Love for every day !

The everyday-ness of being with a grandchild is something very special...so while I'm staying with "my boys", either in Oklahoma or New Jersey, I treasure those day to day times. I AM and "airport Grandma". And I'm very, very lucky to be able to travel to be with Levi and Grayer and their families !! Now, Levi's hair trim was something that was MORE than just an everyday kind of event. Levi turned 1 years old and that was a planned time for the long "side burns" to be cut...Grandma Cheryl did the honors and Levi did a great job sitting still for her.

A favorite EVERDAY fun time when I'm with Levi, is to go to the mall and play in the play area. It's like his social hour when he can do some exploring with little games, a little slide and also learn how to play with others. He does a lot of watching when BIG kids are there. He's also learning to move quickly to get out of their way.

Hugs and Kisses are abundant everyday and this Grandma LOVES to get her share ! Levi's mama and dada are hugged and kissed to pieces EVERYDAY.

This Levi smile, is the one that just LIGHTS up when he sees his special people ! He is the BEST start to every day !!

The walks and little adventures along the way are part of every day... Levi seems to be enjoying being 1 years old and all the things to learn. He loves books, loves to be read to as well as "read" by himself. He's learning to walk around furniture, he's learning the tastes of different foods and learning that bed time and nap time aren't so bad :) So much to learn every day !

This Grandma is one lucky Grandma to have such love for every day when I'm visiting my little loves and I have enough love and memories to take home with me, to last til the next time !!

Such a love !

Such a face.......

Such fun......

Such a smile...

Such a laugh.....

Has filled my heart !!! Happy 1st birthday Levi Andrew ! You are my sunshine on a cloudy day....and I love you through and through !

Looking back

Was it REALLY just ONE year ago that we friends and family gathered?

We all were so excited, waiting for the birth of the new little Sonners baby. We didn't know if the baby was a boy or girl, but we DID know that we couldn't wait to meet this new little child !! We got together to prepare the babys' room. It was a fun weekend! Selena travelled from Oklahoma, Debbie and Diana travelled from Ohio and we all brought our creativeness (?) and put our thinking caps on and got busy making baby Sonners' room, an inviting one ! The result was, we had a lot of fun, got so much done, and now it was time for baby Sonners to come into the world ! Now, almost a year later, I'm wondering where the time went ? Little baby Levi will be a year old soon ! He LOVES his room and he LOVES his friends and family that helped to create such a cozy place for him to grow ! Thanks again everybody !

Tulsa Time

Before this year, I never knew that being a Grandma could be so much fun ! I'm the "airport" Grandma. I fly to Tulsa to visit sweet Grayer and his family ! Just look at this cute little grin and his "smiling" eyes ! He looks so much like his mommy, but I see a bit of his daddy in his eyes and his dimples !

Grayer is busy growing and he's even cute when he's sleeping !!

Grayer is off to a good start on his hat collection. This one is his Uncle Charlies'.
Seeing Chad with his little boy, just melts my heart !

Watching Selena grow to be such a great mom is fun to see. She's amazing and Grayer is such a lucky little boy to have such a great mom!

Fun times at home. Every LITTLE thing that Grayer does is new and incredible to witness ! Nothing like having an encouraging fan club !

Just in wonder of everything !

Chilling out just like Daddy !

And it's THIS smile that gets to the heart of me every time....I'm so fortunate to be able to have Tulsa Time !!

Big Chill

BIG CHILL, once again took place in Pennsylvania at our "camp" which is now HOME. 4 couples have been getting together for ...Oh....I don't know EXACTLY how many years, but I DO know that we have a group craft that is dated 2000 and that wasn't our first year...I know that for sure ! We like to FLOAT in the river

Sit by the campfire spot...maybe hitting golf balls across the river...or maybe JUST SITTING !

Like I said earlier...there is usually a CRAFT involved in the weekend...this year Diana came up with the idea of a rustic candleholder. The little candles were "imported" by Dave from a Canada trip. There were fun and will always remind us of the great weekend ! Wonderful idea Diana !!!

Just look at cute Diana...she's showing us HER craft in it's completion....It turned out GREAT, maybe even the BEST of everyones' !

Such a great weekend ! We hiked and had some great discussions over a campfire or two...we rested in the hammock, cooked some good food. And best of all, we were just TOGETHER! We talked about how we've been friends for 25 years...how lucky we are ! I think that we all look forward to BIG CHILL and seeing each other. After all, if you're lucky enough to have these people as friends for 25 years......You Are Lucky Enough ! Love you guys !!

SIX YEARS

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY you two ! Six years of growing, exploring, learning about yourselves as well as each other !

You are a great team.......

And the cutest little family !

We love you and wish you many happy journeys in the years ahead !!

What a difference a year makes !

Seriously, so much has happened in just ONE year.... Yes, Rick and I have gotten a little older, don't know if we're wiser, BUT we are BEYOND happy !!! Year, the end of July, our family gathered at CAMP in Pennsylvania for some family time. Missy was pregnant and we were all

excited about the new little person coming into our family......

Fast forward to this July...and we have TWO beautiful grandsons !!! Such fun at camp this year for our FAMILY "week"....

We "trucked" on over to the Emlenton Truck stop for Friday night fish fry. Best buddy, Jeff, met us there for dinner after driving from Columbus to be with us for the weekend. How fun to re-visit a favorite tradition ! Even little Levi and Grayer enjoyed it !

Little Grayer HAD to have his picture taken in our traditional picture tree ! His mom and dad

got in on the fun too ! This picture is definitely going to be showcased on our "camp" walls !

Such a cute little family !!

Levi got in on the fun, floating around and just chillin' in the river ! Another camp favorite !

He seemed to love it and can't wait til next summer when his cousin Grayer can float with him !

Speaking of Grayer....he loved hiking with us to the waterfall, and just having some relaxing time with family. It had been so incredibly hot in Tulsa, that he hadn't been able to be outside much this summer. Some wonderfully FRESH air and some cozy naps were Grayers favorites !

So....yes, what a year it's been...so many more pictures and adventures to share. We're so very

lucky to have such a wonderful place like "CAMP" to gather and enjoy our growing family !!

Wow, and I thought that being a mother was absolutely the BEST possible "thing" to be ! I remember always wanting to be a mom and was thrilled beyond belief when my time came...I knew that my husband Rick, was the best possible person to share parenthood with ! Years and years of growing together as a family, brought happiness and meaning to my life ! My children taught me much and undoubtedly always will......

But I wasn't prepared for the TOTAL JOY of being a grandparent ! I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful Grandmother who is 97 years old is still teaching me and guiding me. MY Grandma told me that she's so very happy to be alive to see me enjoying this new adventure with my beautiful little "stars", Levi and Grayer !

Every picture , every little story, is so fun to share through a new prospective ! Just the idea that our "kids" were so excited and looking forward to being parents themselves was so neat to see...but oh, the pictures mean so much AND "say " so much !!

My "babies" and their BABIES ....I love this picture !!!

To see just how much the LOVE their babies and just have so much fun with them....

For Chad and Missy to know the bond of parenthood with their spouses....

And what incredible spouses they have !! Yes, I've got stars in my eyes , ... Levi and Grayer..our fun has just begun !!!

Savoring the good times !

So many fun pictures...so many wonderful events to share and savor......

Little Levi out for a breakfast date with his mommy and daddy. He's already getting into the people watching at the restaurant, smiling at and watching all the other little kids . His hat has gotten to be his little "trademark"...he just looks so cute in them ! This little family has been busy preparing their new office building for the big move in day ! It's a beautiful and perfect place for the new home of Core Therapies Family Wellness Center ! Quite a busy time, and Levi has been busy just trying to keep up with the comings and goings of all the preparation! He's quite the trooper and we couldn't be happier for this sweet family with this latest BIG accomplishment for them !

Daddy and his best buddy, Grayer, enjoying time together. Grayer is wearing his daddy's badge number on his onesie as they celebrate Chad's new achievement together. Chad is now the newest member of the K9 unit, something he's wanted and worked for since he moved to Tulsa!
Baby Grayer at a photo shoot with mommy's friend, Jeana. The paddle is from "camp" and will be a part of his nursery decor...also perfect for a unique picture of our sweet little guy !
Ok, just couldn't resist another picture...these sweet little lips and baby resting. It takes a lot of work to be growing so fast...rest well little one !
I'm so thankful for the pictures, the videos and the phone calls from our "kids" !! It's not easy being so many miles apart, but they're so thoughtful and keep us close by all their sharing !

ONE WEEK

Just a week ago......Rick and I were starting our trip to Tulsa. We were expecting to be there a day or so before our baby Grandson would be born. Selena was scheduled to be induced the following day. We were going to be there in plenty of time ! We got a few text updates from Chad, saying that he thought that Selena was IN LABOR ! He was starting to time contractions and make a phone call to the hospital to see if they should check in ! Next text said that they WERE headed to the hospital....Rick and I started driving faster (still safely though) and deciding not to overnite in St. Louis but head straight to TULSA. We don't want to miss THIS !

So we arrived at the hospital...and the waiting begins !

It was a long night.....Just a week ago, the morning brought a new day and a beautiful new life !

GRAYER ANDREW.... One week old.... in the morning !

Happy Birthday Mel

Happy Birthday to you Missy ! We're proud of you for who you are and what is important to you! " Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. " We know there will be many sunny days ahead for you ! We love you forever and then some !!!

Grayer Andrew, our new reason

The wait is over and our perfectly precious Grayer Andrew Murtaugh has arrived ! He made his mommy and daddys' dream come true !

With a little help from their friends and family....we waited and cheered them on. Chad would come out and give us all updates on how Selena was progressing. We were all trying to be patient, but we just wanted to see him and of course, hear his name, as that was the big surprise.

He had been called Baby "M" for so long..... now we had a name, as well as a beautiful little boy to love ! Papa and Grammy got to finally have him in our arms ! We fell in love !

Sweet little boy, just look at this face....and his hair .....oh, he's adorable !

And this daddy,...well he's already having so much fun with his little boy....and mommy can soothe his cries with just the sound of her voice....

So many wonderful adventures ahead for this little family of 3 ! So happy for this wonderful son of ours, to have his own son to love and cherish !

Note to Baby "M"

If we could just let you know how excited we all are to meet you ....

or tell you a little secret about how I've been dreaming about you, what you're

going to look like, what you're going to sound like....

or tell you about how your mommy and daddy have been wanting you for

so long; how they're so ready for you to come into their lives and to make

them a family...

how Papa and I know that you're going to win our hearts.....

that you have a little cousin, Levi, who will love having you to play with

and get into mischief with ...

Your time is near and we don't want to rush you sweet baby ! Just keep growing and being

cozy until your birthday. You have lots of love waiting for you !

While we are waiting .......

One of the beauties of camp.....our gathering place of friends and family, and now summer HOME to Rick and I...... A place to share, fresh air, woods to hike and explore, and of course, the WATERFALL !

This Memorial Day weekend, Missy and Jasons' friends and co-workers, (and soon to be newlyweds) Matt and Megan came to camp. We LOVED having them here ! They are such a sweet and adorable couple !

Speaking of cute couples....oh, and cute family......PAPA, Mel, Jason and LEVI !! This was Levi's first time to "CAMP" too. He is a real outdoors baby and of course, loves spending time with his mommy and daddy . Levi has a great time with his Papa too !

Levi loved seeing the sights from his very own backpack ! Everyone took turns having him on their backs. Levi couldn't have been happier !

Papa just couldn't resist getting in a few smooches !

Well, and a guy can get kinda dirty, hiking and playing all day ! Levi used the sink for his own little hot tub and pool ! Geez, it was kinda fun ! Clean fun that is :)

Nothing like relaxing and thinking about the fun day and more fun to come !!

What a happy guy ! Loving all the attention and all the people to hold him and play !

Of course, the weekend wouldn't be complete without a hat or two to show. Papa bought Levi his first camo hat. So perfect for camp. And of course, Papa had a new hat with built in flashlights on the visor!

It was a great Memorial day weekend. Lots of fun and new adventures, and it was wonderful to

keep busy in a fun and special way.....we're waiting for our new baby "M" to make his appearance.

We know that there will be more fun and wonderful adventures when our new little guy and his family can join us all together at CAMP ! Then our arms AND our HEARTS will be so nice and

full ! While we were waiting.....