Disneyland Day One or California Adventure

Day one started with us getting into California Adventure an hour early because we stay at the California Grand Hotel. This also enabled us to get fast passes for the first showing of their new night time show. We were also able to get on the new Little Mermaid ride, which we rode several times as it was Isa's favorite (everyone else enjoyed it also). After we had gotten our passes and gone on the ride, the bigger people of the group went on Soaring while I took the two little ones and headed over to Bug's Land. As we were walking I noticed Sully so made a quick detour to get photo's with him. Kai refused and Grace would only do it with me *sigh*


Once in Bug's Land we headed over to some "garbage" and climbed on. Soon we were heading up and going around in circles, oh joy! Kai loved it as did Miss Grace.

Next onto the lady bug that is very similar to the tea cups again, joy! As you can see Kai loved that! Miss Grace did too even though it may not look like it. She startled at first, then put her hands exactly as they are and left them that way for the whole ride. She was laughing most of the ride! Then we got a phone call from some of the group and guess what?? They couldn't find Bug's Land. So off we went to meet up with them and lucky us Sully was still up there! Sara and Kevin jumped in for a picture and Grace wanted to get up there again, but only if Uncle Kevin would hold her.

At this time Kevin and Sara wanted to go on Tower of Terror with Mark so off they went while Nicole and I took the little's back to Bug's Land. Nicole took them on the "garbage" ride again.

Then over to the bumper car's. Grace wasn't tall enough for this one so Nicole took her two, one at a time while I waited with the other. This is what is so nice about a big group, some go here and some go there and most everyone stays happy!

Mark and the big one's caught up with us again and Nicole and I sent them on the lady bug teacups with the littles. Kevin is really having a great time.

Next it was off to the caterpillar roller coaster, Sara needed a little rest while waiting in line, I guess that is what Kevin was there for :)

I love these two together! You get a little idea here of how they work together. See them both getting the safety belt taken care of? There's my Isa and her mama in the back seat.

Little Mermaid ride.

I really enjoyed this morning! Grace was with me and not the rest of her family, when mama came back to get her, she informed her NO, grab my hand and said ride, ride!! It was a great morning, fantastic memories were made and I really can't wait to do it all again!

Happy Valentine's Day

It's February 14, so happy Valentine's day everyone! It still seems so strange to me to say that without it following a happy birthday mom! But time does march on and you become accustomed to a new way of doing things. This is post is about nothing inpaticular just pictures that I came across that were nice memories, so I'm sharing. This first one is funny if you knew my mother as she very much so disliked shower games. I remember this shower was held at her house so she figured when it was game time she would just busy herself with something that had been "forgotten". She must have forgotten that Kymmie K was coming and Kymmie had other plans for her grandmother that day, she was going to play the game and blindfolded at that! I'm wonder now if she was ever forgiven for that . . .
This was the night of my graduation and dad's mom and brother, Mark along with his girlfriend. Liz, had come for the big event.


I believe this was Kym's second birthday. Mom always had to be right there seeing every one's new "pretties", and helping to try them out.
Every time we went to visit mom while we lived in Kent, the last thing mom would always say to me was make sure you bring the kids swim suits, they want to go in the hot tub.
This is another one of Kym's birthday's. I like this picture because Mikey has that long haired look going on :)

Awww, grandma must have picked out the most perfect gift, because she is getting a kiss from Kym!

Henry was one of the costumes Yeager's used a special events in the 70's, I believe it's Mike Copeland in the suit,And it's Kelly in the Snoopy Red Barron costume. I wished I had found pictures from when we would all get together and decorate the Yeager's float for the Ski to Sea parade, but I didn't so maybe next year.Here is one of us outside the San Diego Zoo when Mike was Stationed there during his stint in the Navy. Remember in one of my previous post how I said we went to other places in CA just never Disneyland?
Again, Happy Valentine's Day everyone

*sigh* one day I'll get used to this, I really will.

The Family Surprise

Not sure why, but mom didn't like any new life changes or surprises. It always took her awhile to adjust to any change, but she always did. And never ever surprise her! That's a whole different post! Any way when she was pregnant with me, dad and mom decided not to tell any family back home (IL), they would wait until after the baby was here. Grandma Welch, Helen Rose, would come out most summer and stay most of the summer, that would be when they made the big announcement.

The day of her arrival dad and Mike took off to the train station to pick her up while mom stayed home with me. Dad said once they had her picked up and in the car it was all Mike could do to not tell her. He kept saying, we've got a surprise for you at home Zam, we've got a surprise for you (he always called her Zam). Once they arrived home they sent her into her bedroom and I was laying on the bed . . . aw. I guess that would have been quite the surprise!After that they shared with the rest of the family. It was always funny to me to go through my baby book and see all these letters about what a surprise I was and the shower notes every wrote to mom after they were told!

Front Porch or Back Stoop

My mother's birthday would have been this month, February 14, to be exact, in memory of her I'm going to post about her until her birthday date!

Mom was not one to like getting her picture taken. If she seen a camera she'd quickly stick out her tongue, turn around or simply run away! She would be horrified if she were here to see this post! On a few occasions she'd agree, these shots were quickly taken on the back porch AKA back stoop. I think she did this so she could quickly get up and run back into the house. Here she is with her parents, Thomas Bishop and Ethel Mae Hughes(grandma's birthday was also in Feb.), myself and Kelly. Don't we all look thrilled?
Here is a front porch on with Mike, Helen Rose Welch (dad's mom) dad, and of course me and Kelly. Mom was strategically planted behind the camera.
Back porch with Mike this time, we all look much happier!
Mom on the front porch on the Kline Road.

Me.

Nicole is another one who likes porch pictures, especially the ones taken at the grandparents house!

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.

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.

Me and My Daddy!

More memories today! This one I only remember through pictures and dad retelling it thru the years. He always go a big kick out of the fact that I would do this for him, stand up in his hands. He felt it demonstrated the amount of trust and love I had for him, known he wouldn't let any harm come to me.

Tlhrough the years he tried to get the grandkids to do it, with know luck, also after the first two came along he injured his had in a trucking accident and had little use of it, so he was afraid he'd drop somebody.

However, Mr. Kai, he would have been so proud and happy to see the way you stood in the palm of your mama's hand! Missing you today, on your birthday and everyday!

My Baby is Turning 30!!

WHERE DID ALL THE TIME GO?!! I can't believe it's been 30 years since we welcomed you into our family! What a glorious day that was.

All the things we did in your first year:

The first time your grandma Alice got to hold you(babies weren't allowed in the room with visitors back then). She was so excited to finally "get her hands on you". Then we flew off to IL when you were three months old to meet up with my mom, and you to be introduced to the great-grandma's.The first time you met your grandma and grandpa Rutter. We went over to the island for a few days so you had your first ferry ride also! The picture of you sleeping has all your favorite things: cabbage patch doll, your favorite outgrown nightgown (on her), your blanket, care bear sheets.
Love these shots! Remember, we didn't have digital in the 80's so we didn't always get pictures of everything like we do now. Your daddy never missed a chance to throw you onto someones bike. The only one however that I would allow you to ride was the little one in grandma's backyard!

All our travels!! Let me think, you've been to Niagara Falls three time now! Many trips to Disneyland and most recently, Disney World! What great times and now we are even adding some with our grandchildren, priceless memories!! I'm also thinking of a song by Trace Adkins . . .(wonder were you get that from)

Then they're fightin' in the backseat, and I'm playing referee. And someones got to go, the moment that we leave. And everybody's late, I swear that I can't wait till they grow up.

Then they do, and that's how it is. It's just quiet in the mornin', can't believe how much you miss. All they do and all they did. You want all the dreams they dreamed of to come true: and they do.

Kabobs with the Grandkids

I had fun cooking with the grandkids while in WA. We didn't get to do as much as I'd like to have, next visit maybe! These pictures are of Isa and Peyton "stabbing" the chicken, beef and veggies for daddy (Uncle Mark) to BBQ.

Granddaughters, What Wonderful Blessings

Aren't they the sweetest? Love those smiles. Hope they are always this happy to spend time together.
Meemaw's little goofball! She really makes me laugh.

More loving on Grace E.

Some Bacca Cow time.

Ni-ni Isa. Such a big girl. I love all that red hair. Wonder if her eyes will turn green like her brother's?

Adorable Isa in her horse dress.

Grandma helping Grace E. stuff the turkey.

Beautiful girl.This girl has the most beautiful coloring, she looks so good in red and any other color you put her in. Absolutely gorgeous (but then I am the meemaw).

Always a hand in her mouth. Look at those great big beautiful eyes. Grace you're going to be even more beautiful with long red hair and those eyes (not to mention your fantastic smile).