A Baby Girl is a Wonderful Thing

 

 

 

"And though she be but little, she is fierce."

Shakespeare

 

 

 

Looking at the before and after pictures, We scored big time when you were born.

 

Happy Birthday Nini! 

 

 

Thank You to All Veterans

Two in the family that have served . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

Thanks Grandpa/Dad

US Navy

 

 

 

Thanks Brian

US Marine Corps.

 

 

Thanks Mike and Mikey for building the Blue Star Memorial in Ahwatukee where you have placed memorial name bricks for family and friends that have served. It will serve as a reminder for generations to come.

 

Thanks to all the Veterans 

My Love-Hate Relationship with Stuff

I opened the closet door . . . . . . . . .

I love stuff. I hate stuff. Why do I keep it? Is it because I will lose the past or is it because I fear the future without it? Will I need it someday? Am I too sentimental?

It's funny the stuff we choose to keep and the stuff that we can let go. One man's trash is another man's treasure. All this stuff would not have the same meaning for you as it does for me.

Why have I kept a bunch of sewing patterns?

Is it because this is a connection to my mother? She made a costume for my first baton twirling competition. It was like the blue one on the pattern but she made it out of shiny silver beaded fabric. I remember my parents watching my routine as I twirled my heart out to the song "Wendy" by the Association. Every time it comes on the radio it takes me back to that day.

My mother was a really good seamstress. Quite the perfectionist when it came to sewing. Her and I made these stuffed animals when she was trying to teach me to sew. I went on to make my own clothes by the time I was in 8th grade. Do they even offer Home Economics class is schools anymore? No Future Homemakers of America now, cook your own dinner or make reservations.

 

I have also kept patterns of outfits I made for my own kids. Here is the pattern for Kendra's little Raggedy Ann costume.

 

 

 

It's time to let it all this stuff go. It's time to take back some space. It's time to take back the closet. When you have lived in the same house as long as I have there is a lot of STUFF.  It's time to say adios, goodbye, happy trails . . . . . so long. You have served your purpose and gave me some great memories.

 

 

By the way, after clearing it all out . . . . . . I found I have this big closet in my house.

 

 





Tell Me About The Good Ole Days

 

For my Dad's birthday, I bought him tickets to see the acclaimed Broadway musical, The Book of Mormon. The last musical I saw with my Dad was Oklahoma. That was during my surprise birthday celebration orchestrated by Mike over 10 years ago.

This past Sunday we walked into Grady Gammage Auditorium on the Arizona State University Campus and my Dad proceeds to tell me that after living in Arizona for as long as he has, this was his first time in Grady Gammage.  Any architect knows about Grady Gammage. It was designed by one of their own, a famous architect named  Frank Lloyd Wright.  

Then my Dad proceeded to tell me about the good ole days.  When it wasn't Grady Gammage, it was a huge area full of trailer homes for the returning GIs that had come back from the war. He continued to tell Mike and I stories of Tempe and all the shenanigans that he pulled as a kid down on Mill Avenue at the center of town. He talked about riding horseback through town and raising dust in the streets. He spoke of old friends and people he knew in the Good Ole Days. He spoke about how different it was. How people actually spoke to each other and weren't always looking down at their cell phones. How some things were private and not all over Facebook.



Not only did I get to spend some time with my Dad and Husband, I got to see a great musical and learn a little more about the good ole days. 

Countdown to Candy

 

 

Remember . . .  you can't fool Mother Nature.

 



 

Dakota is a beautiful Mother Nature. She even had butterflies in her hair.

 



 

 

Mikey says good-bye to his friend Kendall as she heads off to work at a costume shop. It's going to be a busy night for her. She bids us a Hippie Halloween as she leaves.

 

Tanner was an awesome Oompa Loompa from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Movie.
I know you remember their song:

Oompa Loompa doompadee do
I've got another puzzle for you
Ooompa Loompa doompadah dee
If you are wise you'll listen to me

Oompa Loompa Doompadee Dah
If you're not greedy you will go far
You will live in happiness too
Like the Oompa
Oompa Loompa doompadee do

Austin was a scary Zombie.  Notice his black hair?
 



 

Papa had special treats and toys. No small size candies for these kids.

 

Rob wore one of his special T-shirts.

 

 

Ryker wore a Slender Man costume. Wish he would have put his top hat on with it.

 



 

 

He really is a slender man in that costume.

Lots of candy and lots of fun on Halloween 2015.

 

 



The Boys of Fall

 

 

#59 Ryker - keeps making great tackles for the DV Cadet Thunder Team.

 

#59 On kick off team

 

 

 

#21 TJ Joyner keeps the ball moving

 

 

 

 

#00 - our double Zero - Nathan keeps growing in height and basketball skills. Well over 6' tall now.

 

 

Our fall weekends have been filled with sports. We love supporting our boys of fall in their efforts.

 

 

 

Meet Our New Sonographer

Brian showed us all that 2 long years of focused, dedicated, commitment can earn you another college degree with honors.

Congratulations on a job well done. 

There isn't a part on the human body that he doesn't know and can't scan.

He was given a gold cord to represent graduating with honors, and then he was given a special red, white and blue cord and sash to represent his service to our country. 

Ryker and Dakota were so proud of him. Brian really wanted his kids to see that hard work pays off.  

The best part is that he graduated in May and already has a new job in July. No more ramen noodles; turn the cable back on and enjoy the rewards of working hard.

We are all so proud of you.  I just hope he is not the one I am accidentally scheduled with for my next mammogram or something.

Congratulations Brian

Grandsons are really Grand!

 If I knew Grandchildren were going to be this much fun, I would have had them first.

Arizona Diamondbacks versus San Francisco Giants. Papa decided to take the Grandsons and Anisha to a baseball game this past Sunday.  TJ unfortunately couldn't make it and we are waiting for Tanner's first game. The other three had a great day.

Of course we had to celebrate National Ice Cream Day.

You can't pick your children's or grandchildren's memories but maybe if you make enough of the good ones, those will come to the surface.

Love these Guys!

You can't win if you don't play

We had a stack of lottery tickets on the desk and decided to take a ride over to the Arizona Lottery Office.  As we walked up to the entrance,  there were several people coming out with smiles on their faces. We were hoping we would walk out with a smile too. We got up to the counter and a couple from Flagstaff were cashing in their ticket for $100,000 and the lottery officials told us they were expecting the Fantasy 5 winner any minute.  They were expected to pick up their check for $300,000. We gave them our whole stack of tickets and walked out with $8.00.  Talk about happy. We headed right over to the ice cream shop afterwards.  Ryker and Dakota decided to get a picture on their age ball while we were there. I guess it's true, you can't win if you don't play.  

Because you know everything about me . . . . . . . and you still love me

 June 20, 1987  

And they said it wouldn't last . . .  here we are 28 years later trying to turn each other into something we can live with. 

 The Hawaiian islands always make you look thinner.
During the ceremony, there was a small mist of rain and the Hawaiians told us it was a special blessing.  Maybe that helped all these years.

1999



at our 25th Anniversary

  

The years have been good to us.  We are blessed to have our home, our family and our friends.

Here's to the future . . . . .

Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be.

Robert Browning

Flashback Friday

Flashback to 1984 or at least that's what my box of photos says. Brian, Kendra, Marc and Jason.

Nice 80's style.

Look at you all ruffles and lace. Nice purse and Easter hat.

This picture is a flashback to the 90's. The funny thing is Kendra is in the rabbit costume and her brothers don't even know it.

 

 

 

Happy New Year 2015

Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learnt something from yesterday.

                                                             John Wayne

We started out in 2014 knowing that our family would be growing by two feet.

We celebrated Seth's birthday  lunch at an unusual restaurant where dogs are allowed. They had there dog with them so it was fitting but I was just hoping a cat would come in to mix it up a little and see how well behaved all the dogs were.

Kendra planned a fun family night of bowling and climbing three stories above the bowling alley. 

Our little Hailey is no longer our little Hailey.  She is really tall and has turned into a beautiful young lady. We always clown around at her birthday parties. This past year was no exception.

Austin showed us his flag football skills.

It only took Nathan a few months of playing with those large athlete glasses to figure out it was time to try some contact lenses.  You won't see these on him anymore.

TJ played soccer the first part of the year.  We have no trouble finding him on the field with those beautiful curly locks.  Kendra says if he wanted to he could style it into the biggest hair you ever saw.

February brought our favorite family tradition where my dad and I go to the Auction. Horses, mules, wagons, buggies, antiques, you name it, they have it.  You have to have an old-timer with you just to figure out what some of the items are. Always a fun time. 

My Masonman Mike took me out for a birthday dinner.  Looks like we were thirsty. A lot of glasses on the table for two people. I am so proud of him that he is no longer my Marlboro Man.  He gave up smoking on December 31st of 2013. Still no smoking one year later.  

Celebrated Rhi's birthday at her favorite Mexican Food Restaurant. 

Rhi's little baby bump is starting to show more everyday. 

March brought the Ahwatukee International Chili Cook Off. Great food, carnival and special guests from California. When Len and Dan come to Arizona we go on a new restaurant search.  This one is Portillos. It's a place out of Chicago that specializes in Chicago style hot dogs.  Great food.  We were thinking of Papa Gary when we were here because we know how much he loved a good hot dog and  hamburger.

Family dinners at some of our favorite places.

We found this on our front porch one morning.  We bit into the cupcake and the color was blue.  Here comes a baby boy. Rob and Rhi are always so clever. 

2014 brought be a brand new shower. Mike did a great job on it. This picture doesn't do it justice.  Couldn't figure out at first why Mike won't use this one, then it hit me.  He doesn't want to squeegee the new glass doors. 

Little Red Ryker started tackle football and turned out to be quite the little player. Tougher than he looks.

Off to another horse show with my dad. He loves ice cream and he especially likes it when it was churned with a John Deere.

My Casey was a sick boy. Still a mom and he is still my youngest. Never changes. He had a full recovery from whatever the nasty viral infection was.

Anisha made a delicious banana dessert. Every time she cooks I think of how far she has come.  When she got married she didn't really cook at all.  Now look at her. Miss Crocker.

2014 brought lots of new teeth. There was a suggestion to serve blue punch at Rhi's upcoming baby shower.  Notice Dakota's lips. This was my example picture of why you don't serve blue punch to anyone.

Kendra sent this to us because it is sooooo true for this family.

May took us to my cousin Susan's home in Wilcox, Arizona. She has a spring festival every year, Fiesta de la Primavera. We first visited the town and then went on to her house. She is located in the middle of all the wineries in that area.  The store above is said to be the oldest store in Arizona. 

June took is to Las Vegas to see the Broadway Musical "Book of Mormon". It's by the creators of South Park and it is a non-stop laugh fest. My friend and I saw the sign and had to go find out why someone would name their kiosk Big Balls. That's what it was. Big balls.

May also brought Hailey's Middle School Graduation. 

Summer brought Little League Baseball and Nathan was able to join the Ahwatukee league.

Nathan also made the All Star Team.  It brought back memories of when Brian played many years ago in the All Stars for the same league.

Mamie made a surprise visit out to see Nathan play during the All Star games.

Our Anniversary included a celebration with our friends who all share our same anniversary date.

While cleaning this year we came across the cake topper from our wedding reception. Yellowed, but still cute.

Our Annual Fireworks show was ruined by the dust storm that decided to start the monsoon season that evening. 

Rhi had an over the top Pinterest Baby Shower. She won't have to buy diapers or clothes for months.

Ever since Dakota found out Rhiannon was having a baby, all of her Barbie dolls are also with child.  She would stuff  tissues under their evening gowns. She wanted help creating a laptop for her Barbie so I asked her what would you like her searching for on the Internet.  Of course she said shoes. Notice the red high heels. Typical Barbie, no job, no husband, pregnant and still shopping for shoes.

August brought the arrival of Tanner Michael Litecky. The maternal-child nurse in me never stopped worrying but everything turned out perfect. He his big and healthy. 

Papa is sure proud of his boys. Austin is really happy to have a little brother. We will ask him in a year when his little brother is in his room going through his things.

Mamie was able to come out and meet her great-grandson soon after he was born. 

Watch out now.  Nathan turned 13.  Teen years are upon us. 

Fall brought Chuck walking his daughter Nikki down the aisle.

He was so happy and proud that day.

Chuck and Gina

Chuck's grandsons sure look like our Dad's side of the family.

Who brings a dog to a wedding?  Really?

The October Haunted Hayride was as scary as ever. This year Hailey participated as one of the scary characters.

TJ continued to work hard all season. 

Ryker's team made it all the way to the playoffs. They had the privilege of playing the full ASU field.  What an experience for these kids. 

The field is named after the legendary ASU coach Frank Kush. It's ironic that Kendra lives in his former home.

Ryker's team took the championship title and an amazing undefeated season. 11-0

This year brought something I had hoped for and I think it was fate. It was meant to happen. I have thought about this little guy for many, many years and have not seen him since he was about three years old. Kendra and Brian were very close to him growing up. This is one of the few pictures I have of him and Kendra. There is something to be said for social media. We were able to reconnect with my nephew Dustin.

Dustin was able to reconnect with his brother, his grandfather, and his cousins. It was tearful, joyful and downright awesome. 

November brought Austin turning 8.  He had a Lego party. 

 Leave it to Mike and Anisha to play with the party decorations.

Phoenix had the 100 year flood and caused havoc for a while. This is the ranch days after the rain. Freeways were flooded and our house was kept dry only by the hard work of Mike and the boys. 

This is the kid's playground for weeks after. 

I know it's a little weird and takes time to explain but my mother's side of the family also had the surname Jones.  Don't worry, Mike and I don't share the same gene pool.  2014 marked over 150 years of Arizona history for my family so I felt it was time for a family reunion.

Chuck is so proud of his heritage that he has a license plate that says 5th generation Arizonan.

 Tanner won for being the youngest family member to attend.

 Nikki and Aaron won for the newest married.

 Alice won for the most grand kids and Lily won for the oldest to attend. She beat her cousin out by one month. Lily is one of the most loyal ASU fans I know. I don't think she has missed a football game. Notice she is wearing the ASU colors. After the reunion, she was off to a game. Not bad for 86! 

 Wouldn't be a party without a pinata.

 We were so glad all the cousins could see each other.

The park where the reunion was held has a Blue Star Memorial which Mike and Mikey helped build. Blue Star Memorials are all over the United States to honor our veterans and we are lucky to have one right in our community. We have bricks to honor them and I bet you know a few of these guys.

November brought the opportunity for me to participate in one of the first critical care conferences of it's kind. We have one of the largest simulation centers in the world and it was so successful that we will be doing it again in 2015. 

 Seth's birthday is in November so Kendra had a surprise birthday party for him in December. Having it a little later made it an even bigger surprise. It was a great party. 

December also brought the premier of Casey's skateboarding film. He had a huge turnout and his film study Professor from ASU even showed up. 

When the weather cools off it's time to catch up on some work. Mike painted the house this year.

Tanner enjoyed his first Thanksgiving. Believe me, he doesn't like to miss a meal.

It's funny how a smell, a song, or an object can bring memories rushing back. Every time I use my mother's turkey roaster I think of her and miss her. She made many a turkey in this roaster.

We don't need our tree to be a fancy show piece. We like to put on the ornaments the kids made when they were small. The tree topper was from Casey when he was 8 years old. It's the cutest snowman with pipe cleaner arms you ever saw. The best and funniest is the Nativity scene made with toilet paper rolls. How could you ever replace something like baby Jesus in a toilet paper roll manger?

Seth and Anisha enjoying the day.

Hailey helping Dakota open the latest in girl toys. 

 Me lovin on two of my favorite people.

Can't miss driving through the community to see all of the Christmas decorations. 

 2014 brought reminiscing about holidays long ago. Kendra and Brian got a laugh from these.

Stylish faux hawk haircuts.

 Time at the Ranch and time with our favorite donkey, Patron.

We are now on to our next project of pavers and re-landscaping our front yard after 25 years. 

Good, bad, happy or sad.  We are  grateful for every memory, experience, and emotion that 2014 offered. 

Bring it on 2015!