Stella's second birthday

Stella's first kiss "Nehemiah"

First a disclaimer. Melissa doesn't have internet access

right now, so she asked me to post these pictures for

her. These photo's were taken of Stella's second birthday

party. We had it at Lake Murray (where a very dramatic

event took place which I might mention at a later date)

and Melissa made a totally "awesome" cake. I LOVe

that she has such a creative knack/eye/talent..... etc.

etc. Melissa got a little help from Julie in cutting

up some of the "ocean" designs.

It was SO hot that day. We were afraid of the cake

melting, and sure enough, the cute sculpture of Stella

sagged after a while in the heat. I was just happy to be

there to enjoy the day with Stella. I think I have the

best grandchildren ever.!!!!

31 years

We sat on a bench watching the fountain and just enjoying the evening together.

Mel and I celebrated our 31st anniversary a few days back, and

it was just an enjoyable evening with my sweetheart. We tried

out a new restaurant in town, then walked around the shopping

center close by. It was a beautiful evening, and it was nice

spending it with the man I love.

Reminiscing

I wanted to make another post, but wasn't sure what I could write

about, so I looked at my pictures, and this one brought a smile to

my face. I was in Utah for Women's conference, and basically just

spent time with my daughter Michelle. She wanted to go spend

time with some of her college buddies, whom I have gotten

to know over time. But there were a couple of girls that I

didn't really know, and I had the chance to get to know them

a little more this day. it was SO fun for me. Just being silly

with them, and "hanging" out. It was fun because for some

reason, they guessed that she was pregnant too. It was nice to

be there when she announced something like that to her

friends. They were all going to have a sleep over, but now that

Michelle is married, she went home to her husband instead.

And Michelle didn't mind one bit. = ) Here we are at zupas,

just having fun.

All Things Julie

Julie is the one in our household who has pictures to share

on the blog. She went to her choir banquet last night. Looks

like she and her choir friends had a good time. Then Neil R,

a great photographer in the area, called and asked Julie to

be an ambassador for his Studio, to help him round up

Seniors for their portraits. So, she got a few pictures taken

and put on a little postcard to give out to future Seniors.

I am sharing them here. Since I'm just taking a picture of the

pictures, they don't look all that sharp, but you can get the idea.

Tonight is our Ward Youth Conference, and Julie is there right now.

Tomorrow they are supposed to come do a half hour of service for

us. Hopefully we can drum up something for them to do. Julie

will be taking her SAT, so will miss that part of the conference.

One more week of school, then it's on to our fun summer plans.

I don't have the whole summer planned out yet, but I'm hoping

to spend lots and lots of time with my kids and grandkids.

Staying connected through phone pictures

I love technology...(makes me think of Kip in Napoleon Dynamite)

when it is used to benefit man. With my daughter

and family clear on the other side of the USA, these phone pictures

can be what helps me feel connected to her sweet little darlings.

Here are a couple that she sent today.

DANG, I NEED TO SEE THESE KIDS SOON !!!

FHE fun

Well,

Tyler, Anna and kids came over for FHE. I took pictures of the

tasty stuff. Thanks Tyler and Anna for the treats.

Love from a distance

Here is a picture of Sterling that Melissa took as they were traveling

back from Florida. He is so darn cute. I am not liking the fact that

I live so far away from 2 of my grandchildren. At least my sweet

daughter takes pictures and sends them to me, and tries to keep

up with the blog. It helps.

The ONE picture from my trip to Utah

So, I go to Utah, and all I take is one picture? What was I thinking?

I must not have been thinking.

Anyway, I went to Utah for women's conference, and to take up the

rest of Michelle's things (there's still more, but these were in boxes)

and to just visit with friends/family. Because michelle was not free

to go to women's conference, i didn't want to spend my time there,

when i could be spending it with her. So I got 2 classes in. They

were good, but i didn't feel like I got the most out of the conference.

NEXT time. Anyway, here is Bonnie and I on our way home from

Utah, in Baker, CA.

Angels vs. Mariners

Mel, Tyler holding Grace and Tom (Anna's Dad)

Mel, Anna, Grace, Tyler and Tom

Joneel (me) and Mel

Tyler and Grace enjoying some cotton candy

Another baseball game. It's been almost a year since

I've been to one, so it was time. = ) This year, Julie

opted to baby-sit Sam so Anna could go. That was nice

since her Dad was in town, and that meant they could enjoy

going to the game together. Our tickets were for the very

top row. Woo Hoo. When we walk in, and you see the club

level, THAT is the level I want to sit on. Anyway, it was

nice to be able to go with Grace and the gang.

Another memory made.

Easter Break visitors

Julie, Joneel and Michelle
Julie and Michelle

Julie, Clark and Michelle

So, usually Julie and I like to take a little road trip for

Easter break, but this year, Michelle said that she and

Clark would like to come visit us, since Clark will be

in school, and won't get many chances to come to

California. So much to Julie's chagrin, they came to visit

us, instead of us going to visit them. We talked my Mom

and sister Denise, into coming down with them, so that

way we got to see them either way. We HAD to go

to the beach while they were here. The weather warmed

up just in time for them to leave, but one day was warm

enough to enjoy the nice ocean breeze and get a little sun

tan (burn). That first time out always seems to fool ya.

Clark was the only one daring enough to go in the

water. Anyway, it was fun to get together with

everyone, and for my Mom and Denise to see the progress

Tyler has made on his house. Somehow, I'll have to make

it up to Julie, for taking away her "road trip".

Easter Visit

Grace, probably talking to someone in the room

Sam in his Easter outfit

Sam working on his walking. He's pretty steady now.

We had Tyler, Anna, Grace and Sam over for Easter. We had Ham and

lots of other good stuff. It's so fun having Tyler and family so close. I'll

probably mention that over and over again. It's just SO FUN!

DSC_6759.JPG

Click here to view these pictures larger

What did he say??

Can't come to our house without some trampoline time.

We had Tyler and family over during the conference week-end, so you

can imagine that we didn't catch everything that was said. But we DVR'd

it, so we can refer back. YAY. Anyway, we enjoyed spending time together,

and I wished we could have everyone here. But here are some pictures

that we took.

Banquets and Dances

The Varsity Cheerleaders

Julie on the left, and a few of the Varsity cheer girls

Julie with a gun tattoo. Get it---big "guns" (rub on tattoo)

The girls that went to the Dance together
l-r Natalie, Hannah, Jordan, Julie, Samantha, Jackie, Jenna

l-r Natalie, Hannah, Jordan, Julie, Jackie, Samantha, Jenna

Grace and Julie

Last night was Julie's end of the year Cheer banquet. They make it

very nice and give out lots of awards. It was held at a Country Club

here in the city. I liked the video that was made. I wonder if I can

figure out how to put it on youtube.

Today Mel went to Tyler's to help out with the sprinklers, or maybe

it was the lawn. Anyway, it was the first time ever that he's brought

over Grace, all by herself. It was such a fun thing for Mel and I having

Grace here. I took her to Costco and got her a little ice cream. Her

parents came about an hour later, but still, we loved having her here.

Tonight is Sadies at the high school. The theme was Pirates, with a

touch of Rave. At least that's what was rumored. So the kids didn't

quite know how to dress. We got a mixture with Julie's friends. The

girls met at Jenna's house (black blouse) and brought finger foods,

then took off for the dance. Tonight they are going to Samantha's to

sit in the Jacuzzi and sleep. Sounds fun.

Confessions of a Grandma

Sipping on our Cranapple on the plane. This is only the second time Mel
and I have flown together in our 30 years of marriage. What does that
tell you??? We need to get out more!!

Doing what i LOVE doing

Stella in her tutu and wings.

Mel got this shirt for Sterling, so it was fun to have

him wear it while we were there.

Sterling's blessing day. Sorry Andy, had to pick from a

thumbnail photo.

I know that it's been too long since I posted, so I'm going to put some pics up.

Mel and I flew back to S. Carolina to be at Sterling's blessing. It was so fun to have

Mel along FINALLY ! Mel and I enjoyed the grandkids immensely, but as typical

of my sweet hubby, he had to be busy doing other helpful things while he was there.

He cooked, and he fixed leaky faucets. I need to learn to be multi dimensional in

my time spent with family. I just want to interact with the people. Maybe you

could call it something else too. But........whatever. Anyway, I'm a work in progress,

O>K> !!!!!

So, spending time with Melissa, Andy, Stella and Sterling was worth any slight

mental anguish I still get from flying, and getting the chance to hug and kiss those

two yummy grandkids and talk with my sweet daughter and visit with wonderful

friends and witness a beautiful blessing was.......ahhhhhhh

the best. And here's to you Stella, from Glalaa Yund.

A Small Piece of Heaven

So, here are some pictures from my little piece of Heaven.