Personal Post Monday - Happy Labor Day and more!!

Hope everyone is having a great day - time off of their "labor" to celebrate with family and friends.  Stay safe out there.  Just a special thank you to all our first responders who are still hard at work on their jobs today - keeping us all safe - we are grateful for your service to our communities.

Elaine's sister, Sharon - Elaine, Marc and my hubby, Paul

A couple weeks ago (Aug. 22) we were back in Southern California to celebrate the wedding of Paul's brother, Marc and his lovely new wife, Elaine.  It was a wonderful celebration of love and so glad we got to be there with them. Check back soon to see more of the decorations, etc.

Terry and Julie

One of my husband's friends that we have not seen in many, many years was able to make the trip from Wisconsin to California with a friend of his, Julie, to be at the wedding.  Terry (above left) stood up at our wedding nearly 40 years ago.  It was so good to see them and catch up!

Then on Sunday we were able to celebrate a special birthday with the beautiful "9" year old above - Miss Kamili was so happy we were able to be there.  I am so glad too - as these years pass by so quickly.   She's holding the gift from us.  Isn't she adorable!?! Both of my daughter's and all my grandkids were there - so it was wonderful family day for me.

Then on Monday, my youngest grandson, Kyan ( not quite 2 1/2) and I had our very first "Gramma" day.  Each grandchild gets their first "Gramma" day with me (usually a trip for ice cream) when they are potty trained - and he accomplished that milestone!  So off to McDonald's we went for a Sundae!

Just look at that adorable face - he just melts my heart - and he LOVES his gramma!  The tattoos are from Kamili's party the day before - football on one check - basketball on the other :)

Of course we also had to have a little play time.  It was such a fun time with him and he was happy the whole time - lots of smiles and giggles - and "watch me Gramma".  They just grow up so fast, and now that we're farther away we need to fit in as much "grandbaby" time as we can when we are there.  Then that evening we had a card buffet for my wonderful Cali customers - I've been posting cards from that event on and off - more this week.  What a great trip!!   See you all soon!  ~Maureen

Personal Post Monday - Double Ninja Turtle Party

This past weekend we celebrated two of my grandson's birthdays with a Ninja Turtle Party - and Heidi (my daughter) outdid herself as usual.  Here's a picture of the candy buffet complete with Ninja turtles keeping an eye it, and a great banner.

Kyan (2) blowing out his candle

Zavian (5) blowing out his candle

Nunchucks station

Ninja Turtle cake - just makes me smile

Balloons

Kyan nearing a sugar high

Zavian with his home made nunchucks

Ninja Turtle goodie bags for all

It was a fun day with family and friends (lots of friends) despite the drizzle and wind.  Happy birthday boys!!!  Love you so ~Gramma

Mario Bros Birthday Cards

The other day I shared pictures of Kyan and Zavian's Birthday party.  Today I wanted to share the Birthday cards I made for them.  Just printed a couple pictures and colored them (wish I would have had my blendabilities :))  But I think they still turned out cute.

I punched a bunch of bright colored circles and adhered them to black cardstock for the base - really made the colors pop.  The used dimensionals to add the Mario guys to the card fronts.  See you soon. ~Maureen

Boys "MARIO BROS" birthday

Some how I think I forgot to post these pictures from Zavian and Kyan's birthday party in April.  Wow - don't know how that happened - but better late than never.

Zavian blowing out his "4" candles.

Kyan enjoying his "1st" birthday cupcake.

Treat center that Heidi set up for the kids.

Mario decorations.

Yoshi gift bags.

Boys dress up items.

Girls dress up items.

Zavian and his "buddy Mario" ready for a PARTY!

Kyan doing his best Luigi impersonation.

 It was a fun day celebrating to amazing little guys.  So blessed!  ~Gramma

Sleepover with the King Kids

This past weekend Papa and I had a wonderful sleepover night with the King kids.  We LOVE spending time with our grandkids - so whenever they are over it is a special time for us.  Heidi and Aaron had a much deserved evening off to go to dinner and see a movie -

Here's our youngest grandson, Kyan - just look at those big eyes.

He is such a happy baby - full of coos and giggles.  He's probably smiling because he's two months old!  Or maybe because he got lots and lots of Gramma holding and loving.

One of the highlights of sleepovers is Popcorn time - a family fav.  Here are Makai and Papa enjoying the treat.

And Kamili and Zavian full of smiles - think they were having a great time.

We played games, drew pictures, put puzzles together - watched the Very Hungry Caterpillar movie - and of course had popcorn and sparkling lemonade before bed.  This morning eggs, toast, strawberries and OJ.  Yum!!  It was supposed to be a new waffle recipe I got from my sister-in-law when we visited them last week.  It was the best waffles I ever had and you prep the yeast batter the night before.  So around midnight, I soaked the yeast, melted the butter, warmed the milk and was all ready to make the batter when I realized I had NO flour :(  Unbelievable - don't know how I ran out of that.  So waffles will have to wait.  ~Maureen

He's HERE!!!

Hi All - sorry my posts have been so sporadic recently - April was a crazy month at home, at work, with birthdays - and now as you can see my newest grandbaby arrived - barely made it in April - but he did it :)  Welcome to Kyan Racine King - welcomed at home by my daughter and son-in-law Heidi and Aaron, as well as their three other children.  What a full-house they now have - full of blessings!

Kyan arrived weighing 7 lbs 15 oz and was 20 1/2" - just perfect in every way!!

It was Heidi's shortest labor and delivery (thank God) and everyone is doing fantastic.  I just can't get enough of holding this new little one.  Each birth of one of my grandchildren is such a miracle - and my heart overflows with gratefulness - I think I was born to be a Gramma :)  I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot more pics of this little guy as time goes on!  ~Gramma Maureen

Diaper Cake for Kyan

Okay all - we are still anxiously awaiting the arrival of my newest grandson, Kyan. He is taking his time in arriving :)  So in the meantime I wanted to share the diaper cake I made for a little luncheon Jenee and I threw for Heidi.  I think it turned out ready cute - and who can't use more diapers with a new baby coming.  Here is the front of the cake - with the fun ball at the top and a couple pacifiers.

And the back of the cake with a bath scrubby, rattle, teething ring . . .

 and of course these cute little sock roses - aren't they adorable??

It was so much fun making this - now we just need Kyan here to use some of this stuff :)  ~Gramma

Cards for the Troops~

Just as promised today I'm sharing the three cards we made for the troops - around 20 each.  I wanted cards that were simple and lovely and had general sayings that could be used by almost anyone.  I think these three meet those requirements.  Hope you like them.  ~Maureen

 

 

Celebrating Kyan!

Most of you who know me know we're anxiously awaiting the birth of our seventh grandchild - a boy - Kyan.  He is due any time now, so last week we had a little shower to honor him.  Since this was baby number 4 for Heidi we didn't want to do a traditional shower - so instead we invited a bunch of our stamping friends over to stamp cards for our troops.  Here are the ladies creating ---

 

 

 

Here's Mommy to be - Heidi!

And even though we said no gifts necessary - she received many wonderful things for this new little guy!

 

Including this blanket I crocheted for him.

 

It was really a nice day for all, and our thanks to Kathy B. for sending off the nearly 60 cards we made.  it was great to do this in celebration of Kyan soon to be arrival.  Thanks to all who came.  Stop back tomorrow to see the cards we made.  ~Maureen