The Most Beautiful Place in the World to Run. . .

The river

The Path

The Bridge

The Yarrow

Shady Trees

Water at the first Mile

Park Pavilions

Classic Daniel

Abandon Car

Fall Colors

Next Water Stop

Bridal Veil Falls

Plum Tree can be a life saver

The Water Runs continuously

Love taking trips to South Florida!!!

This May we went with Katie, Adam, Sam and Jack to Florida. They had the opportunity to fly to Florida, visit for a day and then take a cruise to the Bahamas for 3 days and 2 nights, Daniel and I took care of the little boys while they went on the cruise. We had a great time because the boys are so much fun and very sweet. When Adam and Katie returned we took them to visit some of our favorite places for a couple of days and then they were off to Disney World for fun as a family. Daniel and I stayed in a great place on Ft. Lauderdale Blvd. for most of our visit and one night in our new favorite hotel on Miami Beach, Grand Beach Hotel. I love that Daniel can find the best deals to make doing something like this low stress and very fun!!!
Flying took about 7 hours with a lay over in Denver. Sam and Jack were equipped with snacks and all kinds of entertainment, they were perfectly behaved and Jack even took an hour nap.

Jack didn't like the sand at first so we gave him some time to warm up to the experience. Daniel and I talked about how interesting it was to watch the boys acclimate. As Floridians we took Dano to the beach when he was a week old, he stayed under an umbrella and slept and I'm not really sure why we took him when he was so tiny other than we wanted him to love what we loved!!!

Sam was excited about every part of the experiences we introduced to him. He enjoyed the sand, the water, the breeze and that was just on the beach. In the resort he loved the room, the elevator and all the buttons after the boys left Daniel and I felt a little lost. The boys added really fun energy to every thing we did with them.

We took time to go visit my wonderful aunt. Tia China has had some serious health problems and I loved taking the boys to show them off. I found my sweet aunt looking much better than I thought and much to my surprise two of my cousins made arrangements to take time off work and come see us at her house. I felt honored that they would make the sacrifice. I guess it was very characteristic of my father's side of the family to go to extra trouble and come and bring home made key lime pie, it was creamy and delicious.

Nexxt Cafe made us all happy!

We went out to the Everglades looking for Alligators we finally found a pier and dock for airboats that had a free show where they had very lazy gators.

By the last day at the beach Jack was having fun. . .even naughty fun!
This was the amazing view from our room at the Grand Beach Hotel, it felt as great as it looked. I love vacationing in south Florida and look forward to sharing it with all of you!

More than a Number. . .

My Grandchildren are a beautiful addition to an already very blessed life. I am very proud of the the love and sacrifice made by their parents and I honor and praise them for being so dedicated to our grandbabies

Isaak Daniel was born earlier than planned  and I was privileged to be present at his birth. It was a beautiful thing to witness. Amy and Dano did all they needed to make his arrival safe and he was welcomed by a large family eager to meet him! A few of Isaak's traits are that he is loving, kind, and enthusiastic.


Sophia Natalya was born December and she was born while Bradley and Cynthia lived in our home. It was wonderful to help out with caring for Cynthia so she could care for Sophi. We were all thrilled with having her join our predominant male family and help even out the numbers. She has been spunky from the beginning and we celebrate those attributes that make her such. Some of Sophia's traits are that she is a fast learner, concerned for others, and imaginative.



Samuel Adam was born February to Adam and Katie and he is a very sweet, gentle, persistent child. I value persistence because I am a witness to the greatness it can accomplish in the life of some of my love ones. Sam is very similar to his father and that stirs sweet memories of Adam, its very easy for me to get close to Samuel.



Almost a year later Noah Carter was born and from the first sight his grandfather "Pots" said he looks like a "Buster". Noah was the first born in the round of second children in the first 3 married children's families. He is memorable in many ways because he has a big personality, he is loud, and full of life! He was born January to Amy and Dano's family.


At the end of a long warm summer Jack Daniel was born September. He was born as another second child to Katie and Adam's family and he is very much his own person. His voice is uniquely low and almost raspy at times and others high pitched and whispered (so cute) A few of my favorite traits of Jack's are he is easy going, he likes to tease and a quiet observer who takes it all in.



2008 ended with the birth of Bryce Bradley in December. The second child in this family and the first boy! He is a sweet natured little man, has always been a curious watcher, eager to take it all in while wanting to experience life at his own pace, he enjoys being included in whatever is going on even though he is still very young.


This last Thanksgiving we welcomed Kayla Olivia born November she was welcomed as the first girl to Dano and Amy's family. She is a very content, peaceful little doll who manages to accept her brothers and their expressions of love.



 Brad and Cynthia finished off the summer with the long awaited birth of Blake Anthony.  He is very cuddly and healthy.  He is loved and we are all so glad that he is healthy and it will be so fun to soon see him playing with his siblings and cousins.