Grant

Today is Grant's birthday!

Grant is a very important part of this large family

and a very important part of this beautiful family

He was our 3rd grandchild and our 2nd grandson.

I wrote about Grant on his birthday last year and that post will show you links to all his previous posts.

And those links take you to stories and show pictures of how he's changed through the years. So I'll just post a few pictures here

and concentrate more on what's been going on in his life during the past year and mainly that can be summed up in two words - school and work.

Grant is pursuing a degree in Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Computer Science and is scheduled to graduate in August, 2018.  It's a good thing he loves this field because he also works in it part-time during the school year and full-time during the summer.  And even during the summer, he's doubling up because in June he took a course in run-time libraries (Discreet Structures) which wasn't all that fun but very useful.

Lately he's been during a lot of reorganizing and getting ready for two new roommates that will share a new abode with him in the coming year.  This new place is nicer, a great deal money-wise, but a little farther from school which requires some careful planing and logistics - sharing rides, etc.

He has managed to squeeze in a couple of getaways this year to visit his parents and sister in Florida and as a matter of fact is heading down there today for a few days.  

And, whenever he can, he heads down to the Springs to spend some time with his brother.  (and this year I will get an up-to-date picture of the two of them. )  

He also spent the holidays with his family and then headed to Gulf Shores to spend some time with the BIG family.

And he's looking forward to the new house, finishing school, and getting a cat!

So that about sums up the past year in Grant's life but I have to add my own synopsis.  First of all, Grant is a great sport and a lot of fun.

He's a great dancer

and isn't about to let his aunts outdance him.

But most importantly, Grant is a wonderful person.  He's sincere, sweet, thoughtful, and kind.  He's also smart, motivated, cheerful, and a lot of fun to be around.  And, he loves cats. For these and so many other reasons, we could not be more proud of him and we're wishing him the best birthday EVER but one only half as great as the many more to come!  Happy Birthday, Grant!  We love you!

Amber

Today is Amber's birthday!

Amber was our first grandchild.

She is an important part of this large family,

an important part of this smaller, large family,

and a very important part of this smaller yet but still large, beautiful family.

I wrote about Amber on her birthday last year and that post will show you links to all her previous posts.

And those links will tell stories and show pictures of how she's changed through the years.  So I'll just post a few pictures here

 and talk a little about what's been going on in her life during the past year.  First and foremost:  Knox was born!

Then in April the family had a getaway at Splash Universe and had a wonderful time.

Amber also enjoyed a short mommy getaway in March with two of her friends when they went to Frankenmuth, MI.  And she and the kids took a few days to visit Great Grandma and Grandpa in Indiana just last week.

During this very busy year, Aubrey started preschool three days a week for half a day, there have been innumerable visits from the tooth fairy, and Emma started sharing a room with Aubrey.

And there hasn't been time for a whole lot else.  Amber is busy all day, every day, and she wouldn't have it any other way.  I watched her during their recent visit and I loved how she enjoyed her children.

As busy as she is, she finds time to see the humor and the love and the uniqueness of each of her kids. She always wants to hear what each one has to say even if they have to wait their turn to say it.  Also she sings which the kids love and so they immediately join in.   And I'm so moved and so impressed by all their beautiful voices belting out some really complicated songs!  Because Amber really is musically inclined and she has all the dance moves too.

 Also, she is and always has been one of the sweetest natured  girls you could ever know.  And this comes through in her mothering.  She's patient and understanding and fair.  BUT, she's not a pushover and the kids know their boundaries which makes their visits to Great Grandma's and Great Grandpa's very enjoyable.  They're all such good kids and I know it's because they have such good and loving parents!

There's so much more to say about our sweet first granddaughter.  She's smart, focused, patient, kind, fun loving, and has a wonderful sense of humor.  She's quick to laugh even when teased which makes her a lot of fun to be around.

And she's the most loving granddaughter anybody could ask for.  We are so blessed that she's part of our family and we're incredibly proud of her and her family.  We love you. Amber, and we hope you have the best birthday EVER and that the coming year is even more joyous than any so far.  Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl.