A Week End at the Beach for Four

This was what 2 grandparents and two small grandchildren need for three days at the beach. Don't ask me what is there I don't even know.

He loved being outside but he made me nervous on the third floor balcony.

Jack & PaPa Friday night when we got there.

He loved it but wasn't sure about the water at first.

There were lumps of clay at the waters edge and he was amazed.

He went back and forth from calling them rocks and dinosaur eggs.
Sorry about the dirty shirt.

There was this great ship in the sand right outside our hotel for the kids to play on.

Of course there were those pesky calls from Mommy.

PaPa took him to the top the first time but it was a very awkward set up especially for someone with a fused spine. Look how tall that thing is and those stairs.

Then I took Ella up and then Jack again and then Ella again. Did I say how tall it was?!

He LOVED the sand!

I love the water but hate to swim so this is one of my all time favorite things to do with one of my all time favorite people.

Ella remembered this ride from last year when we took her, Jack liked it until he got inside and was bored by it since you couldn't tell it was a monkey from the inside.
This is as close to the water as Pops gets.

Poor Tom didn't sleep well. This is how I found him when Jack got me up at 6:30. Ella didn't even know he had his feet on her bed for hours.

He kept saying "All Aboard the Dinosaur Train". He must have ridden it a half a dozen times. I don't get it, it just went sloooow around a circle.

Picnic on the beach. Doesn't get much better.

They both loved it but my feet were numb from the cold.

I was lucky enough to ride the helicopter.

DQ on the beach for dinner.

Jack putting dinosaurs in Ella's shoes. Wish I knew what he was thinking.

THE TWO SIDES OF JACK

He got his sucker stuck in his hair and when I pulled it out he wanted it back so I pulled off the hairs and gave him a wipee to clean it off. Don't tell me you wouldn't have done the same thing.

I love you PaPa (please let me out of the high chair)

Breakfast at the hotel was pretty good!

Ella watching a DVD in the car.

Watching a DVD in the hotel and eating Dippin Dots, her favorite.

They had Elmo's World on the big tv but were watching Elmo's World on the 5 inch DVD player. Ella was so good about letting Jack watch what he liked. She went on this when Jack went on the train. I'm glad they didn't make us go with her, It went FAST in a circle and then backwards FAST.

Her pants were soaked before we thought to push them up.

They both did great in the pool. She could even walk in sections but used her tube, jumping in and all.

The "hot tub". Pops and I enjoyed this the most even though it wasn't that hot.

I'll never get too much of this.

Ella makes friends wherever she goes. This little girl's name was Audrey and she was a year younger than Ella.

Can't wait until Mother's Day week end when ALL our grandchildren (those that are born by then and those inutero) and our children will be spending a long week end at a beach in Delaware.

Pictureless Update

So it's not picture less because we haven't done anything. It's picture less because I can't find my camera to download the pictures from and then I couldn't find it to take pictures with and then I lent my external picture hard drive to Jennifer. I guess I'm meant to not need pictures this week?

First off I need to back up a couple of weeks and post about Tom's newest diagnosis. I did post it on Face Book and of course our families know but I thought I should add it here for posterity sake. That sure was a long explanation to say that he now also struggles with arachnoiditis. It's a very painful jumble of nerves in his back and has no cure. This means that the neuro stimulator that we had high hopes for his OTHER back pain is now out of the question because the vibrations of it would irritate the arachnoid. Surgery in July to fuse some more spine is the next step but NOTHING will help the arachnoid. He's still upbeat about it but he's definitely more grumpy. He "hates people" most time but gets sooo much joy from the grandchildren.

Just because I have no pictures to show for it doesn't mean we weren't busy. We started the week off with a surprise baby shower for Jennifer at the local Tea House. Just women and Ella of course. You could have knocked her over with a feather! We were even able to get a friend she hasn't seen since high school to come. She also had TWO aunts send gifts from Ohio. Thanks Aunt Sue & Aunt Sue! We couldn't tell Ella beforehand though, she would have given it away for sure. Natalie and I both forgot our cameras so we had to have one of the guests take pictures.

I then had my first colonoscopy and even the "prep" wasn't as bad as people warned. The worst part was the nurse who put my IV in couldn't thread the tube through the needle so she had to start a second line. I have a bruise that covers most of my hand. I DID take a picture to post but . . . Oh ya everything was clear so I'm good for 5 years.

It was Spring Break for Thomas so I didn't have to get up so early to be with the girls. We still spent some time with them though and Sami has a couple of new tricks. I've had a lingering cough and she realized that after I coughed she could make the same sound. Now when anyone coughs, sneezes or burps she fake coughs and then giggles. It's the cutest thing! She's also getting really good at clapping and she can pull herself up which makes nap times a little bit tougher since she can stand up before you leave the room! LOL

Yesterday we took Tom's old route to work in DC with Jack, Ella & Thomas. He was glad to show off how he could use the train & subway to get us where we needed to go. I loved the cherry blossoms but the kids didn't seem impressed. We took a boat down the Potomac to see them though and that was a big hit. We then had lunch at Phillips Seafood which is re known for their seafood buffet which we all enjoyed. The kids were wonderful especially considering the crowds and thank goodness we had Thomas with us to help getting the stroller with our 36 pound two year old in it on and off trains and escalators.


Tomorrow starts another mini vacation. We decided to take the two oldest grandkids to Virginia Beach for a couple of days. Ella has been asking when we are going on vacation again (she loves hotels) and I want to show Jack the ocean. We will also be seeing our niece and her baby who will be one very soon. Happy Birthday Jillian!

Look for pictures soon, I just found the camera!

Easters Past

This time of year was always special to my family. My mother would say it was a chance to start new and fresh. It was also the only time I can remember getting any new clothes being the youngest of five but she thought we should wear something new for a fresh start. I always tried to do the same for my children and grandchildren and I think they have felt it too.

This time of year has also brought us loss. In 1984 this beautiful two month old little girl died if SIDS while under our care in our home on Good Friday.and on April 17, 2007 my father died at home knowing he was surrounded with love.

I think it's also pretty obvious who else died at this time of year and for that I will be forever grateful. Thank you for all those I love and love me.

Last Year at church

WOW what a difference a year makes!Not such a big difference in year to year for Ella though. Yes, that IS a bunny snowman ON Easter. Anything can happen in Ohio.

Another Sami look alikeCharlie & Jennifer in High School. At my parents the year I brcame the shortest in my family.We spent this year in Rome. One of my favorite memories.

Same house for two years in a row.


With Grandma Joyce & Grandpap Steve. You can't find hats like that any more. Of course the boys probably think why would you want to.

Easter baskets ALWAYS had sunglasses. Colorado. I made Jen's outfint & the one to match her Cabbage Patch.My parents came to visit and Thomas also made his first communion that week end. He was also baptized on Easter. Talk about beginnings!

Is that Sami or Jennifer?We didn't know babies weren't suppose to have chocolate.

She sure did love it!Thomas got this bunny at Easter time with his birthday money and had it for YEARS. My Boys!
We thought we looked so good. Yoy
Who couldn't love a toddler in a three piece suit, especially in 1980? Thomas (Tommy) 7 weeks 1979

The five of us! This didn't happen very often and I remember having to stand still while my mother looked down though the viewfinder of her "Brownie" camera.My brothers, hats look familiar? My sisters. Nice shoes Cookie (they were corrective).

Thanks Mom for giving me such a great appreciation for Easter. Love Ya