Beautiful Baby Hannah!!!

Jared and I were able to spend 5 days together with Sarah and her family and welcome into the family our 10th grandchild. We had such a good time... it was a lot of fun and a lot of work but well worth the memory.

She is such a chunky monkey. Here she is only 3 weeks old. She sleeps alot during the day but is up till midnight. Think she has her days and nights mixed up. That is one advantage of being a grandma.... I do not have to get up for feedings. Been there, done that.

Long before Hannah arrived we were calling her baby Hannah, especially Benson, who is two years old. He is so cute with her and very proud of her. Sarah's mother-n-law is a great photographer and was able to take some pictures that I just received so I wanted to get them on my blog.They are both so adorable.

A Fabulous February Filled with Family and Fantastic Fun!!!

Because Spencer came to visit from Okinawa for a week Clarke decided to hold his annual birthday tournament. This year he had a Hearts tournament. Along with Ally flying in from Utah, we were all able to go to the BAy area and participate in the fun.
Spencer, Ally, Sarah and Spencer H. enjoying conversation. Oh... by the way Hannah was born this month and I was able to watch her along with 8 others during the tournament. Wish I had a picture of that but my hands were busy and full for those two hours.
We were so happy that Jon was able to fly in from Texas to be at the tournament. Thank Jon ! We were all glad to see you. By the way.... Sarah won the tournament! AMAZING!
The grandkids enjoyed birthday cake with Clarke and lots of food before all the guests arrived for the tournament. That is Mckay, then Lucy, Maren and Taylor. They sure are getting big.
All five of my children with their cousin Jon. It will be at least two years before we are all together again because Spencer is in Japan .Aren't they a good looking group! We love them!
Ok.. I admit we were a bit over stimulated but having a great time!
Another of the highlights of February was I was able to watch Clarke's children for four days while they had a small vacation for their 10th anniversary. We had lots of parks days, and outdoor time as the weather was beautiful. Lucy loved this apparatus. I couldn't get her off. She's a doll.

We took a trip to the Castle Air Museum which the kids seem to like. There were so many planes. Of course we had to have lunch at the nearby Mcdonalds....and play in the play gym.
In February we attended the blessing of our tenth grandchild Hannah. She is so sweet and adorable. Sarah looks great for having number 5. I was able to spend 5 days at Sara's house getting to know her. She is a great addition to their family.
Taylor is Sarah's oldest and my first grandchild. She is amazing and such a good big sister.
This was taken on Hannah's blessing day. It was sunny but it was freezing and the kids wanted to get this overwith. They are such a good looking group and I had so much fun with them. Taylor will be in third grade next year. Mckay in second and Maren will join the ranks of kindergarten. Benson can be the big brother and enjoy time with mom and Hannah.

A busy and Wonderful December!!!

This is my cousin Terri Peterson and her family. Troy is her husband, Terri and her family joined the church after my family did are all 4 children served missions and remain active. It has been a while since I have seen her. It was so good to see her when we went to Phoenix , Arizonia.

The girls hanging out at a visit to Uncle Bob's.... Jared's uncle whi is ill. (Grandma Grace,s brother.)

At the Mesa temple. Kellie, Natalie, Spencer, Porter, Ally, Aunt Karen, Emillie, Sam, Abby and JAred. These children are Tatiana's.... They loved Jared and followed him everywhere. When we were leaving Saturday evening to get ready to fly home Sam said," I want you to stay. Don't go!" Isn't that the cute!

We could not find John ... Rosie was looking for him but took this shot anyway. It was a beautiful day. Fun and eventful!

We were able to do a sesion in the Mesa temple which has been a goal of Jared's for a long time. To those who changed their plans to be there.... Thanks! It was beautiful! My cousin Terri and Troy were there but he had to go back to work.

Grandma's family that attended the reunion. I am so glad we went! We had a great time together.

Christmas Eve would not be the same without the barn at Uncle Ron,s. We were smaller in numbers but great in spirit and thought of all of you who were unable to be there. Clare, Char and Gracie.... actually Clarke was in bed all day with a migraine and arrived at the end of the barn activities but are so glad he was able to recover and come for a while.

Allyson and Taylor and the added Christmas message which we all loved, especially all the kiddos who got to hold real candles!

Nativity participants!

SO on My birthday Sarah was kind enought o host a dinner and a party for me. We had dinner, delicious ice cream cake made by Spencer, and a game of GOLF. Thank you it was one of the best gifts I received!

Gracie loves her Grandma!!!

I had a lot of helpers blowing out all those candles!

Sarah's kiddos came to spend the night and Ashley we went to the Turlock parade. It was chilly!

Thank you Ashley for coming with us. These kids love you so much!!!

Benson got a front row seat. He is getting so big!

Sarah, Spencer and Benson were Mary, Joseph and the babe. By the way Sarah was great with child and made us all laugh as she waddled out to do her part. New baby girl arrives in two weeks! Yeah!!!!

Gracie, Char and I on Christmas Eve at the farm.

All of my children together except Spencer who we missed. He is in Okinawa having a great experience and with some luck from our tax return I am hoping to go in June!!!

Thanksgiving in Virginia! Wahoo!!!!

My brother Paul was able to join us this year. We were the same age 54. We are onl;y 10 and 1/2 months apart. Love you Paul.

Aunt Jeanette joined us for this Thanksgiving. She and Judy took Jared all around for a few days of tours, a cruise of the bay, and museums. Thanks for sharing your time with him. He had a great time. By the way eanette is my dad's sister.

MAry drove 3 hours to come and see us for a few hours and then drove back. Love you sister. Notice my hair.... I got a nice cut while I was here. Looks so much better after I got it cut! Thanks Madison!

We took the California weather to Va. with us. We both packed for cold winter weather and in ended up being in the high 60,s. Mike and Charlotte were kind enough to take us on a bike ride on the board walk and around Ft. Monroe. We couldn,t have ask for a more beautiful perfect day! Thanks. We had a great time.

In 2007 when we all went for Thanksgiving we had warm sunny weather. We were blessed again with great weather and enjoyed the sunshine. A Thanksgiving picnic which really helped with crowd control inside the house.

My mother and I always have a great time when we are together. I am so glad I got to be there with her and enjoy talking, vivting and sharing memories.

At the end of our bike ride we decides to get a picture with the ocean in the background. Virginia is so beautiful. My sister Charlotte and her husband Mike. They look great... young and energetic!!!

Dawn Eve and all of her family were able to join us. Thewre is Jeremy, Mike, Carl, JJ, Ashley, Anila, Dawn, September and Madison. I loved Madiuson's hair so much I went to her hairdresser and got a great

Reunions are Great!

All six of Grace Bjarnason's children together. It has been 10 years since this has happened. Let's not wait so long again!!! From left to right, age order... John and Rosemary, Ron and Stephanie, Bonnie and Mike, Leon and Kathy, Jared and Barbara, and Karen and Dwain.

A trip to the Fresno Temple to do sealings. Thanks to Stephanie for getting all the work together.

We were blessed to have 5 days with family from all over the states come to Cailfornia for dinners,beach, family skits and talents, temple sealings and testimony meeting. What a great legacy Grandmother Bjarnason left for all of us. A quote from President Monson in this month's Liahona says it all..."Our gratitude grows for the privilege of being part of something we can count on--home and family and the loyalty of loved ones. We come to know what it means to be bound together by duty, by respect, by belonging. We learn that nothing can fully take the place of the blessed relationship of family life.

A day at Discovery kingdom with grandkids!

Gracie, Grandma, Maren, Lucy, Grandpa and Benson hitting the tracks! FUN FUN FUN!
Gracie loved the swings and the blue raspberry snow cone we shared.
Lucy, Benson and Grandpa taking a moment to catch a break.

We met Clarke ,Char , Spencer, Sarah and grandkids at Vallejo Discovery Kingdom for a day of fun filled adventure and whale shows. Needles to say Jared and I braved kiddyland while some of the adults hit the coasters. It was a beautiful day in the bay and we all had a fun time! Love that my family lives close!

Celebrating Sarah And Mckay's birthday !

Ashley and Sarah look so much alike.Sarah, Mckay and Maren and THE CAKE. OOps! I double loaded 2 pics. Oh well... I am not going to change it . It took a long time to get these to upload. Thanks Suzie for the info.

Sarah and Benson getting a bite to eat.
Cousins in Aunt Karen's pool! Boy did they love this. You should have seen us trying to round them up for a photo.
Spencer and Mckay are having fun opening his presents, New pj's, shorts and a building set of blocks.
The birthday cake for the two of them. A three layer strawberry shortcake. Notice how much Sarah and Ashley look alike. She is in the background.
Sarah and Spencer... Aren't they cute.
Sarah and Mckay's birthdays are separated by the 4th of July- so this year we had lunch and a party at our home. After all the food and cake we went to Aunt Karen's for a swim party which all the kiddos love. The only thing missing was Spencer and family who just moved to Okinawa and Clarke and family who were in Utah. We had a great time.