Sweet Little Addition

Just moments before midnight we welcomed a sweet little addition to our family.

I am sure Maria was relieved when the nurse turned on the light and prepared the newborn area for a new arrival. I sure was. It had been a long day. Maria and her mom and sister had been at the hospital since early in the day. Jacob and I arrived in the afternoon. We had even stopped and ate at Wendy's. (First time in years I'd been in there.)

She is precious! Just perfect.

Welcome, little Lucy Ellen.

Happy Birthday

Wishing you the best on your special day, Maria. I love and appreciate you so very much. It was great spending time with you today and I'm so glad you and your little family were able to be there with Aunt Zena on such a special day.

A Feast

Yum! Maria provided a feast for Mike and I to share for dinner this evening. And it was all so tasty! We thought she and Jacob were joining us for dinner but Jacob called a bit after six and said Maria would be dropping off the food to us. She made small green chile burros and included a side of sour cream, green salad, banana nut bread, and angel food cake with strawberries and whipped topping. What a treat! It was all so good and we appreciate so much the time and love that went in to preparing a home-cooked meal for us.

Happy Anniversary

Thinking of you two as you celebrate your 4th year of marriage. There've been many challenges and obstacles but you've faced it all with such a positive attitude. I love you both and am so glad for you as you celebrate your anniversary.

Another Visit

Jacob and Maria stopped in for another visit before actually heading out from the area. Those two little ones are adorable and we all had a nice visit.

The Retriever

Jacob and Maria came back again the next morning with the kids and it was nice that they were able to go down on the practice fields and interact with Zena as she did her routine.

That is her coach out at the far left and Jacob is walking back with Davis after going out with him to show him how to retrieve Aunt Ogie's club and bring it back to her.

Zena has only the one arm for momentum as she throws. That said, she does a heck of a job. Obviously else she wouldn't be on TeamUSA representing the U. S. In the world championships!

It didn't take long for Davis to get the hang of it. It was so very hot out there but that little guy ran and ran  retrieving that club for Aunt Ogie.

Made her day, too! Zena was loving it that Davis was coming right up to her to hand that club back. He had a smile on his face each time, too. :)

Grandma kept giving him his sippy cup to drink water between runs. Gotta keep that little guy hydrated while he works out. :)

After a nice visit, Jacob and Maria prepared to head out. We said good-byes in the parking area, while scrambling to find a bit of shade.

I am so glad they were able to visit!

Expected Visitors

Zena was ecstatic to learn Jacob and Maria were going to visit with the kids so she would have a chance to spend time with them. This was Davis first ride with Aunt Ogie and he was a bit hesitant to start. That didn't last long!

We were on our way to lunch when they arrived so we all had lunch together.

One of the competitors on the throwing team, Scott Winkler, stopped by to meet the little ones. What a guy!

Look at that, she's all smiles! And what a cutie she is. :)

It was wonderful that they were able to make the trip over! I know it meant a lot to Zena, too.

A Great Day For A Blessing

Today was a special day. Jodie had made plans for Mia to be blessed today and it is so good to know she now has a record in the church. I am so glad Jodie did the planning and follow-thru to make sure Mia was in fact blessed on this day.

TJei was a mouse or something when she greeted us on arrival. :)

Look at all that hair! Mia's hair is so thick.

Mia was having fun with Uncle Quentin. So glad he could come up. :)

Uncle Quentin was having fun with Mia, too~!

Bishop Jackson blessed Mia and after she shook hands all

 around, she hopped down from that chair and ran for hugs. :)

Sweet little Daphne, the first picture I've gotten of her in a long time. :)
Still haven't gotten a picture of Davis lately. He stayed off to himself
with so many people around. Turkey.

Elder Sypher (today's his birthday) and Elder Gunter were there' too. :)

Jodie with both girls. Thanks, Jod. It was a nice get-together and the taco soup was good. :)

I don't remember why TJei was crying but I told her I wanted a picture and couldn't take
one with her crying. She immediately stopped crying and flashed a smile. What a character! :)

Three of the six girls. Sure wish the others could have been here, too.

Missing the others bunches. :(

STV 3-0

A little more reserved than Hawaii 5-0 but exciting all the same...STV 3-0! Happy birthday Maria!!! Love you gal. :) Have a good one.

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 Keg

Maria works late on Thursdays so she and Jacob invited me out for dinner (her lunch break) to say thanks for coming down and spending the week with them.


I've heard a lot about this restaurant but it is the first time I'd gone there. The place was lovely!


Okay, so while we were dining Jacob reaches over and picks up my camera to browse through the pictures. He looks up and laughs, "You took a picture in the bathroom?"

Well, yes I did ... it was nice; fresh flowers, folded paper towels, ambiance (read that word on my blog before?) and it actually stirred memories of the first time, that I can recall, having seen such an elaborate restroom in a restaurant. It was at The Stockyards Restaurant in Phoenix - the place was so nice back in the day. Rich dark paneling and there were attendants in the restroom to keep things maintained and wipe off the sinks and countertops between users. It was quite impressive for a young poor gal to see. (Back even before John was born.) :) The women's restroom at The Keg reminded me of that long ago visit so I took a picture.


LOL Isn't this the most awesome picture? Little Davis was chowing down on some food (think he had an orange wedge clasped in his little hands) and his daddy took a picture. The little red-eye reduction flash before the actual flash went off apparently got his attention ... and frightened the daylights out of him by the look of those saucered eyes. I just love this picture!


And, I love this little boy! Looking at this picture it's hard to believe he is only (already!) 8 months old.


I love these two, too! Thanks so much for the evening out. The prime rib was superb and it was so nice to spend the time with you. (Apologies for the pic, Maria. It was the only one I got. Sure wish my click finger had waited until you got your gorgeous full smile!)

Happy Anniversary

You're both so sweet and it has been wonderful watching the two of you build your life together. I love you bunches ... enjoy your special day.

Treehouses Galore!

Jacob and Maria have decided to paint Davis Cole's room with a treehouse theme and they're letting creative juices flow by adding crates to the wall as a shelf unit. They're looking for other treehousy items to decorate with. Although it doesn't help much with the room decorating, I was elated to spot some treehouse themed scrapbook papers while browsing around this afternoon. I scarfed up a couple of right and a couple left side pages! I'm just waiting to take pictures now, woohoo!

Congrats Maria!

Okay, so I know you are going to have my head for this picture - it's the only one I have that shows your belly (our little Davis) and everyone is anxious to see his growth!

Congratulations on completing your Business Administration degree!!!

How you managed to keep under wraps that you'd finished up on Friday when all of us were together on Saturday is beyond me - I sure couldn't have stayed quiet about such an amazing accomplishment, that's for sure! I am so proud of you and all the effort you have put into staying on your educational track even through planning your wedding, first year of marriage and now, nearly two years later, expecting your first child. You've sure had your plate full during much of this time and yet you have done it, completed your degree. We love you so much, Maria, and are so very happy for you that you'll be able to reflect on the satisfaction brought forth by your hard work and dedication to completing this goal.

Happy Birthday Maria!

You have blessed our lives in so many ways and we are so glad you are part of our family. You've been a calm and steady navigator for your little [growing!] family setting about the CTMG (sailing term).

Course To Make Good (CTMG): The course for planning purposes that indicates the intended track from departure to destination.

Take a moment or two today, on your special day, to wrap your arms around your midsection and really give pause to think about the word ...BIRTHday. There's nothing more special than being pregnant and thinking of the new life within as a birthday is celebrated.

Happy, happy birthday, Maria!

Quite Predictable

While in the valley last weekend, I was able to go for dinner Friday evening with Maria, Kelly and Baylee. (Thanks for dinner, Kelly!) John was working and Jacob was at school so it was just the gals out for the evening. We went to Outback Steakhouse - it was my first time there.

After ordering, Maria laughed and said she couldn't wait to tell Jacob that I had ordered prime rib ... for the third time in a row when they'd been with me! (Yeah, but who's counting?) LOL Maybe I need to make a point of not going to a steakhouse - nothing better than prime rib at a steakhouse! - the next time we go for dinner. Then again, maybe not ... steakhouses do indeed have the yummiest meals! I'm already looking forward to the next dinner out. :-)

I love prime rib ... I had to send the dish back when it was first served. My take on medium and the cook's take on medium was a few shades of pink different. Meat lover that I am, I'm not into cuts that are still moo'ing. When I did bite into the meal, it was quite tasty. Outback's creamy horseradish was tasty, too. They add a bit of dill to the zesty sauce.

Anticipation

I made a quick overnight trip to Phoenix yesterday. --- Thanks Jacob and Maria for letting me stay there on such short notice!

After spending a bit of time with Jodie this morning and picking up the girls to spend some time with grandma and grandpa, I started back across town to head for the canyon and the trip home. Jacob returned the call I'd made earlier. He and Maria had just finished at the doctor's office and were going for lunch. I headed their direction, Sauce Restaurant at Val Vista and Baseline, to meet up with them.

Due date is the last part of October. Oh, it's going to be a long, hot summer.

Caught My Breath

Now that I've caught my breath, I can say wow. Wow.

Jacob and Maria probably caught everyone by surprise, but most certainly me, when they posted an announcement that Maria is pregnant on their blog. And what stinkers! Kelly and I (and Baylee, too) had dinner with them Tuesday evening and there wasn't a hint of their news. Then, on Thursday they post the announcement to their blog page. Stinkers.

I know what it is ... they think they can avoid the hugs and the tears. I am such a sap and get happy tears so easily. They're mistaken though. They have only succeeded in forestalling the hugs and tears, not avoiding them altogether.

Too funny too ... while at the restaurant and waiting on dinner, Baylee was indeed the center of attention. I had kidded Jacob and Maria that they needed a half dozen or so of those little ones. Ack! I can't believe they didn't tell! LOL

I am sooooo happy for them! Happy for all of us ...

The Gift

A couple weeks ago Jacob had given hints about the gift he had gotten for Mike and I. I'd venture a guess that he could have given me an additional half dozen clues and I still wouldn't have correctly guessed what the gift was. He was right though, Mike will love it ... and I'll be glad that he does.

Jacob and Maria gave us a TomTom GPS navigational device. Mike loves to tinker with such tools and he loves to turn off on unknown roads and head into unfamiliar turf. I am sure he'll have a great time figuring out this device and putting it to use. That pleases me, sort of. I am such a worrier. I know I am. Now when Mike heads off I'll be worrying and wondering what off-road path he is venturing onto. And he will venture, always has. It's good he'll now have a GPS device when making those turns into the unknown.

Gift Exchange & Dinner

On Sunday, December 23rd all of us who were in town got together at Jacob & Maria's condo and enjoyed an evening of food, fun and gifts. Jacob and Maria have a delightfully tall and skinny artificial tree that tucks away nicely into any corner of their condo living room.

Maria had prepared a meal of spiraled glazed ham, mashed potatoes, salad, sauteed winter squash, rolls, and a cranberry ginger-ale drink. They had a pecan pie and pumpkin pie for dessert. It was quite a feast ... we all enjoyed the meal and the company.

Pictures: Top left is Jacob holding Nacho, his Jack Terrier youngster. That little guy is a bundle of energy and he did his part to tire out TJei in the grassy area outside the condo. Center is Jodie holding little Mia. Right is TJei with her tiny little ironing board and iron.




Left is Mike and Quentin. Center is Quentin, sniffing the gift? Right is Mike when he was working on unpackaging and assembling TJei's little ironing board.


Quentin and Maria, she is looking over a book on Boyle Ancestors we gave each of the kids for Christmas.

Rodney (left) and Rob are quite anxious to try out their new urinal ... maybe a bit over anxious, in fact.