Portrait Day...

These are pictures from Kate Strine, our Cinncinnati photographer friend, who came before Christmas right after Bryden was born to do portraits of the family. We have some black and whites....

as well as colored favorites that we chose.

Friend, Debby's grandaughter, Emily, came over too and Kate took pics of her as well. I think they are wonderful!

She took Chelsea with Bryden who had not really planned to be in the pictures, but they are so beautiful I think, and I am so happy to have these tender moments of them.

Kate posed her in my (our) bedroom....

on our bed...with the new satin pillows and comforter....

and then this happened....

~Well, she captured the moment...

Cooper was not really wanting to sit still for pictures that day...so we have few of him...

but we got one of my chidren with their children and I love it!

and finally....

and this....one (below)!

Actually, my very favorite that I may still get (as though I don't have enough...) has Cooper with his mouth open shouting with glee...his true personality, the baby with his mouth open, hunting for food...his true personality and Miss B just smiling pleasantly...her true personality!!! It is a real picture of all of them and makes me laugh! But maybe I will just wait until next summer when we will have 4 grandchildren...and need MORE pictures to document all the highlights of our lives! Can you have too many pictures???

Leftovers...

A few pictures leftover from Christmas that make me smile....
Bailey helping decorate their tree... -with her mom...

Christmas morning with her new train...

full of giggles...

-with Aunt Joni...

Cooper with his truck...

and ABC game...

Mike, Chelsea and Bryden

Miss B...

and the best...a Granny hug!!!

His sweater says it all!!!

Today we went to see Cooper for one last Christmas gift that his parents forgot to take home...because the box was too big for the car! His father wasn't thrilled about it coming but it gave us an opportunity to see Cooper and their beautiful tree!! Cooper had on a sweater that fits his personality...it says "Turbo"

Then we got in the car and went to Easton, where we had lunch...

He has a good time, that child..

- all the while making us all smile too!!

Bryden's baptism...

It has been a week that has been very full and very blessed. I found out today that my niece in Illinois became engaged over Christmas...congrats Rachel!! Today was special because Chelsea and Brant had baby Bryden baptised. He was perfect through the whole service! Maybe it was Pastor Mitchell's magic or the Holy Spirit's,...but he was an angel.

Afterward, we had a dinner at our house with family...

Grandpa Bob with Bryden...

"Mimi"

-and friends....Harvey, Judi and Cindy. The "girls" and I have been friends through high school and nursing school...a few years ago.

Bailey...not missing a word!

Sometimes it's hard to put into words the sweet moments you just "ponder in your heart" and will never forget.

~and then there are the times you want to capture that perfect moment with the camera and you try over and over again to get it....and this is what you get....

and this...

and this....

till finally you think you have it...(sorry Lori,...your eyes were closed!)

But at the end of the day, you thank God for all the blessings,....each little one of them!

Tim, Joni and Cooper had the "creeping crud" at their house...everyone sick...we missed you guys! Cooper, I hope you're on the mend!!! What a way to spend Christmas vacation!