Our Nina at the Book Store

The child on the left is our Nina. I'm sure you recognize her. She went to a book store for the first time in her life the other day. This is the very first book she has ever owned. We feel so privileged to have made this possible for Nina.

Sometimes we forget how very lucky we are to live where we do, to have the family we have, who adore us, and all the opportunities freedom presents.

Papa and I are getting a package ready to send Nina for her eleventh birthday. It is filled with lots of clothes and fun things girls love. Kara surprised us with a wonderful letter to include in Nina's package. Nina will be over the moon with happiness. Thank you, Kara, for thinking of Nina and drawing a beautiful unicorn in your letter. Kara is a budding artist. Funny, Nina loves to draw, too.

Here is the birthday card Papa and I are sending Nina with her package. I hope it brings a big smile to her sweet face.

Hugs and kisses,

PS - The young girl on the right in the picture is Kristina . I think she is Nina's BFF. I asked in my letter. I will let you know.

Alex and His Legos

All four of our grandchildren have spent hundreds of hours playing with the same legos their Moms played with many years ago. Emily and Kara made many houses (and I might add, with flowers), tables, doll beds and many other girly things I'm sure I am forgetting. Zach and Alex designed garages, fire houses, fire trucks, robots and much more.

It has been fun watching each of them use the very same legos and show their creativity in so many different ways. It won't be long and I will be missing this faze. They will be on to something else.

Hugs and kisses,

There Is Always a Reason . . .

The other day I was in the Dollar Store. Out of nowhere a lady came up to me and showed me a "sweet plaque you can even hang on your wall." When I looked at it, I smiled and told her about my blog that centers around memories with our family. We talked for a few minutes and before she continued shopping, she said,"There is always a reason you meet a person." Now I wonder what was the reason, besides seeing the plaque. Was she lonely; did one of us (or both) need to see a friendly face? Just food for thought.

Here is a picture of the plaque. I don't find it very attractive. But I love and agree with what it says. . . . .

Hugs and kisses,

Zack's Sixth Grade Picture

We finally got Zack's sixth grade school picture. Not much to say except he is one handsome dude.

Hugs and kisses,

New Pictures of Our Boys

We have some great new pictures of Alex and Zack. I don't notice how much the boys have grown up on a day to day basis, but I certainly do in these pictures.

Thank you, Shelley, for not using the brown background again.

Hugs and kisses,

Another Drawing by Miss Kara

I don't know where Miss Kara, one of our budding family artists, got the subject for her drawing. She has the tiniest ears. But her Nana, on the other hand, has always been extremely self-conscience of her big, sticking out ears. That is a story for another post.

Kara always seems to zero in on a topic sensitive to the feelings of others. She let me read one of her wonderful stories at our Chinese New Year celebration. It is about a dinosaur who has no friends. By the end of the story the dinosaur is surrounded by many new friends. If you want to know how this happens, you'll have to contact Miss Kara.

Kara has been gifted with so many artistic abilities. She can design a new outfit, hairdo, pair of shoes, etc, for one of her Monster High dolls. Or she can draw a picture or write a book to make you aware of the feelings of others. I really feel many of Kara's books should be published. They are that good. I hope she continues to develop this gift and maybe a few years down the road millions of people will be reading her "best seller."

Hugs and kisses,

Chinese New Year - 2011

Friday night we got together to celebrate Chinese New Year. We had a great Chinese dinner and yummy dessert (thank you, Connie and Ray). We passed out our Red Envelopes and gifts to the children. And then they were off and running.

It really was a fun night. Kris, Corey and Michelle spent time sitting together in front of the fire just talking. Connie, Ray and I were in the kitchen drinking coffee and relaxing. Don spent quite a while chatting with his nieces.

We were missing Papa and Zack. Papa was at a Siena basketball game. Zack had a sleepover at a friend's house. Things change. and we go with the flow.
Hugs and kisses,

Zack's Room Brings A Reflection

Here is what adorns the walls in Zack's room. His tenth birthday gift was a weekend in the city with his family. He had a fantastic time. He says New York City is where he plans on living some day. Thus we have the picture with the city's skyline.

Then there are the guitars, the favorite hat and the awesome poster. Yes, Zack's favorite band is AC/DC. He and three friends have formed their own band and are really getting good. Whose music do they play? Right, AC/CD.

If I remember correctly, I took these pictures at Michelle's and Don's house on Christmas day. As usual I was walking around with camera in hand. Then it dawned on me. This was The Baldwin's last Christmas in the ole homestead. I walked from room to room and reflected on all the wonderful memories our family have made in this little house.

Kristen was five and Michelle three when we moved into our adorable dream house. You have to understand owning our own house was our dream.

It happened overnight. Our house became our family's home. We had a very large backyard for our baby girls to run and play. They had the prettiest "girly" rooms. And all their friends were welcome; always. We had large family parties for all the momentous occasions in our girls' lives until the day they married.

As I sit here my mind is flashing back to memory after memory. I see Ken's Mom and Dad Christmas morning joining us for breakfast. I see my Dad drinking coffee at the kitchen table, sitting in the chair he always sat in. I see Easter egg hunts, birthday parties, autistic children from St. Coleman's where Michelle taught enjoying a picnic and pool party, many Christmas mornings filled with smiles, laughter and so much happiness, our beautiful girls wearing their prom gowns, graduation gowns and, finally, their wedding gowns. I could go on forever.

Our family have had the happiest of years in this wonderful dream house of ours. They could not have been any more special if we lived in a mansion. I will take a few more pictures before The Baldwin Family move to their dream house, where they will make many more memories for their family. You see, it always comes back to memories. I am so thankful to have each and every one of them.
Hugs and kisses,

Emily's Sweet Dreams

This is a picture of  Emily taken Christmas night at Aunt Shell's and Uncle Don's. Grandma and Grandpa gave Emily and one of her American Girl dolls matching pj's (of course, Kara and her doll got them, too). She looks so cozy and comfy in her shiny, silky night clothes.

Was the day after Christmas a Friday? Friday's are always pajama nights for the Film girls, just about every where they go.
Hugs and kisses,

Kara's Hidden Garden

This picture of Kara was taken Christmas Eve. She was kneeling on the floor opening her gifts from Papa and me. I just love the straightness of her back and the way she is glancing to the side. It is just perfect for a fantasy layout.

I had three word art phrases I really liked and asked Papa to choose which one I should use. As soon as he saw the layout, his reaction was, "Where is Emily?" Emily, the next picture of you I take that screams "fantasy" I will immediately get working on. I promise.

I wish I was more imaginative. But I am working on it. When I look at the first layouts I did, I can see an improvement in my work. It takes some time. Longer than most for me. But that's OK.

Hugs and kisses,