Happy Birthday Grandma Marion #80!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GATHERING 

FOR MARION ON HER 80th!

On December 4, 2011 we gathered at the PV Homestead to honor Marion, our wonderful Mom and Grandma on the occasion of her 80th birthday!

 Mom shed her special light on everyone.

 Gathering at the dining room table--Greg and Nathan visible in mirror.

 Making a wish: That our family will be as happy this year

as we all are now--which is "very happy."

 You weren't supposed to bring presents...

 Mom opens her special card:

Eighty (80) Things to Love About Marion

The card expands accordion-style to about 10 feet in length--that's how much space it takes

to fit in Mom's wonderful qualities and accomplishments!

Rachel and Austin with greetings from the grandkids.

Ryan wore this special sweater: which Mom originally purchased for Dad at

Piccadilly Square, London in 1956.

Irvine Park Zoo and Train Ride November 2011

The day after Thanksgiving 

Jeff & Robyn & Kids and Grandkids

visit the Irvine Regional Park Zoo and Train Ride

 Ryan held up Bennett to see all the sights

 Robyn checks her wingspan against the Turkey Vulture

 Dylan watches Grandpa Jeff check his wingspan against the Golden Eagle

 Dylan brushes the pet goats

 Christian and Katie watch Bennett and Dylan pet the goats

 Bennett says "Oooooh," his favorite word right now

 Can we feed the sheep?

 Rachel and Austin taking it all in

 Bennett rides high on Ryan's shoulder

 Loading up for the train ride around the park

 Grandpa Jeff shows Dylan around

 Austin and Rachel watch the boys while we wait for the train to arrive

 Dylan is probably asking: "You have some candy for me Grandma?"

On the train

Gathering at the Larsen's Pool afterwards

All the boys soak in the spa

The girls enjoy a nice visit on soft chairs--a well deserved and all too brief rest

A wonderful day with a wonderful family.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving Holiday was extra special. After 35+ years of wonderful Thanksgiving Holidays at Grandpa Steve & Grandma Marion's, we we held a big family Thanksgiving at our house.  Twenty-nine people came, and we all had such a great time.

Starting Thanksgiving Morning
at the Turkey Trot in Torrance.

Gathering at the Turkey Trot

Brent's great time: 31 minutes

Mom, Stephen, Nathan, Ryan, Austin after the run

Stephen weaves his magic story time for the little ones.

GATHERING FOR DINNER

 Robyn the hostess

 The Four Boys had their own special table.

Counterclockwise from front: Dylan, Jake, Jaden, Trey

They are giving their best dinosaur roars.

 One of the four tables we set up

 The official Turkey Trot runners photo

 Family talent show time: Let It Be

 Even the little ones joined in the talent show

 Matt played Piano, while the family sang 

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Dancing to the music

 It was especially fun that Daryl and Cerise could join us

 Erin and Ryan Webber and Family doing their Circus Act

 Daryl serenades us with "Johnny Verbeck and his Sausage Machine"

Cute song with a cruel ending for Johnny.

 Nathan and Greg

Jillair announcing her piano number

IT WAS A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING

THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME AND SHARED

Fall Campout at O'Neill Park--October 22, 2011

We had a fun little campout at O'Neill Regional Park:

Jeff, Stephen, Ryan

Christian, Dylan

and Ryan Webber with Jaden and Trey, Dylan's cousins.

 Jaden, Christian and Dylan on Stick Patrol

 Ryan and Princess

 Dylan makes a face.

He's sitting on the "throne," a rock by the fire with its own backrest.

 Enjoying a few minutes by the fire on Sat morning.

Ryan Webber, Dylan, Jaden, Trey and I hiked around the park earlier in the morning to find the "Monster Wee's"  (Dylan's name for the oversize fire-fighting trucks.)

We also found some nice horses, two extra-furry brown rabbits with floppy ears (not the gray variety so common here), lots of family dogs and a few snake holes.

 Thank you Jessie Deason for this nice knife.

It came in handy for making kindling.

Jessie gave this to me after one of our scout campouts.

 These potatoes cooked in the firepit overnight.

No one had wanted to try them--already filled up on pancakes, bacon and eggs.

But I could pretend.

After this we went on a GPS cache "treasure hunt" hike across the park.

Bennett's First Birthday Party--October 6, 2011

It was sweet to joint Bennett, with Christian, Katie and Dylan at the Larsen's for Bennett's First Birthday Party.

 Singing "Happy Birthday to You"

 Bennett enjoying his own Birthday Brownie Cupcake

After eating by mouth, Bennett rubbed brownie cupcake all over his tummy...

Then he reached out and offered to help Grandpa take his picture.

A Detour Sign

"We don't know what's farther down the road...
There may be a detour sign
That upsets plans of yours and mine,
So I'll be true to you honey if you're not gone too long..."

From Reba McIntyre's great cover of Loretta Lynn's song "If You're Not Gone Too Long."

We had a little detour in the road in late September when our Elder Ryan came home to us on an early and honorable release from his mission due to medical-related issues.

We're sad for Ryan, but making the best of this situation.  We know Ryan did a great job when he was out on his mission and will continue to bless the lives of all he meets. It's all part of Heavenly Father's plan.