Tyler is 7!

My first grandson, Tyler Matthew Robinson, turned 7 today. I treated him and family to an evening at Chuck E Cheese.

Heber's birthday!

Heber Andersen

Loralee and Heber

with grandaughter, Brilee, and birthday cake

Brian, Brilee, Leandra (Heber and Loralee's daughter), and Nan (Von's sister)

Heber's sister, Judy, and husband, and their grandaughter

Today is Heber's 61st birthday. Some of the family gathered at Maddox restaurant in Brigham City on Saturday to celebrate. Heber is Von's brother-in-law, married to his sister Loralee. He was born in Denmark, but came to Canada then the US as a child. He's a cabinet maker, like his father before him, and put in our new kitchen cabinets in 2007. We think of Heber every day!

Alexis at 5 days old

Oldest holding the youngest grandchild, with grandpa.
Seems like yesterday when we were holding Kristin!

She's awake and taking it in.

adoption

The February issue of the Ensign arrived this week, and I had a chance to read through the articles on adoption from the birth mother, father, grandparent and child's perspective. Sheila, Von and I experienced similarly, and encourage all to read for yourselves to see how we could have chosen to do as we did, .....and be at peace with it. The Father's article was most like our experience.
Those without the Ensign I'll just sum up as best as I can... We went to LDS Family Services for counseling early on. The moment we walked in the door, the Spirit was there. A video of Pres. Hinckley talking about adoption was shown to us, and we knew then what we needed to do.
Sheila alone looked through albums of couples waiting to adopt a child...one child. She found three, but had chosen one. Von and I selected the same couple as she had. When Sheila was about 4 months along, we met Mike and Karen. My desire was to adopt them! We all knew then that they were to be the parents of this baby. The day of placement at the hospital, Von's brother, Dale, was asked to give Sheila a Priesthood blessing, and several other family members and friends were present for support. Still...leaving him with them and walking away was probably the hardest thing we ever did. It was just as the article expressed....a silent, tearful drive, with many more weeks and months of similar feelings.
Being able to see pictures and read the letters and e-mails about Josh has helped, and 5 years later, with two daughters of her own, Sheila is very much at peace with that decision, and finding her own joys with these little girls. She, and sometimes Von and I, continued with counseling sessions to help with the transition for a year or so.
As was mentioned in the article...it comes down to what's best for the child. Josh is where we and the Lord knew was best for him.
Check out his blog, if you haven't already (included on our blog page).

Remembering GranaDot

Viv with siblings and cousins on the sycamore branch

Dorothy and Archie Twogood

Today marks the birth of my paternal grandmother, Dorothy Twogood (GranaDot), who was born and raised in Los Angelos, CA 1898. She met my grandfather, Archie Twogood, while attending a church choir. He was 8 years older, and she was just 18 when they married in 1916. She played piano for silent films, and could also play organ. My first encounter with organ was her little two manual one with foot pedals in her home. Her talents, besides music, were gardening and baking. She could name any plant, and had many varieties at each of her homes. Of course, our favorite home was the mountain home in Mentone, with the sycamore tree limb that grew sideways. My first train ride was at age 11 from Fresno to Barstow, to meet her and Grandad and spend two weeks with them in the mountain home. I was able to spend quite a few summers with them, and enjoyed playing the organ, as well as hiking with Grandad, and playing with their old toys, dolls, and games.

GranaDot and Grandad had 5 children, two girls, Dad, then two boys. All grew up in Riverside, CA, were active in the YMCA, school and church music. The whole family sang, some played piano and organ, cornet and tuba. All of the children married and produced 20 grandchildren.

GranaDot and Grandad traveled all over the country to keep up with their posterity. They both attended my graduation from BYU, and were on the Logan Temple grounds when Von and I married. They also met many of their 32 great-grandchildren.

Both lived into their 90's, so there's a good chance I may, too!

More first day home

Cujo was quivering with excitement at the new scent brought home

He continued to follow Alexis around wherever she went to get to know her

Finally, an up close sniff to put in his family scent bank.

proud father

Happy and special mother.

Homecoming Day

Arriving home a day ahead of schedule.

Alexis entering her earthly home

Look at those cheeks! Bet you want to feel them!

So good to be home and all together safe and sound!

Alexis with mom and dad

Bonding Day

Day two after removal of several lines, a shower, and walk ...much more herself.

Halie's turn to hold baby sister

More Alexis Day

The amazed grandma

the very relieved grandpa

another cousin, hur-ray!

Trying to open her eyes to look at mom

Alexis Day

Alexis Ann, January 13th, about an hour old with daddy

mother and child

first family photo

The beautiful miracle

my baby sister

After eight-plus long months of sickness, emergency room visits, IV's, pic line, moving out and moving in with IV pole in tow, blood flow diagnostics, not to mention crashing into a car and pole, changing doctors, battles with doctors, more pricks and proddings, and driving forever across the valley and back....the miracle appeared unscathed and perfect in every way. Von and Sheila thought for sure she would come out swinging at everyone for the miserable ride she must have had! But, no....God was with us all, and her, thankfully. Alexis Day will forever be a day of miracles in our household.

Alexis Eve

Twas the night before Alexis Day, and all through the house, excitement was brewing and Sheila was about to pop!

New Years Storm 2009

Tyler watching grandpa plow the patio

out front of the house

the walkway to the front door

the driveway. Can't plow into the street, so Von gets creative on where to shoot it.

Our first snow storm of the year was a doozy... but so beautiful when the sun comes out. These were taken in front of our house, and one out back.