Yep we're home!

Haley and I have been home for almost a week now.  I haven't posted because I'm sick.  Some kind of respiratory thing.  I'll have to catch up later when I stop coughing and start feeling better.

Swimming on a hot afternoon!

Kyle came in this afternoon after working in the store and asked Alaina if she wanted to go swimming?  Oakland has a really nice community pool.  She was so excited that we could barely catch her to get her dressed.

Here she is all slathered in sunscreen and ready to roll!

Come on Dad let's go!!

After they got back she came running into the house with one shoe on and one shoe off. 

We had NO trouble putting her down for a nap!  wink 
Kyle you are a really fun Daddy!

Peaceful Morning

It's early early.  I can't sleep even though everyone, and I mean everyone (read baby Stephen) is sleeping.  I guess it just comes with age.  PTL I'm not even tired.  Hum wait until tomorrow.  I've cleaned everything that I quietly can.  "goofy grin"  Vacuuming is definitely out.  What a blessing to be serving those that I hold so dear!

I love this time of morning just before the dawn of a fresh new day.  And just think I have a head start.   

Just Noticing

There are some things that I am being reminded of while down with the grandkids.

• Parenting isn't for the weak of heart---or old people.
• Farm fresh eggs have very yellow yokes.
• I forgot about the fire hose potential of diaper changing.  
• Cats prefer to sleep under the cars on the gravel rather than under the bushes in the soft dirt.
• Toddlers have 3 times as much energy as grandparents.
• I still love to look out on farmer's fields they are my favorite landscape.
• There are few things as wonderful as the love of your family.

Talk to you later it is almost noon and I'm ready for a nap!!! 

Across the Generations

The last time Alaina came for a visit (before Stephen) she and Grandpa Sisson got to know each other better. 

She decided to climb up in his lap and make herself at home as only a toddler can.

She got a hold of a book and brought it over for his reading pleasure.
It seemed especially geared to the interests of a Great Grandfather.  It focused on the variety of modes of transportation available.  They had quite a discussion about that one. 

Then she brought yet another about puppies.  Grandpa Sisson has a vast knowledge about that subject!

Suddenly she discovered something else wonderful about Grandpa, he has pockets full of mysterious things.

At one point Grandpa said, "This is the first time that I have held a great-grandchild!" 

They had a sweet time across the generations.

More

Kyle came in last night and said that there had been a heat advisory yesterday! We had no idea. We hadn't even stepped outside. "grin" Our little world here is very simple: change diapers, play with toys, change diapers, eat/feed, change diapers, visit/hug/laugh, and change diapers. 

This is the life! "WINK"     (notice I didn't list sleeping)

Had to put in a few pictures of Bird since she's usually behind the camera.
Yes "T" this is hot enough for me!! Yikes

Happiness

Greetings from Oakland! Don't ask me about the weather or events etc.-- we have one thing--okay maybe two things on our minds. Stephen and Alaina. (Gretchen and Kyle occasionally too) I couldn't get the pictures to load the way I usually do since G&K have picasa so I tried a collage! It worked. Wow. I feel so accomplished.

Things are going well. Its wonderful to be here and be busy helping. S-M-I-L-E I love newborns. There is nothing like their smells, and their warm snuggly bodies sleeping in your arms.

Stephen

Haley and I are heading south.  The guys are holding down the fort here (and feeding the cats).  Yep we are going to meet Stephen for the first time.

I was thinking, we will meet him for the first time but he is an eternal being.  He will live now for the rest of eternity! Our responsiblity is to train him up in the fear/respect of the Lord, and his choice to pursue the Lord with his whole heart.  Our prayer is that he live his time here on earth totally devoted to the Lord. 

Big thoughts about such a little shrimp.  "smile"

The wonderful Jones kids, who were visiting Kyle and Gretchen when Stephen made his appearance, sent us this tantalizing picture from their hospital visit! (No . . . . . . they didn't send us any face pictures!!!) 

Yes he has his father's toes and we can't wait to see whose face.


PS Haley and I plan to take a million pictures and post them here!

Big Sister

 Alaina (who is impersonating a fish) is a big sister! 

Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stephen Christopher Phillips  

has joined the clan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He made his début at 1:00 AM this morning! 

He is 7lbs. 18in.

Gretchen’s labor  was about 3 1/2 hours long. 

He was born ten days before his due date.

Gretchen and Stephen are both doing well and Kyle seems to be just GREAT. ;-) 

Alaina seems well since she has our THREE Jones cousins for her to entertain, I mean to entertain her. ;-)

And WE are just, just so HAPPY, EXCITED, GOING WILD WITH JOY!!! Anyway we are hoping to be able to see him tomorrow!

For the clan, the very blissfully happy,

Auntie Haley 

P.S. His first name is pronounced with a long E and a V.