Remembing Grandpa Collier -- a Memorial Service

This event took place on the lawn of his own home. The rain that was expected, stayed up in the clouds. It was a beautiful day for friends and family to gather and remember Randy's father who passed away last December.

The kids and I provided prelude music --

A great opportunity for Michael to dust off his cello

And for David to pull out Papa Slaughter's clarinet.

Randy and his siblings shared memories and thoughts about their father.

Sarah - Dad was "ready" and not afraid to move on.

Randy - When life throws you down, jump right back up into the saddle.

Tim - Dad is still with us and watching out for us.

Denny - Dad was a good man and offered sound advice.

Emily, accompanied by our family string quartet, sang "Homeward Bound" a fitting song about pastures and going home. (Grandpa loved farming.)

A printed and bound memory book, compiled by Jenni, and containing letters and pictures from children, grandchildren, and spouses, was presented to Grandma.

Cookies were made by granddaughters and other relatives.

Dollie and her four children.

Cousins became reacquainted. We hadn't seen Alison (far right) for over 10 years.

Jenni met Aaron Joseph for the first time this weekend.

Boys will be Boys!

Playing "Hide and Seek" -- Evylee's favorite game.

Our family with Grandma

(missing five great-grandchildren)

Extended Family

What a wonderful day to reminisce and feel the warmth of family togetherness.

We have a Special Bond

Whenever little Ethan and I are together,

I see this...

or this...

or this...

until I do THIS.

I'm not sure why he loves being with me so much. Maybe its 'cause I'm kind of soft and squishy. I don't mind one bit. Someday soon, he will likely outgrow this and become big, strong, and independent. I want him to know -- even when he is way too big to climb up on my lap, I will still be there for him.

But for now, Ethan.... Let's cuddle.

A Name and a Blessing

Today our newest grandchild, Aaron Joseph Fairbank, received his name and a blessing.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a baby blessing is neither an infant baptism or simply a christening prayer. When a baby is just a few weeks old, a holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood, in this case and in most cases, the baby's father, pronounces a blessing as dictated by the Holy Spirit stating gifts, promises, and instructions concerning the baby's future.

With the giving of his name, Aaron Joseph is now identified on the records of the Church as part of an eternal family unit.

Emily and A.J. with a little Audrey on the side.

Time for some Gammie magic

I suppose THIS will do.

Fancy Feet

I'm not sure just how they did it, but Emily and Audrey convinced me to have a pedicure -- an absolute first! I haven't even had anyone else cut my hair since 2006, let alone touch my feet! 

OHHH the pampering! I sat in a massage chair while A MAN massaged my lower legs and feet, scrubbed the roughness from my heals, trimmed my nails and cuticles, and fancied up my toenails. I felt like royalty. He suggested I just stay in the massage chair while the girls finished up. NO PROBLEM! I did get a few giggles when I pulled out my knitting. 

I could make a habit of this!

Memorial Day. The Annual Collier Family and Friends Softball-turned-Volleyball Game and Picnic

It had rained for one week straight. The ball diamond was pure mud. Even a sun dance wouldn't bring out the warming rays. So this year we had to "punt"... or... "bump"I guess you'd have to call it since we played volleyball and all.

We divided into four teams. My brother, David, chose me (thanks, David!) and I played my little heart out for about three minutes until I jumped up to return a volley and landed wrong on my way back down, hyper-extending my knee. It buckled and I was flat on the ground. That was the extent of my ball playing this year.  sigh. 

So... I grabbed a camera and hobbled around taking photographs instead.

After a few games played and this year's winning team declared, Taylors brought out the giant ball for the BIG GAME.

CRAZY fun!

Best maneuvered by more than one person or it's libel to flatten you!

YAY TEAM!

It's a tradition for the two of us to furnish the polish sausages and hot dogs with all the fixin's and a five-gallon bucket of home-made root beer. The meal is rounded out with a variety of delicious potluck side dishes. What a spread!

Its a favorite family tradition, that's for sure!

P.S. Yes, my left knee is about twice the size of my right. I've got ice packs on it now.... Time will tell, I suppose.

Then...

source

Today I picked up the TV remote to make a phone call! NOBODY HOME is RIGHT!

(I remember when cell phones used to be as big as a remote!)

Just Another one of those Signs

So... Last night I attempted to fasten my seatbelt at the movie theater. Who does that?  Either I'm getting old, or I don't get out often enough.

source

Seven Days Old

 A.J. made his first visit to Potts' studio at seven-days-old. This just happens to be my favorite photograph of the session with A.J. sporting the yellow blanket I knit with LOVE and nice soft merino wool.

It is suggested that "newborn" photographs be taken between six and ten days old.

A little one is still sweet and sleepy.

 A.J.'s small port-wine birthmark. 

 Nestled in a Gammie-knit cocoon.

Pixy Dust

Evylee is three-years-old now. She loves to dress up and make-believe. 

Sometimes she's Cinderella and Potts is her handsome prince. According to her, "he CAN'T be the bad guy, he's POTTS!" 

Sometimes she is the dancing and singing gypsy, Ezmeralda. 

Sprinkle a little pixy dust, and she becomes the mischievous little Tinkerbell.

While her mommy and daddy were away, I braided her hair into a fairy-like wreath, dressed her in her tutu, wings, and special Gammie-knit Tinkerbell slippers, and away we flew to Potts' photography studio.

 It didn't take much photo magic...

 All you need is

Faith, Trust

and 

a little bit of

Pixie Dust