Sisters, Lost tooth & glass blowing…random? Yes!

		Sisters Weekend! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I can’t believe I forgot to write about our Sisters Weekend in January!  It was so much fun…Heidi, Anita & Mom were able to come---LaDawn got “iced” in because the airport was closed due to an ice storm. So bummed! But she had a nice weekend with her family so that’s good. We missed her though.
We spent the weekend laughing, crying, doing a valentine craft, more talking, laughing & crying, playing with the kids etc… So fun!  It was great to have Christian here…loved playing with him and getting to know him (we just needed to protect him from Lydia!)
Loose tooth!!!  Lydia had her first loose tooth and was nervous to pull it out---even though it was hanging by a thread---so….Aunt Anita pulled it out!  Such a fun memory!
One of the highlights of our weekend was going to the Bella Forte glass blowing studio here in Edmond.  We ate at Italian Jims next door and got to sit in the viewing room and eat while watching them blow glass. It was fascinating!!!  I put a few photos in the album…it was amazing how they went from a few pieces of broken glass…heating & shaping it, blowing it into the vase shape, more heating shaping etc….until it turned into a beautiful vase!  There is a picture of the finished product right before putting it into the “cooling oven” and then a photo of what the end result will look like when it’s cooled.  Gorgeous!!!
Here is a link to their blog.  You can also click on the ‘our story’ part to learn more about them. http://bellaforteglass.com/blog/
Honestly, it’s a must see so come visit and we’ll go together!
Thanks to my sisters and mom for coming to visit…Love, love, love them all sooooooooooo much!

Briggs’ 1st Pinewood Derby!

Briggs had his first Pinewood Derby…he and Daddy made a super cool Perry the Platypus car and he won 3rd place!!! It was a fun project to work on together---love the cute smile on his face. He’s one happy boy!

		Briggs-Pinewood Derby 2013 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Feelin’ the LUV!

We love Valentine’s Day at our house….we love to love!
Our day started with heart-shaped german pancakes in bed…Briggs and Chuck were the only ones who got them in bed though because everyone else got up before it was done!  Then we had valentine parties as school…Lydia and Briggs had a blast!  That night was our annual romantic dinner….as a family!  We started this years ago because we felt bad leaving the kids AND we hated waiting forever at restaurants.  So…we do our own dinner---candles, music…the works.  This year was Liam’s turn to be my helper so he chose PIZZA!  (of course) We finished the night off with a chocolate fountain which everyone loved…yum!
I put the picture of Lydia with her “pretzel cabin” because she said the funniest thing.  Briggs told her that was Abraham Lincoln’s cabin and she said,
“ya…I think it is…is he the one who was shot at the movie theater?”
“yes..they were watching a play”
“can you believe they shot him because he didn’t like long sleeves?!?!?”
I took me forever to figure out what she meant….but then I realized she meant “slaves” not “sleeves”.  Is that hilarious, or what?!
Happy Valentine’s to all!

p.s. Just had to put a picture of our house with snow...it's my FAVORITE way to see our
home...I wish we had it more often but we'll take what we can get!!!

		Valentine’s 2013 VIEW SLIDE  SHOW

Utah Friends & Family

		Utaaahhhh! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Our trip to Utah for Grandma’s funeral was quick but we stayed with our dear friends, the Geisler Family—Ryan, Lori, Jonah, Elijah, Ammon & Gideon--- and of course, we had time for a visit with LaDawn and kids.  We miss them all so much and wish we lived closer…I miss my sisters A LOT and Lori and I should have been sisters so it made my heart so happy to spend time with both of them.  Loved it!  The first picture is of LaDawn and I eating ECLAIRS!!!  I haven’t found a place in OK that makes them so that was a MUST to find. And they were yummy, yummy, yummy.  The other pictures are with the Geislers….we always take a photo of all the kids on the couch and the picture seems to get crazier every year.  Love them all!!!

 After the funeral, the church gave us a beautiful luncheon and we took family photos afterwards.  These two pictures are of Chuck and his siblings, parents, nieces & nephews etc...  The picture above is with Kathie and her husband, Don.  The picture below is everyone with Chuck's Dad, Carl and the rest of the family. The only person missing is TJ, Kim's husband. 

This is a really fun picture...it's EVERYONE in Grandma's family...her children & spouses, grandchildren & great-grandchildren. What a special photo of a special family.  It was so nice to see everyone...wish we saw them more but we'll take what we can get!!!

Grandma Davie...a beautiful woman and beautiful life.

 Sometimes someone so wonderful comes into our lives that we can't help but be changed forever...for the better.  On January 3, 2013 one of the most loving, kind, generous, Christ-like women left this earth to be with her family and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Chuck's Grandma Kathryn Davie passed away....she was a light in our lives and will be missed but we're so happy that she is in a better place. 



 

So...since I'm writing this blog, I get to share my feelings right? Even though she's Chuck's Grandma? The truth is, she felt like my own Grandma....since I met her in 9th grade! She came to all of our band concerts and at the time that Chuck and I were "together" she won my heart.  I have 2 very special grandmas myself---Grandma Fay, who passed away when I was 9---I feel so blessed that I got to spend a month with her in her Canada the summer before she passed away.  Grandma Vernell---who I got my middle name from.  She passed away when I was 16 but had Alzheimers and was not herself for many years prior to her death.  I still felt very close to her...even through her illness, and grieved terribly at both of their deaths.  I still remember both of my Grandma's birthdays as well as they days they passed away, every year, despite being so young when they passed.  That said, when Chuck and I started dating, got engaged and were married, one of the greatest blessings I gained (after Chuck, of course!) was an amazing Mother in law and having a Grandma again.  I loved being at her house so much....the hugs, the love, the food, the laughs, the pictures, the traditions---all of it.  I loved it!  I loved it so much that when Sadie was born a week before Easter Sunday, she was just too little to take to dinner and the Easter Egg hunt at Grandma & Grandpa Davie's---I literally cried when I couldn't go.  I was so sad because I finally had that love, that only a Grandma can give, in my life again.  No surprise, though---Grandma sent a goody bag full of Easter treats and money home for me with Chuck.  (she always slipped us money as we were leaving!)

 So...I find it no coincidence that Grandma Davie was born on the same day as my Grandma Vernell....2 of the most influential and special women in my life.  And then....again....no coincidence that she passed away on my Mom's--THE most influential person in my life----birthday, January 3rd---such special women share special days in my life. 

Lydia was named after Grandma....her middle name is Kathryn and I'm so happy that she has such an incredible person to be her namesake and who she can leave a legacy for.  We love you Grandma and can't wait until we see you again!