ELIZABETH HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WE LOVE You!!!

Elizabeth is turning into a very beautiful young lady.
She enjoys playing the piano and flute. I love to hear her play. We are looking forward to hearing her play a flute solo for us.

Elizabeth was in a big Church Production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" along with her sister Rachel. I'm sure that it was awesome. They were a part of the children's chorus.

Most of our pictures of the Jamison's are in the car as they are driving away. Most of their visits to Corcoran are very short. We were extremely blessed to have them with us for several wonderful days during the holidays.

Elizabeth with her GrandpaElizabeth and I with all of her other girl cousins in Foster City the day after Mark & Lilly's Wedding.

Elizabeth I am trying to decide if you like well toasted marshmallows or not? I love them any way I can get them. In this picture we are in the Sequoias for a family reunion. With her are Camille, Carter or Parker (I think Carter), and Tanner Tricia's children.

I still haven't got the hang of order in blogging.

Here we are in Foster City at the park again. Elizabeth you look like you are having a lot of fun and look right at home in that tree. Joseph Johnson is on the right.

That was so fun when you caught Ally's mini bouquet at her reception.

Back at the Sequoias, Elizabeth with Jared's son Tavis. She was a great help keeping him entertained.

Elizabeth enjoying a relaxing moment in the hammock. I love Elizabeth's letters. I look forward to the e-mails she writes quite often.

Elizabeth and Ashley, Janessa's daughter

Elizabeth, Ashley in the back, and Rachel having fun at the beach in Oregon.

Our pretty little granddaughter's at the Rose Garden in Portland.

Elizabeth is really quick at learning, her Father was teaching her times tables when she was very young. She has been blessed to skip a grade in school.

She loves to make things for people and when she was young she would always bring me a flower. She was and probably still is fascinated with flowers and nature.

Grandpa and I hope that you have an AWESOME DAY!!!

It is fun to have you in our family. Your are a true sweetheart.

I Can't Believe that We have a 15 year old Grandson!

It is hard to believe that 15 years ago I was in San Francisco in a hotel room when I heard the wonderful news that our first grandchild was born. I was so excited and there was no one to share the news with. Doug was at a workshop across the street in another hotel and I felt like he should be the first one that I told but I think that I called my parent's before Doug got to hear the news. I believe that our children were in school and I think I saved calling his Doug's Mother for Doug to tell her the exciting news. He was such a cute happy baby. The precious moments we were with his family he was always being held. He was so cuddly.

They lived in Rexburg, Idaho. Josh went to Ricks College when he was only days old. Josh is this the fortelling of where you will be in years to come?

Josh is laid back and easy going. He still gives us hugs and we love that.

Here are all of our grandsons except for Bradley and Myles. They are a handsome group.

Josh has a great smile and he is fun to be around.

This was a school play. Josh is the one in the middle. He enjoys having command of the stage.

Red Rover is a classic that all of our grandchildren enjoy playing whenever we get together outside. I enjoy watching them have so much fun and I'm always hoping that no one gets hurt.

Josh was in a huge Dance Festival in Portland. He was in the All-Boys Dance and here he is showing us how it goes. He loved his Vote for Pedro Shirt, which was their attire for their dance.

This was an experience he will always remember.

We loved watching Josh and Michael perform the dance for us at one of our family reunions.

Josh and Tanner took over the sign in table at Allyson's reception, whenever they were needed. They took their responsibility really seriously. I love this picture.

Josh posing. He was so excited when he turned 14 and could go to Stake Dances. I think he enjoys them as much as his mother did.

The Jamision Family at Rachel's Baptism. We love them all.

Josh being helpful.

Most of my pictures of Josh are from the back. He was always on the go when he was younger.

Josh and Adam were our Gameboy enthuiasts.

Josh loves computer games and making videos with his friends on the computer. He is proud to be a computer nerd.

I loved seeing Josh and Michael hold Hailey. They were so sweet with her and loved every minute they could have without one of their sister's taking over or their grandma.

Josh is very loving and has always been. I think this is such a sweet picture of him with his sister Elizabeth.

Josh we hope that you had an awesome birthday! Thanks for the fun memories.

Rose was 1 in November!!!

She sure is a little cutie. It was so much fun spending time with her during the holidays. She can melt your heart with her sweet smile.

A sweet family picture

Myles really loves his little sister. He loves making her laugh. I remember when she was first born Myles was very concerned every time that she cried. He would go and see what was the matter. He will probably be a very sweet protective big brother, what a blessing.

When Rose was blessed.

Rose having fun playing with toys.

Babies sleep so peacefully.

Rose exploring in the cupboard. She is wondering how much trouble she is in.

That first year went by quickly and we are so grateful for all of the time we have been able to spend with Rose and all of our family.

It Was Great to Have Him Home

Cousins enjoying time together

Lindsay , Jade, Tavis and Hailey are Janessa and Jared's children.

Favorite Thing to Do

One of our favorite things to do is go for a walk around the track at the YMCA. Michael is giving Myles the easy way around. It is always fun to enjoy getting some exercise and visiting at the same time.

Part 2 of our Fun Holidays

I am so grateful to all of our family for all of their help with cooking, cleaning, and in anyway they could to make our being together a good experience for everyone.
One morning our two oldest granddaughter's (Rebekah and Camille) got up early and cooked a delicious breakfast for everyone. That was so sweet of them.
Our grandchildren made signs for Adam to welcome him home and tied yellow ribbons all over the front yard.
Adam was to come in on the 2nd but his plane was delayed in Boston and they missed their flight out of Salt Lake. The Nelson's (the parent's of the other missionary) were able to page them in the airport and found out the phone number of the Inn they would be staying at.
It was great to call and talk to Adam, the next best thing.
Saturday we watched his flight carefully. It was delayed 2 hours but finally we saw that they had taken off and he headed for the airport. It was great to see Adam and Elder Nelson walking down the aisle toward us, the last ones as usual.
Our family had very little time with Adam. We got home from the airport around two, went to bed and got up for church.
Even though it was Fast Sunday, Adam spoke and gave his mission report. He has really left as a boy and returned as a man. Our grandchildren sang "Called to Serve". It really warmed my heart to hear them sing.
Right after they sang Tricia and Ally needed to leave for home and everyone but Mark and Lilly left after church.
Mark went with Doug, Adam, and I to Hanford to meet with Pres. Evans and Adam's official release as a missionary. It was great to hear the letter from his Mission President officially releasing him.
After Mark and Lilly left for home Adam went to say "hi and goodbye" to some of his friends.
He got home around midnight and spent the rest of the time packing. We left for Utah about 10:00 in the morning.
It was great to hear Adam's experiences from his mission. We really enjoyed the time together in the car until we hit St. George.
From St. George we had patches of black ice, wind, and snow. Ever overpass or truck that passed would throw our car. Doug was holding onto the wheel for dear life. The farther we went the worse it got. We were in a full-blown blizzard when we got to Beaver. We were literally traveling without being able to see the road. Doug pulled over for the night.
Beaver has always been a special place to us because that was where Mark was born. The people were very nice. A continental breakfast was served in the morning and people looked like they were in no hurry to get back on the road. We were told that a truck jack-knived and there was at least a 20 car pile-up.
We got new snow tires and started out again. Things went pretty good until the Tremonton area up to the Idaho border. It was slow going but we made it to Rexburg, Adam checked into his apartment and we did some shopping.
Doug and I spent the night with my cousin Greg Blacker. I loved visiting with him and his family. It felt like being in his Mother's home again. We really appreciated their help and guidance.
Wednesday Adam started his classes and found a lot of friends and his old roommate from his first year. We felt like he was pretty well settled and ready to start his next mission in life by getting a degree. We met his roommate and another of the men in his apartment. Four of them are returned missionaries. One speaks Spanish and another one speaks Portuguese.
It was a great day to travel before the next storm was to hit the next day. We stopped by Ally and Tricia's in a fast hurry and headed for home. We spent the night in St. George and then headed for home. We really appreciated the dry roads.
We were so grateful to enjoy the holidays with so many of our family. Each one of them are very dear to our hearts. We are looking forward to getting together this summer in Lake Tahoe possibly. If that is where Mark and Lilly chose that will be great or wherever.
There is nothing like the time we are able to bond together.

Wall to Wall Beds

Tavis (Jared's son) enjoying being with his cousins.

Reflecting on the past two weeks

The past two weeks have gone by so fast. Every minute was precious except the drive on ice, wind, and snow going to Rexburg.
We loved having part of our family with us to celebrate Christmas. Mark and Lilly were the first to arrive, then Janessa and Mitchell's family, and next was Allyson and Dallin's family. It was great to wake up Christmas morning and enjoy being together to celebrate the birth of Christ.
It was wonderful talking to Adam and realizing that he would be home soon. It was great that he was able to talk to our fmaily that were here.
Later that day Tricia and Byron's family arrived.
The next day Tricia and Byron left for their cruise and we enjoyed spending more bonding time with their children. I love the time we have when we can spend time especially with the little ones alone to build a special bond. When they realize their needs are being met by you and their parents' are out of the picture it strengthen your ties and makes for a cherished experience.
It was fun to have some of their other cousins and aunts and uncles to have fun with.
Allyson and Dallin went over to Pismo on Tuesday to have some alone time and again we got that cherished bonding time with their children. After their parents' got home they still came to me and I loved that.
Jared and Danielle's family came. We had a lot of fun playing games together.
On Tuesday I still didn't know if Heather was going to be able to come. They had tons of snow and being apartment manager it was a rough time to come. The run off from the snow was causing a lot of problems. At 10 that night I asked if anyone had heard anything from Heather. It was suggested that I call but I was going to wait until morning. No more than 15 minutes later their was a knock on our window and all of Heather's children were out their knocking. It was great! Our home was wall to wall beds and it was fun having so many of our family together.
We had children and adults playing the Wii, American Idol and Rock Band. It was a fun wild house.
New Years Eve came with us playing games, eating all kinds of bad foods and enjoying being together. At midnight all of the children got a pan and spoon and headed for the front door to ring in the new year. I wish that I had captured that moment on the camera. They had a great time.
I cut it short because in Mexico on New Years Eve people shoot guns into the air. When we first moved to Corcoran you heard a lot of bullets shot but the police have really cracked down on it. The thought of a stray bullet hitting anyone scares me to peices so we had a short celebration. I heard fireworks but no gunshots, thank goodness.
Our grandchildren had a fun time decorating the outside of our house with yellow bows. They also made some great posters welcoming him home.
We had a zoo at our house which included: our dog Cuddles, Janessa's cute dog and Mark's loving cat Bella. I didn't realize so many of our grandchildren were allergic to animals. Once we got them all arranged it worked out fine.
Part 2 to come another day.

Our Family at the Church waiting to hear Adam talk

All of our family except for Paul, Heather's husband who needed to

stay behind in Portland to work.

They are a pretty amazing group. We love being together with everyone and enjoying each ones special spirit.

Welcome home Adam!

Released On Sunday and off to School on Monday!

It was great to meet with President Evans for Adam's official release.

We left the next day to take Adam to Rexburg to start school on Wednesday.
He is enjoying his classes and renewing friendships from his first year at BYU-Idaho.
We loved the time we had with him hearing about the past two years. It was a short hi and goodbye but we know he is at an amazing school and he is excited to learn and get on with his education.