Christmas 2010

Unto us a child was born - what a wondrous gift that was!!

I was blessed having my daughters and their families around during the Christmas season. My brother, Brian and his two kids, Emily and Zach were able to be back for a few days too. We had a nice gathering at my Mom's Christmas eve - plenty of food and laughter... Later I stayed home with Jacob and Colin while the others attended evening services to celebrate Christ's birth.

Being with family at this time of year warms my heart. A smile and a tear comes when I reflect back on how my dad so enjoyed Christmas. As the years go by, it won't be easy getting us all together, but the memories will last a life time...

Dickens Village

My Dickens Village is up - that means Christmas is just around the corner.







The Ferrera family picked out this edition last Christmas - just love it, especially since I used to make baskets myself...

Distracting a Two Year Old

Makenna had a hard time understanding why Papa couldn't play with her on Saturday. Reason - he was watching the Hawkeyes lose their 5th football game of the season. Dave isn't really attached to the t.v. except for when the Iowa Hawkeyes or the Boston Red Sox are playing. Try explaining that to a two year old. Nana to the rescue - let's bake some cookies...

Jason's Graduation from Austin Police Academy

Congratulations to my son-in-law... He graduated from the Austin Police Academy on Nov. 13th. It took a lot of hard work and determination - way to go Jason - so very proud of your accomplishment.

Over-night Guests

Colin and Makenna spent the night without their parents on Sunday. Busy, busy, busy... Colin is now crawling, sitting, and climbing up on things. Makenna loved blowing bubbles, painting with water colors, dancing, and throwing the ball over and over at the bat Colin was holding/chewing. I was a little nervous with Makenna being potty trained, but she had no accidents!!! We were so happy to have them with us and can't wait until the next time.

Fall Day in November

What a glorious fall we have had this year!!!! It reached 70 degrees several days last week. Taking advantage of another beautiful fall day, Dave and Makenna painted Jared's shed.
It reminds me of 25 years ago on a summer day when Dave and Allison painted the bottom brick of our first home. Allison ended up covered from head to toe with red paint.
I must admit that Makenna was a little neater when she finished (probably because I was supervising this time)...

60 - Just A Number

Yep, I turned the big "6-0". Did it bother me? - Nope... Why not, you may ask??

Except for a few creaks in the bones - I don't feel much different than I did ten years ago.

But the most important reason is because, 30 years ago as I turned the big "3-0" I had just finished 54 radiation treatments and had an x-ray that showed my cancer was in remission.

So every time a big "0" birthday comes around, I think back to 1980 and how happy I was to be celebrating a birthday at all!!!!

As for today, Makenna greeted me with - "Happy Nana" and then Dave asked Makenna how old I was and she replied - "2". Love her to pieces :-)

Here's to a happy, happy day that I got to share with Dave and the Willis family. And thanks for your phone call, Erin - always love hearing from my Texas girl...

Makenna's Bug Party

We were invited to Makenna's 2nd birthday party on Sunday, Oct. 17th. Allison went all out with a ladybug theme. It was a beautiful fall day to celebrate our little ladybug's birthday.
Makenna is our first grand child and the light of our lives. She greets us with a smile, dances with joy in her heart, and makes us feel special with her little pat on our backs. She is the special one - we are blessed to have her in our lives. Happy 2 Makenna...

Austin - Fall 2010

On Sept. 24th the Willis family flew with Dave and I down to the Ferrera family's new residence in Austin, Texas. It truly was a "family" vacation...

the following are some of the highlights:

• Texas vs. UCLA football game
• County Line Barbecue Restaurant
• Celebrating Dave's bday with an Oreo ice cream cake
• Pumpkin patch at Marble Falls
  
• Fantasy Football victory dinner for Jason compliments of Jared
  
• Canoeing/picnicking/wading at Zilker park
• Splash pad/picnic
  
• Story time with "Olivia the Pig"
• Children's Museum
• Canoli Joe's for an Italian Buffet
• Date night for Erin and Jason to see movie "Inception"
  
• Hamilton Pool
• Pumpkin pancakes at Kerby Lane

After 10 sunny, fun-filled days we headed back to Iowa. Good-bye Ferrera's - thanks for letting us invade your home. We are looking forward to some fun in the snow with you all in December.

Fun with the Willis family - August 2010

August brought the Willis family to our home for an extended stay. We got to babysit with Colin and Makenna while Allison and Jared went to the Iowa State fair. The next day the six of us went to the fair - the weather was overcast, which made it a great day to enjoy the fair. Makenna took it all in too. She loved the animal barns, the little hands farm, and she would have done the giant slide all afternoon... Colin slept most of the time - what a good kid!!! Allison was going to head home on Monday, but came down with a horrific headache. Makenna ended up going to work with me and what a helper she was folding t-shirts. Allison was finally feeling better on Tuesday, so they left for Ames that evening. Lo and behold we were inundated with one of our worst storms of the season, especially Ames. Having their drinking water declared undrinkable, the Willis family made their way back to Carlisle on Thursday morning. The grandkids got to entertain us for the next 5 days - what an unexpected, special time for us to cherish.

P.E.O. Outing

On Wednesday, July 21st P.E.O. Chapter NT went to Ames and visited the Reiman Gardens and ate at the Shoppes on Grand. I invited the Willis family to the gardens. Makenna loved seeing the butterflies, the 50 gnomes sitting around, and meeting a new friend, Diego Sigala. Colin seemed very content to just ride in his new stroller. It was a nice outing and can you believe it - no rain!!!

The Ferreras Travel to Iowa

Erin and Jacob came to Iowa for an extended stay June 21st - July 9th. Here are some of the highlights during their visit:

• Spending lots of time with the Willis family
  
• Hugging/Playing with Makenna and Colin
• Garage Sales
  
• Swimming at the aquatic center with Papa Dave
• Experiencing a frozen cherry pop from the Ice Cream wagon
  
• A trip to the zoo with Papa Dave and the Willis family
  
• Picnicking with Jess and Gabe at an Ames park
  
• Seeing distant relatives at the Osky picnic
• Surprise visit from dad Jason
• A reunion with the Sigmunds
• Eating at Cal's with Grammy Pauline
  
• Aunt Connie's luncheon
• Presents/New Clothes from Nana/Mama Jeanne
• Listening to a band at the Valley Junction Farmer's Market
• Hair cuts
• Train ride on the 4th at Carlisle North Park

We enjoyed our time with the Ferreras and of course hated to say good-bye. We will see them in September (an oldie tune). I can hear Dave singing it now!! Until then - Muffy, Bacub, Jayfer take care - love you all...