April Fool's and Easter all rolled into one day. April 1, 2012

April 1st happened to be on Sunday this year, so I couldn't pass up the chance to have a little fun with the family.  Because Easter was the next weekend, we decided to throw that celebration into the mix.  We had an Easter egg hunt with Papa G's special touch.  He loves hiding those eggs and suspending them with fishing wire from all kinds of random places.  It was a bit cold that day, but still fun to be outside after a long winter.  Now, time for a special dinner.  I started out with cake which was really pink mashed potatoes on meatloaf. Then we had a mouse or ladybug salad, lamb bread, pizza that was really dessert...a cookie with white chocolate to look like cheese, strawberry jam instead of pizza sauce, and fruit leather to look like green peppers.  The kids were really excited to have cake first and took a big bite.  Logan laughed but didn't like grandma's surprise.  After that he didn't trust me and didn't eat anything else.  We ended with sushi that was really marshmallow krispy treats with gummy worms in the center and fruit leather to look like seaweed around the outside.   I do love a good joke and making family memories. 

Happy Birthday to Richard

Happy 61st Birthday to my wonderful husband Richard!  You make the world a better place with your fun, happy, goofy, love-life goodness.  I'm so glad I married you!  There is never a dull moment with you in my life.  I'm glad you are soooo excited about a new lawnmower!  Ok, so you bought the lawnmower for yourself as a gift.  I was pleasantly surprised when you actually loved the i-pod I gave you.  Every night you are busy learning about it and can't wait to show me all the new tricks you have learned.  Reading the scriptures just became an art form with it's capability to highlight and add notes. Happy Birthday!  Love you forever!  

Grady and Tay tie the knot. June 9th 2011

What a sweet and wonderful experience to watch our last child come out of the Salt Lake Temple all smiles because he knows he is going to be with his sweetheart forever.  June 9th, 2011 marked the beginning of Grady and Taylor's life together.  We were all there to witness the ceremony and join in the celebration.  We had fun taking pictures afterwards.  I am so incredibly thankful for five wonderful children and now five wonderful sons and daughter-in-laws.  Families are forever!

Our third little 2011 blessing from heaven!

Our third little miracle in 2011 was Brendon.  Brendon's due date was supposed to be February of 2012 but he was so anxious to get here, he came 2 months early.  Those few days before his birth were filled with worry and fear and lots of prayer.  Kristi and Mark went to the hospital thinking that the doctors would be able to stop her labor.  They were only able to slow things down so that she could have the shots that would help develop Brendon's lungs.  I arrived at Methodist hospital in Indianapolis very late and it was a shock to me to see this tiny little baby.  The first time I held him it was scary because all his monitors started to go off because his heart rate and breathing went very low.  I remember how sad it was to leave the hospital and leave baby Brendon there.  We were grateful for the around the clock care he received from very wonderful nurses.  Brendon has been a fighter from day one and instead of staying in the hospital for two months, he came home in one month.  It was interesting to me to talk with the nurses and hear how advancements in neonatal care has come about from the Kennedys.  Everything from the way they wrap the babies and feed them has come through lots of research.  Consequently, many more premature babies are able to live a happy life.   It is a joy to watch Kristi and Mark fulfill the role of  loving parents.  Brendon was blessed by his dad in March 2012.      

February 2011 brings Eden, the 2nd blessing from heaven!

Our 2nd little blessing from heaven in February 2011 was Eden Grace.  Jeff and Monique are the proud parents.   She is so beautiful with her thick black hair and beautiful skin.   We are so excited to welcome you to the family.  

2011... New blessings from Heaven!

Our first little blessing from heaven to arrive in 2011 was Jacob.  He weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. and was 19 inches long.  We are excited to welcome him into the family.  He was blessed by his dad wearing the same tux that his big brother wore 10 years ago.