Halloween 2013

Halloween was so much fun this year. :)
Judy asked for help decorating her car for Grace's school "Trunk or Treat."  Rob suggested a ghost because her car is white.  Here is the concept that I developed.  Judy and I put it together in 1/2 hour!

If you ever have to decorate a car trunk for Halloween, this ghost is EASY, simple and elegant.

1. Use binder clips to hang a white sheet from the trunk lid.
2. Place a couple of battery powered lanterns inside the trunk and turn them on.
3. From poster board, use a box cutter to carve out two oval eyes and a quirky mouth.
4. Use large safety pins (I strung two big ones together above each eye) to attach the eyes to the sheet.
5. Suspend the mouth from the eyes with fishing line. 

It was a bit like a mobile. The weight of the sheet and a gently breeze made it move.
We used ghost face plastic treat bags lined up under the bumper to hold the candy.  I found them in the grocery store.  It was unique!

Here are my favorite pictures from the day.

Hannah's First Overnight Visit...

...was a blast.  A little thinker, she processes information and takes things in stride.  She is like her Dad and Uncle Rob in that way.  She is also an investigator like her Dad.  Able to focus on objects and cause/effect processes, Miss Hannah has remarkable concentration.

Examples: 

• Putting the dollhouse garage on the floor permits a better focus on moving the car in and out, and examining the people and furniture on the rooftop patio.
• The bucket of little animals contains two of each animal. She can hold one in each hand, put that pair down and find two more that match.
• The small set of blocks is magnetic.  Hannah found that they stick to the dominoes tin.

While her Mom and Dad enjoyed the local AMC Dine-In Theatre, Hannah and I had dinner.  Then she had her bath, a story, play, and to bed.  She slept until 6 a.m. or so, then looked for her Mom a bit, no tears though.  Assuring her that Mom and Dad would  come to Nana's, we looked at their pictures in my Nexus for a while, and another while, and then went on with our morning.  Mom and Dad were here when she woke from her nap after lunch. :)  They got an animated welcome from their little angel. :)

I think that Miss Hannah may be a Friday night guest often.  I love this whole grandchild business.

Tonight, I am having dinner with Kathryn and CJ. (Rob's busy season at work, he is traveling now.)  So, I will see what Mr. CJ is up to.  When I saw him on Wednesday, he showed me airplanes when he heard them overhead.  And, of course we played ball. :)

Pool Party

The Reeves cooked out last weekend and invited the Carneys and me.  The little ones "christened" the kiddie pool.  Kudos to Adam and Jackie for hosting a wonderful summer afternoon.  Enjoy the video. :)

CJ's First Easter

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The Holidays 2013

Catching up.

The holidays were so busy and happy.  Time with family and friends created so many good moments and memories that will last. This was the first Thanksgiving for Hannah and CJ at their Nana's.









 It was also their first Christmas, Kyle's 12th. and Grace's 5th.

 I stayed over with Rob and Kathryn to see CJ on Christmas morning. Then we went to Visit Grace and Kyle on their Christmas morning.  We stayed to have breakfast with them. Grace came with us to visit Jackie, Adam and Hannah.  We had dinner together there with Adam's folks, John and Joyce and his brother Thomas. 

It was a Christmas filled with new traditions, happy kids and the warmth of family.

Halloween for Babies

The smallest grandchildren are preparing for their first Halloween. This was a weekend of previews before "Sandy" the largest hurricane in our lifetimes comes and goes, hopefully in time for kids to celebrate Halloween on Wednesday.  Schools are already closed for tomorrow and Tuesday!

This year the babies debut as "The Dark Knight" and "A Piece of Sushi." 

Is that the Bat Signal that I see!

What are these things on the ground?

Yes, I will be happy to save you.

Sushi me and soy sauce make three!

GSP Weekend

My family is tied together by the Garden State Parkway. For example, let me summarize this weekend.

On Saturday Adam, Jackie and Hannah traveled the GSP to visit our dentist here in Nutley.  I met them afterward for Hannah's first visit to the Franklin Steak House.

Also on Saturday, Rob, Kathryn and CJ traveled the GSP to Cape May, possibly CJ's first day trip. Thanks for the photo Kathryn. :)

This afternoon, I traveled it to sit with CJ for the afternoon. He loves to swing as much as his father did!

I have developed an appreciation for the sights along the Parkway.  I even know how to position my car to take advantage of the best EZ-Pass lanes (6 & 7) at the Union Toll Booths!

The Garden State Parkway is a treasure. ;)

Happiness Squared

Meet Christian John, 6 lbs. 11 oz, 19.5 ", May 16, 2012!

     Two new grandchildren in two months, my happiness is doubled.  It's wonderful to meet these little people and know that their parents are solid folks who will raise them to be happy, productive citizens.  And, we will all have a lot of fun in the process.

     CJ is sooooo adorable.  Here are a couple more photos.
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