Grant Alexander - Yesterday and Today

Today is Grant's 22nd birthday!

Grant was our 3rd grandchild and 2nd grandson.

He's an important part of this large family

And an even more important part of this beautiful,

fun, and quirky family.

 I wrote about Grant in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 and those posts tell you a lot about Grant through the years.  And the following pictures will show you how he's changed physically through the years.

But now I want to cover whats going on in Grants todays and what's changed in his life in the past year.

To start out, we'll talk about Grant's employment.  In addition to going to school full time, he works as many hours as he can.  Last summer he worked in a grocery store in a job he didn't enjoy and now he works in the IT Department on his college campus in a job he loves!

He's also working hard on his music - learning to sing and play the piano - starting with lessons from a girl he met on campus and then paying for lessons over the summer.  As interested as Grant is in an IT career, it's possible his first love is music.

Grant rents a house with several roommates and he's been busy this summer interviewing new prospects since some of the old are graduating and moving on.  So you can see he's thorough and methodical.

During the Christmas break he spent the holidays in Gulf Shores with his very large extended family.

And most recently spent a few days in Florida helping his family move into their new digs.

In addition to all this, he's somehow found the time to grow a beard.  (Which would really look pretty good if it weren't for the fact that he's just our little grandson in my mind.)

Also he an amazing dancer?

he's very strong,

has a great sense of humor,

And obviously is a really good sport.

  He's so much fun to be around and his family reaps those benefits as often as possible whether it's fishing with his dad

working with his brother (or entertaining him)

spending special moments with his little sister,

or celebrating his 21st with his mom

And he's always funny, fun, sweet and kind.

We could not be more proud of this hard working, incredibly smart, loving, sensible, and all around awesome grandson.  So, Grant, we're wishing the happiest birthday ever and a year that surpasses all others in happiness but one that's only half as great as the many, many more to come.

Amber Lynn - Yesterday and Today

Today is Amber's birthday!

Amber was our very first grandchild!  She's an important part of this large family.

And an important part of this smaller but still large family.

And a very important part of this beautiful family.

I wrote about Amber in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 and those posts tell you a lot about Amber through the years.  And the following pictures will show you how she's changed physically through the years.

But now I want to talk about current Amber and what's been going on in her life during the past year. Obviously, with 5 young children, she's been very busy.  And she's pregnant with that much anticipated 6th child.

Her sons started at a new school and Amber was their transportation to and from.

 And accompanied them on field trips and school picnics.

And before they found out Number 6 was on the way, they had a different new addition to the family.

And in the past year she's gotten even closer to her best friend Lacie.  And that dynamic changed when Lacie became a mom for the first time and Amber was able to be a  nearby support system for her which they both loved.  Here they are with Pokemon Go.

So it's been a busy, happy year for Amber taking care of a very busy household and all that goes with it.  But there's so much more to say about Amber.  She's smart, focused, patient, and kind;

Fun loving,

Hard working,

has a wonderful sense of humor,

and is completely devoted to her family.

And she's loyal, steadfast, and true to her extended family and friends.  Her happy disposition makes us all want to be with her all the time.  Amber is truly a treasure to our family and we all wish we could see more of her.  We're wishing her the happiest of birthdays and a year that surpasses all others in happiness and fulfillment.  So Happy Birthday, Sweet Amber!  We love you and could not be more proud of you.