Time to Catch Up

Giving Jordy his first sponge bath at home!

All clean and snugly. These little "mitts" were great to keep him warm and from scratching his face!

Kayla holding Jordy for the first time.

And Tyler wanted his turn.

Jonny and his little guy.

Oh, Boy! It's "Chick Days" at the local farm/home store and Grandpa wanted to have a field trip with the grandkids. The chicks/ducks were cute...kind of. Had no idea these "cute" chicks go for $5.99 a piece!!

All was going well, until Tyler got his fingers too close and the crazy chick pecked him. It was a warning to all the customers in the store, "Thou shalt not get too close to the chicks!"

Kayla carefully observing.

Watching the KU game with Brian, Carly, Westin, and Otto (their "other" baby).

Welcome to our Family, Jordy Thomas Collins!

Here's our little Jordy four hours old in this picture. He weighed 6 lbs, 10 ozs....the exact weight Rebecca was at birth. We are so grateful for a healthy baby. We have had three healthy babies born in 11 weeks. Wow!
A pretty excited mommy and baby. I think the repeated phrase was, "He's so perfect. He's just so perfect!"

Here's his daddy working hard to acquaint him to K-State purple :)

It's just fun to snuggle!

First full day at home. Jordy is already changing in looks.

Fun Times!

Joshua, Kayla and Tyler spent the night last Saturday night because their Mommy & Daddy had an early start for Sunday morning. Kayla is holding a popcorn ball that I was so excited to make. "Something" happened because they were sooooo sticky and unedible that they found their way "over the fence!" How come I remember popcorn balls being so fun to make???

Joshua notified us that he had a loose tooth. Oh my goodness, hope he can handle it because pulling teeth is something I don't do. He kept wiggling it, and out it came!! And then we find out later that Max lost the very same tooth the very same day!!

This is scarey.....will the tooth fairy know to come to Grandma's house. Just in case there is confusion, Joshua wrote a note for the tooth fairy.

I got this little dress done Saturday night and Kayla wore it to church. It was really bright fabric!

Westin's first trip to TacoBell!!

Eleven days to go. I'm convinced that stripes are slimming! :)

Happy Birthday, Rebecca & Stephen & Carly

Happy Birthday to Rebecca! We also celebrated Carly's belated birthday.....Carly was busy with Westin at the time we lit candles. Thus, no pictures of Carly! Happy Birthday to Stephen in Indiana! How I remember these February birthdays right at Valentine's Day!

As exciting at blowing out candle can be, there are even more exciting days ahead. About 28 days ahead to be exact!!

Well, this is Westin and Grandma practicing for this coming Thursday. Carly will have her first class to teach since Westin was born. Big day for Mommy. Big day for Baby. Big day for Grandma.

But as you can see, our "practice day" last week went well. And Westin had lots of smiles.

Rebecca's Baby Shower

Baby Jordy received such nice gifts....lots of clothes. The boy will be able to change clothes three times a day and not run out of clothes :)

Yes, I got the quilt done in time! I have worked on and off, on this quilt for several years!

Westin thoroughly enjoyed his time at Aunt Rebecca's baby shower! He's pretty content in his mommy's arms.

Aunt Rebecca with her newest nephew.

And, of course, Grandma likes to cuddle with Westin, too!

The Saga of the Stolen Durango!

Last summer we bought a Durango in Indy and had it transported to the auction site in St Louis. From the time it was unloaded, to the time Richard was to pick it up, it vanished. Richard was able to watch surveillance tape at the auction and even saw the transport that loaded it up and drove off. It was reported to the authorities, but down deep, we figured it was already in Mexico or cut up for parts. We never heard another word.....until two weeks ago. Richard received a call from the sheriff's dept in LasCruces, New Mexico. "They" were attempting to get across the border and the vehicle was listed on the National Database for stolen vehicles! The driver was given "a room" for the night and the vehicle was impounded. Since it was a run-and-drive Richard flew last Friday to ElPaso and the salvage yard agreed to pick him up at the airport and drive him to the vehicle. I was just hoping it was truly a run and drive and that someone wouldn't have to retrieve him with the rollback somewhere in Texas!

The first "red flag" was the indication that it had NO BRAKES! Thankfully the kind Mexicans had installed new brakelines and had bled the brakes for Richard . :) Oh, and interestingly enough, even though they had the driver and the stolen vehicle in their possession, we were told there was not enough evidence to press charges. Go figure!

This was the side that had the most damage on this vehicle. Well, anyway, we were thankful to get it back and not take a total loss on it.

Welcome, Miss Emmy Caroline!

Emmy Caroline Varner. Born January 1, 2012. And we are excited she is finally here! We're proud of the patch of black hair on top.

This is the baby quilt I made for Emmy. I know....it didn't end up looking "girly." The blue really stood out. Well, it was fun making it, anyway.

Henry, Lena, Max, and Emmy. Lena was disappointed she didn't get to hold the baby.

While I was there, I made Lena a little jumper.

Henry and Max working in their coloring books.

Lena wore this hat all morning. Need a hat---Freya can hook you up!

Henry was helping Emmy play with her toys. Notice they are strategically placed around her the minute she opens her eyes.

"So, is this the same person that tells me it's time to go to sleep at night???"

I got to go to Max's first upwards BB practice. Lots of little guys!

Max proudly showing off his new uniform. Yeah.....#13......Uncle Brian's number for six years!

It's Been A Busy, Busy December

Recognize this beautiful stain glass picture? Monday the 19th was a big moving day. The church in Houstonia is no longer meeting and the instruments were graciously given to our family. I was expecting to fight back tears and lots of emotion, but I was so nervous watching the movers that all tears were held in check!

The organ was first to be moved....on its side, no less! A huge "Thank You" to Pat Wood that ended up assisting the movers.

Then the piano was next. I'm not sure why the plywood planks weren't used on the first group of steps, but everything was moved successfully.

Patty was helping steady the piano with the mover as it came down the last steps. The instruments were on their way to DeSoto!

Dad and I on Christmas Day, 2011. We miss Mother this holiday season.

As sad as it was to see the organ being moved out of the church at Houstonia, it was exciting to see it in place at Marilyn's church to be played once again for services. How fitting that the first Sunday to be played again was Christmas Day!

Marilyn did a great job that first service!

After church we had lunch at Marilyn and Barry's before heading back home to Kansas.

Merry Christmas! Just waiting for the kids to arrive on Monday.

Tyler, Joshua, and Kayla opening up their stockings before lunch.

Yes, that would be Joshua checking out all the packages under the tree. We couldn't see his head.....just his legs were sticking out!

Joshua, Rebecca, and Jonny.

Tyler looking at his new tool box. I feel so blessed. We had a fun day together. Two days later little Westin was born and now we patiently wait for our little Indiana baby to arrive!