Halloween Fun in Monrovia!

So, year after year, I go to the Ward Halloween Party, always declaring that no one wanted to do a theme costume.  The one year we miss - because we were flying home from Portland - and the Terrills take first prize in the family theme category at the Ward Halloween Party!!

At last, some takers for the theme motif - at least takers here in Monrovia - there are plenty of takers far and wide in the Terrill Ranks.

Congrats to you all - what about next year? Maybe a multi-generational theme??

Grandma's Birthday Weekend!!

I picked up Porter after school on the 19th, and we headed for the Scout House for a new Cub Scout uniform for Porter.  He had his first pack meeting on Tuesday night.  Told anyone who would listen that he was pretty excited because "My grandma works for the Cub Scouts and I get to come!"  (Harry and I are the co-Cubmasters - a very fun job btw!!)

 

On Saturday morning, we went and picked up Harry W. and headed to IHOP for breakfast - always a treat.  The boys had fun as we left the restaurant and they discovered several insects of various species - much more interesting than anything I could come up with!!  Gotta love little boys!!

We did some shopping and it started to drizzle.  It wasn't much, but they didn't want to go on the hike I had planned.  Porter kept saying, "I just want to stay at your house."

So we did - played Golf, tetherball, and watched a little Harry Potter for fun.  Sometimes kids know what they want to do - they didn't want to go out for lunch either - just wanted peanut butter and jam.

Grandpa Bob worked his magic Friday night - Porter seemed happy with the whole deal.  And frankly, I can't think of a better way to spend time than with the likes of Porter and Harry W.!!

And I have always been a fan of p, b, and j!!

Calvin's Baptism

The journey began with Phoebe picking us up at PDX - in a Snow White costume!!  When we walked into our bed and breakfast with her, I believe the hostess was a little amazed - maybe wondering about these guests she'd waited up for!!  Only Phoebe could have pulled it off with such aplomb!!

We were delighted that Dana and Andy were able to join us!

 

And Brett, Ari and Norah too.

 

Always happy to see the MacDowells - we find it amazing that two friends from Monrovia have moved to Lake Oswego!!

 

Phoebe's neighbor and good friend Laila once again played a flute interlude for our listening pleasure while the "boys" got dried off and dressed.

 

Mary, the wonderful upstairs neighbor happily came - as you can see by her smile.  What a great neighbor she is - Mr. Rogers would be proud!!

 

The star attraction with his proud mama and papa!!

 

The Fillmore grandparents.

 

The Terrill grandparents.

 

We went to Red Robin for dinner after - and the staff came out with songs and ice cream in Calvin's honor - and a "birthday hat" they'd scrounged up!!   There is something pretty funny about a coffee filter party hat for a Mormon baptism celebration!!

It rained the whole time we were there - but that didn't dampen our spirits.  Henry still managed to throw the winning touchdown at his game that day.  And Agnes' team won too.  (I stayed home while Sully napped - tough duty - good thing I had the new Grisham novel to keep me company!!)

We also got to see Romney and Mary Sue, and I saw my old pal from Grenoble days - Joan Browning - who lives in Phoebe's ward.

The weekend was full of rain, car rides to and fro, games, several rounds of Golf, lots of good food, and the pleasure of one another's company!!

Looking forward to the holidays and more good times together.  In the meantime, "thanks for the memories!!"

(And Harry and I discovered a charming bed and breakfast in Milwaukee - just over the bridge from Phoebe - we will have to explore the grounds there on another visit - hopefully when it does not rain!!  We got a place to stay since Pam and Denny were at Phoebe's - and Harry got the idea to check out a b and b - glad he did -it was fun!!)

More later -

Harry and I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Oregon for Calvin's baptism.  Here we are last night having a rousing round of Golf - it's always fun at the Fillmores!!

I did take photos - a number of them actually - and we saw an amazing number of folks for such a short jaunt.  I did not really get enough "family" time - but we take what we can get!!

Like I said before, more later - for now it's time to find something to eat in this house - something that doesn't require a lot of time and effort to prepare.

Everybody Loves Calvin!!

Grandma loves Calvin!!

Grandpa's little boy!!

A new pal for big brother Henry.

A snooze buddy for Uncle Noah!

Momma's little fashion plate!!

Our big boy Calvin - where did the time go??  Looking forward to being with you for your big day!

Happy Birthday to you!!

A preview of the Grandma's B-day Weekend with Porter

Porter is an early riser.  So Dad got up with him - and of course Porter wanted a "snore" strip too!!

Here's what he has to look forward too!!

More later on the fun times!!

Dance Cards?

do any of you out there have examples of dance cards?  i cannot find any of my old ones.  I know when dad was in the stake YM they had pretty cool ones, but i am unable to find any images of them.

ara and ella are interested in going to dances, but alas, no one in our stake dances, so they get to design their own and are in need of ideas.

anyone care to share?

Just a year ago today . .

our sweet baby Jonah left us after his brief earthly sojourn.

It was an eventful, learning, growing, crying, sorrowing, but loving time for our family.  The blessing of being able to all be together with Jonah was one we will not soon forget.

The year since has found me recalling often the lessons this little boy taught us all.  When I visit the peaceful spot where he is buried, I don't think about what he might have been, but rather I usually feel a renewed sense of determination to live more worthily and effectively.  

"Eleven days of life . . . a lifetime of memories."

Playing catch-up with the week that was!

The week started with our own little celebration of Jonah's first birthday.  It's a sweet experience to think about the little boy who taught us so much in his brief life.

 

And then at the end of the week, we had Porter's baptism!!  It was a special evening indeed - and Porter comported himself well.

 

Greg and Kristine joined us - always something we enjoy - and Greg pointed out that it was his mother Judy's birthday!!  That was nice to remember.

 

When I told Porter I wanted to take his picture, he said, "Let me get my presents first!!"  (The long one was a light saber - a very big hit!!  Will light sabers ever get old??)

It's always fun to visit with Paula and Rebecca.

 

Eve pulled a fast one on me and smiled with a tomato slice in her mouth!!  Market Grill provided the dinner - it was delish!!  That place has many hidden delights!!  (It was mac and cheese with broccoli and chicken, salad and fruit - Harry the Dad said that he wants them to cater the next time he's carbo-loading!!)

 

Mary, Donna and Kristine - the company was as good as the food.

 

Bonny and Bruce were busy celebrating Bontober with Elton John in Las Vegas, so the girls spent the night with us.  It's always fun to have a house full of giggly girls!!  Bonny and Bruce came around 4:30 on Sunday, and we enjoyed dinner and a nice visit.

Tomorrow starts another work-week - alas, the weekends fly by!!  (and no more holidays until Veteran's Day!!)

Happy 4th to the lovely Miss Ida!!

The lovely Miss Ida made her debut in the gorgeous fall season in Virginia.  I recall it being such a beautiful time of year - to welcome such a beautiful little girl!!

 

And she just kept getting cuter and cuter!!

 

She's also an adventurous little soul.

 

And if she doesn't like it, she will let you know!!

 

I love hanging out with her!!

 

I think Ella does too.

We are certainly looking forward to our upcoming visit to the Selander household.  In the meantime, we wish you a happy day - and a wonderful year ahead.

Eight is great!!

Porter is an important part of his family.

 

And we can see that he has lots of potential!!

 

He has an important event coming up this Saturday - so I will post more then - for now, have a great day Porter - we love you!!

Happy, happy day to you Phoebe dear!!

We often say that if Phoebe's here, the party can begin!!  Because she really is the life of the party.  This photo is a personal fave of mine - you can count the candles.

This is Phoebe's first birthday - in the duplex in Centerville.  She was younger than Harry by 5 years, so she got just a tad spoiled.  But she was such a cheerful, happy baby, we really didn't mind.  And she's not "spoiled" now at all, but she is still cheerful, happy and often the life of the party.

While the other kids didn't always want a party, Phoebe always did!  And she knew how to have fun - she still does!!

The infamous Cabbage Patch Newborn - I can't recall a time in her childhood when such joy and bliss infused her whole being when she figured out what the gift was - it had been her dream gift, but since they were hard to get hold of, we'd been discouraging her from thinking she would get one!!  The surprise was priceless!!

 A long ago shot of Henry, Agnes and Calvin - the "big kids" in the Fillmore family.  Phoebe's children are as charming as she is!!

Phoebe and David on their wedding day - she's wearing a dress I bought for myself - for the wedding - but then she decided it was just right for her - and it was!!  And David was just right for her too - and for our family!!

Phoebe with Sully - Phoebe is a great mom - can I just say that every time I visit, she is a gracious hostess and a devoted mom and homemaker - she does make us proud!!

It is wonderful to visit Phoebe - or to have her visit us!!  Since we can't be together for her birthday, can I just say Happy Birthday to you - the whole year through!!

Happy Birthday Baby Jonah!

It was a year ago today that sweet Baby Jonah came into our lives - and our hearts.

It was a tender mercy and a blessing to share his brief life together as a family.

It was comforting to celebrate each day we had with him.

He taught all of us many lessons that will hold us in good stead for all of our lives.

A few weeks after he died, I found this poem - I couldn't quite remember the title, so my searches were not very productive when I had tried to find it earlier.  I may have already posted it, but most poetry bears repeating!

It seems fitting for this occasion.

To A Child Gone by Carol Lynn Pearson

I thought I was ahead of you in line.

You would take your turn

After I took mine,

Like we did before.

I guess you don't need new shoes

For starting heaven,

Or a light kept on against the dark

Like I always did.

But I'm so used to parenting.

I wanted just to be there -

To do whatever needed to be done.

But you went first.

And now, my little one,

Suddenly you are my senior.

Morning, I know, will come.

But, bring close your light -

This time it is I who fear the night.

Thank you, Baby Jonah, for bringing your light into our lives!