Happy Birthday, Casey!

It only seems appropriate that my last post of the year, be about one of my favorite subjects . . . my grandchildren! Specifically Casey. Today our second oldest grandson turns six, happy birthday, Casey. I'm going to post some of my favorite pictures of our latest visit. This one is your family celebration. Mommy was nice enough to have that before we left.

Being such a great big brother, holding the flashlight so that Peyt could see his gift a little better. Being the first one to check things out.

Play time with cousins inside . . .

and outside.

Hoping that Logan can get your shoe out of the mud and back too you (I don't think your mom was too happy about this) so the fun can continue.

Being the monkey that you are.

Happy Birthday, Caseman!

My your dreams stay big

and your worries stay small.

We love you

Another Top Model

Look at our little Miss Grace! She is all ready for her first modeling job.She thought she was quite the girl.

This is what her hair looked like after about 30 minutes of curler being in.

Look at those curls.

All combed out at looking fancy

Happy Girl

Our little Grace E. is one happy little girl!

She love climbing into her granpa's lap

This is her trying to get the dog to pant at her . . . silly, happy girl!

On the Road Again

Get ready my favorite grandchildren, we are on our way!!

We can do some of this,
but please, none of this!
Maybe we'll even fit in some of this.

It'll be too cold for any of this!

Lot's and lot's of cousin time.

Maybe some jumping time, but again no crying time!

I'm bringing these so maybe more of this.

Hopefully some of this!!

See you soon!

I'm soooooo excited!

Some From the Rutter Side

Calvin's dad, Leonard , receiving an award of some kind.With the hockey team he played on, he's fifth from the right holding part of the trophy.

Here they are with the trophy again. Not sure what they won it for (divisional, regional I know it was for hockey!

Here he is with five others being inducted into the Sarnia Sports Hall of Fame.

Tiffany's First Christmas

This is my niece, Tiffany,22(?) years ago. I just loved the way this picture is taken.

Christmas 1980.

Grandma Welch and Grandma Ola spent most of the day arguing over who got to hold the new baby. They spent alot of time sitting next to each other so they could keep snagging Nicole! Not sure what year this is, but again it's Alice and Leola Anderson.
Here is Leola sitting upon Santa's lap. It is at my day care in 1978.

The Girls First Santa Pictures

Nicole was just three weeks old in this picture. Now Nicole, before you get upset about me handing you off to Santa that young, I want you to know that this was not just any Santa! He was one of my best friends dad, and I had known him for years. You were so good for the photo opp.!! Most kids cry ( as you'll soon see) for there first picture's with Santa, not you, you slept right through it.
Heather's first picture with Santa was a bit different!! Heather is 11 months old here and not happy one bit! Again I took her to the mall that my friends dad, Wally Dubowicz, was at to get it done. Yes, I'm one of those mother's who know matter what is going to get a Santa picture every year. Let them be traumatized, they get over it!

Travels With Kevin and Dan

WOW! What a blast from the past. I must say I have loved going through the older photo's these last couple of weeks. They have dusted off so many memories for me. One look at these and so many memories came flooding back, we had so many with Dan and his family. I can so clearly remember this day, the laughter Maureen and I shared as Kevin grabbed the map and "directed" us every where! He's very lucky that Dan was such a good friend and was happy to take his direction. We had a great time exploring Seattle, taking the time to stop and see all the cows decorated, and the statues in the square. This time was all about the boys and what they would enjoy doing. We went down to the water for some eats!! Stopped by Red Robin for a hamburger and fries. Took the trolley along some of the streets, don't think we went any where really, just let the boys enjoy their day. Look at the delight on Dan's face!

One the train ride home we had two tired but very happy young ones!
We treasure all of the memories with Dan, he was a very special young man. We will love Dan always and always think of Dan with a big smile. Dan loved his life and are thankful you let us be a part of it.

Miss you buddy!

Grandma Helen "Nellie" Rose Welch

In February of 1981, I took Nicole and Flew off to IL, wanted to introduce her to her family back there (my mom was also going to be there after the toy show was over). It was a surprise, the only one's who knew were my Uncle Mark "bud" and his girlfriend, Liz Webster. Grandma was very surprised and didn't quit believe it, I even had to show her my ID! She keep saying 'taint my Trudy Rose! So once we convinced her that yes indeed it was me with the baby she was very excited. So here is Nicole getting her bottle from her great-grandma in her living room at three months of age.Here I am at about a month of age at the house on King Street with my Grandma.
It truly is kind of ironic how the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Santa Pictures

Some fun Santa pictures of Heather and Kevin. Not sure the year, but Kevin wasn't very old. It was taken at one of the Whatcom County Parent to Parent Christmas events. Always a good time.

Pretend This is Monday's Post

I got behind one day, just pretend this is the Monday post, ohey?

Sunday we did the MGM to see the lions, the M&M store to see the movie, then the Coke store to have a coke. Kevin is posing here at the MGM.
Oops, look what we spotted. Counting down the days until he can have a drink like Gaston. Look what he found on the strip! We didn't even get charged for this one. Let me just say this -
I think it's really wrong to put a Santa hat on a snake!

Annual Santa Run

Today was a local charities annual Santa run. Kevin's friend, Catherine, was running so we went to support her and of course to have a good time!Our city's mayor was there with his show girls! Kevin and the mayor are pals now ya know, Kevin did get to go up to his office and meet him last year.

Some of the sea of Santa's, it probably took five minutes for them all to get going! They did it again . . . broke the record for the most Santa's in one place.

Kevin found some cute girls to sing Christmas songs with while waiting on Catherine to come around.

The finish line AKA another sea of Santa's.

My First Christmas

Here is my first Christmas! Not that I remember it of course, just the stories told from it. The doll with the pink blanket attached to it was from my grandma Welch. To this day I still have that doll. She's starting to wear thin in some places and her dress is fraying ~ I still have her and that's what matters to me.