Happy 2016

Jan. 1, 2016
This morning I re-discovered my blog and have enjoyed reading some of my memories.
So I will attempt to record some more of my feelings in this new year.
I have set a few goals for myself to help me feel more happiness and peace in my life.
Here they are for this morning:

1. Pray each morning and night.

2. Read from the scriptures or words of the modern day prophets each morning.

3. Pay a full tithe.

Happy 2016, here's to a year of growth and learning

The Forgotten Holiday

In honor of the great and often ignored holiday, Thanksgiving, which takes a back seat to Halloween and Christmas, I have decided to post some pictures of autumn, when the colors are so beautiful and the days are still warm.

Happy Turkey Day to all, what are you most grateful for this year?

More Pics

A hike in Boardman Park and fun at Aunt Jackie's. No, today we are not going to "eat the slop"

Instead we will have lunch from our favorite Italian deli!!

Sunrise, Sunset

7:29 pm. Pink, orange, peach and white. Off to the side, faded blue, grey, bright yellow and white.
I happened to catch the most splendid sunset this evening. Actually the past three evenings have been spectacular, and all different. I hope I can remember to go outside this week and look for them.
Better than any movie, concert or sporting event!!

Goodbye Summer, good times

Summer fun 2010

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Lots of laughter, fun and endless talking. That's what you get when the girls drive to Columbus for the day. And also a wonderful morning in the Columbus Ohio Temple. What a perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday!
On the way home, more laughter, talking and singin' to the oldies.
Just one flaw in the day, I forgot to bring the pepperoni rolls.
I guess we'll just have to do it all again girls!!

Like Father, Like Sons

It has been nice to see some family from the West this week. Today we enjoyed shopping in Hartville, a fun dinner at Fazoli's and a round of board games, snacks and laughter.
Interesting how all the girls in the group ordered something different, and Walt, Ron, and their dad Larry ordered the exact same meal of Spaghetti and Meatballs. This, of course was unplanned, but not surprising.
I will always see in my mind the three of them watching a game, and no matter what teams are playing, the result is always the same. Three different but unmistakeable sounds of giggling in various tones surrounds the room. For sure we know that their team has made a great play or upped the score to win. Fun times, good memories.
I am thankful for these good men in my life.

Cousins

It has been so fun to watch the cousins interact and hang out this month.

On Memorial Day weekend, the older girls, Becca, Abbie, Amanda and Alexandra, had a sleepover at Grandpa's where they did scrapbooking, played games and collected their candy at the parade. But mostly they giggled, and I treasure the memory.

This week, the younger cousins, all nine of them, hung out here at Grandma's and had a ball with each other.

All of them under the age of ten, but they adore each other.

Some quotes from the little folks:

Claire, age 3, as she is exploring my bedroom.

"Grandma, is this your room?"

"Where is Grandpa's room?"

"Do you sleep in the same bed?"

We have an extra bed in our attic room, so she was just wondering.

Ava, age 4, to Claire as they were saying goodbye.

"Bye, Claire, I love you!"

Nora, age 3, not wanting to be outdone by her sister.

"Bye, Claire, I like you very much!"

Too CUTE!

Then there was the tennis match at the park between Maddie(6) and Ian(7) and Noah(9) vs. Abbie(12) Of course the younger cousins "won" with their "lucky tennis balls"

No rain, fun times, and a tired, but HAPPY Grandma!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Pete

It was a fun day, and there were 30 in attendance. Our family is growing. We missed Brent and April and of course, Grandma Carmel. She was the inspiration behind these parties and we proudly carry on her legacy. It's gettting harder to have everyone at the same place, but you were there in spirit. Had to catch a shot of Aunt Jackie and all the parents. They are all octogenarians now. Thanks for the memories, all of you!!

Spring Break, Part Two

I couldn't resist a few more pictures with this great weather, so I coaxed everyone into going to my favorite place in Canton, the top of the McKinley Monument.
Can't you feel the excitement?
At least everyone agreed, I don't ask for much do I?
Back to school today, it was fun while it lasted!

"Really" fun Spring Break

This was a great week, wonderful weather and fun times. I must admit, I was hesitant about traveling this time of year because Spring Break in the Midwest usually means cold and wet. But we had a pleasant change this year and it was very relaxing.
Thanks April and roommates for housing us, it was "really" nice.

The Bachelor---NOT!!!

Well it's time for me to get on my soap box, so here goes.
My two youngest daughters have been infatuated with this show , which I've never seen, because I am usually sleeping when it's on. But tonight, I received a phone call to sub tomorrow, which woke me from my usual nap. I decide to watch the last five minutes of this drama, which about made me want to throw up. Seriously??
First of all, real people don't look like that. That is, without spending a million dollars to replace everything you were born with.
Let me give you my version of real love, which is what you probably won't find on any television show.
Real love is going with your date to her favorite restaurant, when you'd rather be watching the game. It's doing the dishes and changing the smelly diapers. Making a box of mac and cheese for dinner when your wife is at piano lessons. Letting your wife take a nap and playing checkers with the grandkids. Letting your husband watch the game when you'd rather be out on the town. Letting him pick the movie. Carnations instead of 50 dollar roses, which smell better anyway. A Valentine Date with all the kids along.
I hope that you don't pass up real love girls, when you're looking for the perfect date. Remember, Mr. Perfect doesn't exist.
And happily ever after comes when you struggle throught the challenges together.

Bowling for Dollars

It's a good thing I don't, or I'd be losing money. But today I managed to get one spare among many gutter balls. Alexandra, where are the bumpers when I need them? Thanks for encouraging me to write, since you are probably the only one reading this.
I hope this is our last snow day, we are all getting a little crazy.
But I am getting some much needed things done, like unanswered mail and I even got to the store today. It's looking good for the weekend.
And I promise not to complain when this all melts and my backyard is a slushy mess!
All in all, February is a good month, some of my favorite people were born, including Abraham Lincoln.
And to the special little gal reading this, you are one of the best!
See you at the lanes, with the bumpers next time!!

Another Auld Lang Syne

"The year is dying, in the night, Ring out wild bells and let him fly"
We sing that song every year at church the Sunday before New Years and the kids always chuckle.
This year Walt said, "NO, we won't sing it becaus Sis Geis is not the music director anymore" (It's her favorite)
But alas, we sang it anyway and big smiles flashed across our row on Sunday.
2009 is going to be a good year for me, at least I'm going to try to make it into one.
There's joy out there to be found, so I will do my best to find it.
Enjoy the festivities tonight, whatever you find yourself doing!

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano y Felicidad

The season was merry, the year is ending, Christmas went by so fast as usual. I always feel a little melancholy after all the festivities are over and everyone has gone home. We missed Tod and Brent and Stephanie being here this year.
As I reflect on 2008, I am thankful for many things. All my kids were together in May for Brent's wedding, that was a wonderful time. Tod is in Arizona serving his mission and loving it. He is learning so much and our family is being blessed.
I am realizing how old we are getting and the inevitable changes that come. Mom is in a nursing facility and it was sad to realize that she won't be coming home again. But she is at peace there.

Spin and Win

Not wanting to hit the half-century mark, I told everyone last year that I am now counting backwards. So this year I am now 47 (do the math) and when I hit zero, then I plan to die.
At any rate, some of our kids treated Walt and me to dinner and games at a place called Dave and Busters. This is an adult playground, with games and tickets in the Chuck E. Cheese fashion.
It really was a blast from the past and quite fun for all, with oldies like Skee Ball and the infamous claw machine, along with new favorites like Deal or No Deal.
I am not great at games, but I tried a few, and honestly I can see how gambling for real cash could become a bad habit.
If you want to relive your youth, I recommend this place for a fun night out.
The food was good, not too pricey, but don't get carried away with the amount you can spend on games, there are lots to choose from.
We bought one card and shared it, and managed to accumulate 1000 tickets, coming home with a small prize for all seven kids and even one for Becca, who gave up her Friday night to babysit.
Thanks everyone for an awesome time!!

No Shoes, no shirt, no problems!!

My favorite season is almost over. I looked at my blog and realized how busy I've been since I last posted in the middle of winter.
I am drinking up every last bit of sun, even if it's only through the window at Mindy's scrapbook, where I hang out most afternoons.
I have taken a few long walks and am planning to take many more before the snow flies. One place I haven't been to in 2 years is Cuyahoga Valley National Park, specifically the Ledges area, and I hope to get there soon.
School starts next week and I am down to a senior, a freshman, and a fifth grade student. I have much more time alone during the day, some days good, some days lonely. But I'll be filling my time up as I usually do. I'm one of those people who can't sit still too long.
Any ideas for a wild way to end summer?
A good book and a lawn chair sound inviting.

Snow, snow, and more snow!

Happy Leap Day and probably the most snow on record in one month. I think the second highest snowfall recorded in Feb, for those of you who like statistics.
In the background is Elder Tod, playing the piano and singing rock songs as LOUD as he can!! I guess that's how he relaxes, but in our small house... need I say more? Less than a week left for him to leave, I will miss that boy. Phoenix, I hope you're ready.
I have a lot to be thankful for, especially my patient husband and all 8 of my wonderful kids. Each one adds so much to my learning about life. And those grandkids are the light of my life.
Rock on!!!

Granny Gross

Trying to get a good pic of grandma wasn't easy, but these aren't too bad. Wish she could enjoy these, but at least she still knows the kids. Cousins Abbie and Alexandra share a laugh with granny. Don't know how many of those she has left.
Gross is really my maiden name, no joke. A few years back, we found a Ghostbusters figure named Granny Gross that opened her mouth wide and looked really GROSS, when we gave it to Mom she laughed and laughed. We miss your sense of humor, Grandma!