Dear Katie and Brad,

Thank you for bringing your little family to the Central Coast for a visit. We know it's not easy traveling with two little ones. We loved seeing all of you. You are such awesome parents.  Keep up the good work.

love,

Mom

Enjoy the pictures!!  

Kyle had fun with the trains at the SLO Museum.

All Aboard!!

Joshua is just one happy little guy!

I am so glad we have this swing, all the grandkids love it!!  This is a rare photo-op of these two together!!

Silly Faces!!

Happy Faces!!

Evan is a nephew magnet!!  It is interesting how little ones are not afraid of his wheelchair! 

Who is that baby with the wobbly legs??? 

Kyle didn't like the slime, but I think Brad did!!  Do you see Brad looking up at me?  I am sure he is saying "I'm going to get revenge on my mother-in-law for taking my picture!!"  I'm so afraid!!! 

Learning From Little Ones

 Earlier in the month Kyle and his baby brother Joshua and their parents came to visit us. Little ones don't get much cuter than this!! 

 Kyle is obsessed with stickers.  Can you see them on his shirt??  That is Kyle's favorite place to stick stickers!!   I liked the idea too!!  Much better than my curio cabinet!!  

 And this little one is just full of chubby cuteness!! 

 Kyle also loves to play chase. I almost caught him here!!  

When Kyle woke up, both mornings he was here, I was the only one up.  The house was still quiet and he let me cuddle him.  Oh, it feels so good to cuddle a little one!!  It was only for a minute or two at the most, but I loved it.  This first evening they were here, Katie and Brad went out for dinner to celebrate their anniversary.  About a half hour after they left Kyle started wondering around the house whimpering and crying.  I know he was looking for his mommy, but couldn't find her.  So, sad.  The next morning after our little cuddle,  he went down the hall and peeked into the bedroom.  Yep, mommy and daddy were still there, so he quietly closed the door and was happy as can be.  

What did I learn?  Well, we are here on Earth, away from our Heavenly Father. Somehow ,just knowing He is there can help us to have peace and comfort in this life.  Just like when we are little knowing Mommy and Daddy are nearby gives us comfort. 

 

 And this little one, well my oh my!!  He does babble so sweetly doesn't he?? He is adorable!  However, if he is away from his mommy and his tummy is grumbling. WATCH OUT!!  Joshua does NOT like to take a bottle.  I knew he was hungry, he cried and cried and cried and I tried and tried and tried to feed him a bottle. But to no avail. I know what he needed, but he had to take it himself.  I had no way help him.  Grandpa walked around with him and talked to him, and he took little cat naps, but he was NOT a happy camper, he was hungry!!  

Our Heavenly Father provides spiritual nourishment for us, through the Spirit, the scriptures and the words of Latter-Day Prophets.  But, we have to partake of these things.  He can not force them on us.  If we fill ourselves we are happy!!

Thank you, my little ones for teaching me. Came back often I miss you!!   

Baby Blessing

I am in serious catch up mode on my blog. That is what happens when you leave town for two and a half weeks. 

The end of June we drove down south to attend little Joshua's Baby Blessing (like a christening).  I wanted to share some of the pictures we took.  Enjoy.

Joshua Raymond Anderson.  Faces just don't get cuter than this!! 

Auntie Rachel and Joshua

Uncle Joey and Joshua

Great Grandma Viola with her newest grandchild.

Uncle Evan is a magnet for his little nephews and Aiden is no exception!

John, Amy and Aiden

Katie, Brad and their sweet little boys, Kyle and Joshua.

A couple of weeks ago Evan was invited to be one of the Special Olympics athletes to represent San Luis Obispo County in the Southern California division meet.  He went down on a charter bus with his team Friday night and stayed in the dorms at Cal State Long Beach. Mike and I took a little side visit to see our newest little grandson and the rest of his family first. 

Little Joshua.  What a precious baby!

Kyle with Mr. Potato Head.

Who knew Mr. Potato Head would be a cuddly toy??

Evan gearing up for the big race. 

Speedy Gonzales going down the track!  Who is that screaming manic lady???

Evan won two gold medals!!

After the races it was off to the Expo.  Evan enjoyed a safari.

And helping the FBI!!

It's always great to get a thumbs up from Good Ol' Smokey!!

Special Olympics was very inspiring.  I loved seeing all the Law Enforcement officials out supporting the athletes. I wish I had video of one of the races. As I watched the runners line up, I could see that one of them used forearm crutches.  I thought to myself, well, that's not very fair, how can he ever win.  You should have seen that guy run!  He won the race!!  The crowd went mad!!  The enthusiasm of these athletes is just amazing!

8 is Great!!

Grandchildren, that is!! 

We have a new little grandson.  Joshua Raymond Anderson was born on May 2nd.  

The proud parents are Katie and Brad, and the not so sure about whole thing big brother is Kyle.  I am sure he will get used to the idea though!! 

Katie told me a few weeks ago they were going to name the baby Junior.  I didn't believe her at first because I knew that Brad did NOT want to name the baby after himself.  But, Katie still insisted that was going to be the name.  So, I started thinking.  Hmmmm, Junior.   Junior, that could be J.R.  Then I call to ask if the babies initials would be J.R. but Katie would not confirm or deny that!! I asked it they would call the baby Junior, not just name the baby Junior. But she would never confirm or deny that either.  Hmmmm!! What could J.R. stand for??   I had no idea what the first name would be but thought the middle name might be Raymond because it is my great grandmother's surname. And Joshua fits perfect with it!!  Welcome to the family little one!!  Can't wait to see you.