Happy Birthday, Connor!!

Hey my little buddy! You are four years old today and how we wish we could be with you on your special day. We were able to be there on your birthday last year, but will have to just wait a week this year! I really wanted to see the look on your face when the "fruit salad" man came to your house to bring you a special delivery! Momma said it was priceless. I hoped you really liked it! I know you did because I couldn't even understand you on the phone because you had your mouth full! Since you weren't able to go to Disneyland, I hope you enjoyed your "alternate" plans! You know, you just can't beat that lunch at Costco and time to play at IKEA. You are a funny boy!

I just want you to know how much we love you and miss you and can't wait to see you again in just a little while. Happy Birthday!

Marc graduated from the University of Rochester Medical School on Friday, May 14. It was held at the beautifiul Eastman School of Music downtown. Marc was notified the day before that he needed to attend the awards assembly to be held on the same day of the graduation. He had no idea but he was to receive the "Robert J. Haggerty Prize in Pediatrics" award. We were so proud of him! We even took his picture with Robert J. Haggerty!
Matthew was able to come up and Laura's parents also flew in to support Marc. The ceremony in the afternoon was very nice. We lucked out that we were sitting on the same side of the aisle that he marched down, so we got a good picture! The commencement address was given by Dr. Ben Carson, a family favorite. He spoke for about 45 minutes and we all felt he could have spoken for another hour. He was fabulous.

After the ceremony, the school had a nice reception for the grads and their families. They even served strawberries, but not as large as the ones we had at Erik's graduation! That has been a joke with us because we have a picture of Marc eating one of them (they were HUGE) at Erik's. So. . . we had to get a picture of Marc eating one at his own graduation.

It was a great day and we were so glad that we could be there to support Marc. We are so proud of you!!

Cameron's Blessing

Cameron was blessed by Kevin on Sunday, March 7. It was a beautiful day and the sun was shining. Church was early in the morning and far away, but we all got there on time! Cameron wore a blessing outfit that I was able to pick out for him in Mesa. The hat was the one that Carson and Connor wore. He looked adorable. He was awake and alert when he was blessed and Gary said that Cameron actually turned and looked at his dad during the blessing. It was a very special day. After Sacrament Meeting, we went back to Kevin and Jen's home and had a brunch. Jen's parents and one of her sisters and her family were able to be there. Marc, Laura, Matthew and Kasey were there, too!

Snow Storm in Pittsburgh

Just when I thought I had seen it all in Pinetop, Pittsburgh got their 4th largest snow storm in history while I was there. It snowed and snowed and poor Kevin shoveled and shoveled. We knew a storm was coming, but had no idea how big it would be. Thankfully, Jen had gone shopping the day before while I stayed with the boys, so we had all of the necessities! After the storm, the roads were closed, many had no electricity, there was a water shortage (go figure!), power lines and trees were down in the roads, church and all schools were cancelled - even Kevin's medical school. So, we made the best of it. We got to do a lot of bonding, play lots of Valentine Bingo, eat chili, hold the baby and stay indoors except for "helping" Kevin shovel. The boys made and climbed on top of the "North Pole" and raised their flag (broom) when we finally went outside. It was a beautiful sight, but glad I don't live in it. I got to come back to Arizona where it was 70 degrees! You don't have to shovel sunshine!

Going to See Baby Cameron

Baby Cameron, our 4th grandson, was born on January 12th in Pittsburgh. I was able to go back and spend a few days with him and the rest of the family. He is so precious and as Carson said, "He is the cutest baby ever and he looks just like me!" He likes to be held, which is fine for me because that is exactly what I did. He is such a good baby, never crying except for letting you know it is feeding time, about every two hours. He has teeny little fuzz hair and blue eyes. He loves to have you sing to him, especially Primary songs. I hated to leave him, but we will go back for his blessing in a couple of weeks.

A Pittsburgh Weekend!

I was able to go to Pittsburgh for a very quick extended weekend to visit. Marc had come down from N.Y. for the whole weekend because he had an interview on Monday. Laura had to work so she was not able to be there. Matthew and I drove down to West Virginia to pick up Kasey and meet her parents. They live in Morgantown, right across the border from Pennsylvania.

While in Pittsburgh, we played with the boys and some of us helped rake a few of the leaves in the monsterous back yard that is a never ending project. I feel sorry for Jen! Afterwards, the boys played aerobie and frisbee. Marc retrieved a few that had been on the roof for a while. He also played lots of games and legos with the boys. You are a good uncle, Marc!

While Carson was in school, Matthew and I took Connor to the mall to buy some new shoes that turned into a funny experience. At first, it was "No like new shoes" and then with Matthew's help, we snookered him and Connor later announced "I love my new shoes" to the people at the bus stop. You are a good uncle, Matt!

We celebrated Matthew's birthday and then ended the day with Matthew's spectacular firework show. That is always a treat. Matthew and Kasey left later that night to go back to West Virginia.

On Sunday, we went to church and then had an early Thanksgiving dinner because none of us would be together for the holiday. Even Matthew and Kasey came back up. Jen nor I wanted to tackle the "turkey mess", so we substituted chicken, but we still had mashed potatoes, dressing, Jen's special sweet potato recipe, etc. We even had some pumpkin pie that Matthew had made.

Kevin was sick all weekend and everyone took it home with us, but we still had a great time being together!