Now the Queen

TJei enjoys sharing her artistic talents and cheerfully shows her latest drawing project. Queen Elizabeth. Did you recognize her without reading the caption?

This little carry-along drawing board is one John and Kelly gave Mia for her birthday. It has gotten a lot of creative play time even already. Both girls enjoy drawing on this little toy.

We Cheated

We didn't make it over to Williams Valley Winter Recreation area where we normally go sledding. We cheated and headed over to Show Low so I could do some other errands, too. I had to pick up pics at Walgreen's and I wanted to stop in at The Book Barn. Love that place!


This picture of Tjei shows what our truck looked like once we maneuvered a brief off-road stint just behind Pizza Hut. That's the "in town" hill we visited to let TJei sled for a little bit.


She didn't know all she was missing out on at the winter rec area. She was just happy to be sledding at all!


Little did I realize I'd be at the top of the hill looking down on all the activity. Mike was at the bottom of the hill, me at the top.


TJei climbed up empty handed after her first attempt to climb up with the sled in hand. That didn't work out well at all. The second time down the hill, Mike just tossed the sled back up. It was somewhat like a mix of a frisbee and a football. The sled was light enough to catch air and for the most part, could be directed a bit better than a frisbee. At least the frisbees I've thrown. They never went that straight.


TJei got to where she could navigate that hill pretty well. Up and down. After an initial ride on a hill that was pretty smooth, TJei wanted to go "over there where the big kids are." So off we went. To a bigger hill, a hill with much larger hills and dips. She managed them quite well. A mom up there with her kids asked how old she was. They were impressed to learn she is only 5. Their 5'ish boy wouldn't go down the hill except nestled in his dad's lap. The bigger kids commented, "She's really brave."


She was having a good time. I was freezing. :)

Come to think of it, she is pretty brave. She didn't even complain about the stick that poked her in the eye as she took her first step onto that hill. That hill wasn't getting the best of her. :)

Happy New Year!

Family Movie

The Pera Club hosted a showing of the Princess and the Frog at the movie theater for SRP families. TJei was so excited to go to the movie with Grandma and Grandpa.


She loved the movie! Mike enjoyed the music. I loved the time with the two of them. The story line was easy enough for a little one, the colors and animations vibrant and captivating and...no spoiler here, the ending was a surprise.

We enjoyed the movie and the outing.

Merry Christmas

We're so grateful for all our many blessings.

Making Faces

T and me just playing around. :)

TJei is wearing the new pajamas that Jacob and Maria gave her. She is holding onto the French poodle purse, FiFi, that she talked Grandpa into buying for her while out shopping a few days ago.

Driving Home

We enjoyed beautiful wintery scenes on the drive home.


Dark skies and wind-swept terrain stretched for miles and miles.


An occassional structure and signs of people living in remote areas led to thoughts of life in such isolatation. What are their days like? Do they socialize often? Back in the 1800's Little House on the Prairie was the way of life for many. I've even lived in such isolation, believe it or not. Today, it's hard to envision life in such remote conditions. It'd be interesting to give it a try though. For a day or two. :)


The tree branches are laden down with weight of the heavy snow and still retain a vision of strength and comfort, extending an invitation to explore.

Every now and then, the clouds part and allow a wonderous display of clear blue sky. How amazing is that?


We arrived home safely ...and froze our tails off waiting for the place to warm up. :)

Really?

Yes, really. I love you little one.


And, I love Gaussian Blur.

Then Comes Tuesday

Mike and I planned to return home Tuesday. John and Kelly left out earlier in the morning for their trip to Utah for the holidays. We dropped Quentin at work then headed off to Jacob and Maria's for breakfast. Jacob started mixing up some waffle batter and he dropped some bacon into a skillet on the stove. I took watch over the bacon and left him to the waffles and scrambled eggs.

Yum. Breakfast was good. Good company, too. :)

We gave Christmas gifts for the little ones and received Christmas gifts for the girls and a gift -and pictures- :) for us. TJei just loved the earrings she got from Tio Jacob and Tia Maria! She got a pair of pajamas, too. She was happy. :)

Davis' first year picture. Oct 2009

Davis wasn't especially impressed with the clothes and books we gave him...although he'll get plenty of use out of them. He was however quite impressed with the little soft ball set we gave Daphne. LOL That boy loves to throw things (see yesterday's post) and those balls were just perfect for him. He could toss them around without worry of "hurting" things or people. He was GIDDY and his laughter was contagious. Oh what fun to watch him engaging all of us with his tossing game - it was somewhat like a snowball fight without the runny noses and cold fingers. :) He is adorable!

We didn't stay long. Mike had an appointment scheduled to meet with Melba and pick-up paperwork from her. We arrived a bit late but Melba and her husband were cheerful all the same. They had a few questions on the transaction and Mike answered their queries to the best he was able. They were satisfied with the paperwork and his replies. Melba signed the papers and we headed off for a scheduled meeting with Henry and June Shill in Camp Verde.

Henry and June also were satisfied with the paperwork and replies to their questions. They signed the paperwork and Mike contacted Rick Rosenzweig in Cottonwood so we could deliver the papers over to him. While at Rick's office, the buyer called and Rick invited us to wait around a little while to meet the buyer when he arrived. We did although we were concerned about getting back on the road, too. We had a long drive home still.

When we did get out of Cottonwood, we headed up the highway toward Flagstaff. Nearing Stoneman Lake the road conditions worsened quite a bit and traffic came to a near standstill. We saw the sign indicating the exit was 1-1/2 miles ahead...it took more than an hour to travel that 1-1/2 miles! Mike decided to exit and return back to the valley for the night. We could leave out the next morning when conditions would hopefully be better.

We returned to John's house. Safe and warm and comfy. It had been a long day.

Monday, Monday

Baylee opened the Christmas gifts we had taken down and she seemed delighted with the clothes, shoes, and books we had given her. She hugged onto the Cat in the Hat stuffed animal much of the morning but she didn't want to slow down enough for Mommy to read the book to her...I think she suspected slowing down was the intended result of the reading. :)

This shirt is so cute. It reads, "Daddy is smart but Mommy knows everything"

Baylee is holding a little Gingerbread Man ornament.

She seemed to adore the Cabbage Patch doll Jodie and the girls sent down for her. I think Kelly said that is her first doll. What? Couldn't be? She's 2-1/2 years old - none of us have gotten a doll for her before now? For shame. Either way, she kept that doll tucked in or under her arms much of the day. It was so cute. :)

TJei stayed with John and Kelly while Mike and I took care of a couple errands and went to visit Maria and the two little ones.

We had to deliver paperwork to Melba Shill Goodman on an offer that has been made for the Camp Verde property. Melba wasn't home so we left the paperwork there for her to review when she returned.

We had such a good visit with Maria and little Davis and Daphne! They are so cute!!! ---Okay, and no pics because this Grandma didn't even think of pulling out the camera while I was there. :( ---

Davis is growing so much! He's becoming a little boy instead of a baby boy. He's a big little boy at that. :) Davis was playing with a little wooden toy train that their friend Lyle had made for him. The train was so cute and Davis was having a lot of fun with it. Eventually, as little -and big- boys do, he started demonstrating his ability to throw. There was no convincing him to not throw the train cars. He was in Hulk mode and he had an arm like Hulk, too! Those train cars would magically become missiles while Davis was playing with them. :)

That's when we learned why Maria had Daphne's baby swing in one room and Davis in another - with a gate between to keep a safe distance between them. LOL She is such a wise Mommy. :)

Daphne is absolutely angelic! She is so precious. She slept during much/most of our visit but I was able to hold her as she slept. She looks so much like Davis when he was a baby...and they both look like their Wilhelm family relatives. Especially their Grandpa, Spence Wilhelm, and Maria's brother, Spencer. Someday I'll have to get a picture of them so my extended family can see what I mean when I point out the resemblance. :)

We had such a nice visit with Maria and the kids. It was so good of John and Kelly to keep TJei so we could have that visit. TJei had a super time with Baylee and she went shopping with Aunt Kelly.

The Valley

Mike and I drove to the valley so we could visit the boys and their families for the holidays. John and Kelly will be in Utah for Christmas and Mike has to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so we decided to go down a couple days early and just have a brief visit.

We had planned to get to the valley a bit earlier than our actual arrival time...Kelly had invited us for dinner. Fortunately she had plenty of leftovers to feed us when we actually arrived. Kelly is such a good cook! Mike really liked the pot roast she had prepared and he told her it was one of the best he's ever had. It really was good.

Quentin and Philip were at John's when we arrived. They had been there for dinner, too. Baylee and TJei gave one another enthusiastic Cuz Hugz and then dashed off to the bedroom to play.

We stayed there at John and Kelly's place during our visit to the valley. It was fun being there again and they went the extra mile to make us at home in their home.

Today's the Day

Today's the day to celebrate Jodie's birthday. :) This year she is celebrating in North Carolina but wherever she may be, she'd be in my thoughts and prayers. Happy Birthday Jodie! Hoping your special day is all you'd want it to be.

Today's also the day to celebrate Aunt Eleanor's birthday. A special lady indeed. Happy birthday, Aunt. :)

Deep Sigh

A bit ago Mike got word that he will not be on call-out due to a strike. The company and union have agreed to work until the end of January under the existing contract. That news is cause for a deep sigh of relief for me. Granted it's a temporary relief but the holidays will be so much better without that worry looming overhead. :)

Okay, This Is It

This is the ultimate scrapbook kit and I wouldn't be disappointed at all to receive one of these at any time of the year! Then again, maybe I could be persuaded to do the sending instead of receiving. -wink-

Worrisome Times

Total stress going on here with the possibility of a strike looming on the horizon. In past years we've faced the potential of a strike but these days it is different since there are multiple family members working for the same company. :(

Mike had been scheduled to be off work this weekend but has been notified he'll be on an indefinite 12 hour shift starting Saturday if the union does vote to strike. Voting will be done tonight and tomorrow night.

John is one of the union members meeting tonight and casting a vote. He's in one of the power play positions, too. The linemen and electricians wield a lot of power (no pun intended :) ) within the company. He's indicated earlier in the week that it looks pretty certain there will be a strike. :(

Quentin is in a terribly precocious position at this time. He is a union member but it seriously looks like he'll need to resign from the union - he has no protection from the union on his job. If they strike, he cannot cross the line as a union member else he'll be sanctioned by the union and he can't not go to work - respect the picket lines - else he'll be fired from the company.

Mike doesn't need to be working all these extra hours. John doesn't need to be draining his savings during the time he won't be working. Quentin can't possibly afford to be without work - he has only part-time hours as is, he can't afford to be off work entirely.

It's a difficult time.

UPDATE: John and Quentin attended the union meeting Wednesday evening and learned things aren't quite as worrisome as I'd be thinking. As a provisional employee, Quentin has been told to continue working if there is a strike-for the same reason mentioned above. Provisional employees do not have the same protections available to full-time employees. The union understands that and gave them an okay to continue working.

Additionally, employees with serious medical issues within their family (or pregnancy) have been advised to continue working in event of a strike so their healthcare isn't at risk.

Okay, so my heart still belongs to Local 266 ♥ You're the best!

Christmas Program

The kindergarten class did their Christmas music program today and it was so sweet to watch TJei and the other little kids perform a series of holiday songs. Mike and I both were able to go, it was so much fun and I know TJei loved having grandma and grandpa there for her. You can't really see her individually in the picture - she is second from left in the middle row. Her friend Peja is next to her. :)

Visit With Santa

TJei enjoyed a visit with Santa during the Ward Christmas Party this evening. She told Santa she wants a dress, slippers, and a ring for Christmas.

I made and framed a collage picture of Santa with all the little Primary kids and gave it to him on Sunday. He loved the gift!

Leader of the Pack

Wow, hardly seems possible John is 33! Wishing you the best birthday ever!!!

Love you bunches. ♥ ♥ ♥

Missing Mia

Jodie and Mia left out for North Carolina today. I know it sounds weird to say "missing Mia" in the title - I'll actually miss both of them but my heart aches already knowing they are headed off with so many uncertainties. Jodie can fend for herself, Mia is much more vulnerable. I pray that they are safe during these journeys and no harm come upon them. I definitely miss the "I love you Momma" already. :(

Play Fun

Just a few pics of the kids (mostly) playing at John and Kelly's house on Thanksgiving Day.




This is a neat "butterfly catching" toy that Felicia gave Baylee for her birthday. Quentin picked it out during a trip he and JOhn made to New Mexico. With a group of kids this little toy is so much fun. The kids just loved it!

Where to Begin?

With our beautiful newest addition, of course!

Daphne Mckay was born the day before Thanksgiving ...giving us one more reason to express thanks on this special day. She is an adorable little gal, a true keeper.


The changes happen so quickly! Only two days difference in these pictures and just look at the changes!!! I'm already pining for the chance to visit and hold her again. Hugs and kisses, Little One. ♥ ♥ ♥

Meeting Grandpa

Jayden met Grandpa for the first time on a bright and chilly Tuesday afternoon. It was a brief meeting, just a couple minutes while vehicles were changed out in a parking lot. Felicia had traveled to Show Low with me where we met Mike and she took our small truck to the valley while Mike and I, along with Jodies and the girls, traveled back to SJ.

She's a Sleeper

Sweet little Jayden looks like a baby doll when she's sleeping. She has such beautiful features and those adorable little chipmunk cheeks. {{{hugz}}}

Imagine Our Surprise

Quentin, Felicia, and I had been out and about on errands and decided to turn onto Meridian instead of doubling back to Ironwood. We had such a good laugh and surprised squeels when we passed this house...Can you guess why?

LOL The picture doesn't do the colors justice. Imagine deeper, more intense colors on the house then picture Jayden's room which Jacob and Quentin painted...It was so funny, and such a surprise, to see those same colors on the exterior of a house!

Now we know where Jacob gets his inspiration. Cruisin' AJ.

McCafé Quickie

Now this was classic.

While in AJ area, we happened to catch sight of a lady driving her motorized chair through the drive-thru of a McDonalds. Seriously! At this window she was paying for her food order then she went to the next window to pick up her order. It took several attempts for her to adjust the super-size drink in the basket so it wouldn't tip and spill.

Sunday Morning

Sweet Little Jayden

Jayden was peacefully sleeping on this Sunday morning. She is a precious little baby girl and I am so grateful to have had this time with her.

Holiday Mouse

I picked up a couple tiny stuffed animals for the little ones. Jayden received the Holiday Mouse. It's a perfect size for her now. It would be fun to get a picture of her with her little mouse in upcoming years. :)

So Precious

TJei and Mia were meeting their new cosin, Daphne Mckay, for the very first time. The girls were entrance by how tiny she was and they wanted her to open her eys so they could see them. They were so gentle with her!

Special Thanks

I didn't get any people or food pics so just this single picture will have to suffice as I sing type praises to Kelly and her sweet spirit of charity. I had traveled to the valley, along with Jodie and the girls, to welcome a new grandbaby just the day before Thanksgiving. It was late in the day by the time we'd gotten in and even later when Quentin and I had been able to visit at the hospital. Kelly called that evening and invited us to join their family for Thanksgiving dinner. Kelly had already planned on having her parents, grandmother, and young nephew for dinner. It was such a loving gesture for her to extend the invitation to all of us. And she was so amazingly good natured with a houseful of people!

In the end, Kelly had seven unplanned guests ...me, Jodie, TJei, Mia, Quentin, Jacob, and Davis! Wow, what a houseful in addition to the three of them plus her planned four guests.

I love you so much, Kelly ...and appreciate you even more! ♥ ♥ ♥

Buttering Rolls

Mia was busy helping brush butter on top of the rolls so they could be baked. TJei had a hand on the preparations, too. :)

I love these girls! ♥ ♥ ♥

Thanksgiving

Aren't these three of the cutest little ragamuffins ever? :)


All three girls were fascinated by the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was so cute how they stood in front of the TV to watch...that way they could sing and dance along with the performances!







Mia would make a "crown" out of these baby links and put it on her head declaring, "I'm Cinderella Princess!"


Jodie cooked her first turkey - not bad :) - and we ate on it over the next couple days. We actually had dinner with John and Kelly at their home but had "leftovers" to munch on this way. :)


I was thrilled to have all three girls together!


Everyone who has seen this picture says this is "it" ...Mia's personality captured perfectly. She is a little tease, with an infectious smile and a glimmer in her eyes. She keeps her "distance" just a bit and has a playful demeanor. I agree, this pictures captures the essence of Mia. I love her! ♥ ♥ ♥



What're you going to do about a girl like TJei? Nothing...just love her and hug her! ♥ ♥ ♥



~ Anthony is in my thoughts this day. It has been 21 years since he passed away. ~