Portland in the Fall!

Acouple of weekends ago we had to go to Portland on a Friday. We went to acouple of appointments and then dropped Kaylee off with her dad, Jeffrey. We decided to take the long way home along the Columbia River. It was absolutely beautiful. The Fall colors were everywhere. While making the trip home we passed by a sign that said Suave Island. We saw the pumpkin fields in the distance and decided to take a look. What a wonderful decision! We drove around the island and saw farm after farm of all kinds of animals, vegetation, and homes. We stopped at an old fashion farmer's market and bought a home made basket and filled it to the top with fresh produce. There was a Corn Maze for kids to go through and houseboats along the river. In the spring they boast having a large Lavendar farm that is a sight to see. We hope to take our kids and grandkids there someday. We rarely take the time to stop and look but lately we have enjoyed doing this with Bronner and Jessica. They have caused us to have the explorer bug, too. We went with them to an Amish furniture store the last time we traveled and it sparked all sorts of ideas. Neal has even made a wooden project for me that I saw at the store. It is nice to do things like this together. We are really enjoying life.
Love to you all, Laura and Neal

More of Kaylee, enjoying herself. Thanks to Aunt Melissa we haven't had a day without a red sweatshirt on.
She loves it so much! She even pulled it out of the laundry to wear this weekend with her PaPa.

Kaylee's pictures...

Happy Harvest!

Here is our dear Kaylee in her school pictures. She loves preschool/day care and we are so glad for this. She doesn't like her pictures taken so we had to do some quick thinking and talking to get her to agree to have this done. She picked the pink background and wanted to wear pink. It is her favorite color. I was just getting over knee surgery and Neal couldn't get her hair done. So, I did it while laying in bed. I am all better now but it was sure fun having Neal and Kaylee take care of me. We are doing well. She is with Jeffrey every weekend so we can get some rest. She is sure keeping us young. I am now able to converse with my students about any cartoon or movie for kids. We read books every night. Kaylee can act out her favorites. She is quite a little character. Actually, she really reminds me of her papa (Jeffrey is called). It is like going back in time. Only, we are not as quick as we were. This is to her advantage, I think. More later.

Love to you all, Laura and Neal

More of Kaylee...

We have found out that Kaylee loves books. I am so glad being a teacher of reading. She is taking a picture here for her dad. She does not like her picture taken and so we have to be very clever to get her to give us a smile. She is cute, don't you think? More later... Laura

A Sunny Day...

Here are some pictures of things we have done together. Kaylee likes to put on Grandpa's hat and use his cane as she saunters around the house. She loves her swimming pool and totally loves it when Grandma blows bubbles and she chases them. She is eating her lunch here, she really likes Top Ramen, beef. But, the most surprising event was today when two deer stopped by for a visit. They were eating Grandpa's California Poppies and were so close we could see them and enjoy the view from the safety of our living room. Kaylee plays a mean game of Memory and she really likes to watch Shawn the Sheep, again, and again, and again, and again. I, know them by heart. We have danced to the movie "Mama Mia" and now we can sing together in the car both Dancing Queen and Mama Mia without missing many of the words. It is fun keeping up with a two year old. More later... Grandma Laura xoxoxo

Kaylee Our Little Helper!!!

Kaylee wants her Pa Pa to know that she is not just being waited on. She is a great help to her Grandma and Grandpa. Yesterday I was moving the dryer clothes to the counter to fold. I turned around and Kaylee had gotten her stepping stool and was loading the dryer with the clothes from the washer. What a sweetie! Today she insisted on setting her place for dinner. She is modeling the new princess pjs she picked out at F.M. She dances all around after putting it on. The bottom of her collage is all about her getting ready for bed. She brushes her teeth and washes her face. The final precious moment was when we were getting ready to eat dinner. Tonight she folder her arms and said, "Don't we have to do this?" What can I say, she is a blessing for us. Jeffrey, you have done a wonderful job with her. Thank you for letting us help to take care of her. Love, Kaylee, Grandma and Grandpa

Kaylee says, "Hi!"

Kaylee getting wet and Pa Pa and Kaylee together!

Neal and I have had the added blessing of having Kaylee stay with us this week. She is Jeffrey's 2 year old daughter. We are having so much fun and she is so cute. She is smart, too! She likes to watch, "Shawn the Sheep" movies, she likes to read, she likes to blow bubbles, or more likely catch the ones we blow. She can play the game "Matching" and find most of the pairs. She is blessed with a great memory. "Grandma, you said we would have ice cream before bed." Oops, have I forgotten how smart her dad was at bedtime. Anyway, Kaylee and Grandpa just finished having a water fight. Kaylee said, "Grandpa got me wet!" I said, "He is in trouble!" She said, "Why? I liked it!" We are going to be kept young with grandchildren like her around. Jeffrey works in Portland during the week and comes out all weekend. It works for all of us. Life is Good! Love, Laura

P.S. "Pa Pa, I love you! Kaylee :-)