MORE OF MY FAVORITE PICS

Here are a few more of my favorite pics. Beth with Reagan! Bobby J at the zoo. Megan when she used to be "outdoorsey."

CHILLIN' WITH THE SKOUSENS

I just finished a whirlwind trip to visit Brittany and her sweet kids in Tempe. It was fast and furious but fun. They have a new place to live that is alot bigger and we had such a good time. Bethany and Bob came with the kids and we visited the really fun mall with aquariums and carousels and also went to the Phoenix zoo. After chasing the kids all over the mall, Britt got backpacks with long leashes to keep the kids in tow. She was so excited. I loved all the affection I got, I always had someone on my lap. I even "found" Jessie her lost stuffed animal "Mousey." The kids are growing so fast, and Reagan is huge and so fun. He has the sweetest eyes ever. Bryton and Bobby J had a good time too. It was fun to have them all together. Except for the lost luggage, it was great fun. I surely miss my sweet Brittany and wish I could spend more time with her. She is a rare gem. The one picture is Sabrina Belle trying to get under the fence around the carousel. She is really full of energy. I sure loved the great weather.

FAMILY

I adore my grandchildren....everyone of them. But there is nothing in the world than can take the place of my children. Each of them mean so much to me. I love my memories of each of them, and the joy I had from raising them. Aaron, was my smallest baby, and yet now is a big man with whom I have great memories and a wonderful bond. No matter how long I go without seeing him, we have feelings that don't need to be spoken. We both love poetry, and fine books. And he has a wonderful wife and sons and I feel safe with him.

Brandon is my "baby boy" who surely isn't a baby. He is still so handsome and strong. He really enjoys his son's games and knows how to push my buttons, but he tries not to anymore. He was the boy with the sunshine smile. He still can get on his kid's level, and really have fun and he always makes us feel welcome. He adores and admires his dad.

Natalie is amazing. Everything she does, she does well. When she walks into a room, it is like a etherial light has turned on in the room. She is smart, funny, nurturing and the greatest mama to her girls. She doesn't see herself as talented, and yet she has so many attributes. I hope her daughters are just like her.

Bethany is my boss. She takes care of everyone, especially Neil. She makes sure he is taken care of at work, and she watches all of our backs.

She is strong minded and it is fun to see her "turned on" to Twilight. She hadn't been to a movie in 7 years, but has seen that one 10 times and read the books over and over. She is ever changing.

Brittany makes me laugh even when I am in a bad mood. She is always so upbeat. Even when times are hard, she bounces back. She is such a great mom, taking her kids to the library and dancing and the store. It isn't easy to take 4 under 4, but she does it with a smile. She is a "great" dancer, well at least she is a great seamstress and she can make anything.

She is a beautiful mother, wife and daughter. And she makes me feel loved.

Megan is my caboose. She is a beauty that doesn't know it. She has surprised us all by really doing great in school. She is feisty and yet kind, spunky and yet loving, and has a mind of her own. She is my "conservative" and we loves our books and movies. Her children adore her, and she is a good mama. She is not the little girl that used to hide in the closet. She is strong and determined.

So you see, I am blessed. I don't have to agree with all my children say and do, but I do love them "forever, for always, no matter what!"

TO SHOW A CHILD WHAT HAS ONCE DELIGHTED YOU, AND REDISCOVER YOUR PLEASURE IN THE CHILD'S INTEREST; THIS IS THE GREAT HAPPINESS OF A GRANDMOTHER.

LITTLE BOBBY J

We have the funniest, little grandson named after his dad, Bob. But we call him Bobby J! He will be three in April and he has really changed the life of Bob, Beth and Bryton. He is full of energy and loves playing with balls of any kind (and he is great at ball), and he loves to dance with his sister. He is such a kick. He sings and rolls his eyes, and at night he has a routine for bed that cannot be changed under any circumstances. He has beautiful blue eyes, and I can see Bethany in him too. He says the craziest things. He always rubs his dad's bald head and says, "Where's you hair?" I guess last night he said, "Where's you hair? You got to go find some hair!" He is very loving and always gives hugs and kisses goodbye. We just think he is great!

THIS ONE IS FOR TRACY

BRANDON, NATALIE AND NEIL ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO

SUPERBOWL-STEELERS STYLE

We were lucky enough to have a real "Steelers Fan" in the family. Brandon has been a fan since he was small, and he and his whole family have to wear Steeler shirts and root for the Steelers. Some of us just go through the motions, but he gets really into it. So we had a huge dinner before the game. We made a turkey, two roasts, potatoes, gravy, rolls and a chocolate cake and a white cake. Neil made the best clam dip ever and we did have a good time. When they were ahead, there was alot of noise and when they were behind, it was like a cloud over their heads. But in the end, Brandon's whole family was happy. I have a picture of them all wearing their 3D glasses, which I thought was funny. It's good to have kids and to try to be interested in what they like. It's hard work too, but so well worth it. In the picture are Brandon (the bald one), his wife Heidi, Azlan 13, Taylor 11, Noah 9 and

Payton 8. (There was no chocolate left!)

By the way, Noah was in the TOP TEN in MATH in the Iowa Testing of the third grade at Rosecrest Elementary. We are VERY PROUD of him. He is good looking and smart too.