Grandma Brown...

Three weeks ago today, on January 2, 2014 my Grandma, Phyllis Brown, passed away.

You might remember my post from last April when she turned 100 years old on April 17, 2013

Unfortunately, on December 30th she had fallen and broken her hip and passed away within days of the fall.

Grandma Brown was my mom's stepmother. My mom's mother had passed away when she was 7 1/2 years old. Her father, Clifford, married Phyllis on December 28, 1959 when my mom was 13 years old. They lived in different states throughout their marriage and as my mom and sisters were growing up. They finally retired in Florida.

1993 - Grandma and Grandpa Brown. She loved red roses.

1998 - The last time I saw my Grandpa was at our Brown Family Reunion

My Grandfather passed away on March 6, 1999. In October 1999 Grandma moved to Alma, Michigan to Masonic Pathways Senior Living a full care facility where she lived until her passing. She had been a part of the Eastern Star organization since the early 1940's and paid her dues and because of that was able to be a part of this home.

The last time I saw Grandma was when I was pregnant with Sarah and they had a baby shower for me in Florida. She surprised me by coming to the shower.

January 2001

One of the things I remember most about Grandma was the porcelain dolls that her and my Grandpa made. I have been so blessed to receive some of them through the years and have been able to pass them down to Sarah. 

Our substitute baby Jesus for our Advent calendar was one of the dolls she made as well. 

Here is what my mom said when I asked her about the history of the dolls..."We can't seem to agree on when they started making the dolls and why that got into it.  I think she started out helping her sister Gladys.  Then, when they lived to Winter Haven, Florida they started pouring their own dolls.  They had molds and a kiln.  My Dad did the pouring, firing and cleaning up, then she painted and dressed them. They sold all their equipment before moving to Welaka, Florida and from there moved to Michigan."

Grandma always sent us cards for birthdays and special holidays. We would talk on the phone occasionally. I know she loved us and cared about what was going on in our lives even though we didn't see each other much. 

I am thankful for my grandparents and for the love they have added to my life. 

The Fastest Hunk of Junk In The Galaxy...

"You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon? It's the ship that made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs." - Han Solo to Luke

This is a pretty famous ship in our household and we have all been anxiously awaiting its model completion since Brayden got it for Christmas.

All 1,254 Lego pieces were broken down into six different bags to complete. Brayden excitedly opened bag #1 the day after Christmas and finished the first three bags in 2 days.

From that point on it was a little slow moving as Brayden had other Christmas Lego projects awaiting him, but he would return to his building every couple days. Jason helped him with a few things, but 95% of this project was all Brayden's.

The force is strong with this one having arrived to this level, bag #6. Brayden said this was his favorite part.

"You're all clear kid! Now let's blow this thing and go home!"
The final pieces ready to be put into place.

The Falcon will sit on a shelf in Brayden's room for now awaiting its next voyage to a galaxy far, far away.

New Years Eve Challenge...

On New Year's Eve we took a family challenge and went to the Palisades Climb. According to the website this is the world's tallest indoor ropes course at 85 feet high. It is located in West Nyack at the Palisades Mall.

We all got strapped into our seat and chest harnesses and were then connected to a cable that keeps participants on a track throughout the entire course. Once your hooked in with the harness and cable, you are not able to get off the ropes course track until you exit the course. It is completely safe whether you are on the lowest level to the highest. If for some reason you slip off you would just hang from your harness strap.

Brayden was even tall enough to participate. We started at the lowest level for him, which he did great with. The employees there were so helpful and took time to help him across a couple of the more difficult bridges and I could tell he was nervous but I tried to encourage him that he was doing it. After an hour B-bear was ready to get off the course, so I don't have any pictures of him going across. You actually can't take anything with you on the course, so Jason and I took turns waiting with Brayden and were able to take pictures.

Here I am on the tallest level and ready to walk across.

I did it and loved it!

Looking down at some of the other levels.

Jason and Sarah strapped in and ready to go.

Sarah was so nervous, but she conquered her fear.

We had to keep telling ourselves not to focus on the ground, but where we were stepping.

Sarah focused on getting across the wooden step bridge.

It was definitely a challenge, but so much fun. We spent an hour and 45 minutes on the course and didn't even do every level. We all give it a thumbs up, except for Brayden. Not sure why he gave it a thumbs down, but maybe because he was a little nervous.

Bayden - This & That...

Our little bear...
I love him. All these extra pictures just make me smile.

Learning how to take out the garbage.

He loves his Spider-Man sleeping bag that he got for his birthday. When he can't sleep in his sleeping bag, he likes to put his tent directly over his bed.

 Our little guy is proving to be a nice little drawer.

Wall-E

Girl Wall-E. Funny that he thought to draw a girl.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and Master Shredder

A few more pictures to post.

He was a native American for his Kindergarten Thanksgiving feast.

Gingerbread house masterpiece

Helping sister make Jesus birthday cake

Johnny and Brayden excited for Christmas

Not feeling so good, but no better place to be then right next to the Christmas tree

Sarah - This & That...

I love this girl. I am sure I have probably mentioned that before, once or twice.

She makes me laugh, sassy and sweet.

Sarah is by far the oldest among her James cousins. When it comes to the James kids pictures we know we can count on Sarah to sit nicely and smile despite any chaos going on around her.

When she gets with her friends, there are always lots of laughs and lots of selfies.