Papa's Birthday the BIG 81!

Mom had dinner at her home and so we all came and enjoyed it.  Here are the pics from the event and in 3 days is another big event-for Tyson, the BIG 10!

It's All a Blur!! Tyson and B-Ball

Yes, my pics are "all a blur" because the action is too fast and my camera is too slow.  I studied how to get the shutter action to move faster, but I think I made it worse.  So although they lost by 4 points, they played a good game.  I was really happy to notice that Tyson is getting to be a good defensive player, keeps alert and doesn't stand and just "hang out".  One poor teammate even got a bloody nose today....Other than that, no injuries, at least I don't think so.  He's loving Jr. Jazz!

Brecklyn's Performance "Brailsford Benefit Show"

Here is Brecklyn after her cute dance to "You are my sunshine". She did well as always. Jamie wants to put her back in her former dance company which she feels has a higher standard of accomplishment. So at the moment, she will still be here because of a contract agreement that parent's have to sign. Last night's performance was to collect money for a Highland family, the Brailsfords, whose father was diagnosed with brain cancer. We know this family as they live just up the street from Jamie. In fact, when Tyson was in piano lessons, they opened their home for the recital.

The New "Credit Card"

Yesterday in the mail I received lots of "junk" mail, as usual.  Many offers to get credit cards, as always.  And I even got a credit card from Citibank...which I knew I hadn't applied for.   So....I said to Spence, "Another credit card.", and he replied "get rid of it".  I almost cut it up, and then I thought, I had better call them and cancel the account first so that I don't have some open account that I don't want.  So I called before I "cut".  Thank goodness, it was the rebate for the cell phone I bought from T-Mobile  a couple of months ago.   Who knew!  I almost cut up $50.00!  So, next time you get an unwanted credit card in the mail, check carefully  before you destroy....

Brecklyn's Red Letter Day!

Today was the day Brecklyn was determined to learn to tie her shoes.  And so after church she came, shoes in hand and said, "grandma, teach me to tie my shoes!"  And so I first had her watch and then we did it together, and then she did it alone.  Hardly took but a few minutes and she had it down.  Here she is demonstrating what she learned! 

Finished Product!  And a proud Breckie!

It's A Rare Day!

I am posting a picture of me because at all events, I seem to be the one taking the pictures.  This time I am at work at the reference desk of the Family History Library and at the receiving end of the camera.    Here I am with my lovely FamilySearch shirt on that we were required to wear for the NGS conference back in April of 2010.

Basketball Time

Tyson loves basketball and the games are starting!

Wishful Dreaming...

Last nite on my genealogy blog I posted about Jan Dziuk, my ancestor that immigrated to Texas and was one of the founding fathers of the first permanent Polish settlements in the USA.  That of Panna Maria, Texas.  I don't dream much at all these days, but last night I definitely found myself in Texas.  My mom was there and other family members who I really couldn't discern who they were in my dream.  We found ourselves in an old restaurant trying to find the address of the Dziuk "bakery".  I put this in qoutes, because in reality it is the Dziuk meat market.  I must have had a sugar craving in my sleep.  We looked in the phonebook and found all kinds of Dziuks there, but not the "bakery".  We found electricians, plumbers, hardware, you name it, but no bakery...after I woke up, I thought, of course we didn't find a bakery, we should have looked for a meat market...

A few years back, an email friend Sarah Reveley went to the meat market for me and sent me some cool stuff, t-shirts, Dziuk spices, sausage, etc.  She also took some pics.  I will post them, if I can locate them on my old computer.  Anyway, I guess I am missing Panna Maria! 

Looking on my old computer turned up the pictures of the Dziuks at their market in Castroville, TX.

Here the link to the market.  They deliver!  http://www.dziuks.com/

Those Cold Winter Days!

A little Christmas Present for Grayson.  Doesn't he just look adorable?  I bought this at JCPenneys for a real good price. 

Christmas Aftermath!

Legos, Legos, Legos...And helpers to help with the projects.  All the fun of "after" Christmas work!

Christmas Eve 2010

Before the troops arrive!  Things are ready and peaceful! But not for long!

Santa arrives on his blue sleigh.  His hat was a little tight and he hadn't started his beard but other than this, he's in great shape!

 Here he is awaiting the cookies and milk!  Actually he went for the mashed potatoes, big time!

Logan came and said he was starving and wasn't happy until dinner was ready and sitting in front of him.

Ah, finally!  And the menu was: Roladen, Pierogi (which Jake loved!  It reminded him of his Canadian Missionary days.  Who knew??) carrots, red cabbage, green bean cassarole, cole slaw, salad, potatoes, Jamie's wonderful rolls, Scandinavian Rice Cream with raspberry sauce and drinks.

All generations are here tonight.

And now time for a little pageantry.  Baby Jesus sans swaddling clothes...We do the best we can!  Notice Tyson in the role of "Harry Potter".  It was Logan's request, because he would be Joseph this year!

Birthday soul-mates share a moment before the madness begins!

And now the madness!

Ty is moving so fast we got sort of a double exposure going on here!

Lots of gifts for all and Logan can never get enough!  He reminds me of Brian when he was little!

Shake, Shake, Shake

The grandkids are getting really excited to open their gifts. Right about now, they are at their other grandma's having a family Christmas party.  They will be here in a little while and we will have our dinner of Roladen, Pierogi and such.  After we will have our little Christmas program.  Logan wants to be Joseph this year, as I menetioned earlier and Tyson was assigned the part of Harry Potter...oh well.  That's kids for you.

The last week as they all three came over, the presents under the tree have been a big temptation.  They look, they shake and they shake some more.  They have been guessing and snooping.  Brecklyn saw one for her dad and shook it and asked me if I had gotten Jake some "deodorant" for Christmas and if that was in the package she was shaking.  I said, well if you think he needs it, we can surely get him some.

Then One Foggy Christmas Eve

Yes, it is a foggy Christmas Eve, but I see a sign  of blue sky as the sun starts to break through.  It is funny as earlier this week we had lots of snow.  It looked like a white Christmas was sure to be, until the rain hit and never stopped!  All the snow melted and the signs of it are where the snow plow stacked it up and on some spotty areas.  But at least travel will be effortless.  Although we are not going anywhere! Merry Christmas!

Not a Creature Was Stirring

Except the mouse in Spencer's house.  Yes, it's been a mousy Christmas week.  We got three again and hopefully that will be it for a while.  Since our kitty, Sadie passed away last Dec., it has been interesting!

Only Logan! Or the last of the One-liners...

Yesterday Logan and Ty were over in the afternoon and Spencer was watching them..  I was doing my shopping.  Apparently Logan did something he shouldn't and Spencer said "Logan, better not or Santa will just bring you a lump of coal for Christmas."
Logan said, "what is that".  Spencer said, "Well, you know those black things at the bottom of  the barbeque grill, that's what they are."

Logan's reply, "Oh yeah, I want one of those!"