Sat., 5/29/21, Had fun with Peyton, Vikki came and we took pool cover off, Bill hooked up filter and all went great, Isaac stayed with us and spent the night

Peyton by the pool right after we took the cover off...It was crystal clear

Peyton

Isaac beating me at 3-13

Isaac blowing up the balloon Papa gave him

Papa had Isaac pull the tractor into the shed

 Look at this little precious grand baby

Peyton with my great grandbaby

Such a sweet baby!!

He's got little eyelashes already

We almost had to set a timer to hold him because no one wanted to share

 Nana and Peyton sharing the baby

Isaac played a beautiful worship song on the piano for us.  He did amazing!

Peyton slept in this morning.  I got up first, then Bill.  I put the siphon on the pool cover 

to drain the water off from yesterday's rain.  Kimmy, Jared and the boys were planning on coming to help us get the cover off and I wanted it to be ready.  Bill came out to help me.

Peyton got up, and when I came in she told me she had been up a while.  She's so cute.

She was looking forward to spending a special day with her mom while Isaac stayed here.  She is a mommy's girl and misses her lots, but she still loves spending the night at Nana's.

We played Tonk and I won by just a few points,  Bill got all the leaves and stuff off the pool cover, so we decided to take it off.  I called Vikki and she came to help.  All of us, and the over being so clean, we got it off easily....with a little help from the strong wind.  We were so happy to see that the water was crystal clear.  Bill put the hoses in and started filling it up the rest of the way, while he hooked the filter up.  He did a great job and got it all set.  We all worked on getting the steps to the pool cleaned.  Peyton worked hard scrubbing it and then she wanted to clean the two lounge chairs too.  She's a great helper.  Bill, Vikki and I worked on putting the solar cover on the reel and getting it on the pool.  All went well there too.  It was a very windy day, so we did have to work against the wind.  Peyton was the only one to go in the pool.  She did it for a Kit Kat Bar.  I sure wouldn't.   Isaac and Bill ate spaghetti, Peyton ate a bagel, and Vikki and I ate cabbage buns for lunch.  Vikki and Peyton left, and then Isaac and I played 3-13.  He was beating me by 50 points.  We had lots of leaves blow down from the Maple tree.  I went out to tell Bill not to mow them and let the fly on my plants.  He told me I could finish if I wanted to, so I did and he went in to play the last 3 hands of 3-13 with Isaac.  He won two rounds, but the last one he got stuck with 20 points, so he lost for me.  He picked up the grass and leaves with his tractor and attachment after I was done.  Isaac kept checking the water level of the pool without even being asked.  He let us know when it was high enough to turn the filter on.  All went well land there were no leaks.  Great job Bill and Isaac. I put the pool chemicals in and was finishing up when Vikki and Peyton came back again.  Vikki sent me a picture of a "Real" Baby she and Peyton got at the thrift store.  She told me she was babysitting a baby and I believed her.  These dolls have hair and features like real babies.  I saw them advertised a long time ago and thought they were so neat.  They came over to show us, and we FaceTime Melissa and she thought it was real too, but Peyton told her right away it was a doll.  I got snacks ready for Isaac to have while we watched a Movie about Golden Retrievers.  I made popcorn for him and Papa too.  After our movie, Isaac got his pj's on and we read the Picture Bible.  Then we both prayed and I tucked him in.  He wanted to sleep on the couch, so we made it nice and comfy for him.  He is such a great kid and a great help.  Very responsible too!  Love this sweet grandson so much!

Fri, 5/28/21, Went to Pat’s, Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came, Peyton spent the night, Vikki had fun with Isaac and went to Cracker Barrel

                      Fun time with Peyton.  She is such a fun girl to have spend the night.

She knows how to pack too!

Peyton and Papa love spaghetti

Vikki was with Isaac at Cracker Barrel...not many tables and only one other table had people at it in her section.  

I got up early.  It was cold 45 degrees and super windy out.  The wind even moved our pergola a foot.  Bill will be bolting it down after the wind dies down.  We moved it back. Made more cabbage buns.  Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came.  Vikki had a couple of cabbage buns and we all had chips and Vikki’s yummy salsa. We had chocolate marshmallow cookies too.  Peyton is spending the night, so I am one blessed Nana.  Vikki and Isaac left.  Peyton and I played 3-13 and had Reeses Pieces for a snack.  She won me.  It was close all the way, but the last hand, I ended up with 20 points and she was at -11.  We went for a walk outside after that.  We walked all around, looking at plants and picking up some big sticks that blew down from the big maple tree.  She checked the milkweed just like her mom does.  We went in the camper for a while.  It was much warmer in there.  When we came in, I made spaghetti (which she loves) and baked the cabbage rolls and 3 regular rolls.  We had spaghetti, broccoli and rolls.  She ate really good.  She sure loves and misses her mom!  She texted lots with her.  She was missing Isaac too. Vikki and Isaac went to Cracker Barrel for some alone time.  She sent me a picture and there was hardly anybody in the restaurant.   Each section only had a few tables in them.  The waitress commented on how polite Isaac was and wanted to keep him.  Peyton, Papa and I had popcorn while we watched Leave it to Beaver Episodes.  Peyton also had some green grapes.  She remembered her medicine on her own and brought it and told me she needed to take it.  Very responsible girl.  Vikki forgot to remind me of it.  I had to finish the Faith Rider’s Newsletter while we watched tv.  Peyton decided she wanted to sleep upstairs in the bed.  She’s the first to sleep in that room since the remodel.  We prayed and then she asked me if we had time to read the Bible.  Of course I said yes.  She went to bed so good.  Vikki is raising some really kindhearted, polite and sweet kiddos.  

Thurs. 5/27/21, Took Peyton and Isaac to Kimmy's with me, Bought plants with gift certificates from boys fundraiser

 

Isaac and Peyton taking a reading test during online school.   They both did great
and Vikki said they got all A's in all of their classes!  Great job kiddos!!!

Isaac shooting the air gun

Peyton just wanted to watch

 Isaac and Peyton

I had an awful nightmare last night, and was thankful I woke up enough to start saying Scriptures (a lot from worship songs I listen came to me right away).  I kept declaring what Jesus did, and that He is my Lord and I got peace.  Glad I don't have nightmares often.  I got up early, and put on worship music.  Vikki came and had coffee and ate her breakfast.  We talked to Kimmy while she was here too.  After Vikki left, Peyton, Isaac and I loaded their computers and headed to meet Kimmy at Lapman's Greenhouse to use our gift certificates from Jacob and Eli's band fundraiser.  They weren't real organized there, but we found nice plants we liked.  I was was $5 over my amount which I thought was great, and Kimmy was only over $2.  We all went to Kimmy's.  Kimmy and the kids got the computers set up and ready, then we all walked outside to look at Kimmy's beautiful plants.  They are beautiful and her place looks so nice.  We went inside so the kids could start their tests.  Kimmy boiled eggs in her smart pot and it was so fast and easy.  I will be doing that!!  She made yummy egg salad sandwiches on flat bread and we had pretzels and Doritos to go with it.  Kimmy is just like her grandma (my mom).  She had the window open, and was ready to shoot at the Starlings to scare them away from the suet feeder.  That's was Granny Oakley, as we called my mom, did.  The kids finished their test, and Peyton ate a half egg salad sandwich.  Isaac wasn't hungry.  We had Oreo's too.  We all went outside and everyone but Peyton took a turn at shooting the air gun.  We walked through the woods and looked at all the plants and trees coming up.  It's always fun to walk out there.  The kids checked on eggs with Kimmy.  There were lots!  We didn't have the basket to put them in, so didn't collect them.  We went back inside and packed up everything, so I could get the kids back to my house where Vikki was waiting.  They still had school to do.  Kimmy sent them off with lots of snacks, and a DHS player and games.  The kids were so happy.  She is such a good Aunt who is always so thoughtful.  Isaac is becoming quite a good back seat driver.  He knows a lot and gave really good advise, so will be quite a good driver when he learns to drive.  He was so cute!!!  

Wed., 5/26/21, HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY JACOB, OUR FIRSTBORN GRANDSON! Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac, Wes and Gayla came over

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY JACOB!  WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Isaac, Nana and Peyton

Isaac and Peyton

Cat Kenzie is giving me...her name is Lily and she's a sweet outdoor cat

It rained in the morning.  We got about a half inch. Happy I don't have to water.   I got up early so I could read and pray before the business of the day.  Called Jacob and sang Happy Birthday to him and talked to him for a few minutes.  Made a blueberry pie and made two batches of bread dough for cabbage buns.  Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac.  We talked to Kimmy on the phone and drank our coffee.  She had an extra breakfast sandwich from McDonald's that she gave me.  Yum!  We walked her out when she left for work and did our usual waving goodby.  Worked on spelling.  For reading today, we listened to a young boy read You love Ewe.  He was a good little reader and it was a cute book.  We listened to Wonky Donkey after that.  Rody had done that one with them, so the kids wanted me to hear it.   Finished cleaning the house.  Another very windy day, but it got up to 79.  It cooled down to 55 in the evening.  Adam FaceTimed me today, and we connected.  He was on his way home from school.  Last night we couldn't connect.  Took care of feeding birds, and took care of some early spring plants that needed cutting down.  Bill blew off the deck and I washed down the tables.  I stuffed the bread dough, then baked the cabbage buns.  Wes and Gayla came for dinner.  We had a salad with the cabbage buns, then had the blueberry pie for dessert.  We sat out on the deck and visited a long time, then played 2 games of 3-13.  I won the first and Bill won the second.  It was fun having them over.  They left when it was just getting dark as they had the motorcycle.  Bill tried to call Jacob, but couldn't get Kimmy to answer.  I texted Adam to have Kimmy call.  I didn't hear anything, and he had already told me goodnight, so I told Bill just to use my phone and text Jacob.  He doesn't have an I phone.  He sent a really sweet message, and Jacob answered it and then called him.  They talked for a few minutes.  Melissa sent me two cute pictures of Hailey with her instruments, so I am posting them on yesterday's blog.  It was a busy, but fun day.

Tues., 5/25/21, Dusted the house, did laundry, cleaned off cushions outside, Went to Hailey's concert and it was amazing

Hailey with her trumpet she played also

Peyton and Isaac's last spelling list for the year!!!

Evan, Jack, Melissa and Bruce up on the hill watching

Bill and I down by the pavilion so we could take the pictures and videos

Hailey is in the last row, second from the right in the video

Hailey with her French Horn she played

 Hailey in her Symphonic Band Concert

She played the French Horn since she injured her right wrist.  She usually plays Trumpet

Got up early to read and worship.  Peyton and Isaac came and we started doing the words on their last list for the year.  We did our reading and then they had some free time.  Ate Chicklit chops (chocolate chip) for a snack.  Did some cleaning in the house and out on the deck.  Got the tables washed off and the cushions cleaned.  Lots of stuff blowing from the trees with the strong winds we had today!  Great weather for Hailey's concert though.  The wind died down by then, but there was a nice breeze.  It was warm, but nice.  The school concert was an absolutely wonderful concert.  The first since Covid.  Nice to see people we haven't seen in a long time.  Hailey was so happy to finally have a concert, and we sure were excited to be able to go.  

Mon., 5/24/21, Rained in the morning, Walked on treadmill, 100+ Irises that were Grandma Schmidts started to bloom,Vacuumed the house, cleaned kernel burner, weeded around plants

My egg roll Vikki made me.  I got some sweet and sour sauce and it sure tastes good on it.  I made another one after this one.  They sure are delicious Vikki

 My Irises that were Grandma Schmidt's are starting to bloom.  Our sister, Angie,
mailed them to me from Kansas last Fall.  They are 100+ years old.  I shared with Kimmy so she would have some too!

Azalea plant Melissa and Bruce gave me back in 2004.  It gets bigger and more beautiful every year.

Lilacs are starting to open up and smell so wonderful

It was raining out when we got up.  It is great for all the plants and flowers, and grass.  Bill went to coffee with Charlie to encourage him.  I walked on the treadmill and listened to worship music.  After my 2 miles, I came up, had my coffee and oatmeal, then read my Bible and prayed.  Refilled my bird feeders and enjoyed being back home to watch my birds.  Kenzie showed me a picture of the cat she is giving me that is so nice and catches mice.  Hopefully she catches moles too.  She is cute and Kenzie and Travis say she has a great personality.  Kenzie's tiny kitten she took home is doing great and her big cat like her, is bonding with her.  They are so cute laying by each other in the pictures Kenzie sent me.  Bill got home and mowed the grass and picked it up because it was so long.  I vacuumed the house while he did that.  I cleaned the kernel burner too.  I went outside for a while and when I looked on the pool deck, I saw a pile of helicopter things from the tree.  It was windy yesterday, and the pool cover kept blowing up from the wind and all those things were on the cover.  Today when I looked, they were all in a neat pile by the boards where the steps go in.  I picked them up and put them in a trash can.  That sure was easier than trying to scoop them from the water on the pool cover.  I walked around the yard for a while and enjoyed looking at the plants.  Lettuce and Zinnias are coming up along the edge of the garden where I planted them.  Blueberry bushes have a few blueberries on them now. Vikki posted a picture of Isaac riding his little motorcycle.  He sure rides it good, but it sure made me nervous watching him.  Looks like he might be carrying on the motorcycle tradition.  Bill had an Elder's Meeting, so while he was gone, I dug up some weeds and transplanted some hosta's.  Snowball tree is just beautiful now too!  Nothing as beautiful as God's creation. 

Sunday, 5/23/21 Came home from comping trip, celebrated Jacob and Adam’s birthdays

 

Adam and Kenzie with their kittens

Adam and Jacob ready to open their gifts from us

Kenzie with her kitten

Jacob and Adam with their cake...doing candles Covid style

Isaac

 Peyton, Mykenzie and Peyton

Kenzie with the "You Rock" rock she found at Tim Horton's a few years ago.  She gave it to me then and told me I rock.  It is a special memory from a special granddaughter

Jacob practicing with his new air gun.  He did pretty good!  At least my window didn't get any holes in it lol.

We packed up our camper and said our goodbyes to our wonderful CMA family.  It was a great a fun and relaxing camping trip with an amazing group of friends.  We had a nice drive home and made great time.  Bill did a good job leading the way on the motorcycle.  Originally the weather said rain where we were staying in the morning and rain at home at 11.  I prayed because I didn’t want to drive the camper in the rain.  It changed and there was no rain in the morning when we left and it didn’t start raining at home until 4.  I sure was thanking the Lord.  He’s always so good to me.  We unpacked right away when we got home. Bill hooked the cart up to the tractor and I loaded all the baskets filled with the refrigerator and freezer stuff in it, then piled lots of other stuff in and on top too.  He hauled it up to the house and carried it in for me.  We will be doing that from now on.  After we got things unloaded, Kenzie and Travis got here.  We visited and it sure was good to see them.  Kenzie and I walked around and looked at the ferns she gave me and my other plants.  They went out in the camper with Bill while got some things ready.  Kimmy and family came next.  So nice to celebrate Jacob and Adam's birthdays. They are such great kids and wonderful grandsons.  They brought the kittens.  Kenzie was sure happy to see hers and loved it.  They are so cute.  Kenzie is going to give me a cat she has that is a great outside cat. I started making pizzas.  Kenzie helped me.  Then Vikki, Peyton and Isaac showed up with egg rolls that she made.  They were yummy and she brought 2 apiece.  What a great surprise.  Jacob and Adam helped Papa get the air conditioner in, then they opened their presents.  We sang Happy Birthday and had the delicious birthday cake Kimmy made afterward.  Then they went down in the basement to try out their air guns.  They had fun trying to hit the target.  So did Jared, Kimmy and Bill.  I had fun watching.  Travis and Kenzie wanted to watch the videos I made interviewing her grandpa (my dad)  We enjoyed watching those and had some good laughs, especially when he talked about Kenzie at age 5 in the blueberry patch saying grandpa pooped his pants when he tooted.  Everyone picking blueberries got a good laugh that day.  He also shared about the terrible 300 piece puzzle she got him for Christmas one year and the pieces were so tiny and would fall apart when you touched them.  We got it together with him, but he told Kenzie on the video not to ever get a puzzle like that again.  He sure had a great way of sharing wonderful memories.  I am so glad I did this and have these treasures to watch.  After everyone left, I called Melissa and talked to her for a while.  Bill and I watched The Chosen.