If we can do it , anyone can!

Jessica, my sister-in-law, and I have decided to quilt together. We are trying all kinds of new things. We put two quilts together that I showed you in a previous blog. Then, we went to a local quilt shop and were trained on how to use a Longarm quilting machine. We then took our quilts in and spent a Saturday quilting them. We had so much fun and we felt so accomplished when we were done. I am loving having Jessica here. We are going to Weight Watchers together and we have been going since January. Together we have lost around 60 pounds. It is so much more fun to lose weight when you have someone to do it with. Thank you, Jessica, you are so good for me! Laura :-)

Kaylee Rose Smith

Kaylee Rose Smith came into our lives 4 years ago when Jeffrey became a father. We had the opportunity to have her live with us this past year. It was sometimes a challenge being a parent to her instead of a grandparent, but mostly it was a great blessing to us. We got to know her better than we ever did before and she got to know us. We have a bond and love that will never be broken. It is wonderful. We were able to teach her about Jesus and praying. She taught me that I am never to old to dance, prance, laugh, and/or ride a merry-go-round. She is with her dad full time now, as it should be of course. But, we love and miss her. Jeffrey is happy and with Danielle. She took these pictures of Kaylee. She is not only going to school to be an RN but she is a very good photographer. She has 3 children, 2 girls and a boy. The girls live with Jeff and Danielle and so Kaylee has two sisters all of the time, one younger and one older. She spent this weekend with us and I can tell you she is very happy! She asked me to get her some school work to do at home. Jeffrey is going back to school, Danielle is in school, and she wants to have some work to do when they do homework. We have had a fun weekend with her. I am exhausted and she is going home tomorrow. We are already making promises about the things we will do next time she comes to visit. She tells me she "loves me big much"! Who would not give anything to hear that from a small child. I am so blessed!

Enter Fall....

Just as March brings in Spring, the last week of August finds us preparing for Fall. Jessica and I started quilting together this
past year. We have been having so much fun and we have made some pretty quilts. Right before school started we were trained on a long armed quilting machine. We did a wonderful job finishing up two quilts. One for Jessica and one for me. It was fun and very fulfilling. I had my quilt squares in storage for almost 5 years and Jessica's had been away even longer. All we had to do was sew the squares together and then put the top and bottom together. The long armed machine did whatever we guided it to do. It was a blast.
Anyway, we are both back to school and busy with work. But, we manage to get together to sew and exchange ideas. Jessica has been so helpful with my church group of girls ages 8-12. We meet twice a month and do projects together. Jessica is the queen of crafts after all of her years running a day care so we have really had fun. Family and Friends, there isn't anything more important to me!!!

The best part of the visit was a birthday party for Marin and Kaylee. Marin turned 4 on July 23 and Kaylee turned 4 on August 19th. So, we had a Tangled party. Melissa made the cutest cupcakes and braided a yellow hair they could wear. We found princess dresses for them and Aunt Jessica found gloves, shoes, and magic wands. It was a group effort and so much fun for everyone. Thank you all for the help. The girls had a ball.

Who are these beautiful people?

And yet I find more.... at a park, in a hat shop, stuffing his little face, and going to church. What fun we had!

And, still more, we played at out house, colored, did projects, rode bikes, had lunch at Aunt Jessica's lunch program, blew bubbles, had camp fires, went to church, and prayed together. Does life get any better than this? No, it doesn't!!!!

I forgot, while in Kennewick Derrick and Grandpa took the kids to Home Depot Day! What a blast they had!

Well, we finally made it to the coast of Oregon. We went to the Merry-go-round in downtown Seaside, we went to the beach where brave Melissa shows off a crab. We went to a beautiful park in Astoria and had some great summer days! More to follow!

Well, this probably looks strange, but, it was a blast! We were at Derrick's house in August, the kids collected stones, went Geocaching and treasure hunting, thanks to Uncle Morgan. We had a facial put on by Rachael and Megan. Derrick took off time and we went swimming, picnicing, walking, and playing. It was great. We had some great barbecues put on by Derrick. The distinguished man in the beard is Neal. Grandpa came back from Alaska with a beard and has never shaved it. I am getting use to it and he likes not having to shave. Kaylee was with us so all of the grandkids except Michael's crew were here. We missed them but maybe we can all get together next year. I love being a Grandma!

I know my blog is out of sequence but I am finding all of these pictures from the summer. This is Melissa's family with us in Kennewick. We were visiting Derrick's family. Derrick was at work. I believe Morgan took the pictures. We spent a wonderful week with them before coming out to the coast of Oregon.

Jessica, here's another mess you've gotten me in! Actually, Jessica and I had a wonderful walk on the bridge. Would we do it again, I don't think so, but, it is one of those things we can cross off our "Bucket List". The bridge is 208 feet tall and we walked about 6.5 miles in just under 2 hours. Not bad for two older ladies. We sure were feeling good when it was over. Thank you Jessica for the challenge. I feel great about accomplishing it!

Michael & Esther's Harvest

This is a collage Esther sent to me. They have new animals, food they
have grown, and a brand new baby boy, William. We were there for
his blessing the 4th of July. Lauren was also bapized the same day and
so it was a wonderful and inspiring trip. We were sent to Denali Park
by the kids for our 40th anniversary on a train trip. The sights were
just out of this world. We saw deer, elk, moose, beaver, swans, eagles,
and much more. One day we were out driving with the kids and actually
saw a baby black bear crossing the highway. What a thrill!

I know I am behind on my blog. But, I thought I would start here with Neal's trip to
Alaska. This happen in April at Easter. You can see Michael's family has really grown
they have a baby on the way and are in the process of adopting Elaina and Miriam.
What a blessing this is for all of them!