Two Cuties at Halloween

HALLOWEEN 2012!  How cute are these 2 cuties?  Charlie (2) is a little Cupcake (and she LOVES cupcakes).  Aubrey (4) is a Pirate Princess (note the hook, red sash and pirate hat).  And...short sleeves --- after all, it is Santa Monica, CA!!!  Candy, chocolate, candy, chocolate----what is better at Halloween?  The Grinch of Halloween did come and remove all the left-overs the next day, but not before a few caffeine highs visited these two adorable grandchildren.

Last photo of summer

Sure sign that summer is over....one last great photo of Ashley, Charlie (2) and Aubrey (4) on the pier at Ocean Isle Beach.  Back to Santa Monica and school.  But with the holidays coming, we will be heading out to be with them.  Charlie started "school" this year - same school as big sister - and is adjusting fine.  Both are "chatterboxes."  Always great memories!

Nothing better than Chocolate

Can you say YUMMY?  Aubrey and Charlie (think she could stick her head in it) loved eating the batter from Mom's chocolate cake!!!  Nothing is better than gooey fingers in the mouth!!!  Great beach time....riding the wave, finding clams, swimming in the canal, boat rides, slip n slide, pool, ice cream, park....summer should never end!  Thanks Aubrey, Charlie, Mom Ashley & Dad Kevin (and yes, Ali, the dog) for a wonderful summer.  Lots of memories stored up!

Grins and Giggles

                                                               SUMMER 2012

It has been a wonderful summer at the beach.  Here is Aubrey (in photo) & Charlie's first Lemonade Stand....it was a huge success. Then the ever-smiling Charlie on the beach, sitting in a bucket.  Charlie turned 2 in June and Aubrey celebrated her 4th on Aug. 16th!  They bring such joy to Grendy (their name for Granddad) and me.  What a treat for Ashley & Kevin & the girls spend the summer with us....will be sad to see them return to Santa Monica, but we still have lots of time for grins and giggles.

Happy Birthday, Charlie

                            HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLIE!


Two years ago you came into this world and captured our hearts. You were such a tiny little thing!  We have been thrilled to be a part of your life and can't wait to see you in just one week!  Happy Birthday, Charlie Caroline Morgan...... precious little one.  We love you!  Grendy & Grandma!

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.