busy, busy!

The running shoes are on the bench! I ran too hard, too fast, and too long! Growing older is full of surprises! I am going to try again this spring and take it slower and enjoy it just the same!

This is why we love to go to the Wallowa Mts! And why we stayed an extra night!

The first Valentine's party for the kindergartners, and it was delightful! They are so adorable opening all their "mail" and shouting out "thank yous" to everyone. It is one of my favorite classroom party!

Doing math with candy hearts. At this age they don"t even bother to read the words on the hearts, and they all know how to read! They just want to know if they guessed right; were there mostly purple hearts, or green?

Cousins, what a treat!

Kayte and Brooklyn came to play today! They had so much fun together I may have to give this combination another go around!

Honestly, there is just no substitute for a cousin!

Welcoming Isabelle!

Paula here. We spent Sunday afternoon in CDA at Aunt Julie's home celebrating little Isabelle and her very happy mom Sara! Not to mention two happy grandmas, and one very blessed great-grandma!

Here is our Aunt Julie laying out the spread, prepared by Terra and Sharah.

Opening gifts. Lots of girly stuff! Lots of fun!

Sara's mom with little Isabelle Valentine.

Aunt Julie with her newest grandbaby. So sweet!
Isabelle is number 83 of our ever-growing family, starting with my Grandma and Grandpa Dowers! That's a lot of family from just two!
These showers are always the best! There is always great food and all of the cousins and aunts and it is crazy and loud and happy and fun! What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Oh, my goodness, Sara is actually asleep, I didn't know that! Well, it was the end of four days at the cabin! Ben's awake, he did great! Stayed right on the schedule Paula said he would; slept, ate, played and slept again, piece of cake, so was Sara!

New running shoes! Kelly and her running group inspired me get back to running, one of my favorite hobbies! Well, I haven't been for a run in a very long time, but I took to the road for a trial run. I don't know how far I ran, but I came home and plopped on the couch. I thought I was going die! I tried it again the next day and guess what? It felt good! I have missed it! My knees hurt, but they are older after all! Thanks, Kelly and friends, keep running! I might!

Ben and Sara; well taken care of!

Joe and Paula took Kayte and Will to Disneyland and we had Ben and Sara! Actually Kelly and Susan had them too, all together they were loved on! Two kids are a lot to keep tract of! How do you guys do it? Maybe it helps to be younger!

Watching Kipper, nice mellow little dog!

This took some concentration, she is working on the same puzzles her mom did at that age.

This is what it is all about!

I am doing this blog because these 10 precious grand kids light up our days with adventures and funny stories, so stay tuned.

This is our favorite place to gather, our new table that now seats all of us without too much crowding. When I look down the table John is way down there! We try to gather here most Saturday evenings for what we call Sabbath dinner, it's our way of preparing for worship on the Lord's day. A little preview of what gathering with the saints on Sunday is all about.

Winter Sunset

Real Sunset

Reflection