The Most Important Things in Life...

In which a boy and his grandpa

Make a grandma smile =)

Like Father, Like Sons

My oldest son still has some fun left in him.

And my oldest grandson is always ready for a good time.

But this little guy...the youngest one...

Well, he's ready for just about anything!

Rockin' the Birthday Boat with Grandpa

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDPA!

This is one of the kindest, gentlest men ever.

We all love him and are glad he belongs to us.

Our grandma is glad he belongs to her, too. =)

Some of the very best things about our Grandpa:

1. His happy, sunny nature.

2. His deep and profound thoughts.

3. His unconditional love for every one of us.

4. The cool Robbins Originals he makes for all the members of our family (really neat birthday and holiday cards).

5. His world famous "punniness."

5a. His understated but never underrated funniness.

6. His skill as a baker (and as a baker's assistant).

7. His willingness to run to the store at the drop of a hat. (How many men are willing to do that with a smile?)

8. His dedication to church callings, including special expertise as ward and financial clerk.

9. His kind and gentle ways.

10. His wise and thoughtful words (especially at circle time but definitely all of the time).

11. His status as supreme "salt of the earth" person.

12. The amazing way he loves and takes care of Grandma.

Grandpa brings a spirit of peace with him wherever he goes. He lives in the "Robbins nest," and we're very glad he rules our roost.

Have a SPECTACULAR day, Grandpa! See you tomorrow!!

SENDING BUNDLES AND BUNDLES

OF BIRTHDAY BLISS

TO THE WONDERFUL, LOVABLE

MAN WE MISS!

PARTY, PARty, PArty, Party, party...!

Party time!

Kids, kids, kids!

Fun, fun, fun!

And sand everywhere...inside as well as out.

Never a dull moment. And a few near casualties in the crazy waves. But all's well that ends well, right?

And the cake was delicious.

=)

BEACH, BEAch, BEach, Beach, beach....

Well, here I am from Newport Beach...Our internet has been out of commission ever since we got here, but today I'm borrowing one of those cards that you just plug in to the computer. Pretty cool. Anyway, I'm checking in for a quick update, but it could be fleeting because there's only one card to go around and lots of people wanting to log on today.

Okay. We arrived Saturday to HUGE waves...so big that they had to build a breakwater made of sand to keep things under control. Good for keeping the beach house from washing away, but not so good for my ocean view. Yesterday they weren't even letting people in the water, but today they are...which is fortunate because my granddaughter is having a birthday party on the beach. They are also getting rid of the impromptu sand dune even as I type! Hurray!!

Yesterday was pretty low key. We went to church and then came home and had Mexican food catered in for about 30 of our family members...some who are here with us and some who came from nearby cities to see us. Lots of fun. Lots of yummy enchiladas and chile rellenos. Lots of sand. Lots of laughter. Lots of noise.

Today is the b-day party and Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. Should be good. My last child arrived at 3:00 this morning, so we are all here and read to party. Needless to say, I am loving it!

Having tons of fun with my grandchildren...And the whole week ahead of me!!

=)

Counterparts: A Poem About Pioneers

Happy July 24th, a great day to commemorate the courage of our pioneers, both the ones who crossed the plains and the modern-day ones who must navigate arduous trails of their own.

Counterparts

©1984 by Susan Noyes Anderson

Great Grandma walked across the plains,
her blue dress grey with travel stains.
She bore the hardship, for she knew
her faith in the Lord would see her through.
Her once pink hands were calloused now,
and she had said good-bye somehow
to husband dear and children lost,
praying the end would be worth the cost.

I walk the darkened city street,
my hurried footsteps keeping beat
with a trembling heart, but I swallow my fear,
reminding myself that the Lord is near.
I wear my travel stains deep inside,
where I battle iniquity’s rising tide,
praying husband and children will not be lost;
and that the end will be worth the cost.

We all must walk these earthly miles;
different times bring different trials.

Happy Birthday to Our Cute Carli

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CARLI BEAR!

 

OH, HOW WE WISH THAT WE WERE THERE

TO SHARE YOUR SPECIAL DAY WITH YOU...

THERE'S NOTHING WE WOULD RATHER DO!

(AND THAT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE!!)

FIVE YEARS OLD TODAY!!

We love ice cream and milkshakes with cherries on top.

We love starfish and sand crabs and waves that don't stop.

We love sunshine and moonlight and clouds in the sky.

We love chocolate and marshmallows, cookies and pie.

We love hair that is brown; we love eyes that are blue.

And we love spicy, sweet birthday girls, JUST LIKE YOU!

   

with lots of kisses and hugs 

from Grandma and Grandpa A.