Garlic Cake, Crabs & Babysitting

Ella turned five & even though her "friends"party is Sunday the family

got together for a little party. We were all served a beautiful cake

The problem: it reaked of garlic and tasted even worse.

It went back to the store but Ella still didn't understand why we wouldn't eat it
Waiting for the party. This picture tickles me because
no one is holding their own child
and Jack is eating goldfish & Pirates Booty
at the fish themed party

Decorating fish cookies Aunt Nenni made.
We all brought her a fish for her new fish tank too.
Aunt Chel helping Ella crack open her crabs.
When you live in Maryland fresh steamed crabs are a
must have at every big get together

Jack loved the crab but the Old Bay seasoning was a bit much for him
so he ate the corn they steamed with the crabs &
Mommy washed him some crab After the crabs

Samantha is now taking a supplemental bottle and when

we had her for a coupleof hours we were able to feed her.

We quickly realized though that the 2oz. was

not near enough for her appetite.

She has already gained a pound in 3 weeks

Jack LOVES Wyatt and loves to give him hugs

Wyatt, Jack & Chloe. Chloe is a 2 year old family friend

and calls us Grams & PaPa

Popcorn from a movie the day before got spilled &

Jack & Chloe attacked it like they had never eaten before

It's been a very busy week for Grams & Pops

we've had five childrenranging in age from 3 weeks to five years

in and out of our house and we

LOVE it!

2 Grandpas and a Daddy=Fun

Plan Plan Plan

Teamwork!

Brutus our junk yard dog?

Daddy showing respect to his elders

Does it fit?

If all else fails use a BIG hammer

Is it strong enough?

The Grandpas adding the swings

Ella testing the height, looks good PaPa!


and a swing for Jack

or Wyatt

or even Minnie

A refreshing finish to the job

Ella thinks so too

she loves using chalk on the table, it washes

What do you think, was it worth working in the sun all day ?

Life is a Journey Not a Destination

WOW, I guess I should have known how hard it was going to be to have Charlie, Michele & Wyatt move away. They are so excited and it's a great opportunity for them. I just can't stop crying and I don't want them to see me upset. Thomas & Jennifer and of course Tom are also rightly upset. We were finally living all together in harmony and this rocks the boat. I think they are all a bit upset with me because I'm supporting this move. I guess they all remember how upset I was (which is an understatement believe me) when the only choice left for Jen & Shawn was to move to Kansas and Thomas wanted to take time off from working and take his family to Kentucky. My mother's heart just tells me THIS move is what needs to happen. Charlie seems to really know what he wants and is going after it. How could I not be happy for him when he & Michele are so happy. I hope it's everything they want it to be.
Tom and I have moved some 16 times in almost 31 years of marriage. We lived as close as walking distance to my parents and as far away as Germany. I wish I could talk to my parents now and see how they managed. I know they were never happy about it but we weren't a family for sharing feelings. As I look back now I realize that those moves that we were most dreading were some of the best times in our lives. Of course some times weren't so good and I like to say those were the times that made us the people we are now but Tom & I never wanted our children to have to have as many hard times as we did though. I hope this is just part of Charlie & Michele's journey and not their destination. We all still have journeys of our own and I hope they intertwine.

4 Grandkids on the 4TH of July

We are so thankful for our Freedom!

Yesterday we met at Thomas & Natalie's

and had some great food & drink

Best of all we had our four grandchildren all together

Samantha, she's close to 7 pounds now

but that pacifier still covers most of her face

Superman Wyatt has Super Papa's hat
(his hat has a big S) and nose

Jack, I'm pretty sure it's not safe

to put a glow stick in your mouth!

Our little miss Snow White,

don't you just love those freckles?!

Do you have any idea how hard it is

to take a picture of 4 children
when 3 are below two,
what am I saying two are below ONE

Babsitting Firsts

First time we babysat Samantha 7-1-09

While big sister Ella had some one on one time with Mommy

First Tummy Time with Pops

I think she's suppose to stay awake but maybe not


First Grandfather heart to heart
He made her promise never to grow up

First diaper change at Grams & Pops' by Pops

Tomorrow I will be goiing to Ohio with Charlie, Michele & Wyatt to meet up with my sister at my dad's old house and see if it is something they really want AND can afford. Wish us luck, for what I'm not sure . . .

Looks like our "Little Man" may be moving away

Wyatt Thomas our "Little Man"

Charlie works as a Service Advisor for Saturn and business hasn't been great lately. Michele was laid off while she was on Maternity Leave and her unemployment is running out. My dad's house has been for sale and sitting empty since he died two years ago. The cost of living is lower there and Charlie was offered an excellent job at a great dealership, sooooo it looks like our euphoric happiness with all the kids and grandkids close by may be coming to an end. They will be going to Ohio this week end to make sure my dad's house will work for them and the area is really what they want. They already have their house for sale (that doesn't mean anything though).

It's not like we thought it would last forever, after all Shawn is in the Army and Thomas & Natalie never planned on staying in Maryland but we never planned on staying here either. We just so love having them all together.
They can no longer afford to live here, he needs to take care of his family and he's missed Ohio since the day he left. They are wonderful parents and have been very generous with sharing their time and their son's time with us and we have no doubt that that will continue. It will just be a 6 hour drive instead of a 20 minute one.
I WILL NOT CRY, I WILL NOT CRY, I WILLLLL CRY

Yes, she's blond!!

Sisters, Red hair or blond?

Will she be blond or red headed like her big sister,

What do YOU think?Samantha Adair 6pounds 9oz 18 inches

6/23/09

Ella Nancy 7 pounds 11 oz 19 1/2inches

7/16/04

Ella 4 years, grandchild number one

Grams, Pops and grandchild number FOUR! We can't even describe how enormous our love is

for each grandchild as they are born.

Father's Day-My Dad in Pictures

Robert Jarvis Penney
October 21,1930-April 17,2007