Our Valentine Gift from the Baldwin's

Michelle and family surprised Ken and me with this beautiful picture on Valentine's Day. And I was really surprised. I never expected it. Our boys are getting so big. Zach will be 10 in June - double digits! And Alex will be three in August. I wish time would slow down. Our grandchildren are growing up too fast.
Hugs and kisses,

Blue and Gold Banquet - 2009

We had a great time at Zach's Cub Scout Blue and Gold Dinner. After dinner, leaders were recognized and badges were given out to the boys who earned them. Zach is now a Webelos Scout. He made the shield he is holding in one of the pictures. It is his family crest.

Alex was just great sitting for most of the dinner, which is not easy for a two and a half year old boy. The last half hour he was set free and cruised the front of the room. The pictures above were also taken at the dinner.
Hugs and kisses,

Kara's First Father Daughter Dance

Kara had her first Father Daughter Dance February 7th. She was dressed like a young lady, matching gloves, purse and all. Family members were allowed to attend the last half hour or so. Papa, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Shell and I got to watch Kara dance with her Dad to Butterfly Kisses and Daddy's Little Girl. It goes without saying my eyes were tearing. It was fun to see Kara having such a good time with her Dad and school friends. They were all dancing fools! One of our little girls is growing up.

But I must add, Emily got all dressed up and spent the latter part of her day out and about with Grandma and Grandpa. She loves to dress up and had a great day and night. You can see her dancing with her Mom in one of the pictures.
Hugs and kisses,

Zach and Alex with Santa

This picture is posted rather late, but I only saw it last week. Alex wouldn't go near Santa last Christmas, so this is actually his first picture with Santa and Zach. You gotta love that smile. And, by the way, Zach needed many more pieces of paper for his list than is on this layout!
Hugs and kisses,

Chinese New Year - 2009 - Year of the Ox

January 25th we planned a great party for Emily's immediate family, Grandma and Grandpa and us to celebrate Chinese New Year. Our house was all decorated, the table looked great and we were so excited for Emily and Kara to arrive. Well, the time came and in walked Kara looking beautiful in her new silk dress, hair on top of her head and wearing her flat black shoes. Following behind was Miss Emily, dressed in denim jeans and a pink top. Of course she looked adorable, but she refused to wear the beautiful new silk dress Mom and Dad had gotten her. They even bought her big girl red shoes to match her dress. That is our Emily Xian. She has a mind of her own and uses it, for sure. We all had a great time watching Emily eat with chop sticks with her Dad and passing out fortune cookies to all of us from a beautiful silk pocketbook Grandma brought back from China. Maybe next year when Emily is four she will dress up for the occasion!
Hugs and kisses,