I Spy

For my birthday my sister, Judy, made a beautiful lap quilt. It is an "I Spy" quilt. Well, I tried it out this last weekend when we went to the Dalles to visit Ryan and Kristin and the kids. It was a hit! The kids sat on the couch with me as we searched for Popsicles, dragons, soccer balls and more. Later we spread it on the floor and discovered more great treasures. When we were packing to come home Dylan said, "next time you come, Grammy, you can bring your I SPY quilt." It was so fun to sit and discover together. Thanks, Judy, for the great treasure!

If you look closely at the picture my sister found random fabrics and created pictures within the quilt. You know the books where you say, "find a crayon, or a clown" and they search the pictures. The concept is the same. The quilt itself is beautiful and timeless and the colorful patches catch the eye and the imagination. This gift will certainly get lots of use over the years.

WICKED

Last week Craig and I were able to travel to Portland via Sammamish to see the play Wicked. It was fabulous! Can I say that too many times? It was amazing! We drove with Judy and Beau, who was a great sport since he had major surgery the day before. When we arrived in Portland we checked into our hotel right on a beautiful river downtown. Craig and I went exploring while Beau rested his sore leg and back. Walking through downtown Portland was so much fun, wet, but fun! They have beautiful little parks and interesting shops. We had no immediate timetable or restraints, the gift of empty-nesting!

Room service delivered a yummy dinner while we prepared for the eight o'clock show. Of course, there has to be a glitch. I forgot my black tank top and had to use a safety pin instead. It didn't look as cute but there was no time to run to a store. As Craig and I were finishing our last minute preparations we received a phone call. The play didn't start at eight but at seven thirty! Yikes! It must have been hilarious watching us run down the sidewalk pushing Beau in a wheelchair trying not to miss the opening.

The play was beyond wonderful! Even though I missed the first number of the second act, that's another story, it totally exceeded my expectations. The cast was superb, including the understudy for Glinda. Awesome

The next morning we were able to attend the Portland temple before we headed back to Sammamish. Stunning! I love going to different temples.

Because it was General Conference weekend and we didn't need to be back for meetings, Beau and Judy had to put up with us until Sunday afternoon. Poor Parnells... We came back relaxed and rejuvinated. What a great Spring Break! Dare I say, we had a wicked time!

That's good. No, that's bad!

I have wanted to blog for awhile but didn't have a cute picture. Oh well, here is a blog with no cute picture where everyone says, "oh, sweet!" I am blogging in the style of one of my favorite children's books.

Ryan and Kristin are moving to the Dalles Oregon on Monday. That's good! NO! That's bad. None of our children will be living in Spokane! They didn't even ask if they could take the grandkids with them, rude! Who am I going to babysit now? What excuse can I make up to make cookies now? Who can I cuddle with that still fits on my lap? Craig is cute but he doesn't fit on my lap! I will miss them more than I can say. There is comfort in having some family close.

Ryan and Kristin are moving to the Dalles on Monday. That's bad. NO! That's good. They are making great choices for their future. Ryan is continuing with his schooling so he can provide well for his family. It will be a great adventure for their them. Kristin will get to live by her mom, the normal one! From what I have heard the Dalles is fabulous. It is warm and sunny and right along the Columbia river which is beautiful. It is only four and half hours away, not the East Coast!

To tell you the truth, I miss my kids. Everyday I wish we lived closer. I know they are all their own families now but this transition stuff is difficult! You would think it would be a breeze by now. We have been saying good-bye to Ryan since he was eighteen, both of the boys served missions and Kristen went away to school. Get a grip, Carrie!

I guess Craig and I will be spending alot of time traveling. . . Sorry kids. Blow up the mattresses!

Grammy time

The weekend after Valentine's Day we were lucky enough to have Dylan and Leila over so Ryan and Kristin could have a little bit of time alone. Okay, so they still had Cohen but at least he doesn't run around yet and he eats everything put in front of him!

Dylan came with his recipe book of nutritious foods. He was determined to make Chocolate Peanut butter Banana Smoothies. Dylan is a big fan of snacks and treats. After much measuring, blending and taste-testing, they slurped up their movie treats. We watched "the Incredibles" and snuggled on the couch. Before bed we read books and snuggled some more. Dylan had his "boogie-boogie"(the green creature on the couch) and Leila had her fuzzy monkey. I have to tell you, Kristin is an amazing mother. Those kids go to bed sooooo well! We used to have to put a gate up to keep Ryan in his bed and it still didn't work! Kristin is fabulous!

We made letter pancakes for breakfast and played until Mom and Dad came to break up the fun. Being a Grammy is the best! We will babysit grandkids any time guys!

ps If anyone can tell me how to remove a picture once I have put it on the page, let me know. I tried to get rid of one and couldn't! I shrunk it but that is all I could do...

So this Valentine's Day was my turn, we trade off years. I bought an empty paint can and decorated it, red of course! I put in certificates and menus and plans of what we were doing that day. We had a great day which included a chilly walk on the trail, hawaiian kabobs, huckleberry cheesecake, a movie and other fun things. But I have to tell you, Craig really won this year! I am spoiled, I know. Sometimes he heats up an old rice pack and puts it in between the sheets where my feet go. Well, it died a few weeks ago and I thought nothing of it. Craig, my cute husband, bought fabric, went to Noreen's quilt shop and sewed a new heat pack for me. He spoke to a few people and they recommended filling it with flax. It was such a surprise and sooooo great! He wins husband of the year! Am I lucky, or what?!?!

Last weekend we spent in Rexburg visiting Ashley and Nathan. We had a fabulous time. Kristen and Dave surprised us by coming up from Provo. Thanks, Dave! I can't tell you how blessed I feel everyday to have such a great family, not perfect, ( who can blame them, you know who their parents are!) but absolutely wonderful! All of our birth children have chosen spouses who are perfect for them. "Thank You" just doesn't seem enough sometimes.

Here goes my first attempt at blogging. Be patient, be kind! Although I teach writing at school, I rarely apply it at home. My journal is not very exciting. I am hoping I get eternity points just for keeping one! Do we get eternal creativity points? I better work on that!
Craig and I had an amazing Christmas with ALL of our children and grandchildren home. We played cards, shoveled snow, ate yummy food, shoveled snow, sat by the fire, and enjoyed our time together. I so enjoy my family!
We welcomed a new grandbaby on January 11. Beautiful Cohen Glade Wilkinson made his first appearance at 10:07 pm. Craig, being the wonderful grandpa that he is, was watching Dylan and Leila at home while I was at the hospital. I cannot tell you what it feels like to watch a mom and dad work together to bring a baby into the world. Although Kristin did the truly hard work, it was great to see them work together. We love all of our kids and applaud their choices of spouses. We really do look forward to the years we have to get to know them better.