nEw granddaughTer

Our son, Mike, and his cute wife Sierra welcomed their first baby - a beautiful new daughter - on Monday, April 4, 2016! 

The baby came a week earlier than her due date and surprised us all. AND she also suprised us because she came quickly. Scott and I got the the hospital just a few minutes after the delivery. We had expected to be there late into the night - but she came at 10:12 pm after a short (but intense) labor of about six hours. 

We were all so excited when Mike announced her name. Ivy Raymond! I had been hoping for that name, because it's a favorite. I love our little Ivy.

 Mike and Sierra are so happy to finally see their little daughter - fine and healthy and BEAUTIFUL!

  The new dad.

 Aaron and Aimee live close by, so they were able to come and see our newest cousin. Their four kids will have so much fun with this new baby.

 All of Sierra's family were also there - two brothers and one sister and two spouses. And of course, Sierra's awesome parents Bryce and Leslie. This is their first grandchild.

This is a really fun little tidbit. Ivy was born on her grandma Leslie's 50th birthday! And even better, Ivy's birthdate is 4-4-16 and Leslie's is 4-4-66. I'm so happy for Leslie and this special happening.

EasTer dinneR

Easter weekend...in pictures!

EasTer weeKend in St. George

There were several Cache Valley artists in the show. This Michael Malm painting had a long list of bids on the bid sheet. It really was lovely. 

the four-year-old cousins' surprise

Suzie and Lizzie came to visit after Thanksgiving. We were all excited that cousin Claire could join the fun for a couple of days. They're both darling four year olds - born seven weeks apart. They play well together and look darling when Suzie fixes their hair in twin styles.

One morning I had to run errands and do some shopping. While I was gone, the girls (and that includes Suzie) had the grand idea to decorate our Christmas tree for us. They emptied my boxes of ornaments and garland and bows. The best part of decorating the tree is climbing the ladder. They got to do that with Grandpa supervising. And sometimes when he wasn't looking.

When I came home and walked into the family room, I was so surprised. Yes, really shocked...and delighted. What a fun service project for them. What a gift to me! 

The tree's decorations were a little bottom heavy -but not too bad. I have only moved a few ornaments because I love it just as my four-year-old granddaughters decorated it.