played in the snow. We had gotten quite of bit of snow before they got here. It was pretty deep here and he was wanting to run in it.

Santa came to visit all the children, and even some of the adults. Family was together and that is what made the evening better. All the little ones and even some of the adults got their picture taken with Santa.

Santa's little helper.

They woke up Christmas morning and seen these cute little horses. They have had so much fun with these rocking horses. Was fun to see and hear the excitement in their little voices. We sure love these little guys!

Ethan loved his too!

Eli got some reindeer antlers.

This little guy and his parents came home for Christmas this year.

My Mother

This is a picture of my Mother on her 78th birthday. These roses I got for her along with lotion and some body spray that smelled really pretty. That is how I felt about my Mother! She enjoyed this day with those who were able to be there. I love her so much, she taught me many things and I am grateful for her loving me and giving me life. She was a hard worker and never asked for much in return. She always thought of her children and grandchildren. Before she fell asleep at night she always prayed to Heavenly Father that he would protect and keep us safe.

Mom, I appreciate those prayers that were directed towards me and my children, and I love you for allowing me to be your daughter..I feel honored. I can feel your presence sometimes and It helps me get through the days and know you are no longer suffering. I'm grateful for the time we have had as mother-daughter and I'll love you forever.

A Surprise from Eli!

This was quite the surprise when Johnny, Shanna and Eli came home for fall break. Phillip came home with them. It was a wonderful time spent with our whole family home. Our grandsons had so much fun! The weather was a little chilly but we were able to still enjoy ourselves. They rode on the cow train a couple of times with their Moms. I sure love these little guys, they are what being a grandparent is all about. We love you so much Ethan and Eli!

This was some yummy apple juice.

The day was complete with something to drink!

Their Moms liked the ride too!

Eli loved riding on the Cow train.

Jumping on the big pumpkin pillow.

Such a cute little family!

Ethan wanted to water the goats too.

These pumpkins are heavy Grandma!

We took Eli and Ethan to Carroll's Pumpkin Patch. They had so much fun!

Our son and daughter-in-law surprised me with their presence during their fall break. They showed up at my job and one of my co-workers brought Eli back to where I was at. She kept saying Grandma and I didn't pay any attention until she said it again, I looked and there was Eli in her arms. I was shocked! He came right to me and oh how I squeezed him. I truly loved that surprise and I didn't even know. How lucky can a grandma be?

A beautiful Day for pictures...

You three took an excellent picture. I'm glad that I was able to bring them up on her website to look at them. I think I found many that I would love to have. Eli is growing up so fast before our eye's. He is such a handsome little guy. She really did a great job on these pictures..wish she had a twin close to Iowa.

Such a cute little fireman!

I love this little guy!

Isn't he adorable?

What a smile!

Ethan and his pumpkin

My Mommy did a good job carving my pumpkin...

We went out to Alisha and Evan's to watch Ethan and his Mommy carve his pumpkin for Halloween. He had fun digging into the pumpkin and taking out the seeds. At first he didn't like it because it felt funny in his little hands. I'm glad we were able to go spend an evening with them and watch him........

" Trying to pick up the seeds"

I'm glad my Mommy is digging that stuff out of my pumpkin.

" This feels weird on my hands"

I'm ready to help my Mommy carve my pumpkin.

Our trip to the Pumpkin Patch

I wanted to do something fun with Ethan and so I decided to take him to the pumpkin patch so that he could see lots of fun stuff. He really enjoyed himself and so did we as we watched his little face light up when he seen the dog, the cow, the goats, and picking out his very own pumpkin to carve for halloween. I wish our other little grandson Eli could of joined his little cousin in this trip to Grinnell. It would of been fun to watch them run and play together on this fun day. I'm sure there will be other fun times for them to be together though....I love our grandsons so much and I know I say this all the time......But I'm one lucky and very blessed Grandma and I'm so grateful for these two little guys!!!

Look how tall I'm getting everybody....

And his Mommy rode with him on the cow ride.

He loved the cow...

Ethan wasn't even scared.

We went to Carroll's Pumpkin Patch with Ethan this past weekend, we had so much fun in watching him try to feed the goats and getting excited when he seen the dog walking around talking to all the children. Ethan wasn't even scared. It put many smiles on my face watching him explore and him seeing all the exciting things. I think we seen a smile or two as he ran to the big pumpkins and tried to pick one up. Alisha loves this little guy so much, he is what makes her heart beat each day.

A walk with his Daddy

Our oldest son John is an awesome father to his son, he loves his son so much! I always knew that he would be a good father, he had a good example in knowing how to love. Eli..your a very lucky little boy to have the daddy that you have. He will always be there for you and will be somebody that you can always look up to. Johnny....I love you son for being the son, father, and husband that you are. I'm very proud of you and very blessed in being your mother.

Fall is here.....

We fed the ducks and had fun walking around the pond and looking for the first signs of fall, and we found it. Ethan found leaves and walnuts that had fallen to the ground. This area is not only pretty in the summer but in the fall as well.

And found just the right one...

Ethan picking up the leaves.

What more can I say....

Happy Grandparents Day!

Our Grandsons

Never knew how happy these two little people could make us feel. It's unbelievable the joy they have brought into our lives. We love their smiles and laughter, the breathing on the phone, the little hugs and kisses, and yes...even the screaming that sometimes takes place. They are what keeps us feeling young. It's funny to feel the unconditional love that they have for you, they look up to you and somehow know that grandma and grandpa love them. We long for the visits that we have with them and enjoy every minute. Eli and Ethan.....Grandma and grandpa loves you so much and can't imagine now our life without you. We love everything about you two and love our time spent with you!

A nice day to take a ride to the Apple Berry Farm

I thought this was cute when he looked at this and then pointed to the scarecrows feet, it had boots on. It was a nice day to go and pick apples and check out the new things they have displayed in their shop. John loves to bake and so he went and picked cortland apples to make some apple crisp and a few pies. They had told him that those would be the best baking apples to pick. It was very warm and the bee's were hanging out in the grass near the tree's, so we didn't let Ethan play to long near the trees this time.

He was able to pick these pumpkins up. They were just the right size for his little hands.

He does pretty well in letting me take random pictures of him.

A trip to Apple Berry Farm

Ethan loved checking everything out.

A Grandchild

feels a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.

We went to Des Moines to see the new Bass Pro Shop that was built in Altoona. This place is huge. Ethan loved looking at the BIG fish that was in the aquarium that was built in the wall. It had a water fall flowing down into it.

Ethan was watching the ducks.

Labor Day Weekend

What a handsome boy!

John and I made this Mickey Mouse blanket for Ethan. We didn't have a place big enough to spread it out on, so we were on our knee's on the floor making it. By the time we were done, both of us were saying to each other "Oh, my knee's hurt bad" But we both said at the same...We would do it again! Our next blanket that we make will be for our other little grandson Eli. His is going to be Curious George. He loves monkeys and ducks.