Our Trip to Shaker Heights

This last week, Tim and I had a great time going to see Lisa and Matt at their home in Shaker Heights, Ohio. They live in a lovely 4 story older home (over 100 years old) in a very nice neighborhood just two blocks away from Kimball's school.

We are so proud of Matt for matching for his residency. After graduation in May, he will be working at the Southpoint Hospital which is just 10 minutes away from their home. Congratulations Matt!

One of the projects we worked on was painting a little table and chair set for James.


One fun outing we had was to the Natural History Museum not far from their home.




Annie won the contest for balance.


Kimball is very interested in everything he sees.

The first thing James said to me when they picked me up from the airport and I got into the van was, "Where's Grandpapa?"

It's a good thing that he finally came because he asked me everyday. Finally on Monday night, Tim flew in from Boston. He was able to stay the last two nights.

Notice how James is kneeling just like his grandpa.

As soon as grandpa arrives, Annie gets him busy putting her new chair together.

It was lots of fun to watch Annie in her gymnastics class.

James LOVES to watch his big sister.

Lisa is such a good mom. It is a joy for Tim and I to see her in a role as a mother.

Annie has this amazing little pre-K class that she goes to four times a week. We were so happy to go with her on the day we left.

Annie gets to be the special helper today.

While Annie is busy at preschool, James gets to do all kinds of fun things. When it was time to go, we had to drag him out.

Annie has a favorite book called "Froggy Learns to Swim."

The way Froggy learns to swim is to get his goggles and his flippers and then he uses his arms like a "chicken, airplane, and then soldier." The children get to practice while we read.

Good thing Annie and I read this book the night before so we knew what was coming next.

We say goodbye to Annie right before we leave to go to the airport. She gets to stay at her fun pre-K class.
It is so hard to leave....good thing we know we're coming back soon! We love you Call family!

Happy Birthday Kimball!

Happy Birthday to a wonderful young grandson who turned 9 on March 7, 2011. It was so much fun to be there for your birthday, even though you got sick AS SOON AS GRANDMA ARRIVED!

You are so special to us and we love you so much. Thanks for being such a great kid---you couldn't be better!

You are a great reader and an exceptional student in school. That is because you always do your homework! Way to go!
You are so fun to be around because you are interested in everything. I like your imagination and curiosity about anything around you.
You are such a happy and fun young boy. Thanks for eating everything grandma cooked without complaining!
Happy Birthday Kimball! I can't believe you are 9 years old. What a great young man you are.

James Turns Two!

Happy Birthday darling Jimmer. You are such a special boy to grandma and grandpa. We love you and miss you soooooo much. You are talking like a big boy now! We can't wait to come and see you very soon. Can I read some stories to you in your chair? Then we can play puzzles, ok?
You are such a little "goer" and love to do all the things the big kids do. I LOVE your new hat!
You and grandpa are such good buddies. He loves to play tricks with you. Do you remember the candle trick that he played with you are Christmas time?
It seems like just yesterday that you were born. You were SO adorable right from the beginning.
I know you will always be as sweet natured as you are now. You are a wonderful little boy and I LOVE YOU!

Happy 9th Birthday Wiley!

Wiley you are such a special young man to me. You are our very OLDEST grandson, and with that important role, you have a lot to live up to. I like the example you are setting. You are cheerful, obedient, fun to be around, honest, and a young boy with a lot of faith and belief. I liked how when you lost the instructions to your toy that I bought you in St. George, that you suggested that we pray about it. I LOVE teaching you piano lessons and have so much fun listening to you learn and pass off songs. I LOVE that you walk to my house every Tuesday and come in and give me a big hug. I LOVE that you know all of the teachers at school and when I run into them around town, they always tell me what a fine boy you are. You are just a fabulous young person who will grow up to be a tremendous young man. I know you will someday be a great missionary like your dad and your uncles. I am very proud of you and couldn't love you more! Let's go skiing before the winter is over, ok?

Happy Birthday Taylor

Even though we celebrated awhile ago, happy birthday to Taylor. . . 26 years old on Valentine's Day! Taylor, we are just getting to know you in our family but I appreciate your gentle nature, your love of basketball---especially the Jazz, and your determination in staying in school. I also like your "attitude of gratitude" and getting to know your kind heart that I have heard about first from Brent and Sonya Davis and since then, from many others. Bob Eckles told me the other day that you were a hard worker in basketball and always wanted to improve your game. That determination will always pay off in your life. I hope this birthday celebrated in our family will be the beginning of many more to come. Love, Michele

Eva Sophia Turns Two Today!

Happy happy birthday to our two-year-old Eva!
You are hard to capture on film because you are always moving!

Eva, you are so darling. You are such a joy to Grandpa and Grandma. We both love it when you run into the house and into our arms. You are so very special to us and we love you so much. You are so energetic and bright. You are extremely active and coordinated for your age. I love to cuddle you in the rocking chair and read stories and sing, especially the motor boat song that you like. I love to try and figure out what you are saying to me. I especially love that you love me. You have brought me joy beyond measure this past year as we have spent more time together. I'm so glad you are now two years old. Happy Birthday to our special girl! Love you lots, Grandma


Your mama takes very good care of you and dresses you up so darling. She makes sure you have lots of pretty dress up clothes to play in since you LOVE to play dress up.
Your daddy is always very tender and sweet with you.

You have lots of people that love you like Aaron and Stephanie...
Grandma Great tries very hard to get you to hold still even for a minute!

At your birthday party, I could tell that you loved the new beads and sparkly purse that your mommy and daddy gave to you.
You and Uncle Taylor share a birthday party together at Grandma's house because your birthdays are so close together.
I think you will really like your little monkey book.
You have such a wonderful family who love you very much!

Happy First Birthday Olivia!

Happy first birthday precious Olivia! In your one short year of life you have brought us tremendous joy. You are the most giggly and happy little baby I have ever known. You are so smart and observant. Your momma spent hours preparing for the most amazing party, complete with a new outfit, decorations, a beautiful cake, a balloon artist, your own video, and throngs of people who love you. We are so happy you have come into our family. I love you! From Grandma