Nicholas Christen England

Twenty-four years ago Dale raced me to the hospital in the snow after hitting a deer with his cop car. On Christmas Day Nicholas was born. He was the best gift I've ever received on Christmas. Angelic, isn't he?

Daddy's boy all the way.

Every Halloween he knew exactly who he wanted to be. I couldn't find the Elvis years.

Great fashion sense.

His cousin, Matt, became sort of a hero for him. During this time he changed his name to Matt and made us all call him that.

Nick loved to suck his two middle fingers with some sort of silk. To avoid the embarrassing underwear incidents we bought him a silky Puffalump, who was named Nonee. He did not use the silk of the stuffed bird, but the little tag that was attached.

Playful.

He loves all his pets, and there were many.

He didn't pick out all his Halloween costumes. As you can see this one wasn't a favorite.

Nick also likes to take pictures of himself. Janet started refusing to develop rolls that were entirely of himself.

Baseball has always and still is a love of Nick's. We enjoyed watching him play many games in many places. He played for Manson, Chelan, Cashmere league and in Wenatchee at the All Star game.

We also enjoyed watching him play football.

Nick served a mission in "Nic"aragua. We found this funny because anything Nick created had his name in it somewhere.

Nick is a loving son. He will come up and give me a big hug. What a great kid to have on such a fun holiday! Love you Nick!!

Thanksgiving, 2009, Utah

Dale and I realized that Thanksgiving would be very quiet at home. We decided to go where the most kids were so we flew to Utah to have Thanksgiving with KC, Nick, Marissa, Whitni and most of my family.

The morning of the big meal found us busily helping Sherry get the tables beautiful, far more different than the paper plates that are our usual method.

Dale was put in charge of the mashed potatoes, mainly based on his claim to be able to bake them whole and have the skins magically fall off. According to something he saw on TV boiling them whole, then placing them in a bath of ice water, the skins should easily slide off.

It didn't quite work, but the potatoes got done. They got mashed. They got seasoned with all sorts of yummy stuff, and when that wasn't quite right Nick seasoned them again. Larry and Dale were put on turkey duty.

One happy turkey carcass.

A bunch of wonderful people ready to enjoy a delicious dinner.

Just so you know, Dad, Larry and Steve, I didn't take this picture. I wish I had, but all the credit goes to Rob.
Don't they just say it all. Thanksgiving is for food, fun, family, football and falling asleep.

Auction Time

Our night at the first Manson Elementary School auction was a lot of fun.  I knew going into it that I would be spending money and I did not disappoint. 

This basket was prepared  by the students in my fifth grade class.  The fleece blanket I sewed together.  The fleece blanket was the undoing of my sewing machine.  Thankfully, Bonnie was around to help me clean, oil and diagnose the defective part.  Fleece and my sewing machine must never meet again.

We enjoyed sharing a table with Doug and Jama and Megan and Travis.

I put my name on a lot of items in the silent auction.  I figured I could do a little Christmas shopping.  Sadly, only two items became mine.  I lost the one I really wanted at the last second.  I tried telling the superintendent who was counting down to stop, but he ignored me.

During the live auction Dale had agreed to take a flight for an hour.  They gave him the microphone and the standup began.
"I have as many takeoffs as I do landings."
"My license will be coming in the mail really soon."
"I can take two fat people or four skinny people.  You decide where you fit in."
The bidding was frantic and ended up at $450.  Dale agreed to do two more at that price. 

Doug then yells, "If the first group does not come back will the others get a refund?" 
Great confidence builder.

Fun night, expensive night.

Quick Question

What part of "Send Aaron your shirt size for the Reindeer Game t-shirt so that he can get an appropriate quote in time for the shirts to get here by Christmas" didn't you understand? Don't make me send my enforcer!!
Oh, and we wanted to check and make sure that the posts are still showing up. Thanks!

Okay, check it:

Blogger is having issues updating my precious blog into my friends' lists on their blogs.  If you want my blog to show up on your updating friend's list, but it isn't, then here is what you need to do:

Copy the following url (url means address thingie) : http://feeds.feedburner.com/GrammyRaes

 Go to your layout page, then click 'edit' on your friend's list.  Click 'add new' and paste the url (address thingie) into the new blog area.

Click save or whatever the button is you are supposed to push (if you have a friend's list then you've probably done it before and can explain it better than I can).  Save the layout and then check to make sure that it's there!

Final step: Sent Aaron your shirt size for the Reindeer Game t-shirt so that he can get an appropriate quote in time for the shirts to get here by Christmas.  You can send him a blank check in advance, but DeA likes to write numbers on those, so that's not recommended.

Thanks everybody!

Again only a test - will it or will it not show? Help!!!

Again a test.

Missing My girls.

The Many Faces of A Golden Child

Twenty-seven years ago Dale and I went out with another couple and enjoyed some good Chinese food in Wenatchee. All through the night we were timing contractions. Five hours later a cute little boy was born.In honor of this wonderful son's birthday I present the many faces of KC.I believe we could say this is the contented playful look.This is the goofy look, coming from how many apple stickers Aaron could stick on his face.The tired warrior look, after spending HOURS with a sword down the back of his underwear. Somehow he always had that covering for his swords. The invincible look that lets all around him know he can take you down, especially if you are Shredder.One of my most favorite looks- the loving look. It appears most often and is most appreciated.This is the sweet look that tells everyone I'm a great person. Now can I go play?The scary look - or the sickly beat up look. I guess you could take your pick.The "I've got a massive head of hair and I'm not afraid to use it" look. The look one gets from expelling large of amounts of hot air.

His look of excitement when a meal is ready to be consumed. (Do the jammy pants and Hawaiian shirt remind you of anyone?)

The actor in character look.

The look of accomplishment.

KC, we love you and all the many looks we enjoyed with you over the years. (I love the dimple)You truly are one of a kind, and the kind I'm glad we were honored to help guide through the past twenty-seven years. Have a great birthday.