We got the girls!

The 2nd weekend in October, Ryan & Melissa Zdenek took four days to go to Portland, OR, and enjoy being together without the girls. That meant Neil & I got to have Payton & Gracie for four days.... and we loved it! I'm sorry I didn't get as many pictures as I should have, but ... we were busy playing! They were so good! Payton was such a big help with her little sister. Many times she could tell me what Gracie said. I didn't have Gracie's vocabulary down yet.

Payton in the car getting ready to leave Factoria, heading for Grandma & BaPa's.

On Friday evening we invited our friends, Van & Lisa Hockenbury, for dinner. They have two daughters, Tori & Ellie, that we thought the girls would enjoy playing with.

Payton fixing Chocolate Chip Cookies for Ellie & Torie...getting ready for the big evening!
Payton has on her apron I made for her last year that says, "Grandma's Helper." And she was!
Getting ready to take pictures of her friends who were coming over for dinner

Payton, Ellie, Gracie & Tori watching a video. Ellie looks like she's strangling Gracie, but she really wasn't.


Grandma, Payton, and Gracie saying "Good Morning" to Dotis.

On Saturday we took the girls to Auburn for Braydon Weddle's 7th Birthday Party. He is the girl's cousin.

Braydon blowing out his candles

Gracie eating Pizza at the birthday party

It was a wonderful 4 days with the girls. We look forward to doing it next year!

Barbara's Surprise 80th Birthday Party!

On October 9th, Barbara Baggaley (Neil's Mom) celebrated her 80th Birthday. I sure hope I can look as good as she does when I make 80.

The family planned a surprise Birthday Party for her at the Olive Garden restaurant at South Center. Many of us enjoyed a great luncheon celebration in honor of her special day!

Back row: Keith Dewey, Rick Leach, Neil Dewey, Ken Slaker, Ryan Zdenek, Doug Leach, Ryan Dewey
Middle Row: Jim Olsen, Sheila Olsen, Bev Leach, Rosie Dewey, Barbara Baggaley, Carrie (step grand-daughter) holding her son, Melissa Zdenek holding Gracie Zdenek, Rachael Dewey
Front row: Kathy Dewey, Morgan Dewey, Carrie's daughter, Payton Zdenek, Kaden Dewey, Trent Dewey

I think Gracie really enjoyed her lunch!

Neil, Mom, Rosie, Rick Leach

Payton & Trent

Barbara & her special friend, Ken

Kathy Dewey, Neil Dewey, Barbara Baggaley

Chick Weekend - 2009

There were six of us enjoying a weekend together of doing crafts at our 10th ANNUAL "Chick Weekend." Tracy Weddle had to go home on Saturday evening to teach Sunday School, so she wasn't there for this picture on Sunday. Below you will see her nativity scene she made using pastel colors.

This year, instead of several small projects, I decided we would each make a Nativity scene. Marian Russ & I found the Aspen Branches for the stable up at the Hunting Cabin in Tonasket, and Neil put them together. I cut out the pieces on Marian's scroll saw. Marian wasn't able to be with us this year as she was visiting with her son's family in Lansing, MI

Each Nativity Scene was different which made it such a fun and unique project. Plus we each have something we will enjoy every Christmas.

Vicki Dixon, Evelyn (Mom) Nordby, Nancy Klotz (Paula's sister), myself, and Paula Cook

Tracy's Nativity scene done in Pastels


Vicki's (my step-sister) Nativity Scene, done in Antique colors

Nancy's Nativity Scene done in browns & Burgandy

Mom's Nativity Scene done in beautiful colors, with faces on the people

Paula's Nativity Scene done in bold primary colors

My nativity scene done in browns & beige tones

At 2:00 am on Saturday morning.... still talking & eating.

Our Family!

These are some family pictures we took when all of the kids & their families were here for Neil's 60 birthday.

Our Family in the Living Room:

Back row: Jon Weddle, Ryan Dewey, Neil Dewey, Ryan Zdenek, Nathan Weddle

Middle row: Rachel Weddle, Rachael Dewey, Rosie Dewey, Melissa Zdenek (holding Gracie Zdenek), Tracy Weddle (holding Braydon Weddle)

Front Row: Kyleigh Weddle, Brooke Weddle, Trent Dewey, Payton Zdenek, Kaden Dewey, Aspen Weddle

Our eight Grandkids:

Back row - Gracie Zdenek, Kyleigh Weddle, Aspen Weddle, Trent Dewey

front row: Brooke Weddle, Kaden Dewey, Payton Zdenek, Braydon Weddle

A picture of all of us outside in our front yard:

Back row: Ryan Zdenek, Jon Weddle, Neil Dewey, Ryan Dewey, Nathan Weddle

Middle row: Melissa Zdenek (holding Gracie), Rachel Weddle, Rosie Dewey, Rachael Dewey, Tracy Weddle

Front row - kids: Payton Zdenek, Brooke Weddle, Kyleigh Weddle, Kaden Dewey, Trent Dewey, Braydon Weddle, Aspen Weddle

Ryan & Melissa Zdenek, Payton (3) and Gracie (1)

Nathan & Tracy Weddle, Braydon (7), Aspen (10) - holding Maddie

Ryan & Rachael Dewey, Kaden (5), Trent (8)

Jon & Rachel Weddle, Kyleigh (12), Brooke (4)

The island in our kitchen where we often gather to just chat

Gracie walking up the steps to the kid's playhouse BaPa built for them. Kaden is in the door in the back
Braydon & Aspen Weddle riding the four-wheeler

BaPa making breakfast with Payton & Trent on Saturday morning

Kaden & Payton helping BaPa put away the Aero Bed

Laying on the bed when the valve is opened is the "fun" way to get the air out of the mattress . Here's Payton & Kaden enjoying the ride

Trent, Kaden & Payton slept on the Air Bed in the living room. Gracie joined them the next morning to see how well they slept (I think that's what she was saying...)

Trent, Kaden & Payton all sleeping on the Air Bed

Neil's 60!!!

IT WAS SUCH A SPECIAL DAY!!

On the first of October it was Neil's 60th Birthday! I asked all four of our kids and their families to come over so we could be together. What a great time! We had a family birthday dinner on Saturday afternoon and gave Neil a gift we had all gone together to get for him. It was a Makita Cordless Drill, Cordless Impact Driver and Cordless flashlight. He's been wanting one for a long time. I also got him a Biscuit Joiner for making cabinets.

Rachael & Ryan also gave PAPI a special pair of "undies".

Melissa brought a large sheet cake, and Rachel Weddle put 60 candles on it. .

He didn't have any trouble blowing out the 60 candles!

Later on that evening, I invited many of our friends from the neighborhood and our church to join us for ice cream, cake, punch and coffee. All the girls (daughter & daughter-in-laws) from our family helped me get everything ready. They also cut the cake, poured punch, and served ice cream. It was a big help!

Payton running through the kitchen during BaPa's birthday party!

Whenever there is a special occasion, I have my camera ready, and am taking pictures constantly. My two daughter-in-laws (Rachael & Rachel) decided to add a little 'spice' to the party and flash me when I took the picture. I was so caught up in the evening, I didn't even notice it until Tracy showed me the next day. The 2nd picture is of all of our kids laughing when they realized I hadn't even seen the girls flashing me.

In our house, the kids always sat on the kitchen counter. As you can see.... they still do it. Brings back great memories!

Ryan & Melissa Zdenek (holding Gracie), Ryan & Rachael Dewey,

Jon & Rachel Weddle, Nathan & Tracy Weddle