The Family

Becky just posted new photos on Shutterfly! Here's the gang. That is Chase in the middle. I can hardly believe how big he's gotten. And talking to him on the phone...who is that man with the deep voice? Surely it can't be my little Punky?? Travis is sitting on a stump, so Chase really isn't taller than his dad. But he is taller than Becky! This looks like it could become a Christmas card photo, don't you think?

PS...you'll want to check back in the next couple of days. I'll be making a BIG announcement!

What's Not to Love?

Okay...the weather sucked and there were a couple of other not-so-pleasant issues as I traveled to Montana. But once I got there...what's not to love about these adorable little faces? Made the whole wretched travel experience so worth it! Marley has two teeth with another about to pop through. She babbles away, a mile a minute, in her own little language. I have a feeling once she starts being understandable, she's not gonna stop. She loves music and adores books. One after another, she brings them to you to read, climbs up on your lap and helps turn the pages. Our Mother's Day activities took us to Chico Hot Springs where she sat in her lily pad floater and giggled all morning...she's a water baby, for sure. Parker decided to fish with a branch in the little creek outside the Pine Creek Inn where we had Mother's Day brunch. He's all boy...loves to be outside, wears his Spider Man costume to bed, and has been known to not only wrestle with the dogs, but also with Marley. He better watch out...pay backs can be hell, and I'm certain Marley's going to be one tough little girl! He took his big and little great white sharks to Chico to swim with; he loves all things of the ocean. Parker's best friends are Hawken and Sawyer, but he has a crush on Maya whom he says he's going to marry. He's into videos more than books; we watched Avatar, his favorite, and he couldn't get enough of Sponge Bob Square Pants.

What a great way to spend Mother's Day weekend!

Bathing Beauty and Water Boy

 

Becky's posted new photos on Shutterfly, so of course, I have to share! We are all water-lovers in my family....looks like that's been passed on to our newest members as well.

Somebody Has a Birthday!

Two Precious Babies

Becky sent me an email yesterday with photos of two of the most precious babies I know. This is Miss Marley. I haven't met her yet, but I will in late October. Trav and Becky will be in San Diego to attend a wedding (Travis' half-sister, Jessica) and I used my frequent flyer miles to get there too. We'll all stay with my brother, Walt. He and Debbie are always so gracious to let the whole clan crash there. Debbie and I will watch the babies while Trav and Becky attend the wedding. Works for me!! The only down side of this trip is that even tho I had beaucoup miles, to get there on the day I wanted to arrive, I had to buy more! So my free trip ended up costing $200. Every cloud has a silver lining...I get to fly the long leg of both going and coming home in business class. Call me spoiled!

This is Parker...Mr. Ham-bone! What an outgoing little guy he is. Every picture Becky sends me, he's got the biggest grin going. This photo looks like it was taken on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. I'm excited to get to spend a long weekend with both of these little people. Stay tuned for more Grandma blog posts come October!

More Marley and Family....

Meet Marley!

I received email piccs from Becky and just have to share our beautiful baby with you! Isn't she just too sweet? Love her little hat...and no, I didn't make it. I don't do anything that requires holding 'sticks' and making them work.

This is a picture that the hospital took of the whole family. I'll share more photos tomorrow.

"Houston, We Have a Baby"

Marley has arrived! This old picture of her will have to do until her folks have time to email me a new one. She was born yesterday, April 4th at 4:46pm in Livingston, Montana. She weighed in at 8 lbs. 11 oz and was 20 inches long. Becky's labor started at 11am, but Travis said once it got real, it only took about 20 minutes for Marley to make her debut. Everyone is fine! When I talked with Travis, little bro, Parker, hadn't seen the new arrival yet...I think his world just got turned upside-down! More later...

Quick Update for the Week

...still waiting for our new baby to arrive. Marley Grace is being stubborn; her mommy is very ready!!

...it's snowing here in Iowa today...not sticking much yet.

...work continues to be all-consuming. The financial news is not good; we were warned that there may be mandatory furloughs for managers. That would mean days up to a week without pay. Gulp!

...current 'reads' include Plainsong by Kent Harup and Traveler's Tales France.

...something I learned this week: that Merlin's forest and the Lady of the Lake legends are set in Brittany just outside of Rennes! I thought all those Arthurian legends were set in England.

...blog of my week: Soar-Dream-France. I've been pouring over my France road atlas tracing the course of the Lot River from Cahors east and following Laury's adventures.

News Flash!

Our baby-to-be has a name! She's Marley Grace and I love it. Travis picked Marley...he's a huge Bob Marley fan. Becky picked Grace for her grandmother. Only Trav and I know that this will be a true little rock-n-roll girl. Shh! don't tell...she's really Grace for Grace Slick. Oh okay--maybe not!