Aubrey's blog...

...is updated, but it isn't showing an update. So if you read this, now read Aubrey's blog and make a comment. A simple word of encouragement can make all the difference in a the day of a soldier's family.








OH, how we love and pray for them.

PS I emailed blogger to try and get help solving this problem, the blogs not showing an update on the feed, and there were thousands of other people with the same complaint. Hopefully this will get fixed soon.

After Halloween clearance...

...equals dress up costumes. Emry chose to be the Snow Princess last night. Twirling is a required talent for every princess and Emry has it down. What a beauty!

Pictures I didn't take...

...but love...

again.

I am so glad my daughters are willing to share their pictures with me for my blog. I know I probably look at my blog more than anyone,so I want pictures on here that I love the most.

...and what do I love the most...?







...mostly I love my grandkids!!!!!

By the way, if you ever wanted to know what Andy looked like when he was a baby, just look at Tessa May.

Tender mercies...

...from Mother Nature. Tomorrow the snow will fall, but today...










...today a rose bloomed in my garden.

IT'S A BOY...

...at least that's what the test said and now the ultra-sound confirms it. Dani was invited by Angie Larsen, ABC 4 news, along with 9 other women to test a genetic test sold by a company in CA. The company said they have a 95% accuracy rate at determining the sex of a baby quite early in a pregnancy. Dani had to re-take the test 3 times and every result showed a boy, but also said it was inconclusive. I don't think Dani would spend $100 to buy the test, but she was willing to try it out for free. They had the report on the 10:00 news last night.

Here is the website to the video:

http://www.abc4.com/news/local/story/Putting-the-early-gender-test-to-the-test/m6xXViXoakK6sCkUTWGyyg.cspx

You will have to copy and paste it in, since Lauren isn't here to help me insert this the right way.

Planting tulip bulbs with Grandpa's little helper

It was a beautiful fall day and time for tulip bulbs. Sami was right in the middle of each bulb, in a good way. She wants to do everything I am doing. She is pretty good to try and do things right. It will be fun to talk with her about the flowers next spring.

He's gone...

...and he is missed.

Can you help us...

...figure out why Aubrey's blog doesn't show that she has updated? She was wondering why no one had commented, then she went to her blog from the Coil fam blog and noticed it didn't show that an update had been done. If any of you SMARTER THAN ME people can figure it out, PLEASE comment.

Cookie Cutters...

...is the best place ever. If I could fit in the cute little cars, I would go there for my next cut.


Erin took Emry there and when I saw the pictures, I just had to take someone in so I could see it for myself. Fortunately, Abbie was a willing participant.











She looks so much like her dad that everytime I look at her, I think of him. What a gorgeous girl!

Definitely Christmas morning joy...

...even in October, when I look at those BIG, BEAUTIFUL, BROWN eyes and realize she's MY granddaughter.


Mike and Erin asked us to babysit, so they could go to the U game. They are always concerned that it might be inconvenient for us and almost hate to ask.


If they knew what went on after I hung up, they would ask us more often.


After telling Matthew we were babysitting during the game, he yelled, "YAHOO, I get Emry first".


To which I lovingly replied, "Get in line, Buster. I'm the grandma and I get them both first"!

an explanation will be coming...

...and now that the flu is gone, here's the story.

Aubrey had to get military ID's for Madison and Preston at Fort Douglas on Monday. I had a few free hours and went along for the ride. After getting their pictures taken we went to the zoo to see the new baby elephant...so cute


Since Mondays are free at THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY at the U, the kids thought that would be fun too. Aubrey, always up to an adventure, said let's do it. We had a great time.


At the entrance to the museum there is a dinosaur that if you put money in it's mouth it roars. I told Preston to stand by it and I would take his picture. Of course, you can never say to an 11 year old boy, "Just stand there", and expect them to just stand there(that would be contrary to nature).


...so anyway, I was getting the camera ready and looked through the view finder to see Preston with his head in the mouth. That was pretty funny, but I thought the expression on his face was the BEST.


I LOVE boys!!!

Not even...

...after trying REALLY hard, can Erin look like she is not a morning person. No matter what she does to herself, she's gorgeous.

Who needs cake...

...when you have mounds of frosting and decorations? Erin was in charge of making a cupcake decorating table at the Halloween Party. Even Jake got into it. It was a hit!

How lucky are we...

...to have such a handsome grandson.

Celebrating...

...Abbie's special day.









We love our little Miss Sunshine, Abigail Brooklyn! Happy Birthday Abbie!!!!

never under estimate...

...a woman's desire...




for that smooth, chocolateeee center...



...going...







...going...








OK, so did you really think she got it? Well probably, but Matthew didn't get a picture of it, so use your imagination.



Of course, this only proves the fact that no one knows how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop, because your cousin takes a lick and makes you loose track of your count. Oh, Emry, you are such a sweetheart to share.

Lukee celebrating his birthday with Chuck

AND HE'S OFF...

...officially. Cameron is no longer a crawler. As of Conference Sunday (I know this post is a little late) he is offically walking. Ooops! Did I say walking? Make that running! And the faster he runs, the harder he falls and the more he laughs. We may never get a focused picture of him again. Poor Dani...sigh!

Pictures..

...I didn't take, but love.

enduring to the end...

...of the flu