Monday, February 16, 2015

January Fun in Virginia and the Carolinas!

WARNING!!! Lots and lots of pictures!
Hi everybody, Reagan here. I want to tell you about the fun I had in January with grandma Cindy. She arrived in Virginia on January 6th to visit us and to help with new baby Annabelle who was only 4 days old. Well, that's what she said, but I know that she had an ulterior motive which was to play with me as much as possible.


When she got in the car at the airport I told her, "Grandma, I'm so happy you came to see me!"

Yep, that pretty much wrapped her all around my little finger right then and there. You have to do that early so they will always be there to do things for you that mommy and daddy may not want you to do. Adults say we're spoiled. Nope, we're just smart and know how to use the cute factor.
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Mommy and Daddy ordered a Cinderella dress which didn't arrive in time for Christmas, but I was there when it did arrive and tried it on right away! So pretty!

This is me as Cinderella and yes, this smile is called my 'heart melting' tactic. It works on all grandmas and grandpas and some parents!

I made sure grandma had plenty of time to hold baby Annabelle so mommy could spend time with me and get things done.

And... It snowed. I got to play in the snow with Grandma and Mommy! That was a fun day! 



Kisses for Baby Sister..

Mommy and Annabelle were doing so well after 2 weeks that Grandma Cindy and I decided to take a road trip. 1st stop, Great-Grandma Peggy's. Great Grandma gave me some sea shells and told me stories about grandpa Darryl and how he loved to look for sea shells on the beach. Even though I think my Grandpa is kind of old, he still loves to hunt for sea shells.

"Whoa grandma.... Is Uncle David really raising worms in this building?"

Good Morning world!

Grandma and her buddy greet the day!

I told Uncle David I wanted to hold the chickens.

But I changed my mind.

After breakfast with Grandma Peggy, Aunt Cindy, cousin Matt and uncle David we left to travel to Columbia, South Carolina and a visit with Uncle Jason, Aunt Shiloh and Cousins! I will let Grandma Cindy tell you about that visit because I was too busy playing with my cousins to do anything else. 


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Hello Family and Friends. As Reagan has turned the commentary of this post over to me I am happy to tell you about our visit to South Carolina.
We arrived around 2:00 in the afternoon. Since it was Martin Luther King day and the kids were out of school, Shiloh decided a trip to the zoo was in order. Of course the first thing I did was accidentally trip Maggie and she skinned her knee, but it didn't stop her for long.


One thing I like to do when I am with my older grandchildren is to give them my camera and let them play photographer. All the the following photos, except for a couple of the elephant pictures, were taken by Emily, Jonas and Adrianna. I even think Preston was able to snap a few pictures.

I love seeing our adventures through the eyes of my grandchildren. Reagan and Micah buckled up in the stroller for the journey through the Riverside Zoo.

And our beautiful Miss Ems.


Love the spider sculpture.


We walked through part of the botanical gardens on our way to the zoo and Emily was enthralled by the flowers.

Hiding from Mom and Jonas.






The first thing we did upon arriving at the zoo was to ride the Merry-Go-Round.

No, I'm not texting, I'm trying to pull up my camera on my phone so I could take some pictures. 









Then while the older kids worked on climbing a wall and palm trees....








Shiloh and I took the 3 youngest to the petting zoo. 


Feeding the goats was a favorite for Maggie, Micah and Reagan.

Then we had to feed the children.



The kids loved the elephant compound.









Look grandma, look at all the elephants! 




And finally, we ended up our zoo visit at the aviary. I know that all of the bird pictures were taken by Jonas.





What a fun day we had, although it was exhausting for Micah.

We even enjoyed a visit from Uncle Cody, Aunt Alisa and the Redhead Express before we headed back to Virginia. The kids enjoyed singing along with the latest Redhead Express Video. I was surprised that Lydia, Preston and Adam knew all the words to "Maps" and "All of Me". 

I can't wait until my next visit!

 When we arrived home we found that Grandpa Darryl had sent Skye and Annabelle some Flowers,


As Skye was busy getting back in shape 3 weeks after having the baby,

 Reagan helped us clean the kitchen and baby Annabelle slept,

...and slept.

"Okay Family, I'm Back. It was nice of Grandma to let me visit with you. 

She says to check back again next week for some great pictures of the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival Events." - Love, Reagan

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Bringing in the New Year 2015!!

New Years Eve was a BLAST!! Cali, Hillary, Cody, Alisa, Meghan, Ammon, Damian, Darryl and I along with 6 of our grandchildren rung in the New Year with Karaoke, games and lots of Crazy Hats!

  
Hillary regaling us with her Karoke Talents. (again!)

We kept our heads warm while we played games on New Years Eve!

Earlier in the day Grandma could be found playing in the snow with Hillary, Jesse and the grandkids! Gideon, Lily, Ransom, Parker, Gage, Tyree, Gabriel and Clancy. Oh the fun we had!

 We couldn't find a sled anywhere, but not to worry....

We came up with a great Idea! Right Gagey?

We pulled out Uncle Cody's snowboard, the kids piled on 3 at a time...

Parker watching the fun and waiting her turn...




And down the driveway they went!


Gabriel's first Sled/snowboard ride! He didn't want to get off. 



It was pretty slick at the bottom of the drive. 

The snow was pretty deep but that didn't stop these kids....



 Lily and Tyree were like little snow bunnies, they loved playing in the snow.

Sugar had fun chasing the sled and the kids.


Even Clancy bundled up and went out for a few minutes.

It was so cold that Gabriel came in first (against his will) and stood at the window wanting to go back out with the big kids. 

 It was a warm and wonderful winter time at home that I will always hold close in my heart.
Happy 2015 Everyone!

Monday, February 9, 2015

Welcome Miss Annabelle Ruth

On January 2nd Skye and Ryan, along with big sister Reagan, welcomed sweet little Annabelle Ruth into their family. 


She was delivered by cesarean section with no complications!

She weighed in at 6 lbs. 8 oz and is the sweetest little bundle of joy! Not sure what has Ryan's attention in this picture, but he was a happy Daddy!

I arrived when Little Miss Annabelle was only 4 days old. Happy Day for me but a sad day for Nonna (Ryan's mom Donna) who had to leave the following morning.


Annabelle was so tiny, she was easy to hold why doing other things. Mom was doing great! 

Reagan is such a good big sister! She sings to Annabelle whenever she starts to cry and kisses her head. 

Her first 'outfit' at 6 days old going to see the Dr.

  
This is how I preferred to spend my time in Virginia!


  
Oh how easy it is to love this little angel! I was amazed at how much she grew in the 3 weeks I was there.

More pictures to come of my time in Virginia with Annabelle and Reagan and their parents, but I still have a few pictures to post from the Christmas Holidays with Family. Stay Tuned!

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Clancy is Our Little Blessing!

The snow was falling fast and rather deep the Sunday after Christmas, so the families of Jesse and Kelly gathered at Demont and Glenna Crystal's home for the blessing of sweet, happy Clancy! It was a wonderful time for our families. 
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Clancy spending time with his favorite babysitter, Jessie and his Great-Grandpa Demont.

 Bishop Clark from the Menan 3rd Ward was there to preside for the occasion.

 Grandpa Demont giving Clancy some last minute instructions to smile! 

Bishop Blaine Ball, Grandpa Darryl holding Clancy, Grandpa Demont, Bishop Roger Clark and Uncle Jacob stood in for the blessing.

Out little cowboy is such a cutie, and looking at Great-Grandpa we see where he gets his smile!

 He is the sweetest little guy!!! And always happy and smiling! 

 The Crystal Clan gather for the blessing. (Minus Tyree who was busy playing with the kids)


The Cunningham Clan and Bishop Clark (sans the kiddos)


Jesse Kelly and the "Man of the Hour" our sweet, little Clancy. 
 What a special and blessed evening it was.