Grandma & Grandpa's Place

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Matt's family keeps tradition in Colorado

After a fun day of sleding, Matt's family
searches the mountain for the perfect

Christmas tree.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Family gather's in Maryland

All of our 7children, 2 spouses,
three great grand-daughters, and
Duane's two sons were able
to come to Maryland for their
grandpa's funeral, November 8th.

Duane walks with Joe, Dave, John,
Matt, Chris, and Jeremy.

Andy and Ben lead the boys to the graveside

Chelsea and Annika just could
not understand why Poopsie
[great grandpa]
would not wake up.

This was a bitter-sweet experience.
Bitter-to say good bye and sweet to
have the family together and share
memories of my dad.

Each evening we gathered at Duane and
Ilene's home. Chelsea and Annika loved
playing dress up in Aunt Ilene's play clothes.

John's family have a new dining set
they were able to enjoy their Thanksgiving
Dinner around.

Dave's family met up with the rest of the
group to see the Temple Lights in Salt Lake.

Marylyn, Andy and Annika drove with
family to Salt Lake City where they were
able to spend time with the Bjorn's and
some of the Merrill's

Matt's family drove to Utah to spend
Thanksgiving with Joe's family and visit
the Dougall's. Alyssa, Miranda, Christa,
Megan, Ben-jamin, and Jenna

Daniel and Nate were busy helping
prepare for the meal.

Ruth's family came down from CT to
Maryland and brought their Wii game.
Here is Duane's son, Chris, and Aunt
Dale boxing.

Friday, November 9, 2007

My dad...otherwise known as Poopsie

WHAT A FUN GRANDPA!

My dad passed away Thursday morning, November 8th as family stood around his bed at home. He had been in pain for quite some time, but just recently was diagnosed with cancer. He is no longer in pain and as our little Jenna (3 yrs) said, "Poopsie is with Jesus". And later that night as Christa (5) gave the prayer she said, "Christa asked Heavenly Father to help Poopsie to "be happy in Heaven."

He will be so missed by everyone who's life he has touched. He was always so glad to see his grandchildren and had a huge hug for each of them. We have many fond memories of a very giving, kind, gentle man. Monday he and Marie were able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

Happy Halloween

Three Beautiful Witches and a Fearsome Dragon!
Colorado gangsters
Pumpkin Patch

Little Boe Peep did find her sheep

Annika would rather give than receive as she waits for the trick or treaters

Superwoman will save them all

Colorado Pumpkins

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

More on the GRAND kids

EARLY Sunday morning we received a few phone calls: Sammy "Grandma...it's snowing". Christa "Is Grandpa there, it's snowing". And then from Utah, "We got four inches of snow last night and had a snow ball fight and built a snowman."

Ben-jamin, "Heavenly Father Are you Really There?" song goes perfect picture.
Alyssa is excited to go Trick or Treating in the snow....burrrrrr Miranda LOVES school work and asks her teacher for MORE.
Daniel is enjoying their new home, the snow, driving around collecting Fast Offering in a golf cart, and most recently joining up with his dad in a "Search & Rescue" team.
Our oldest grandchild is learning to drive. She's taken her dad for a few spins around the parking lot and about ready to head out in the snow.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Santa Monica Pier

Monday, October 8
After getting the laundry done, Marv and I decided to take a walk along the Santa Monica Pier. We first ran acrossed a restaurant called Bubba Gump Shrimp which reminded us of Marcie, the grandkids call Bubba. The weather was beautiful and totally enjoyed sitting on the pier watching the waves. At the end of the pier we saw a crowd of people watching a fisherman catch a 8 foot shark. We also enjoyed eating a churro and thinking of how much Megan loves them. Later in the day we met up with some friends and enjoyed a dinner out, spending three hours just laughing, visiting, and eating.

A MIRACLE...

October 10, 6:09 p.m.
A light plane has gone down south of the town of Promontory in Box Elder County. Two people were trapped inside the plane, which was upside down. Rescuers took one person out on a stretcher, but both people survived. Turns out this was Andy's parents, Arlie and Andy Bjorn, Sr. Thank goodness both are doing well and were discharged from the hospital later that same night. Andy said the engine just stopped. He called FAA and said Brigham City airport was 11 miles away, he knew he wouldn't make it. He tried to land but the nose just dived down causing them to flip three times and land upside down. Dirt got inside and packed in tight which caused him not to be able to move. Arlie was able to move to her side and scrape some dirt away. They heard an airplane circle around several times so knew help was going to come. An hour later some mining workers came to help and lift the plane so Arlie could get out. Both Marylyn and Andy were pretty upset and broke down during their evening family prayer. Their daughter, Annika put her arm around Marylyn and said "Tats ok mommy, I take care you".

Sunday, October 7, 2007

OTHER FAMILY NEWS.....

To catch up on other family news be sure to visit their blogs by clicking on their names listed on the side. Hope you enjoy as much as we do. Marrianne was interviewed by a TV crew, Annika and Marylyn are counting the weeks, Lisa has a fun way to share summer experiences, Ruth and Ben have fun sharing how much Ashley is learning and growing.

GRANDKIDS UPDATE

Thursday Matt's family headed for Utah where Matt and Nate were able to attend the Saturday morning General Conference to sustain Elder Eyring as a member of the Presidency and also our new apostle, Elder Cook. Heather was able to attend her 'mission reunion' and they also enjoyed visiting with her brother's family.

Guess what Annika and Mel have in common?

Both had a mouse in the house, CA and WA.
Marylyn & Annika were able to trap the mouse in the fireplace until Andy got home to blug up the little tiny hole it had squeezed through. Melanie was so brave as she led her mommie into the room where the mouse had been 'trapped' and waited for Uncle John & Christian to come and rescue them. Advice...keep those doors closed tight! With all the building going on in both neighborhoods, those critters are just trying to find a new place to live.

Kathleen & John Harrell, Ben's parents, also moved to Colorado and had Matt and Dave's family's over for a dinner, smores, and sing-a-long. They all had such a wonderful time and Becki wanted to head back there the next day. Kathleen said they are practicing "Grandparenting" for when Ruth and Ben bring little Ashley to visit....they loved it!

Joe's family are already enjoying Utah snow...Ben-jamin is all dressed and ready to play. There was another snow fall yesterday and they are loving it! I'll give them a call about November....hahahaha
Joe's youngest daughter, Alyssa, broke her ankel jumping on their new trampoline. But that does not stop her as she RUNS through the neighborhood with her bright red cast.