Today, Bruce and I took the kids swimming with Mom and Dad at the Lakeland High School Swimming pool. The boys just started swimming lessons last week so we thought getting them used to the water would help with their lessons. Boy, do they ever like the water! It will be exciting watching their progress as they learn how to swim! Mom and Dad, you were great! It was a fun day!!!

Jessa loves to put on her Mom's shoes and walk around the house. I was so surprised when she went into My Mom's laundry room and put on my boots and walked out in them. She even got them on the right feet!!!

Wishing you a safe and Happy Easter!!!

Aryana is all smiles while playing on her new Winnie the Pooh blanket!

Here are Collin's Birthday party friends!

Jessa is definitely "A Michigan Girl"!!!

Collin and Jaden turned 3 on 03/03/2008. We had their birthday party at Kristina's house on 03/08 and the theme was "Mexican Fiesta" hosted by Brandy and Ruben! It was a super fun party and the food was great!!! My thanks to Brandy and Ruben!!!

I found Jessa to be very photogenic when she was here. She found Collin's drum set and was having a ball marching around playing the drum. Maybe the marching band is in her future!

Jessa was all smiles when we played "Doily Girl!" with her.

For all of you who don't understand the "doily" thing ... before I was a Grandma I would take pictures of my crocheting or wood working and include Frank (my dog) in the pictures. Now I have kids to pose with my doily's and they think it is fun! But now I don't have time to crochet!!! Go figure!!!

Papa and the kids enjoyed playing with his welding hat again. Too bad Nathan was in bed. He missed out again!!!

We only ate at the best establishments on our trip. Can you guess where we are? There is a small clue in the picture. You're right! McDonald's!!! What a cool McDonald's!

We woke the kids up at 2:00 a.m. for our return trip from Kansas to Michigan. Brandon was so ready to go! Jaden was too tired and wanted me to turn the lights off. Jessa just went along with the plan. As you can see, when they were in the car, all was well! They are very good traveler's!!!

I was amazed when I first saw Brandon, Jaden and Jessa - how they came running to me with open arms! It is good to know we can maintain a loving relationship even though we are miles apart!!!

Jessa finally met Aryana and was ready to take on the duty of feeding her! We also made a video but for some reason it won't post on the blog. Please visit my YouTube page and view the short clip!!!

Here it is!!! Jaden on his 3rd birthday!!! Happy Birthday Jay-Jay!!!

The many faces (and feet!) of Aryana!

(I posted this for mom, shes on the plane right now!!!)

Happy Birthday to Collin and Jaden on 03/03/2008! I am leaving for Kansas, by plane, first thing in the morning. Michelle and I will drive the kids back to Michigan (on Tuesday) so the boys can be together for their 3rd birthday (or pretty close to it). I will post pictures of Jaden as soon as I get a chance!

The picture says it all!!!

Bruce and I went to the Eye Doctor yesterday and they dilated our eyes and gave us these sun glasses to drive home with. When I showed them to Collin, he thought he was "transformed" into a space monster! Nathan wasn't too excited about them =( ! Aryana got an immediate smile (Ghee, they finally came up with something to stop the annoying flash). Frank played along as usual!!!

I think Nathan has had it with my camera!!!

Collin and Nathan are having fun pushing Aryana around in the crate that Papa made for Karen many years ago. Aryana also is enjoying the ride! Oh, Nathan has not started walking yet either, so he is getting a lot of good practice with this!

When asked to play "Peek-a-boo", Nathan puts his hands to his head and gives you the biggest smile!!!

Today I was scanning old pictures and came across the picture of Grandma Brahm holding Michelle as a baby. I thought it would look cute to put it together with one of my favorite pictures of Grandma and Jessa!!!

Collin has found his new "favorite spot" at our house and it is Grandpa Bruce's spot on the couch. Collin informed me it was right in front of the T.V. (Gosh, I think I remember Bruce saying something along those lines!)

Girls Rule!!!

Jaden and Collin dressed up as Dalmations! Costume compliments of Great Grandma!!!

I'm geting hooked on the black background pictures. Not only are they fun to do, I think they look pretty cool too!!!

This is an "oldie but goodie!" picture of Collin when he was around 18 months old. Look at the blonde hair! I've been having fun using the program called "Color Select Studio". You remove all the color and only add the color you want. I think the pictures really turn out great!

I had to do this to mom! I got my new camera today so FINALLY we can get pictures of HER with the kids!!! By the way, the new camera is awsome!! -
Love,
Heather!!

Aryana wonders what Grandma Connie is doing! One day she will love these pictures!!! Thank you for all the kind remarks!!

Aryana and Mommie!

More pictures of Collin playing with Papa's hats!

Collin and Papa were playing "Man Dress-up" with a welding mask and big boots! Collin felt like a robot in the big mask! (You see florescent green when you look through the mask!)

"Happy Valentine's Day!"

Out of the blue, Nathan started to take the crocheted coasters and put them on his head, then he started to put them on my head and Bruce's! It has been a long time since I have crocheted because the kids get into it. So I was amazed that he remembered that I put the doily on his head!!! So... of course ... I had to bring back "Doily Boy"!!!

Heather and I have been having fun playing with my new computer and new programs. Can you identify all the kids in this picture? I know Michelle is going to say it is creepy.....

(Answer: Brandon, Collin, Jaden, Jessa, Nathan and Aryana)

Great-Grandma and Papa came to visit us on Saturday. When Papa held Aryana, he rubbed her head and she absolutely loved it!! As you can see, she almost has a smile on her face!!! All the great-grandkids just love Grandma and Papa so much!!!

Gotta love him!!!

I handed Collin my camera to take a picture and this is what he captured! He said, "Grandma, I did it!!!" He was so proud! Good job Collin!!!

This is a test of a new layout. There are pictures on the internet and they are called "siggy". There is not much information on how to do them so I have to wing it. If anyone out there has any info on it, please let me know. I think it looks cool!!!

Aryana fell asleep when I put her in my basket...

...But she's ready to go when Mom wants to go shopping!!!

You didn't think I would forget about Frank did you???

As soon as I finished the monthly pictures of Nathan, I get to start over again with Aryana. She is already 1 month old and getting used to Grandma's camera!!!

Nathan really enjoyed his first birthday party...

...especially the Balloons!!!

Happy Birthday Nathan!

02/01/2008

In just 3 short weeks Aryana has already gained 2 pound and grew 2 inches. It is amazing to watch how fast she is growing! You can really see it in these pictures with her puppy dog!!!

Nathan will be celebrating his 1st Birthday on Friday, February 1st! Collin really enjoys painting (or any other craft) so has been painting a car to give to Nathan for his birthday!

Nathan had so much fun playing in the snow, that in the background picture he was very relaxed and I thought he was going to fall asleep! Doesn't he make you just want to pick him up and give him a warm hug? Notice the socks on his arms - he would not keep his gloves on his hands so I had to put socks over them!!!