A Letter From Alexis

At Awstin's birthday party, Alexis handed me a letter. I opened it up and this is what I read.

I love when Alexis writes letters to me. I intend to write one back to her. In the meantime, I will get ready for the sleepover this Friday. I can hardly wait!

Summer 2015 Family Days

Each summer, Steve and I try to plan a family day with all of our children and grandchildren. This year we divided our time between two days as we tried to work with everyone's schedule. Even though it can seem like a chore to get a date it is always such a pleasure and so rewarding to spend time together. I enjoy watching my children chat and interact with each other and a highlight is seeing the grandchildren happy and smiling and laughing.

 

On Saturday, Steve and I, Shawn and Melissa, and Jay and Kristen took the grandkids to Cherry Crest Farm. The girls remembered it from last year and were excited about going again. We had a pleasant couple of hours just walking through everything and watching the children enjoy the animals, rides and play areas. The only stressful part was the Strasburg Railroad train that passes through the farm about every 15 minutes. It blows it's whistle loudly as it sails by and Awstin was not a fan of it. We kept an eye out for it and always warned him and Melissa would hold his ears. He would endure it and then as it whizzed by he would say hopefully "bye train?".

Our wonderful grandchildren!

 

Alexis and me.

 

Kristen and Lydia

 

The Singing Chicken Show was a big hit. Mark goes closer for a better look.

 

Taking a break.

 

Jay and family enthralled by the chicken show :)

 

Alexis and me again.

 

Melissa holds Awstin's ears as the train rushes by.

 

Even Hannah enjoyed the shelled corn barn although she wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

 

We got back from Cherry Crest mid afternoon and the rest of the family joined us for an early supper. After supper, everyone except Kristen and I went to Tanglewood to the driving range. While they all tried to hit the little white ball, Kristen and I took the children to Muddy Run Park. That is where I got the picture at the beginning of the blog of Mark and Awstin holding hands. We were walking from one playground to another one and we had to cross the corner of a parking lot. We told them to grab someone's hand as we walked through and they immediately attached themselves to each other. It was so precious! Afterward we came back to the house again and just enjoyed some relaxing time together until everyone went home. Of course Steve gave the children rides on the barrel train. Alexis and Mark and Awstin love it. Lydia will ride it sometimes, but chose not to this time. I don't think the boys would ever get tired of it. I'm not sure what is so much fun about sitting in a barrel and being pulled around but most children seem to love it.

 

There they go!

 

Last evening we all met again at the Barnstormers Game. We enjoyed a delicious meal of Hess's barbecue chicken and then Steve and I took the grandchildren to the playground and carousel while the others chatted and watched the game. Melissa and Kristen also made their way over to the play area and joined us. The merry-go-round was a big hit and all the children rode on it many times.

 

Shawn, Melissa and Awstin

 

Jay, Kristen, Alexis, Lydia, Mark and Hannah

 

Jeremy and Megan

 

Josh and Julissa

 

We told them not to climb on the rails.

 

Awstin didn't listen too well :)

 

Yes, we were practically the only ones there.

 

 

Awstin.

 

Lydia.

 

Alexis

 

Mark

 

The girls on the merry-go-round.

 

Mark waves as he and Grandpa go around.

 

Melissa and Awstin take a selfie while Grandpa watches.

 

Hannah is all smiles!

 

That ended our family time together for this summer. I'm so thankful for these moments that we can spend together. Family is such a blessing!

Awstin is 2!

This little guy turned 2 years old today! Two years isn't that long a time, but it is hard to remember (or imagine) life without him. He certainly changed the lives of everyone around him. After being married for 10 years before adding a child, I can only imagine the adjustments that Shawn and Melissa had to make.  However, this little ray of sunshine certainly made the life changes well worth the while. I have really enjoyed keeping Awstin every Wednesday. Seeing him at least once a week, gives me the advantage of witnessing firsthand all his little (and big) achievements. I love when he comes in my door and calls "maw maw!" When he sees me he comes running with arms outstretched. Such a warm welcome always melts my heart. I know how quickly these years go by, so I try to treasure all the moments that I spend with my grandchildren. I hope that when they grow up, they are still happy to see me.

 

Shawn and Melissa had a little birthday party for Awstin at Silver Mine Park. It was a nice evening together with family. His cousins were all there to enjoy the moment with him so that made it special. Melissa and a friend made a very creative cake. It was so cute! Awstin really hadn't been to a birthday party before, and they weren't sure if he would really understand what was going on. I'm not sure he did get most of it, but when it came time to blow out the candles he blew them right out. Everyone was amazed, but I'm pretty sure he knew what to do because I have videos of all his cousins blowing out their birthday candles on their cakes and it is one of his favorite things to watch when he is at my house.

Taking a bite out of one of the tires.

Showing off his black teeth.

Lydia helpfully shows him what is in the gift bag.

His cousins wait in anticipation as Awstin puts his hand in the bag to pull something out.

Mark loved the little farm toys too!

Alexis shows Awstin his new Clifford books.

Alexis, Lydia and Mark admire Awstin's presents. He is so lucky to have such wonderful cousins!

Here's the birthday video. I know it is a little long, but I am positive that Awstin will enjoy watching it again and again. 

 

It is fun to share in our grandchildren's birthdays. Next one up is Alexis' in August!