THE GRANDCHILDREN DANCE CELTIC

Tonight Trent called and said that Noah, Willow and Meghan were dancing their Celtic dances at the library. We flew and got there too late to see Noah but did see Willow and Meghan dance. I hardly recognized them. They had curly wigs on--well, not Noah. They did a wonderful job. I got a little teary eyed--as I always do when I watch children performing and since they were my grandchildren it was hard not to get emotional. I blinked a lot.

I wasn't up close so these photos are way too dark. When Willow saw us she grinned and waved. I missed it, of course. But I caught Meghan's smile.Getting dressed in regular clothes after they danced.
Their mom, Michelle in the background, making sure all the shoes and dress parts got packed.

Noah gave us a private recital.

He did a great job.

We are so glad we got to see the kids dance. They really put on a good show--in spite of the fact that some youngster pulled the fire alarm and we were told to evacuate the building. It didn't faze their teacher. "Dance on," was her motto. And they did.

NOAH IS BAPTIZED

(I've changed my settings to the "updated editor" and I can't move photos around, they won't stay in the format I want them to and ...AUGH. The only advantage is that you can do a strikethrough without knowing the HTML code, but I know the HTML code and this is frustrating. Trent and Noah's photo is supposed to be first and it's last. Michelle's photo is supposed to be centered and...where is spellcheck? For a creative speller like I am, spellcheck is essential. AUGH. I'm tearing my hair out. Again. As soon as this post is done I'm going back to the normal editor setting.)

Our grandson, Noah has turned eight and was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost on Saturday.

This is his darling Mother, who was supposed to have her picture taken with Trent and Noah, but child number seven took that moment to run into the parking lot of the church and...wow! Can Michelle run. And dance. She and her two girls take Celtic dance classes and also compete. She is very graceful and is also all things wonderful. (Number seven child is on the floor, having a meltdown.)

This is Trent, our oldest son, who baptized and confirmed his son a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Noah is very bright and a very good boy. I know he will take his responsibility of being a member of the Church, and taking the name of the Savior, seriously.

And just for the record, I got the very best hug I have ever had from him. Perhaps the best hug I have ever had. Period.

We love you, Noah. Congratulations!

BUILD A BEAR, REVISITED

This is our eight year old granddaughter, Dragonfly. We are celebrating her birthday and and she is building a Cheetah from Build a Bear. The Cheetah's name is Katherine. Dragonfly is the youngest daughter of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop with happy children. She is officially the middle child, along with her brother Entomologist, but in March Entomologist will take over the title of Middle Child all by himself.

This is the man who sought the hand of the woman who bore the children that filled the isles of the shop at Build a Bear. I call this his "Black Bart" outfit. That is "youngest son," fiddling with stuff.

This is the woman, who gave birth to the children who filled the isles of the shop at Build a Bear. She is currently building their newest child, who will be born in March. She said, "Please do not take my picture, I look awful," but the person behind the camera pretends deafness.

This is the baby of the man and the woman who filled the isles of the shop at Build a Bear shop with happy children.

And again, with binky.

This is the second youngest son of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop with happy children.

This is the third youngest son of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop with happy children.

He has eyes that always look like someone needs to pick him up and cuddle him but he is independent and you better not try it, Mister. He will knock you cold with just a look. See?

This is the second oldest child, the oldest boy, of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop with happy children.

This is the oldest girl and oldest child of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop with happy children.

And this is the third child of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop with happy children. She is giving Katherine a bath. And she is growing her bangs out. And she is growing a new tooth so she can eat apples.

Happy birthday, Dragonfly, dear. Grandma loves you very much. Grandpa does too.

As she loves all the children of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop.

And she loves Black Bart and his lovely wife. And she loves the unknown little person who will be a surprise in March. And if it's a boy--and Grandma thinks it is--she just loves the name Alex, in case any one's interested. Which--of course--they won't be but in case they are, Alexander is a good strong name which means defender or warrior. He will be the defender of truth. I'm sure of it.

And if it's a girl...well, I just don't know, because I'm so sure it's a boy. But Gabrielle is nice, just in case. It means a strong woman of God or a defender of God which sounds pretty good to me.

Just in case anyone is interested.