Fun at the Lake!

We went out to the lake today and rented a boat. It turned out to be the warmest day of the year (113 degrees), so it was nice and toasty! We rented a pontoon so that Cameron could run around and we would also have some shade. The boys loved driving the boat with Grandpa and Jen and I enjoyed basking in the sun! We took lots of water and food, so everyone was happy. We stopped the boat for a while and ate our lunch. After we drove the boat back in, we drove to Tortilla Flats and got some delicious ice cream and then watched "Night at the Museum" all the way home. The movie finished as we drove onto our street. Perfect timing, perfect day, perfect boys!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Dad has his 83rd birthday this week. I asked him what he would like and he said he would like to be able to get out of the care center for a while. It is quite difficult to check him out of the center, wheel him out and get him into a car and then, we really can't get do anything. There is a restaurant right in front of the care center, so I thought it might be nice to make reservations and then just wheel him over there for a little celebration. He was all for it! I made arrangements and the restaurant crew were very accommodating. We decorated with colorful table-toppers and balloons. We ordered from the menu and then celebrated with a cake and sugar-free chocolate cupcakes. Erik, Emily and family, Chad, Carrie and family, Chris, Dana, Paige, Gary, mom and I were able to join in the festivities. Dad really enjoyed the cards that everyone had sent to him. He also got several "happy birthday" phone calls while we were there. The care center had attached balloons to his wheelchair, so he drove in style! Hope you had a good birthday, dad!

Happy Father's Day

Today for Father's Day, Gary and I took lunch down to the care center to eat with Granddad. He has a big round table in his room, so we set it nicely and wheeled him over so that we could eat together. Afterwards, we ate a chocolate cream pie that I had made. That is his favorite. It was sugar free and fat free - except for the cream! I even let him eat two slices. I thought he should live it up on Father's Day! Afterwards, he opened up the cards that he had received. We visited for a while and then let him go back to bed to rest. We hope that you had a nice Father's Day, dad!

Let Me Entertain You!

Rachel, Amy and Kate put together a musical program and performed for Granddad at the care center for lunch. They worked very hard on it and did a fabulous job! They entertained the lunch crew for 30 minutes with a variety of numbers.

Rachel played the piano, violin and sang. Amy played the piano, sang with her sisters and also sang a solo. Kate played the piano by herself and then Emily played a duet with her. She also sang with the other girls. They performed with great confidence and didn't seem nervous at all!

We tried to prepared them for the "crowd" that they would be performing for and they didn't let anything rattle them! Granddad really enjoyed it and was so proud of his great-grandchildren.

I took care of Ryan while he played Kate's DS and ate snacks. He told me I couldn't play with him because it was too hard for me! He was probably right!

Afterwards, I rewarded the girls (and Ryan) with a trip to 31 Flavors for a treat of their choice. We had a great time and I was so proud of the girls. It was a good experience for all!

Now You See It, Now You Don't!

Marc was involved in treating a cancer patient that died and volunteered(?) to shave his head for a fund raiser for the little boys' family. Luckily, he waited until AFTER Elizabeth's blessing. But. . . right after her blessing, Marc needed to catch a plane back to Rochester and had to have his head shaved before he went to the hospital first thing the next morning. So, we got out the buzzers and Laura went to work. All of us tried to talk him out of it, but he wanted to be true to his word. We all agreed though that he didn't need to be completely bald. As Laura was shaving his head, she kept saying that it was his hair that attracted her to him! So now what, Laura! Actually, he didn't look that bad after all and he was a very good sport. We are proud of you, Marc!

Elizabeth's Blessing Day

Marc, Laura and Elizabeth came into town so that many family members could be present for Elizabeth's blessing. Marc had a few days on a weekend where he could escape and Laura was able to stay for about a week.

The blessing was to be held at Laura's parents, but because of air conditioning problems, we were able to have it at our home. That was nice because it made it much easier to be able to have great-grandparents come. There were about 30 people that came.

Elizabeth looked so beautiful in her new white dress. Actually, she looked just like an angel. She was the perfect doll! No crying, no fussing and no spitting up! I think she knew it was a special day. Marc gave her a beautiful blessing and many Priesthood holders were in the circle - at least enough that she should have had no reason to fall! Hum. . . We won't go there!

Afterwards, there were lots of goodies, snacks and drinks for the guests. Everyone stayed for a while to visit and mingle. It was a lovely event!

Visiting Baby Elizabeth

I was able to make a quick trip back to Rochester to meet my newest granddaughter, Elizabeth. She is so darling and very, very small. She has blue eyes with lots of beautiful dark hair, especially in the back. She is the best baby and only cries when she is hungry. The cutest part was watching Marc being a new dad! When he was home (which wasn't very often), he wanted to hold and feed her. He even helped give Elizabeth her bath. I am so glad that I was able to see her and to do a little bonding!