The Holidays

We were blessed to have JD,Shauna and Bo visit us over Thanksgiving. We went to Pennsylvania to spend Thanksgiving day with my sister's (Lisa) family and really enjoyed it. We took JD and his family to DC to see the National tree, which was from Arizona this year, and to the Temple to see the lights. It is a great way to start out the holidays. Shauna and Bo stayed an extra week and I got to spend alot of time with them. I love being around my kids and grandkids!

Cliff had hip replacement surgery so we didn't go anywhere for Christmas. We are lucky to have Chris, Ameerah and Trey living in MD so we spent it with them. It was fun to see Ariana and Trey enjoy all their presents and get excited for Santa. We got a huge snowstorm the weekend before Christmas so we made a snowman and the kids loved doing that. Christmas Eve we made reindeer food and spread it around the front yard for the reindeer and made cookies for Santa....he must of really liked them because they were gone!

Cliff's Hip Replacement Surgery

Cliff had hip replacement surgery December 15. It is amazing how fast they can get up and walk. He was operated on on a Tuesday and was out of the hospital on Thursday walking up and down stairs. He is doing really well, the home therapist said he was doing better than normal and now he starts physical therapy. Although the doctor said he will probably be out of work until March (because of concern with blood clots and he travels alot) Cliff is hoping to be back by the end of January. He's off to a great start!

We Now Have Guardianship of Ariana!!

We are very excited, we were granted guardianship of Ariana today.

Phoenix....Here I come!

After our wonderful ski trip, Cliff flew back home and I drove to Phoenix with JD ,Chris and Brandon. I love being with my boys and there is nothing like and 8 hour drive for a great bonding experience! I only got to be in Phoenix for one day so didn't get to see many people but I did get spend some time with my granddaughter, Alexa, who just turned 4 and I got to see Shauna and the little bundle of joy that she is carrying (our 4th grandchild. Alexa is a beautiful little girl and full of energy. JD and Shauna have a very nice home and I fell in love with their dog, Roxy.

Visit with The Lewis Family

Cliff and I got to spend a little time (and I mean a very little time) with Cliff's niece, Traci and her beautiful family, Dan, Madi and Jenson. Traci is Cliff's brother (who passed away last year), Glenn's, daughter. It was so good to see them and catch up on what the family was doing. Madi and Jenson were just toddlers the last time we saw them so it was fun to hear what they are up to. We flew in to Albuquerque on our way to Pagosa Springs to go skiing and since we got in so late, we spent the night and got to see them before they left to surprise Phil for his birthday in Phoenix. We hope they come out to visit us sometime soon!!!!

She's showing!!!!

Shauna and Roxy

Shauna and JD are expecting their first child in June!! You couldn't tell she was pregnant when she was here at Christmas but the proof is here......they are hoping to find out the sex on Monday. That will make 3 grandchildren in Phoenix and us clear back here in Maryland!!

Ryan On Special Assignment!!

Ryan is on special assignment to the Grand Canyon. His company is removing an iron ore mine from the side of the canyon and he is one of the guys that repels down to remove it. This is the type of thing that makes parents go gray before their time!!! Apparently, there is sacred Indian ground below, where this mine is, and they can't let anything (including screws, nuts etc.) fall on this sacred ground. There is snow on the ground and is very cold......it's dangerous work but we hear that Ryan is really enjoying it.

We are looking forward to hearing from him and all about his adventure!

JD's a Star!

Three of our kids and two granchildren (Ryan, JD, Julie, Ariana and Alexa) live in Phoenix so we don't get to see them as often as we would like. It is always a treat when we can see even a glimpse of them!

JD was at the Suns vs. Mavericks game last night and right behind the Suns bench there he was, all decked out in his Orange and Purple!!! The game was on so late on the east coast that I fell asleep during it, but I caught quite a few glimpses of JD during the game. It is alot more fun to watch a game when you know someone there...:):) JD would be proud that I did look up the score and the Suns won 128 to 100. GO SUNS and GO JD!!!! (Couldn't find a picture with a Suns shirt)

Sleepover with Trey!

We love our grandkids, the only problem is only one of them live close enough to see often. Thank goodness for Trey!!!! Chris and Ameerah went to see the play "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" on Thursday (Ameerah's friend is a dancer in it) and went out afterwards with Ameerah's friend so Cliff and I got to have Trey all night.

He is 13 months and such a happy boy. He is always smiling and exploring even when he isn't feeling very good. Since I already had dinner plans, Cliff got to spend the first 1 1/2 hours alone with him. Trey loves his Pops, they are always teasing each other. Cliff has a way with his grandkids.....he is always teasing them and they like to tease him back. When I got home Cliff was fixing him a bottle so I didn't get to play much with him. He got up a couple times during the night (I think mainly because of his stuffy nose) and I got to hold and comfort him. Nothing better than having a baby in your arms and getting those big kisses!!!