Have You Seen My Babies?!!?

I was putting the boys' new school pictures in the frames today, and I have pictures of them from the past 6 years. I laid Nathan's Kindergarten picture and Kyle's 6th grade picture side-by-side with their current photo. I'm telling you that it brought tears to my eyes. I am SO PROUD of the people they are becoming and I LOVE THEM so much that I sometimes feel that my heart will burst! Mostly I am trying to cherish every moment. I hug and kiss them each and every day. I tell them how much I love them. I take care of them and dote upon them. I feed them and do laundry and try not to complain. I know that time is flying by and my babies are growing up too fast. Thanks to my beautiful boys for making my life meaningful. Thanks for turning into compassionate, handsome, athletic, kind, smart people. I'm begging you to slow down...PLEASE!!

Nathan's "Sick" Day

Yesterday, Nathan spent one last day at home. However, he was finally feeling a little bit better. So, after spending a few early morning hours on the couch, taking Tylenol and Advil, and some TLC from Mommy...this what he did the remainder of his "sick" day.

Played the piano...

Took crazy pictures of Mommy...

Watched DVD's and ate a Candy Bar that we bought at Wal-Mart...yes he went to the store with me...

Worked on his bunting skills with his brother...

Had dinner at Chili's with Grammy and Mommy...

AND did his homework. Hey, it's hard to keep an 11-year old down. I hope Mrs. Hudson doesn't see this!!

OK, now let me just say that he WAS sick...

Our "NEW" Piano

Dave and Betty had a beautiful piano that they purchased when Kyle was a baby. Since Betty has moved into an apartment, she didn't have room for her piano. SO....now it sits in our living room waiting to be tuned up. The boys are enjoying messing around on it, and can actually play a couple of recognizeable tunes.

Thanks Betty for the lovely addition to our home. And thanks to Larry, Kyle, and Darrell for spending a day driving to the desert to pick it up and deliver it to me. I believe upright pianos weigh about 900 pounds or so.

Wordless Wednesday #31 ~ The Sick Bug Found Us!!

Happy Belated Birthday to Us...Cha Cha Cha!

My Mom and Larry had been trying to have us over for dinner to celebrate our birthdays since mid-September, and we had planned it several times and had to cancel. So on Sunday, we went over to their house and had Lasagna and Chocolate Cupcakes.

Kyle and Smokey

Thanks Mom and Larry for dinner and the birthday gifts and gift cards. We love you guys and appreciate all you do for us.

The Bright Side of the Week

We had a really difficult week, but we did have some happy times. We got to spend many hours with our neice and nephew. They are so cute, I could just eat them up. Gary, Betty, Darrell, and the "Cutest Chubby Cheeks" Baby Riley.

SO SLEEPY...but, I don't want Uncle Darrell to win the contest. Me. No. Sleep.

Baby Hands...Love Them...

Zachary aka Mini Gary. Loves cars, trucks, motorcycles, and everything else with wheels.

How cute are these little velcro shoes?? They never get tired and walk (and run) many, many miles every day!!

David Howard Groff (1940-2009)

It is with great sadness that I tell you of Darrell's fathers passing. Dave (aka Grandpa Groff) died on Friday morning about 1:00 a.m. most likely of a heart attack or of a heart anurysm. His heart was fighting back and he actually flat-lined 6 times and came back, but on the seventh time, his heart was just not strong enough. He was not coherant during this time, and was not in pain.
Betty (Darrell's Mom) is doing as well as she can. They were married for 47 years...that's a long time. Dave adored Betty. For the past 11 years, they lived in La Quinta and spent all day everyday together. She feels like a part of her died also. She keeps thinking, "Dave put the trash out on the curb, and 6 hours later he was dead." She is staying with us, and will continue to do so as long as she wants. We are looking for an apartment for her, where she can be closer to us and to Darrell's brother.
Truthfully, this has been much for difficult than I could have imagined. We are all completely mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted.
I am so thankful that we got to spend several days with them this summer when we vacationed in Palm Springs. He and Nathan watched hours and hours of the Little League World Series together. He was SO proud of his grandkids, and of Darrell and Gary.
We love and miss you Dave. Rest in peace Grandpa Groff...rest in peace.