Be prepared... there's loads of pics on this one!

I've been so neglectful of the blog these past months, and so I am just posting a huge slide show. Hopefully the captions will give you an idea of what we've been up to.



We are happily settled into summer, enjoying almost daily swims and plenty of time in the sun. Meanwhile T continues on with his vivid imagination. His current obsession is the movie "Cars". He regulary assumes the character of Lightning Mc Queen and every other car in the movie (which he watched for the first time w/ Brian on Father's Day). Many of his other classics are still going strong, too, such as Clifford and Franklin the Turtle. This means the rest of us are also expected to assume character, of course! C is talking a ton lately and is finding satisfaction in being able to tell us what she wants rather than grunting and crying for things. She is also thrilled with her new ability to hop. The kids have so much fun together hopping about the house and all over the furniture. C's persistent personality, which has been there since day one, continues to push her to try new things, especially if her big bro is doing it!

They Just Keep on Growing!

These pics are random, but capture the "current state" of the kids in terms of size and personality. Just wanted to get something posted as it has been so long!

 
 
 
 

Remembering Grandma

Sadly, my Grandma passed away last week. She was 2 days shy of 97 years old. We attended her funeral and memorial service over the past two days and came away blessed by the sweetness of remembering her. I grew up living next door to her, with countless drop-in visits, swims in their pool, family holidays, and hugs beyond number. Best of all, she loved the Lord with all her heart, a shining example to all. She was incredibly special to me and to everyone else who ever knew her.

Here are some recent pics of her.

 
















She had joy beyond measure.

 












She visited us in the hospital when Timothy was only 5 hours old. With tears in her eyes she held him in wonder and prayed over him. Notice the hand-knit blanket. She made an afghan blanket for all 18 of her grandkids and almost all 23 great-grandkids, amongst many others. I'd say she was an 'expert'!

 












Grandma and Brian shared a birthday-- February 19. She was a good sport and wore the Birthday Hat, a Dowd tradition. They were 60 years apart to the day!

 












She loved every child that came into our family and often did an old Dutch rhyme about riding a horse to Opa's house, bouncing them on her knee like a horse, of course!

You can also cut and paste the following link to view a website with some pictures from her life and a bit of her story:

http://www.legacy.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Margie-Van+Leeuwen&lc=4782&mid=4148306&=

Thanks for looking!