Remembering Papa Scott

Today we gathered with the Nortons on the anniversary of Papa Scott's death to remember him and be together. Grandma Dawn had a bunch of paper lanterns. We wrote short messages on some of them, then lit them and sent them skyward. We were at Grandma Dawn's house and worried a bit as one of the lanterns floated into a tree across the street and burned in the branches. Fortunately, no harm was done. The lanterns lit up the sky. It was nice to be with the Nortons and to feel a part of their family. We love Papa Scott and miss him.

The lantern on the right got stuck in the tree.

Ice Skating with the Nortons

The Nortons were gathering today for ice skating, birthday celebrating fun. Dawn invited us to join them, but Blythe is the only one who went. I still have a very sore knee from my fall in December (getting physical therapy), Brandt doesn’t like skating (either ice or rolling), and Kent didn’t want to go. So I drove Blythe over so she could skate and party. Dawn is always so good to send pictures which seem to indicate that Blythe had a great time.

 

Norton Christmas

Today we joined the Norton Family for our annual Christmas book shopping at Barnes & Noble. As you can see, there were lots of Nortons in attendance. This outing is the only time of the year we see some of them, and it was fun to connect. We hadn't met Goose and Miles' daughter Ashe yet, due to Covid, and it was fun to see her in real life in all her squishness. We missed Keybug. We are grateful to these good people who have adopted us all into their family.

Book selections this year: 

Katherine & Kent: The Talented Mr. Varg  We intend on reading this aloud together, so one book for both of us was entirely sufficient.

Brandt: Tales From Shadowhunter Academy  Brandt didn't realize this was the fourth book in a series.

Blythe: The Okay Witch  A graphic novel Blythe read from start to finish while she waited for everyone else to finish making their selections.

Goose's Baby Shower

Today, Blythe and I attended a baby shower for Aunt Alisa.  She is due to deliver a baby girl at the end of April, and we gathered with lots of other people to celebrate and shower her with gifts.  Three days ago, Grandma Dawn called and asked if we might help her with a diaper cake (a cake shaped creation made of diapers).  I just volunteered to take care of it all, and she brought up a box of diapers.  Yesterday, on the way home from work, I stopped at Target for some little baby stuff we could use to decorate the cake, and then Blythe and I put the cake together.  While I am not always very good at Pinterest type crafty creations, this one turned out quite well.  It was cute with all the stuff we attached, and looked quite darling.  It made for a nice centerpiece on the gift table.  The shower today was very nice.  We played shower games, including baby creation with modeling clay, "delivering" a baby from an ice cube, and scratching off a poopie diaper to see if you get poop (I did and won a squishy poop).  Goose got lots of nice gifts, and I hope felt loved.  We were happy to be there to support her.  We hope the baby arrives safe and sound.

 

My "baby" trying to "deliver" her baby by melting ice in her hand.

This is an exceptionally unflattering picture.

I'm "delivering" my baby orally.

That is a gross sounding sentence.

Blythe with her moms.

Norton Family Christmas Shopping

Brandt and Blythe spent a super fun evening with the Nortons.  It was their annual Christmas bookstore shopping outing, and while Kent and I were also invited, we were hosting an adults-only DeMartini dinner, so we sent the kids with Scott and Dawn.  They had a great time getting books, and then gathered at Aunt Goose's house for dinner.  They got fun books--Brandt got Evil Spy School and Blythe got Be Prepared a graphic novel, and Total and Ultimate Dog Manual. 

The evening was fun.  They wandered around the bookstore, Blythe kept wanting to read her book, they all signed each other's books, and Brandt wrestled with Grayson.  They got home late, thoroughly pleased with their time with family.

Norton Cousin Fun

Blythe and Brandt have been involved in several different Norton Family activities over the past couple of weeks.  Blythe's cousins, Gracie and Cameron, are in town, and Dawn has wanted them to be able to play with Blythe as well as McKenna and Grayson.  As always, Dawn is super good about documenting all that is happening, then sharing all the pictures with me.  Here, in brief, is what they've been doing.

On June 27, Blythe and Brandt joined lots of Nortons to go ice skating.  They had a great time.  I wasn't sure Brandt would want to go, but he did and they both reported what fun they had.  The pictures certainly seem to indicate that.

a neighbor , Blythe, Gracie, McKenna

Brandt and Grayson

Gracie, Blythe, Cameron and Brandt and Grayson

The big guy holding up McKenna is Gavin

Gracie, Dawn, Blythe

Goose (Alisa) with the kids

Skating party with two girls I don't know.

Gavin, Grayson, Cameron, Makenna, Lizzie (in back) and Hannah (neighbor girls), 

Blythe, Dawn, and Brandt

As if ice skating wasn't fun enough, Dawn then invited the kids to come swimming at the Lindon pool and have a backyard camp out sleepover last night.  The fun never stops!  Brandt and Kent were going on their first 11-year-old scout camp out (see separate post), so Blythe was beyond thrilled to have something fun to do, too. And to be with cousins! And to swim! And to sleep in a tent!  It was almost too much excitement for her to stand.  Dawn reported that Blythe was loving being with her cousins, and we didn't get her back today until well after lunch.  How nice to be wanted and loved.

Horse racing

I'm not sure who won.

Cash, Grayson, Blythe, Gracie, Cameron, McKenna

Then on to flamingo racing.

Still no idea who won.

And then to snow cone eating.

Everybody won!

Camp set up.

Dawn is a brave woman to sleep out with all those little people.

And lots of pictures of fun at the Lindon pool.