Grandchildren 2021

 

Our grandchildren, not necessarily in order of age, as I've done in the past; also our family

C, age 7

I, age 3

W, age 2

H, age 5

 M age 16 -- S, age 11 --  P, age 12  --  M, age 13

S, age 7

S, age 8

M, M, P, S, S, S, H, W

FAMILIES

Oldest son & family

Oldest daughter & family

Youngest daughter & family

D, B, S, T, B

A miracle--we're all together in the same place at the same time!

Grandchildren 2020

 B, age 19, college junior

J, age 17, high school senior

M, age 15, high school

E, age 13, 8th grade

M, age 12, middle school

P, age 11, 6th grade

S, age 10, 4th grade

S, age 7, 1st grade

C, age 6, 1st grade

S, age 6, kindergarten

H, age 4, pre-schooler

I, age 3, helps mom at home

W, age 18 months, sweetest little boy ever

Grandchildren 2019

What lucky grandparents we are!

B, age 18, university student

J, age 16, proud owner of a 1980s Honda

M, age 14, fluent Finnish speaker

E, age 12, best friend you could have

M, age 11, Renaissance girl

P, age 10, lives in a world of books 

S, age 9, gymnast and dancer

S, age 6, future astronaut

C, age 5, horse girl

S, age 5, wants to go into the Halloween business

H, age 3, can do anything by herself

I, age 1 1/2, she is smilier than she looks

W, age 0, happiest guy around

MS's Gift

This girl has the longest, most serpentine tongue ever seen in a human being. She can curl it, roll it, and could probably pick up sticks like an elephant's trunk, if she wanted  to. I'm not a fan of public tongue displays, yet her's deserves a minute of fame. The best photo is the last!

Two Three-Year Olds and a Funeral

two grandgirls

In January the much-loved president of our church--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--passed away at age 90. Thomas Monson had been president for just about ten years, and had been in the church leadership for 55 years. 

Our Idaho daughter had a new baby at about that same time so my daughter-in-law and her two youngest children hopped in the car with me to make the 12-hour drive to help out. President Monson's funeral was held on a Friday morning while we were in Idaho. I set up my laptop, found the broadcast of the  funeral service, and as it began a curious thing happened.

My two three-year old granddaughters climbed up onto the kitchen counter and got comfortable in front of the computer screen. I thought they would soon realize this wasn't a cartoon or fun video, but a solemn occasion filled with talking heads and choir music. Yes the talking heads were Monson family members along with well-loved leaders of our church, and the music was by the famed Tabernacle Choir. But still, these girls were quite young and used to media that entertains.

They stuck with the service, riveted for the entire thing. And after it was over, they asked to watch it again. And again. I put on the replay. They stayed with it.

That night one grandgirl requested to watch it again. Over the next day or two these grandies watched the funeral several times. They were too young to express to me why they found it compelling. I believe their little hearts felt the spirit of our Savior's love and care in the service, and wanted to be part of it.

 two grandgirls

Incidentally, both of these girls are related to President Monson. He is their third cousin three times removed!

Grandchildren 2018

So thankful for the little people in our lives! Well, some are not so little anymore.

I, almost 1 year

H, 2 years

S, 4 years

C, 4 years

S, 5 years

S, 8 years

P, 9 years

M, 10 years

E, 11 years

M, 13 years

 J, 15 years

B, 17 years