October 8, 2009

Although the day didn't start off to be a celebration of Dustin's birthday, but a celebration of Grandma Jean's life, it was sure a beautiful day.

Grandma Jean passed away on October 4th after celebrating almost 89 years of living.  She was certainly a blessing to all who knew her.  Dustin was asked to be a Pall Bearer in the services, what an honor.  So although his 16th birthday didn't start out as a celebration around him, it began with a beautiful service celebrating Grandma Jean.

Later that day, the celebration of Dustin's 16th year began with a surprise party for Dustin!  As you will see, when he entered, he was still wearing his suit from the funeral, but he looked AWESOME!

Tanner and his friend Josh were there waiting to spray silly string on him!

Which came out as a bunch of little chunks...oh well it was worth a try!  Mary Beth brought Dustin and his friends Brittney and Devin from school.  You see Brittney and Mary Beth on the left.

He looks like a model!

Saying hi to his Uncle Doug!

And Papa and Grandma too!

We encouraged him to go change into something more comfy!...Devin is to his right.

We had a yummy spread of Ribs, Wings, BBQ Pulled Pork and Chicken, Fruit Salad and more!

Yummy!

Dustin with Mary Beth and his friends (left to right) Brittney, Devin and Jackson (his friend since he was three)

Blowing out the candles...can he do it?  Yes!

Serving up the cake - Auntie Rhonda is always there to assist!

Sister Ali, Auntie Yvonne, Mary Beth, Rachel, Nick and Brittney

Grammy Barb gives him a Penguin sweatshirt!

Auntie Rhonda gives him a "funny little plant"

So grown up!

I sure love my family!

Grammy and DJ!

Auntie Rhonda, Grandma and Papa!

Thanks to everyone who joined the party and we really missed the James side of the family...who were still celebrating Grandma Jeans life...she was truly an amazing woman.  I came across this saying the other day and find it a true picture of who Grandma was...if you asked her any day what she did that day, her answer was always "I went to church"...she truly had a strong faith in the God Almighty...

A woman was asked by a coworker, 'What is it like to be a Christian?'

The coworker replied, 'It is like being a pumpkin. 

“God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. 

Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.

He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. 

Then He carves you a new smiling face and

puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.”

August 26, 2009

It is hard to believe that we only have one year left of elementary school after this year...time flies so quickly, but we are very blessed that Tanner LOVES school!  He was very blessed to get his same teacher this year; Mrs. McGlaughlin.  He had such a great year last year, so this was is destined to be great!

He was very excited to go on his first day - I think he might have been ready with an hour to spare!

Grandma is always there to see him off each day for school - this wasn't an exception!!

Tanner sitting on the sidewalk waiting for the bus with his friends...

All of his bus stop friends; Elizabeth, Katie, (not sure of the next two girls), Tanner, Michael and Josh. 

He is off!!! 

Today was a totally beautiful day...a true blessing from the Almighty ONE!

The day started out with an hour massage early (since I couldn't move my neck!) and then I came home and Tanner and I played a little "Corn Hole" and of course I got beat...but that is only because he plays EVERY day!  LOL.

Then we took the kids to Whipps Ledges in Hinckley...it was so beautiful there...and perfect weather for it!  Dustin was like Spiderman!  Up and down each hill like a maniac! 

This is Dustin "Spiderman!"

My beautiful boys! 

He makes me so nervous!

Tanner even got into climbing some of the big rocks!

Loving life!

He is getting so mature, tall and all grown up!

I can't believe he is going to be 9 soon!  Where does time go???  But I am so blessed...

After leaving Whipps Ledge, we went and had lunch at a small coffee shop that served Panini's...the boys loved it!

We came home for a little rest before heading out to see a movie...the boys saw "Shorts" and Bingo and I saw "Julie and Julia" - we all enjoyed our movies!  Then we headed for Borders to buy DJ a book he needed for school...but of course we came out with a few more books and a CD of Broadway Musicals!

We then headed to Don Pomeroy's Pub for dinner, where we got to watch a little of the Brown's game, have a great meal and enjoy each other!

What a wonderful way to spend the day - I LOVE MY FAMILY!

A quote from one of my neighbors in Chautauqua today:

"I am so grateful to be able to spend my time here (he is retired and stays here most of the year). The Chautauqua Institute is like its only little world. There is the United States and then there is the Chautauqua Institute."

                                                                                  - Howie Schiller, 2009

I couldn't have said it better myself!  He is also known at the Institute as "Uncle Howie" - he takes pictures of kids throughout the summer and develops them and then prints them for the families AT NO CHARGE!  He is amazing!

July 27, 2009

Tanner is playing Quarterback!