First Impression

Tatum's first impression of Nana's Christmas decorations were "pretty". Thanks Tatum! Here is Tatum and her friend Bella checking out the chef ornaments on the kitchen tree.

Santa Comes Early!

Santa Clause came a little early to Nana's playroom. This doll house is the one I wanted to buy last year but just wouldn't let myself even though I went back to Costco many comes to drool and finally I made up my mind to buy it and it was all gone. I even checked three different Costcos. So, this year I just couldn't miss out again so I purchased it. We can't call it a "doll house" though - just a "house" perhaps or better yet an "army barracks" with a pink roof because yesterday I went in the room and army men were sleeping on the living room couch.

Poor Tatum - what she has to put up with those two brothers. Maybe in a couple of years it can become a true "doll house".

6 States - 2689 miles - 38 hours 29 minutes plus food and potty breaks

Alvin and I returned a few days ago by Southwest Airlines after driving with Cody, Chelsea, Carter and Cash to their new home in Gig Harbor, Washington. This cute town is somewhere outside of Seattle.


It was a long drive but so beautiful after your left the LA area. At first you saw cotton fields, fruit trees, dairy farms and feed lots with thousands of cows. I thought of my dad - him being the farmer; he would of loved the awesome site. Then, outside of Sacramento it was rolling hills of the most beautiful fall colors. Pinks, oranges, reds, yellows and purples. Of course you have to realize that I have basically never seen the "changing seasons" so this was defnitely a site I thought breaktaking. I would recommend the ride to anyone!
Gig Harbor is a fishing town of about 6,000 and a tourist site. A beautiful place to live and visit. Here are some pictures of Cody and Chelsea's cute home. Lots of fenced in green grass for the boys to run and play.

Purses for Sale!!!

This past weekend I was in Scottsdale at a boutique selling my felted purses. I sold a good amount but still have some for the next two shows I am in. Plus, I need to get busy and make a few more to fill the gaps for those that sold.

Sunday Fun

Cody is heading back to Houston in a few days. Chelsea and the boys staying another week. Kids had fun after dinner with shaving lessons from Uncle Cody. He has a "state of the art" shaver he wanted us all to see how it works. Of course no blades invoved with the children.










They made "make believe drums" made from the playroon storage bins so they could follow the music from the wii,


and then they all ate ice cream.

Meet Bella!

Gretchen's birthday present! An 8 week old Shih Tzu. Very cute.

Meet Sophie - the new addition to the Snesko family. A sister of Bella. Tatum and Sophie on Labor Day after a swim.
The only difference of the two is Sophie has more white on her back. It will be interesting to see the differences in the two as they grow older. Bella will have quiet days and Sophie will have Chandler, Cooper and Tatum running after her daily.

Cousins Together

Cody, Chelsea, Carter and Cash came home a few days before Labor Day. Cody went back to Texas and Chelsea and the boys are headed back once "Ike" leaves Houston. Here are a few pictures of their visit.


Swimming and hanging out in the volcano!



Playing the Wii

Cash and Tatum hit it off!

Picking out their Halloween costumes

Cody and Tatum became friends.

Pa and Tatum on Labor Day.

How Old!

Just how old does one have to be to successfully play the Wii?

Tatum Snesko - age 18 months
I think she got a strike!

Funny Looking Kids!

I have always loved caricatures but never had one done for any of my children. Booths were set up all over Legoland and as I walked by each one I so wanted to have one done of Chandler, Cooper and Tatum. So, an hour before closing I finally decided to do it and each one was so good in sitting still to have it done. I think it turned out pretty good. What do you think?







And the final product!

Welcome to LEGOLAND

Legoland is a good park for kids our age. Not too busy and just enough fun to fill a day.







Tatum liked to ride in Blythe's wheel chair. (broken leg remember?)

Big kiss for Pa.

Chandler got to go on stage at the Indiana Jones program.

Of course we had to buy something in the "princess store"!

AND - finally the roller coaster ride. Not much emotion from Chandler and only a tiny grin from Cooper. Who says you have to hang on!!! (click on the picture to really see Chandler's expression)


Big smiles at the end.

Next year - bigger roller coasters at Disneyland with all the C's!

Happy Birthday Cody!

Talking on the phone with you as often as I do just doesn't make your being gone any better. Well, maybe a little but not a whole lot. I hope you had a great birthday. I am sure those boys and Chelsea had special things planned for you today.

You have accomplished much since your move to Texas and we are proud of your work ethics and all those accomplishments like writing newspaper articles, meeting the important people in your "green" business and being selected to be the top "40 under 40" in your field for the US. In the future no telling what we will read about you. Whatever it may be I am glad to be your Mom and I love you. Keep up the good work and the phone calls too! Happy Birthday Cody!

Fun at the BEACH!

A week at the beach is never long enough. The one year we were able to spend two weeks has long spoiled us. Maybe one of these summers that can happen again! We had a relaxing time in Oceanside. The second year we have stayed at this Oceanside home that has a large patio and only about 40 to 50 yards from the water. That has spoiled us too!
We arrived on July 4 and checked in at 2:00. We all figured the day would be hectic checking in on a holiday but it was OK. We unloaded, went grocery shopping, and found parking spots for three vehicles even when the streets were loaded with holiday cars and people. Unfortunately, the fog started to roll in about 6:00 pm and got so bad that at 9:00 when the fireworks went off on a barge out in the ocean we could only hear the "noice" and could not see a single firework. We experienced the event last year so we knew what we were missing.

We enjoyed the beach daily playing games, reading books, day dreaming and even sleeping. Chandler was more agressive in the water this year and Cooper spent most of his time in the "hot pool" as he called it. Tatum didn't like the sand much so she spent most of her time on a beach towel or on somebodys lap.




















Gretchen who doesn't like the beach and Blythe (our cousin from Albuquerque) who was still wearing a booth from a broken leg wern't much for sitting on the beach so they often went shopping. . .




or instigated indoor games . . .

or sat on the patio watching the squirrels . . .

or planning our dinner . . .

Walking on the pier heading to Ruby's the boys came upon a sand shark that a fisherman had caught. They were quite intriqued and touched it. Chandler later said to me, "Nana, you should have touched that sand shark. It felt very smooth. It felt just like our skin. Kinda like leather."
Well, maybe your skin Chandler but not mine!

The week was just a relaxing beach week with nothing much else planned but we did go to Legoland. I'll post that later. We missed not having Cody, Chelsea, Carter and Cash. They would have had fun too just playing in the sand, water, and hot pool. Next year for sure guys!