Nothing is better than being with Aubrey and Charlie, playing and eating corn....yes real corn-on-the-cob---while waiting on the bus to the Farmer's Market in Santa Monica.  Beautiful time out with them and Ashley & Kevin during April and May.  Can't wait until they head back East for the summer.  What fun to see them at the beach - Ocean Isle Beach, NC.  We are truly blessed.

Joys of Christmas

To all our friends, Merry Christmas. May we all remember this special day and the change in all of us that the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, made in our lives. I think so often of the shepherds and their awe at seeing the star and seeking the birth of the Messiah...I wish for all of you that star and that discovery.

Christmas for us brings smiles of joy from Aubrey and Charlie. Their "Elf on the Shelf," name Calvin by Aubrey (no I don't know where that came from) has been a fun, fun thing. Every morning they find Calvin in so many different places...in a stocking on the mantle, on top of the Christmas tree, in the kitchen window, in the bathroom, hanging off the living room mirror....so may places. And, it is important to be nice...not naughty. We have had breakfast with Santa, made cookies with Mrs. Claus, visited the reindeer, sat on Santa's lap, andmade a Gingerbread House at Preschool. Went up to Farmer's Market at Malibu (celebrity sighting: David Spade, Rachael Zoe, Gary Busey) for a fun day and to the Skiball Museum for children's art fun! We have sung the "12 Days of Christmas," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," and "Jingle Bells" at least 10,000 times!

Tomorrow Christmas Eve family church service, then dinner at PF Chang's on the Promenade, then bed and the magic of Christmas morning as seen through the eyes of Aubrey and Charlie. It will be a "most wonderful time."

As Tiny Tim said, "God bless you each and everyone."

Christmas in Santa Monica

We are thrilled to be spending time in Santa Monica with our wonderful family, including our two adorable granddaughters, Aubrey 3+ and Charlie 18 months. They are very energetic, but so very sweet and kind. Aubrey told Santa she wanted a "Pinkalicious" book and a teddy bear for her and for Charlie. She never varies from that! We went to the pre-school Christmas program Sunday at the Baptist Church Aubrey attends. Each class sang a different song. Aubrey's class sang "Away in a Manager," and they did a great job. Here are photos of Charlie, all dressed up for the program.
We love having them spend the night with us in our condo....only 4 blocks from Ashley and Kevin's house. We go to the park, to the 3rd street Promenade, Disney Store, Pinkberry, Disneyland with the girls. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR FRIENDS!!!

Halloween Fun

What can be more fun for kids than Halloween? Not much unless they are your two adorable grandchildren, like Aubrey (3) and little sister, Charlie (16 months), dressed like Jessie from Toy Story and Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. It was a happy weekend in Santa Monica with loads of parties, pumpkin carving, and treat or treating.

Nothing better

Summer is flying by fast, but the memories will last a lifetime. And what better memories than 2 beautiful little girls, Charlie 1 year and Aubrey 3, playing on the beach at Ocean Isle Beach? They never tire of the sand, sand toys, and water. We dig a big hole - or better still is a tidal pool - and they will sit and play for hours. Aubrey's imagination runs wild & she loves to find other little girls to play with. She is definitely not shy about going up and talking to people. Good sunscreen and hats and happy little girls make it a summer to remember. Our beach house will be too, too quiet when they return to Santa Monica in the fall.

Great summer

Our summer fun continued with Charlie's big FIRST birthday. It is hard to believe how fast this year flew by. She was adorable in her balloon #1 dress and had so much fun. Mother Ashley had a beautiful cake for everyone, but the party was complete with Charlie's very own small cake with 'ALL MINE' written on it. You can see from this photo that she definitely enjoyed the cake, and her first real experience with SWEETS!!! She had cake on her face, hands, arms, legs, even her shoes!!! Her chuckle is infectious, and everyone loves hearing her cackle and smile. We will long remember this wonderful day with Charlie. And, how very blessed we are that she and sister Aubrey and their mom and dad are with us for the summer. It just doesn't get any better than that!

Our summer kicked off at the beach with the annual 4th of July parade. More than 100 decorated golf carts along with some cars, trucks, etc. go along about 1/2 mile route, throwing out thousands of pieces of candy to the beach-goers that gather for the annual tradition. Last year we had a "Dora" cart and this year we had the Princess carts. Here is Aubrey, now 2 1/2 - will be 3 in August, with her tiara, necklace and earrings. She had a blast as did all of us. Sister Charlie joined us for part of the trip.

Mary Beth Baxter, in memory

It is with a very heavy heart that we learned today that Mary Beth Baxter died after a brave 5-week struggle after suffering a heart attack. Surrounded by her loving family and friends, Mary Beth is at rest and now surrounded by the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Everyone who ever knew Mary Beth is the better for it. She was one of the funniest people I have ever known, her laughter was infectious and her stories were never-ending. I shall never forget the love she shared with our daughter, Ashley, when she was undergoing surgery for an acoustic neuroma brain tumor. Mary Beth hand wrote Ashley lengthy letters, detailing all of the going-ons at her shop and daughter Heather's bakery next door, and about her beloved grandchildren. That was Mary Beth, though - always thoughtful, always doing for others. It meant so much to me and to Ashley. Mary Beth was not only one of the most talented artists we have ever known, but she was also a wonderful gift shop owner of primitive and Americana folk art on Cape Cod. I am sure all of her loyal customers and those at Heather's bakery will dearly miss Mary Beth. Her artwork, home and shop were featured in many national magazines. I remember Mary Beth saying that "as a six year old I excelled in everything artistic. It didn't matter the time or place, from large abstract paintings to an early bride's box, the use of color and shape came as second nature to me." She always said that love and family and reverence for America were central themes of her artwork. My thoughts today are how very fortunate my life has been to have known Mary Beth. I wish all of you could have known her. She truly made this world a better place, and she will be missed everyday of my life. Some people come into our lives and leave no trace; others come and leave footprints. Mary Beth left beautiful footprints.

First Sky Diving, Now Flying!

Happy Birthday, Ashley & Kevin! It's a busy June with their birthdays + sweet Charlie, who will be one on June 25th. So, how does Ashley & Kevin celebrate their birthdays? Like the rest of us, go out to dinner and have a nice evening? Oh no! much too simple! These two decide not only to go up in a plane at the Santa Monica airport, but to actually fly the plane. They took turns at the controls. Years ago Ashley decided to sky dive. She had the wisdom NOT to tell us until AFTER the fact, knowing we would have tried to talk her out of it. But....I know they had a ball in the air over LA, Hollywood, Malibu, Beverly Hills...all over everywhere. See what happens when you get "older?" So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to both of you.

What a happy design

Sometimes a new design just makes you feel happy when you look at it. Is it because I have two beautiful granddaughters? or is it because Maureen has been working so hard? or does it make you think of "Mother's Day?" or is it just cool design.... all are correct. I feel confident that Maureen will get a great "deal" on this new collection (this is just one), but I know it will bring a smile to your face, too.

Enjoy...and to all my friends out there - HAVE A WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY. May it be relaxing, fun and reflective. Remember "life is too short not to smile."

Oops, Charlie, Oops!

Our adorable youngest granddaughter, Charlie, is now 10 months old & loves standing up at any chance. Bigger sister's Dora Playhouse is just the perfect height for Charlie. How our daughter captured these photos is amazing....and they will definitely bring a smile to your face (see the grin on Charlie's face in the middle photo - she is such a happy baby)....then you'll die laughing....OOPS! Note in the background that bigger sister, Aubrey (2 1/2), is not paying any attention to Charlie. True-to-form, Charlie was not bothered in the least by her misfortune.