Wednesday, February 3, 2010

.....No Longer January or 7

January ended with lots of rain...
left standing in the field...





with Finches gathering at the top of the Pine...




and flying away in unison!
~


~
Some days that sun...
just couldn't break through....





But...February...
brought early morning skies...
of pink and blue....









and later that day...
a twisty shaped cloud...over the barn...
was the view!



(enlarges)


As we took...
a sight seeing drive...
we saw decorative 'chem' trails...
across the whole sky!






Just down the road...
we passed the new building...
our township fire deparment
will soon move into...
where Grandson Grant...
is a Junior Fire Cadet!




Just across
and on down the road...
is where...
Herhusband grew up.
~
Our
daughter and her family.....
Annette...her husband Rick
their sons...
Dustin and Grant...
live there now.




Speaking of Grant...
Tomorrow...February 4th
is his birthday!




This is
Grant as a small child....
always smiling...

"Grant Alexander"



well...
most of the time!





Not many photos were taken alone....






seems...
there were always cousins...
by his side.



Cousins Katie, Grant(red hat), & Nick & a friend at left!



Here's Grant...
with cousins Dylan and Andrew...
helping with...reviewing words.






They hung out together...
because I "babysat!"
Grant took them on walks...
in the front yard
and as you can see
discovered many things...
just look back...
at that...log shaped tree.

(enlarges)


Such excitement...
they found a snake!



(enlarges)


Grant
took them on many hikes...
deep in the woods
and carved their initials...
in the Beech tree's bark!



A hat...of some sort
usually covered...
his blond hair!
Grant and Andrew...
were often partners in crime!
Looking guilty of planning...
something here!




Growing older...
here...at 13...
you visited often...



sometimes...
sitting on the front porch
to talk with Grannie...
your Great Grandmother...



and there were times
you were here...
even with...your older brother!


(Grant and Dustin)

Another reason
for you to come...
was to get on and ride...
that big dirt bike!




And like the others...
camping in the woods all night!




There once...was an old pig pen...
I guess it was fun...to sit upon...


(cousin Nathan and Grant)


and a backyard pool...





into which you splashed!





But fun could be had...
without "bought" things.
Just going outside...
to see what the day might bring.
~
Different skeletons
and bugs...
and antlers from the woods...
all home...you lugged.
~
But this...
~
at my heart does tug...
a photo of
You
with Nate and Nick...
all three of you...
~
covered in mud!
Grant...Nathan...Nick


You're no longer 7...

You're turning 17!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANT



41 comments:

Rowan said...

Another family birthday - they're coming thick and fast! Happy Birthday Grant!

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Happy Birthday to Grant - and clearly happy memories for his grandmother!!!

Ohh - just spotted your zuchinni bread - can't bear it - have to go.

Sunny said...

Happy Birthday, Grant!
How wonderful that your Grandma had/has a camera!
The 'mud trio' is priceless.
Sunny :)

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Happy Birthday Grant!

Gail said...

HI WANDA-
Oh my how I love your nature-land. And I SO enjoy, savor, your grand children about having fun and so close by. Grant is amazing and I wish him a Happy Birthday. I love visiting your world.

Love Gail
peace......

Anne said...

Hi Wanda,
As always such beautiful pictures of your grandchildren and of course the wonderful memories for all of you. The way you capture the fun and adventure is so amazing with your grandchildren and the beauty of your world.
Thank you.
Enjoy your day.

Claudia said...

Happy birthday Grant. Seventeen is a beautiful place to be. Thanks for the trip through your February grounds. I look forward to this month with you.

The Retired One said...

Ahhhhhh..so nice....
Isn't it nice to reflect on his growing up and the place in your heart he has memories with you, together?

Wanda..... said...

Thank you...
*Rowan
*Bonnie
*Sunny
*Janet
*Gail
*Anne
*Claudia
*Joan
Grant was a fun child...and is now a nice young man! Studying Fire Science! I forgot to mention he has a part time job at McDonalds, works there with Katie!

Blessings each day said...

What a great job you did of putting all of these pictures together, Wanda, from little bitty to present day...Happy birthday to Grant.

Thank you for all of the lovely nature photos too!

blessings and hugs,

marcy

Viki said...

Happy Birthday to Grant. That one picture almost looks like a little tornado. Beautiful pictures.

Bernie said...

Happy Birthday Grant...Wanda what beautiful grandchildren you have, Grant is so handsome....I love the photo of the three of them in the mud, so cute and the one where they found the snake....typical boys for sure.
Thanks for taking us on a drive with you today, loved seeing the area you live. Have a great birthday Grant....big hugs to Alivia.......:-) Hugs

Elaine said...

Nice journey again, both around your world and through the past. How fortunate your grandchildren are to have grown up with all their cousins so close and being able to visit you so often. I love the photo of the three mud monsters. I saw my boys that way a time or two.

Cindy said...

I had a great time looking at your pictures, as always!

alaine@éclectique said...

Happy Birthday, Grant!! Much happiness, love and hugs on your special day!! from Down Under

Rebecca said...

Happy Birthday to Grant!

I thought the Mud Trio most intriguing! Did you just hose them down to get them back to normal?

What a great environment in which to host/raise grandsons, Wanda. You & they are blessed.

Barb said...

What a wonderful post, Wanda - that first photo set the stage for a beautiful dawn and a sky that looks as though someone was playing tick-tack-toe! Grant is a lucky boy to have known his Great Grandmother and to have spent so much time with his wonderful Grandmother. I just love that mud-covered trio - I'm wondering if you turned the hose on them! Happy Birthday Grant - all the best to you!

Wanda..... said...

Thank you...
*Marcy
*Viki
*Bernie
*Elaine
*Cindy
*Alaine
*Rebecca
*Barb...
I think they were hosed down several times growing up...there were always dots of mud on their backs from the dirt bikes too. A basement instrance with a bath came in handy with 6 grandsons!

Jacquelyn Stager said...

Aw, another lovely tribute to a birthday boy! Your grands must feel very special Wanda! Oh that picture of the three covered with mud is priceless! Happy birthday Grant Alexander!

Amanda Shayne said...

Hi Gramma,
I just wanted to let you know that I love the music on your blog. Every time I visit it I leave it up even after I'm done just to listen to the music. It's so peaceful and relaxing. Love you!

Bethany said...

Your posts are so magical.
What amazing, fun, loved childhoods your grandchildren had.
How wonderful for you to document it so lovingly. This tugged at my heart from the very first photo. Beautiful.....

Loree said...

Happy birthday to Grant. You have so many precious memories. Thanks for sharing them.

Susan said...

Your picture stories are always so sweet and uplifting. Happy Birthday to your grandson!

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous tribute... Happy Birthday Grant!! The mud picture is absolutely priceless ;0)

Donna's Book Nook said...

I haven't taken time to read blogs for a couple days. Your pictures are always so wonderful. Happy Birthday Grant!!

Arkansas Patti said...

Happy Birthday Grant. What a wonderful walk your Grandmother has take us on through your life.
Wanda, I really liked the mud shot too but also the mid air capture over the pool.
Your family really breaks the Birthday budget this time of year don't they?

Jientje said...

Another handsome birthday lad! Happy Birthday Grant!

Diana said...

Happy Birthday to young Grant! I loved the mud covered photo!
Love Di

Wanda..... said...

Thank you...
*Jacquelyn
*Amanda Shayne :)
*Bethany
*Loree
*Susan
*E.D.
*Donna
*Patti
*Jientje
*Diana...
Counting other relatives there are 14 birthdays in Jan. and Feb. Thank all of you for your nice comments!

Eileen said...

Happy Birthday to Grant!
I loved all the pictures, Wanda, it's hard to pick a favorite, I loved Grant with his cousins, sort of mentoring them and guiding them, and also the two photos diving in the pool, and of course the mud one!
It's unbelievable to think of how fast they grow, isn't it?
I think with my own kids I was just in the midst of raising them that I didn't really notice time flying by, but with the grandchildren I just feel like I'd love to hold them back a little, just to savor these years for a little longer.

So nice that you have so many celebrations in Winter, always something to look forward to! Enjoy!
Love to you,
Eileen

Hildred said...

Happy birthday to Grant, and thank you Wanda for all your beautiful nature pictures and for the peek into the wonderful relationship you have with your grandchildren.

I made Breakfast Muffins this morning, - delicious, - now I am going to investigate some of your other recipes.

A happy birthday month to all your family.

Wanda..... said...

Thank you...
*Eileen, my advice is to take lots of videos for viewing later and to capture their voices!

*Hildred, I'm glad uou liked the Breakfast Muffin Recipe! My grandkids and I love them!

Debra said...

What a nice post-it made me teary-eyed, sorta seeing Grant grow up. Sometimes it feels like time goes by just that fast!
Also- I lOVE the heart shapes in your side bar....
gotta try some of those recipes too.
Love, Debra

A Joyful Chaos said...

Sweet post. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Those darn kids! Don't you just want to keep them little forever! Nah, they even get better with age... although it is harder to sit them on your lap and they don't always allow you to snuggle your nose into their neck with kisses! Ahhhh sweet boys...nothing like them!

Thanks for sharing...smiles and hugs.

Jenny said...

Happy Birthday Grant! I love your muddy pictures! These are all great pics. Thanks for letting us come along!

Maria said...

Hi Wanda! Oh a birthday was happening at my house too! Thank you for the good wishes for Chris and MANY MANY for Grant!

I see some birds are making their way back... although it seems like winter will last for a while longer, I see some of the robins are back!
Enjoy the weekend and your beautiful family ~ Maria

Tranquility Speaks said...

A very Happy belated Birthday to Grant! He shares his birthday with my dad :-)

I absolutely loved the pink skies February picture. It made me so happy. A small fragment of a distant memory I cant pin point, but it made me feel great! Your blog is amazing!

Wanda..... said...

Thank you...
*Debra
*JC
*Linda
*Jenny
*Maria
*Stillness...
for leaving such nice comments for me to read. I always appreciate your visits!

Kelly said...

...another birthday and another beautiful tribute! Time always keeps marching by. How did my little boy become 14? Looks like your grandkids had wonderful times visiting you when they were small (and still now). Are you ready for the snow that might be coming late, late tonight?

maggie said...

Hi, I have been drawn to your blog several times but had an aversion to the music so didn't stay til this time. As I scroll down your lovely memories and hear the music my eyes well up at the treasure of it. Thankyou.