My 2nd Christmas, and more of my 1st Birthday

December is a big month for this guy.

The 14th is the birthday, with Christmas following, 10 days later. We have all decided these events should be celebrated

as two.

Tooth #3 has emerged, the next milestone will most likely be walking. He is fast on all
fours, he will be running circles around

Gramma soon.

Happy 1st Birthday, Connor!

December 14, 2007

The celebration of C-Man's 1st birthday was a well attended event, with lots of friends and family, and of course gifts and well wishes.

He was diagnosed the same week with several food allergies- wheat, eggs and peanuts. Needless to say we are all on alert, reading food labels, and thinking twice before we give the little guy anything to eat.

I made him this little cake for his high chair, he didn't quite dig in to it like his Uncle Michael and his mommy did, back when they turned one! We bought the mixes at the local health food store, no wheat, gluten, eggs, sugar etc. He has taken 2-3 steps by himself, and also stands alone briefly. It won't be long he will be walking.

Winter in the High Country

Once again, Stan went on a business trip, and "old man winter" arrived in Flagstaff!

We received 17 inches of snow at our house, and 5 feet up at the Arizona Snow Bowl ski resort.

Arizona is welcoming the snow, as we have experienced drought conditions in the past few years.

Our snow blower was put to use by our neighbor Steve, he blew through the snow at our house and at his own. (I do think he enjoyed playing with the new toy).

Flagstaff will have a White Christmas this year.

Aloha

Stan and I spent 10 terrific days on The Kona Coast, The Big Island of Hawaii, in September.

This island is where my family lived for 8 years in the 80's. We were busy everyday, driving around in our little Ford Focus rental car, which by the way, got 34 MPH. Wow.

I had an itinerary in mind for our visit, and we pretty much stuck to it.
The evening we arrived, we were met at Huggos on the Rocks www.huggos.com , right on the water in downtown Kailua-Kona, by Jenny and Dain, friends from 1979. Jenny and I worked in an OB/GYN clinic, and have kept in touch over the years. I was also a patient there while expecting Melissa. We had such a great time, and Stan enjoyed their company as well. She is a kind and giving person, with a very infectious laugh that I just love. She greeted each of us with fragrant plumeria, pikake, and cymbidium orchid leis, & Kona Coffee. We had some great tropical drinks and "pu pus", which are appetizers. That evening there were hula dancers and Hawaiian music. What a way to begin a vacation.

We also drove around the island to Kilauea volcano, which is an active one, but of course no lava flow the day we were there. Other attractions, Akaka Falls, Mauna Loa macademia nut factory, Hilo Farmers Market, sugar cane fields, rain forest, anthurium farms, coffee farms, the black sand beach and miles of beautiful coastline.

On Wednesday, Sheryll and Guy (more old friends we met in La Maz class in 1980), took us to the Kona Village Luau http://www.konavillage.com/ (she also has the "spirit of Aloha" in her) I have to say it is the best one I have ever attended, (and I have seen a lot), it told the story of old Hawaii and the dancers and music were exceptional. The food was authentic, from Kaulua Pig (which means the pork is cooked in burlap, buried in the ground with hot lava rocks on top to cook it. The meat is covered in ti (tea) leaves, which are long green leaves. Other authentic foods were served buffet style, chicken long rice, lau lau, lomi lomi salmon, poi, fish, turkey, white rice, haupia coconut (pudding) which the local people eat, 3 times a day, fresh fruits, and purple sweet potatoes, Oh, and of course Mai Tais! It was great visiting with them also. Everyone loved Stan.

We discovered a few new beachs, Stan swam with the turtles and snorkled and used the boogie board too. Not me, I am not a fan of the water, so I sat on the beach and read magazines, very relaxing.

We ended our vacation with a sunset/booze cruise where the food was good, music excellant, and the Mai Tais were flowing and going down easily! We danced into the sunset, doing the Macarena, a Conga Line, and shaking our booties, till I tore my achilles tendon. 18 days later I am still in an air cast! I guess I am not a young chick any more!

We are still talking about the fantastic Hawaiian vacation, and we hope to journey back again in the near future.

Arizona Road Trip

We recently took a trip to Southern Arizona in the fifth wheel. We stayed at this old style rv park, and ate a great breakfast ! Stan will post pictures of the late model Airstream trailers and more.

We also visited Karchner Caverns, Bisbee, and Tombstone.

More on the trip at a later time!

Did ya miss me?

We have had a lot on our plates lately, for sure.

Life has been busy with grandbabies, work, household projects, and my health issues, but all is well.

We have been enjoying the monsoon season here in Flagstaff, lots of days with summer rains, nice for our zucchini and tomato plants, and the yard and flower beds.

We attended free summer concerts in a local park a few evenings,there are some talented folks up here in the high country.

Molly is well, still thinks she owns the sidewalk out front, actually the street too, and lets us know when there is a person walking, or actually has the nerve to walk their dog on the sidewalk. She is a kick. It will be interesting to see the interaction between her and Gilmore, and the Hulme pack of dogs!

My mom is failing, she isn't the same person, I miss my mama. She knows me and Stan, and seems happy in her world. The director creates a memory box for each resident, I filled out a questionaire, and submitted her high school graduation picture, it is a beautiful photo. Scrapbook materials were used to signify special interests in her life, such as the horse shows my older brothers participated in for years, and her love of of going on cruises. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, she placed a stocking and Noel in the box. Very clever idea.
I take Connor to her assisted living facility on Wednesdays, and that does bring her joy, as well as joy to the female residents, by the way, there is only one male. That fact is amazing in it self, and just shows that the women out live the male population.

We had a yard sale today, it is amazing how things accumalate, it doesn't help that we both are "savers"! The garage seems much larger now.

We are looking forward to our trip back East and spending time with the Ohio gang.

Babies Babies Everywhere!

We enjoyed seeing our "little" Casey Lee and mommy Katie a couple weeks ago, the time went by quickly and I definately enjoyed my baby "fix"! Stan and I and Great Grandma Marie enjoyed our time with them, and visiting and eating, well you know.
We hope to make a trip in our new fifth wheel in September or October, and catch up on the Cincinnati gang.

Casey & Pap

Thanks Kathy, we have been busy and I have taken a lot of pictures. I will post more soon, we now have Great Grandma here too!

Caseys Coming! Caseys Coming!

On Tuesday, Gramma and Grandpa (Pap?), and of course Molly will be picking up Casey Lee and Katie at Flagstaff airport for a weeklong visit!

Loads of pictures to follow of Casey and his older buddy, Connor!

HOORAY!

Four Generations

My mom Gerry, my daughter Melissa , my grandson Connor Michael, and I were interviewed and photographed for a front page story in the local Flagstaff paper in honor of Mothers day.

I am attaching a link, and we hope you enjoy the story, of motherhood, then and now!

http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2007/05/13/news/20070513_front%20page_21.txt

Nurse Ratchett Returns!

Well, I knew it would happen, the "nurse" in me has returned and I start a new job tomorrow.
I am now an employee of Flagstaff Medical Center, in the Bariatric clinic. My patients will be in a six month program consisting of nutrition, exercise, & psychological therapy prior to weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass, stapling, or banding. The position appears to be similar to my last position as a research nurse and I am excited to be back in the medical field and make new acquaintances. My Scrubs are all ironed and my lunch bag is pretty much packed.
An OB/Gyn office called me last week, and wants me to fill in for their nurse on Tuesday and Thursday. When it rains it pours!

By the way, I DID wear all white, and a cap, and of course my waist was this thin!

Casey Lee Hulme, grandson # 2!

This handsome young man was born April 10, 2007, weighing in at 8# 6oz. Look at the hair on this guy! Katie and Matt are the proud parents.

We hope to head east for a visit in late May.

Congrats and good luck.

Gramma Candy

My First Easter!

Michael Edward & Connor Michael

We celebrated 29 on the 29th, with lunch in Prescott, my rum cake, a couple gifts, and a big surprise for Uncle Michael! He was thrilled to see his nephew as one of his surprises.

Uncle Michaels Shoes

Ok, I admit it, I am a saver. Kitchen gadgets, shoes, purses, greeting cards, baby clothes. I am not alone in this addiction, Stan the Man is also a saver. Nuts, bolts, screws, electrical wire, fuses, tools, if you need it, he has it, & can fix it.

I found a box recently, labeled Michael & Melissa, baby clothes. Oh the treasures it held, tiny crocheted hat and sweater and bibs,& shoes, a tiny yellow pair of flip flops with pink stripes, (remember Melissa was born in Hawaii), Brownie and Cub scout uniforms,an orange Fisher Price radio with the song "My Name is Michael". That little radio has earned a place on Connor's changing table, & I crank it up when it is changing time.

The baby model is wearing Uncle Michael's shoes,they are 29 on the 29th! The golden birthday.

There is more in this Pandora's box!

We Love Our Green Vests!

I couldn't miss the opportunity for a "perfect Kodak moment" of my 2 favorite fellas, in their green vests.

Are they COOL or what?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STAN!!

Hey Stan the Man, have a great birthday!

Love, Kaneke and Molly too.

Lets eat cake!

Monday in Flagstaff

Hello people.

I was invited to a luncheon today at Northern Arizona University, my alma mater...(GO Lumberjacks)! The director of the nursing department called to inquire if I would like to serve on the Nursing Advisory board. UHHHHHHH, Yes,that would be nice!
I am looking forward to this new venture.

It is snowing as I write this, looking out our living room window. Good Golly Miss Molly, the spoiled girl, is watching the giant flakes, on the leather couch, as all special little cockers should be.

6 &7 weeks old

Greetings everyone, I apologize for my tardiness in keeping up this blog.

Connor Michael continues to thrive, 11#8 oz. at his 6 weeks check up, loves to eat and smiles the best smiles! (esp. at Gramma!)

Malc's sister found this great Aviator type cap for him, he looks thrilled, huh? I love it.

Melissa and I finally found a Bumbo at Target, and he tried it out with the help of daddy. Might be a few more weeks before he gets the full benefit.

Remember?

SMILE!!! You're on Gramma Candy's Camera!

As you can probably tell from the title, someone one we know, (that would be Connor), smiled his 1st smile at someone we know, (that would be me)! Mommy Melissa was quite surprised, as he had not smiled at her or Malcolm yet!

The Family Circus (courtesy of Molly)

For those of you who are fortunate to have the Family Circus cartoon in your Sunday newspaper, you will recall little Billy or Jeffy, wandering around their yard, with footsteps too numerous to count.

Well, little Molly certainly imitates their antics in the snow, wandering around our yard.

Let it snow!

Snow and wind are the words of the day! We have about 5 inches, and the wind creates a blizzard appearance. It still has not snowed enough up at the Arizona Snow Bowl ski area, which is unfortunate for the business trade in town. So let it snow!

Molly and I are missing the man of our house, but we know he is enjoying his visit with the girls.

Teddy Bear Hibernation

Great Uncle Jim (with a very big, soft tummy), and Connor hibernate on our couch this afternoon.

The attire was Baby Gap with little ears on the hood and "paws" on the feet, which can BEARLY be seen!

It's a dog's "pampered" life

Recently, Miss Molly had a morning bath. It is chilly up north in the mornings, and she made her way to the living room near the fireplace and eventually moved up to the couch.

Being the caring mother I am, I wrapped her up, sort of like the "swaddle" we do for Connor.

Yes, Miss Molly truly does live a pampered life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Cheers to 2007 !

Connor came by last night in his New Years finest, a tiny black tuxedo, with a red bow tie !

Hope everyone had a Happy New Year, we were unable to stay awake till 12.