Easter Egg Hunt, Darling Grandchildren..Family..I am a Blessed Woman

What a wonderful Easter!  And so fun to celebrate Jim's birthday on this special day.  Nothing better than to have these cute kids over for the annual Easter Egg hunt.  Just wish we could have the other half..Well later on in the summer.

We watched the kids hunt for eggs, play and have fun.  We can't get enough of our new little addition.  We are so grateful for all of these precious grandchildren.

And of course it wouldn't be a summer gathering without a little baseball.  Hey, PA Gang, we need a little coaching here.  

What a lovely Day.

I Love Jim's Brown eyes & and whole bunch more..Happy Birthday

April 20th is Jim's birthday.
Here are a few things I love about him.

I love how he takes care of me.

I love how he cares for his children.

I love how he smiles when he's around the grandkids.

I love watching him watch the grandson's play baseball.

I love how he can fix anything.

I love how he builds what I dream.

I love watching him mow the lawn.

I love travelling with him.

I love how he serves others.

I love how he treated his mother.

I love that he is emotional.

I love that he is steady.

I love that he is loyal.

I love that he is honest. 

I love that he loves our family.

I love his grin.

I love his beautiful brown eyes.

I love you.

Have a Happy Birthday.  

Happy Birthday Hogan

This good looking young man is my grandson, Hogan. 

 He turned 13 yesterday! 

 He loves all sports, but baseball is the one he loves the most. 

We love to go back east and watch him play along with his brothers each spring. 

He's got what I like to call his Grandma DeSpain's

 "twinkling brown eyes." 

 Whenever she smiled her face lit up and her eyes twinkled.  

There are a few of her kids, grandkids and greatgrandkids who have that same look. 

 Hogan has it! 

Happy belated birthday Hogan. 

love you.. grama polly

Happy Birthday to Whitney (a few days late)

I've been in bed sick for the last two days..

didn't get to my computer to wish my sweet Whitney a Happy Birthday. 

Can't believe my youngest child has grown into this beautiful woman. 

 She is so accomplished in many ways. 

Hope you had a wonderful day. 

 love you.  mom

Comings and Goings in February..Sunbeams, Grandkids, Birthdays, Arnold Friberg

It's almost the middle of February and the days never seem to slow down.  

I teach the Sunbeams in Primary. 

 Last year's class was a mix of two boys and three quiet little girls. 

 This year there are six little boys.  Such cute little boys, but full of it as all boys that age are!

I am constantly trying to think of new and creative ways to get their attention.

  Am so grateful for the internet and all the great ideas people are willing to share. 

I am also grateful for a team teacher who helps as we try to teach these little boys.

This last week the lesson was how Heavenly Father and Jesus love us. 

 What could be a more perfect lesson the week before valentines?  

I based a lot of the lesson on the song "My Heavenly Father loves Me." 

 They went on a hunt trying to find the pictures that went along and then they were able to put them in their heart envelope. 

 Hopefully they will remember they are loved.

Days are never dull when spent with Jake, Sam and Dylan. 

They keep me moving!

I love getting up to see Whitney and Wren for a little shopping at City Creek.  

We celebrated Melanie's birthday last week with Whitney's coming up!

Am missing this family, and hoping the snow stops back east soon.  

Otherwise we may not see them this summer as they will be in school til August with all the snow days they've taken. 

 Hopefully

 "The Sun will Come out Tomorrow!"

The perks of retirement!  At 3:00 pm today,

 Jim came downstairs and said "lets go see the Arnold Friberg exhibit!" 

 We jumped in the car and went to Gateway and totally enjoyed his beautiful paintings. 

 He painted in watercolor, oils, pencil sketches..everything.  There were paintings of his I had never seen before.  Loved to see the ones he did as young as seven!

  I loved reading the history behind his work.  

What a gifted artist.  

So there's our mid winter wrap up!  Have a Happy Week.

Happy Birthday Taylor

Can you believe that this handsome young man is my oldest grandson?!?

  He turns 17 tomorrow. 

 He's  smart, he's athletic, he's good, just the right kind of kid to head up all the boys that follow him in our family. 

 (A grama  could brag, but I'm just telling the truth, of course!)  

 What a great day that was all those years ago when Taylor arrived. 

 It's been nothing but fun ever since. 

 Happy Birthday Taylor. 

 Love you tons, 

 Grama Polly

Christmas Decorations, Parties and Sam's Birthday

It's only December 4th, and already the month is moving along with activities.

  Got the house decorated over the weekend.
 Jim got the lights up just before the big snow hit,
 which spread the holiday spirit..inside and out.

Got the trees decorated.  Love getting out all the old decorations. 

They remind me of Christmas's past. 

 Love our Golf Club, my crystals I purchased from Harrods when I visited with Nick in London. 

 The old sleds mom had painted for each of the kids,

 ornaments purchased from places we have visited

and my very special Bonnie Blue Butler, given to me and signed by the real Bonnie Blue!

  What treasures!

Put my beautiful Nativity on the Mantle.

  I love the simplicity of this nativity and love that my family gave it to me. 

All ready had a party. 

We had Jim's family over for dinner last night.  It was fun to get together with Tam, Kevin, Kathy and Lanny.  We visited and enjoyed great food.

  Love seeing family over the holidays.

But the most important day so far was yesterday!

  My little Sam turned four years old! 

 He couldn't wait until it was his birthday. 

He is the most fun child.  So expressive.  So determine, so ACTIVE!!! 

 I love his smile, the way he talks, his hugs. 

Today he asked me if I would stay even when his mom got home. 

 He put his little arms around my neck and had tears in his eyes and said please stay grama, please. 

 I almost did..almost. 

 I love you Sam.  Have a happy year. 

You are my sunshine!

love, grama

So goes the first week of December.

Happy Birthday Dylan

Dylan turns three years old today! 

What a fun little boy he is. 

He loves Cars and trucks, he loves to climb, run, ride horses,

and play with his cousins. 

He's got the best smile and laugh. 

Had the best time today watching him drive his new tractor around down at the farm! 

 Sure love you Dylan. 

Have a Happy Day. 

love, grama

Happy Birthday Jake!

Happy Birthday to Jake!  

 Jake is my helper as I spend my days tending three busy boys. 

We have a saying.  " couldn't do it without you."  I say it to him constantly throughout the day. 

He says it to me with a wink!

 I love his beautiful smile, his thoughtful ways as he plays with his younger brother and cousins. 

 He loves to figure things out, loves to build, play minecraft, and swims like a fish. 

He has a great imagination.

  Can't believe you're six years old! 

Have a happy day. 

 love you tons. 

Grama Polly

Happy Birthday Luke!

Eleven years ago, Jim and Jamey had just taken off elk hunting. 

They kept coming down to Kamas to call and see if Becky had gone into Labor. 

Well, she had

So not too long into the hunt, James was down off the mountain into the Valley to be with Becky.  Soon after, Luke was born. 

He's the best kid, so determined, funny, the best smile,

 and of course those beautiful DeSpain brown eyes

He loves soccer, baseball and basketball and
he plays them all very well. 
I love it when we visit and I get
to watch him play.
The next time we're out there can't come soon enough.

 

Have a great birthday

love you, grama polly

Happy Birthday Ty!

It all started 39 years ago today. 

We spent the summer in Logan, waiting for Tyler's arrival. 

 He got here in about an hour! 

We were so excited to have a little brother for Jamey. 

Tyler's big brown eyes and easy going ways made him a very easy baby and also an easy child. 

As he grew it was evident that his main interest was sports.

  He learned to read from Sport Illustrated and the sports page in the newspaper. 

 He loved baseball, basketball, and golf. 

 He excelled in all of these sports. 

 He has always been a good and loyal friend.

He's the most generous person I know.

Tyler has a great sense of humor and

likes to think he's the favorite! 

Well, today you can be the favorite. 

 

A happy birthday from mom to Ty..who loved his gramps, loves his wife

 and his wonderful little boy. 

 Hope you have a great year.

Happy Birthday Jason!

I'm a day late in wishing my son in law, Jason a Happy Birthday.

  He always seems to be reaching skyward. 

Whether he's climbing mountains or flying. 

 He may fly through the clouds, but our little Wren always brings him back to earth. 

 She certainly has him wrapped around her little finger. 

 Hope you have a great year.  Love you! 

Happy Birthday. 

 Love, polly

Happy Birthday Jack

 

It 's my grandson Jack's birthday today!

 

The best birthday present ever (for me) is that he and Taylor are arriving here tomorrow!

Can't wait to see them and spend time with these two guys.

 

Jack is the most pleasant kid.  Loves to play baseball and golf.  He's always helpful, kind, hardworking and determine. 

I'm excited to see him, cause he's been growing those curls out again.  Wonder what he'll look like???

Happy Birthday Jack! 

 

A Day with Dylan and Grama June

Yesterday, June 14th was Flag Day. 

 As I drove through the neighborhood with my grandson Dylan

he said..  "See all the Flags" 

Then he started singing "Happy Birthday to You."  I joined in. 

Then he said to me "clap for Dylan Grama."   which I did! 

I told him it was nice that he sang Happy Birthday, because it was his great grama's birthday. 

 So we sang again..this time we sang to Grama June. 

 When we got home, I held this dear little boy in my lap. 

 I told him how much Grama June would have loved him. 

 How she would have loved his beautiful brown eyes. 

 I told him how much she loved his daddy. 

Then he ran off  to hit the golf ball. 

 How she would have cherished this little boy as she would all the "darlings" that she sent down after she left us. 

Happy Birthday Mom.

  I miss you every day, but for some reason I missed you more yesterday. 

 Thank you for your unconditional love and for being such a great mom.
but mostly for being my friend.

Happy Birthday Wren!

After years of enjoying these seven grandsons.

We were blessed with something totally different.

One year ago today our little Wren was born!

Whitney gave  us an unbelievable gift on June 1st 2012. 

Our first granddaughter.  What a joy this little girl has brought into our lives. 

 Tiny, sweet, and the darling of all the boys.

So Happy Birthday to my little Wrenny Lou. 

 You are my sunshine. 

Love, Grama Polly

Turning 60 at the Sego Lily Spa

 

 

Yesterday I turned 60!!!! 

 I got up as I usually do

Got dressed..a little slower,

(due to my age)

 

Went out the door to take care of the grandchildren. 

When I got to my daughter's home a wonderful surprise waited for me there.

Three of my five kids were there with four of the eight grandchildren. 

They had fixed a delicious

breakfast. 

 After eating,

 they were sending me off to a spa!

FOR THE WHOLE DAY!!!

 

I have never spent the whole day in a spa.

Maybe being 60 isn't going to be that bad. 

 

 

I can't say enough about the

 Sego Lily Spa. 

The Facility is lovely and the treatments are all to die for. 

What a wonderful way to spend my day.

 

The spa day was fabulous,

 but the present I loved the most was the thought that went behind the gift, 

 I loved the notes from nieces, nephews, sisters, and my brother, kids,

 and grandkids, and my dear husband. 

Visits from my friends. 

 I love them all so much and am blessed to have these people in my life. 

 Getting older isn't bad at all when surrounded by so many blessings. 

Happy 40th Jamey!

Happy 40th to our son James!
This cute little boy
has grown up to be a wonderful son,
husband and a great father to four boys.
We love you James.
Have a great day.
love, mom and dad

To my daughter, Abby

It's my daughter, Abby's birthday today. 

Can't believe this little girl has grown up so fast

Seems like yesterday that I was taking her to pre school, dance lessons, just watching her play. 

Now I watch her little ones.  

 She is an unbelieveable woman....

holding a full time job, while maintaining a quilting business during her off hours. 

 She takes care of everybody else. 

 She is always the first person to host get togethers for family and friends.
She's a wonderful friend, daughter, sister, wife and mother.

  She is always taking dinners to those in need.

Whipping up a quilt to comfort a loved one. 

Just a little example of her beautiful work...

(Grama Bagley would be so proud...and amazed!

The thing I admire most about Abby is,

 that as busy as she is..as much as she has going, 

she puts her family first. 

She knows what is important. 

She truly does have it all, but it is through hard work, lots of love and service to others. 

 Happy Birthday Abby. 

I love you. 

 mom

Hogan's Birthday and The Reading Terminal Market

We've had a fun day!  It's not very often we get to spend a birthday with one of these guys. 

 Hogan turns twelve today and it was fun to be here with him to celebrate.  

We've been able to watch him play basketball and soccer this last week, along with the others. 

 Hogan is thrilled as he got a phone for his birthday! 

Happy Birthday Hogan.

Jim and I went with Becky to the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia.  

What a fun place with tons of fresh food everywhere. 

 Some of the best philly cheese steaks we've had.  

We are having a great time!

A letter to my daughter

To my dear Whitney

A very Happy Birthday to my youngest daughter Whitney.  I Can't believe you turned 31 yesterday. 

As I see your posts with you and Wren it seems like yesterday that you were the little one and I was holding and cuddling you.  I just have to look at Wren to be reminded of what a sweet and beautiful baby you were.  

And now you have become a beautiful and accomplished woman.  You are such a great Yoga instructor. When I watch you teach, you are so graceful and confident. 

 I love watching you with Wren as well.. every bit as graceful and confident in your role as a mother.  What a lucky little girl Wren is to have you as her mother.   You are a perfect role model for her. 

Whit, you are  a loyal friend, sister, loving wife and mother and a wonderful daughter.  

Hope you had a great day yesterday! 

I am so grateful Abby was there to look after you while we are away!  

Thank you for being such a good friend and lovely daughter. I am sure this year will be another one to look forward to, as we watch our little bird grow. 

I love you.

mom