Happy Birthday, Katie!

Happy 25th Birthday, Katie!  We're so grateful to have you as a part of our family! David is one smart cookie! Love You!

Emily's Best

In fact, it was better than her best! Emily's senior recital was amazing. I sat in the audience in awe... so pleased to call her mine. 

Emily's Vocal Union Director, Nori Brower, served as accompanist (and even performed a solo entitled "Emily" while Emily made a clothing change.) 

Emily began her recital by singing a few classical numbers -"Oh! Quand je dors" by Liszt, 

"Quando Men vo" by Puccini, and my personal favorite, "Homeward Bound" by Marta Keen.

Sacred Music included "Precious Savior" as a duet with Audrey, 

"The Lord's Prayer" with three of her friends, and "Be Still My Soul" as a solo.

Jazz was next, with her grandparent's love song, "All the Things You Are", then "My Romance", "I Could Write a Book," 

and an adorable rendition of "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" with her friends.

Emily was so fortunate to have her jazz coach as accompanist. Sister Brower has an amazing gift for improvisation. She was incredible!

Emily closed the program with two Broadway Hits, "Still Hurting" 

from The Last Five Years (so tender - I had to wipe the tears away), and "Shopping Around" from Wish You Were Here.

Emily has such a versatile voice. Jazz is her favorite and it is easy to tell that she feels most comfortable in that style, but I'll have to say that I was so tickled with her classical.  I've never heard her sing full voice in that genre before.  She knocked my socks off!

Emily's teacher, Elizabeth Bossard

Congratulations, Emily!  You deserve a boatload of roses, and hugs, and kisses! I am so proud of you. Please keep singing; I need your sweet voice!

Sadie Jane

Eight Months Old

Jenni prayed for a "Mommy's Girl" and her prayers were answered. This little doll is happiest when she is in her mother's arms. I just love her smiling eyes; they remind me so much of Jenni's.

Jenni, Mark, and family

When Warners Come for a Visit...

We all want to be there!  Mark's sister, Kim, blessed her baby on Sunday, so Jenni and family flew in from Seattle. It's such a special occasion when they are here! Like a holiday that happens twice a year!

It gave us the chance to "eat up" our sweet Sadie.

And for the cousins to become reacquainted.

After dinner on the Sabbath, we gathered up as many strollers and other carrier contraptions as we could find and went for a walk through the neighborhood. What a sight! We made quite the parade, I do believe! Witnessing my children laughing and loving is one of the greatest joys of motherhood.

That's what family memories are made of.

"Despite all new inventions and modern designs, 

fads and fetishes, 

no one has yet invented, or will ever invent, 

a satisfying substitute 

for one's own family."

                                          -- Dr. Stuart E. Rosenberg

Crafting it Forward!

Here's a fun little contest! I was the first to spot it on Courtney's blog this morning and I want to play!

Here are the rules:
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! This offer does have some limitations:

1. You will not know what it's going to be, and there are no guarantees that you will like what I make! It may be something simple and small or I may go crazy and do something amazing.

2. It’ll be done this year. Translation: you may be waiting a little while. ( My goal is the next 6 weeks)

3. Most importantly, you must offer the same deal on your blog - the first 5 people to comment on your blog (or Facebook or whatever, if you don't have a blog) get something made by YOU!

Gammpottsie Day

Payton came to town, so it was the perfect time for our first annual Gammpottsie Day.  That's Collier talk for grandparent's day -- a rip-roaring celebration with our "older" grandchildren! Prerequisite:  must be potty trained.

This year we invited Payton and Lily.

First, we changed into pajamas.  Lily would NOT step foot into her zip up footie PJs.  She insisted on wearing two-piece just like her cousin, Payton.  Luckily he had an extra pair to share.

We built a fort.

Popped Popcorn

And watched a movie.

Lily and Payton were more than a little bit excited about going swimming.

But first it was time to jump on the beds,

Say Prayers

And give good-night kisses.

Before we knew it, we were up again with the early birds. 

Waffles for Breakfast

Time for a morning swim.

We topped off our Gammpottsie Day with Lunch and Fun at Chick-fil-A.

I don't know about Potts, but Gammie had to take a nap after all was said and done.  Where did I ever get the energy to raise five children!  But Payton, Lily, Potts, and I had such a great time. We can't wait for Evylee to join us next year.  

Hmmm... What to post?

Here is a cute "show and tell".  This is my youngest grandbaby, Kylie Mae.  She belongs to my son, David and his sweetheart, Katie.  She is seven months old now and as adorable as can be.