We are going to be a Grandparents Again

Our daughter Chelsea is expectnig her 4th child in December. We are so excited for her and pray all will go well. It will be our 12th grandchild. Her oldest will be turning 10...whch is how old she was when Lindsay was born. We are truly blessed. Will let you know if it is a boy or a gril in a few months. We currently have 6 girls and 5 boys. We need another boy to make it even but will be so happy with a happy healthy baby and mommy.

Baby Tess: Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

I just read a post about my grandbaby girl Tess on Melissa's ( Jordan's wife) blog.

It was so fun to read about her since we live so far away. I love this picture of her. She looks so sweet and adorable( she has her mom and grammy Rita's good looks) and I can't imagine her ever being naughty. .. But this is what her mom has to say:

"Tess is has a lot of sugar and even more spice in her. She looks so sweet, but out of my 4 kids, she gets into the most trouble. She is constantly drawing on herself, putting lip gloss on everything, or digging out a new tube of chapstick. If left alone in a room for too long, all the drawers she knows not to get into (like her sisters bed table) will be emptied. she hits, has tantrums, claws and sctatches. She recently sprayed scented oil all over her hands and made hand prints up the wall. This next thing was had suggary intent, but the result was spicey. She put desitin all over the bum of one of her dolls, correction, one of the dolls that was mine when I was little that made it through Ellie and Reagan without a sctatch and now is ruined. She is a bit of a dare devil. she is not affraid of anything. Which I am so glad about after having 3 scardy cat kids (Ellie has grown out of it, thank heavens). She loved every ride she went on at Lagoon and climbs as high as the big kids at the park.

Despite all the naughty things she does, she also does a lot of sweet things. She is always singing and performing. she loves to take care of her dolls, stuffed animals and anything else cute. She is affectionate. Today when I was working out, she kept coming over and giving me kisses and saying "I wuv you mom". She has the cutest pucker and the cutest voice. She loves to tell Knock-knock jokes and loves to say her prayers all by herself. she call's herself "Tessy" and can almost say her whole name understandably. Tess Annabelle Romans is a mouthfull for a 2 year old. she is pretty good at sharing but if she wants something you know it.

I think she gets away with a lot of things because she is so darn cute. She is so old, but seems so tiny. she will be my baby forever."

I can't wait to see her in a few weeks when I go to Utah. I have a special place in my heart for the babies of the family....because I was a baby in my family. I mean I was the last child born :) They really do get away with alot. I was probably really bad since I was the baby and the only girl. But my mom tells me I was very good and well adjusted :) Those brothers of mine tortured me to deah that is why I am so tough :)

I have to admit I have some cute cute cute grandkids. Everyone of them is so precious to me. Spoken like a true grandma.

The Best Sacrament Pictures Ever! June 2010

Clayton came home for Father’s Day and surprised us.

The girls were already here and they knew he was coming. He just walked in the door. He made his famous breakfast tacos and stayed for Sacrament meeting with the girls. They all to leave after for other commitments. But while here, Clayton drew these of dad and I on his fancy IPhone.

He always used to illustrate the topic of the talks or something related on the program at church when he was a kid. I guess some things never change. He showed me and I asked him to email them to me as a fun reminder of having him sitting in our pew at church. They reflect exactly what we were wearing. Amazing. He now has something high tech to keep him busy during church instead of just a paper and pencil :)

Girl's Weekend : June 2010

Ever year Chelsea, Lindsay and I have a girl's weekend. We have been trying to plan it for awhile with no luck, unitl this past weekend. Their plans changed for the weekend and they called and said. " Can we come? " I said..." Hooray....come on down." We have gone away to DC and NYC in the past, but with my bad knee right now, we need to stay close to home. Last year we had it in Richmond and we had fun just being together.

They got here Thursday night . We opened the presents from mom and visited until bed. The girls got up and exercised......then we had homemade omelettes and fresh strawberries by mom. Then headed out for our photo shoot. Posted are the professional pictures taken. They talked me into buying the one of just me......I gave it to Greg for part of his Father's Day present.

After that, we went to lunch at a fun new place " Cafe Caturra" where we had a yummy salad and sandwhich combo. We spent the afternoon waiting for Lindsay, as she was in a job interview. We hit Carytown, Libby and Grove and the student center at University of Richmond. She got the call while in route to Richmond, which worked out great We got home in time to freshen up for the ward cookout at Deep Run Park. Greg came with us. We ate and visited a little and then came home to realx and watch a movie. Our friend Shelece came to watch it with us. It was a " not very good" romantic comedy. We had fun laughing at many of the parts and it will be a fun memory. At least Greg didn't suffer through it with us , so he can't complain about it.

Saturday the girls excercised again in the morning and then we got ready to go shopping. We had fun shopping locally and had lunch at Costco. The girl's choice. The pizza was especially good that day. it doesn't take much to make us happy. We came home to have a rest and then enjoy a gourmet dinner from Greg . He made a yummy grilled chicken dinner with a special cold cucumber soup. The we all go ready and headed to the BYRD theather to see Robin Hood. It was just like the good old days when we all lived in Richmond together.

Sunday the girls had planned to make a big Father's Day breakfast for Father's Day. They were up cooking and in walked Clayton from DC... a surprise guest. The girls knew he was coming but never let on. He made his famous mexican tacos that were delicious. We had sweet fresh cut pineapple and Chelsea's homemade fabulous cornbread. It was so yummy.We were stuffed. We actually opened Father' Day gifts and then did mine and Clayton's birthday too. He is born June 28th and me July 4th. We won't be together this year for the celebrations. We also got to talk (skype) to Denton and family in Switzerland and Grandma and Grandpa Romans in Arizona.

Clayton gave me my favorite Target gift card made in a creative card.

Chelsea made a darling 4th of July party in a box with all kinds of invitations, note cards, place cards, napkins and handmade dish towels she and Chloe made....even with the handprints of the kids. Very cute and perfect since I am not up to getting out my 4th of July this year.

Lindsay made a great laminated poem to go with the "Standing Tall" series she put on CD for me to enjoy with my grandkids. Lindsay said " We used to listen to the Janeen Brady "Standing Tall" tapes when I was little and I loved them. In fact, we listened to some of them so much that I have parts of them memorized and unfortunately the tapes are worn and warping in some places. I decided to transfer them to CD for my mom so my nieces and nephews can enjoy them when they go visit her. (And thanks to Regan's mom I was able to make the complete set- we've lost and broken a few over the years.)"

Here is a little booklet I made as a card with a poem about my mom for each of the values.

A few odes to my mom

On her special day

Who instilled in me values

(like how to obey):

Do what you’re told,

Do what is right,

Transfer the colors

And fold all the whites!

_____________________________

There once was a girl

By the name of Suzie

Who woke up her dad

Cause her lie was a doozy

With truth now as the fact,

He let her depart,

To kiss that hound dog,

Cause she followed her heart.

_____________________________

She taught me to let go,

To forgive and forget,

To hug and make-up

And not settle the debt.

“Blood is thicker than water!”

She’s been know to say.

She taught so much truth

From one short cliche.

_____________________________

Thanks to my mom,

To girls camp I went

By ped-ling in bowling alleys

With out real consent!

I learned early on

How to work and to sweat,

To try with my might

For the things that I get.

_____________________________

She’ll ask for directions

On any street corner.

She’s never afraid

To speak to a for’ner.

When speaking in public:

“Talk slow and loud!”

I borrowed her courage,

To preform for a crowd.

_____________________________

“You choose to be happy,

Despite your condition,

You’re in control

Of life’s biggest mission.”

If life gives her lemons

Or she’s facing a trial—

Still the life of the party,

She’s quick with a smile.

_____________________________

You’d be hard pressed to find

A more gracious brunette.

Her thank you PDFs,

Are the first that I get.

I was always reminded

To give thanks every day,

For all blessings bestowed

When I knelt down to pray.

_____________________________

We used one-four-three

As our secret code

But love wasn’t in question

In our humble abode.

There was never any doubt,

Her feelings were defined.

“No one loves you like your mother,”

She was quick to remind.

_____________________________

“Do one nice thing each day,

It isn’t that hard.

Visit a friend

Or send a sweet card.”

Friends and neighbors are fed

With her signature thing:

Defrosted banana bread

Cue the angels to sing!

____________________________

I drove her drink

Or so she would jest

I hid candy wrappers,

And kept my closet a mess.

But some how I learned

To put things away

But only because

I wrote an essay.

_____________________________

“Your confidence is key.”

She’s said from the start,

All thanks to the breast milk

Wait... that’s why we’re smart!

I’m not sure how she did it

But you’d have to agree,

We’re all a little pompous

To some small degree.

_____________________________

Keep cash in your wallet,

And finish what you started,

Come five minutes early,

And don’t be retarded.

My mom taught us these things

And so many more,

She’s the one we look up to

And the one we adore.

_____________________________

I am so lucky to have such creative kids.

It was fun to open the gifts while the kids were here.

But mostly fun to have them come home and spend some time.

I missed Jordan and Denton.

And even though it was girls weekend most of the time, it was also

a real treat for dad to have some of his kids come home for Father's Day.

And great that he heard from the other 2 who couldn't be here.

A great weekend all and all.

A little POP for my POP

Those of you who know Greg, know he loves pop ( soda as they say in the south) He once even owned a pop machine at his dad' store he was in charge of. He likes to try all kinds of favors....

new and old.

Lindsay and Regan came for a visit and brought his Father's Day present early......a variety of different pop. Some old timers he loves. He already has it in the garage refrigerator chill'in so he can drink it when he has an inkling......which is every few minutes.

Cute creatve idea. He loved it.

Evie Wood turns 5!

Chelsea sent me the pictures from Evie's birthday party today. There are quite a few but fun to see. This is what she said :

" We just had a great time at Evie's flowery swimming party. Coco, of course, was an excellent co-host and day laborer. She didn't mind, of course, because she got to miss half the day of school. I know there are a lot of photos here, but just wanted to give you the flavor. Evie had a blast. Her favorite present has a hilarious name: craft table puppy divas. Can you believe Target sells bobble head figurines that the giftee can embellish with mini-feather boas and wee-bling?

Salad for the grown ups (wild rice/avacodo/pecan)

We began by making flower bead bracelets.

The table had all kinds of flowers (paper) and leaves).

Dana was a huge help (aka beast of burden, pack mule, punching bag, etc). He came home from Charlotte late last night to be at the party.

Pin the petal on Evie (before the girls actually pinned the petals)

We had lemonade/raspberry lemonade as well.

Thanks also to Coco for the mini water bottle embellishment.

Coco made the cupcakes with flowers crafted from strawberry marshmallows.

Coco thought Grammy Suz would love the tags on the bags: If friends were flowers I'd pick you.

Thanks to Linds and Grandma Alba for helping make the party favors. Felt flower hair clips. They were a big hit.

Grandma Suzie said: Evie is a fun and happy little girl. She is very caring and loves to clean

and be a helper.She has learned to read before she goes to kindergarten.....because she does reading lessons with her mom. She has loved pre-school this year and loves to sing all the primary songs. One of her favorite things is having a big sister who loves to get her ready...doing her hair, helping her pick out her clothes ( she loves to match Chloe) and sleep with when she gets scared. She loves to come to Grandma Suzie's and sleep in the nursery with all her friends

( stuffed animals). It is hard to believe she is ready to go to school. Her mom is really going to miss her little afternoon buddy. We love that we get to see her fairly often.

Happy Birthday Evie. We love you.