Grandkids and Special Times

The month of November was full of special events with the California grandkids! We're so thankful to be able to share as many of these events as I can with them..........here are a few.

HAILEY PLAYS VOLLEYBALL

Hailey is in the 5th grade this year and it was her first year on the Volleyball team.

She is one of the shortest on the team, but her gusto made up for it!

..........and here's another serve!

This reminds me of when her mommy use to play.

As you can see......Hailey, second from the end is the smallest on the team, but don't let that fool you!

KEAGAN'S SOCCER

He plays with all his might!

Keeping up with the best of them!

Keagan controls the ball well

How cool to have your dad, as the coach!

You gotta love the intensity!

Brian is a excellent coach..........always full of compliments and kudos!

Congratulating the teams!

A time of celebration. Great season Keagan, and Brian!

KEAGAN'S HERITAGE REPORT

At FCS the 3rd grade students spent time studying their heritage. They then write a report on it. The parents and grandparents are able to attend their presentation. Keagan shared his report on the military service his Grandpa Penterman and Great Grandpa Johnson gave to our country. He even wore camo clothes and boots to help fit the part!

Keagan HATES to perform (other than sports) in front of people.........we were so proud of him!

The kids were allowed to ask him questions and he answered them.

Someone made the mistake of asking who were the people in the family picture (our family picture)................he named each one of them........sometimes he had to stop and think about it! Great job Keagan.........I even have a hard time sometimes!

You can tell he was glad it was over.

Everyone in the class gave him a clap of the hands for a job that was well done!

Keagan treated each of his classmates with toy paratrooper. One of the stories he shared was how one of Great Grandpa Johnsons brother was a paratrooper before he was killed in the war.

Of course the boys just loved this...............

and yes, we had troopers all over the place!

Great job Keagan!

GRANDPARENTS DAY!

Hailey shared her violin with the grandparents

We love to listen to her play.

Once again, Keagan hates crowds........so we were very proud of the song he shared with us!

.................sometimes a kid just has to do, what he has to do!!

Each student in Keagans class shared a story with the grandparents in their classrooms.

Hailey's class did a skit for us. She was the judge.........................

....................... a pretty cute judge!

Picture time.............

..............and more pictures!

After school was out the grandkids and both sets of grandparents head to Red Robin for our annual lunch out with the grandparents! Thanks Hailey and Keagan for a fun filled day!!

.......................oh yes, there's more!

We figured that since some people out there still think that Loren and I are Cody's grandparents ,we would sneak in on to the High School campus and get a peek at Cody's preview performance of Way, Way Off Broadway!

Hmmmmm, we found Cody hard at work.........directing traffic!

Oh, my............is that my parents?

.............. your kidding, right mom and dad?

O.K, your on your own, mom and dad............... I don't know you!

Gotcha Cody, how fun!

Papa & Nana Trip to Ohio

We're blessed beyond measure when we're able to go and visit my kids.............I have fallen in love with the state of Ohio...........I hope these pictures will give you a feel of this wonderful little town. I feel like I'm in the town of Mayberry on the Andy Griffith show.........you have to be a little "old" to appreciate this sentiment! It's always fun to be able to spend time with my daughter

This picture was taken the morning we left........Sarah's day-care children were arriving.........I must admit it was very hard for me to leave........having done day-care myself, I know what a difficult job it is........I wish I was closer to help you Sarah!

We were able to attend Joe and Sarah's church. This is their Pastor and his wife. We fell in love with them instantly! Attending our children's Church's is one of our highlights when we visit!


This is where Joe is the Youth/Assoc. Pastor

Nana gets to read, while everyone else makes lunch.

Prayer at nap time.......PRICELESS!

I know Nana.........I'm suppose to be asleep!

A fun picture

I love all of the barns.........they are all "working" barns and they love to print the dates on the outside of them..........so cool, I could do a blog just on all of my barn pictures!!

A little feel of the small town. Notice, no traffic!!

They have a year round Christmas store...............a must every time I visit!

A very common scene! Tons of corn!

A little play time on our walk.

Papa can only push.......if he rides, he throws up!

Every night we finish with a game of "Settlers"! Ya! I won one night!!

Gotta love this picture.........Zeke had no idea that I snuck in and took it! He was very serious about getting clean!

They are very proud of their state and their barns!

This picture was taken looking out of the living room window of Joe's grandparents home..........love the view, I could do this everyday!

Visiting with Joe's dear grandma, Oneida

Loren loved talking to his grandpa!

So many things in one picture.........the trees behind the barn are called the "woods" they have them all over. The barn in nestled in a corn field, then you see the evergreen trees and grass in someones yard .......love it!

Some of the woods.......everything was in full color.........absolutely beautiful!

We wanted a Nana & Papa picture with Zeke...........this was the best we could get!

Loren and I enjoyed our time away together.

One of our many walks............lots of cool walking trails!

Love the background!

Filling up the LOVE tank!

Hurry-up the guys are way ahead!

Love it!

High Water Mark

Time to head back.

The little man is feeling quite BIG right now!

No thanks dad, I don't need to hold your hand!

See I'm doing JUST fine!

You wouldn't believe how many pictures I had to take to get this one............I hope your framing it Sarah!

Beautiful color!

It was absolutely breath taking!

It wouldn't be a small town if it didn't have a train running through it! Love the sound of the whistle..............this is just down the road from Joe and Sarah's.........on the way to Zeke's park!

I found it to be so interesting to have a cemetery and a play park next to each other!

This is Zeke's park, just down the street from where they live.

Papa and the boy.

Love it!

More color!

We saw this dog on our walk.........of course we all fell in love with it because it reminded us of Gus, Matt's dog!

He is really only a few weeks old!

Go Papa, Go!

And we're off again!

I love this next progression of pictures!!! You can tell that Zeke has been watching how his Papa walks.............now he's going to give it a try! Way too cute!!

hhhhhm, now how does this work?

Can you see the wheels a turning? He thinks he has it!

Okay, now he KNOWS he has it!

Walking like his Papa!

A little boy and his BIG dog! Too much fun!

On our way back, Zeke couldn't pass up a pat on the dog!

Ok, Papa this is how it goes.......

Zeke could stack those blocks in the most amazing way and they never would fall down! On the other hand, Papa's couldn't stay up!

O.K Zeke Papa likes yours better!

Bedtime stories............

Nana!!!!! I'm suppose to be SLEEEPING!!

Luv u Zeke............can't wait to see in New York for Thanksgiving!

Luv,

Nana

Finally.......Birthday and Anniversary Blogs!!

I hope everyone enjoys these blogs as much as I did making them..........remember to keep scrolling down...........there are a total of 4 of them!

Sarah, Joe, Jaime, Tim & Casey..............I'm so disappointed it took me so long to get these posted. I must admit that it was alot of fun though! It was great going through all of the mounds and mounds of pictures! You all are very special to me and I don't tell you how much I luv and appreciate you enough!

I hope you enjoy and know how much I luv you!

Luv,

Mom

Happy 32nd Birthday Joe

I remember this night like it was yesterday........we were so excited to meet Joe.

Joe & Sarah met @ Word of Life and Joe came to Calif. for Chris & Laurie Finchams wedding. I spent the day preparing a nice dinner and was excited to have the whole family home for it..............everyone except Tim, he was going to be late due to a High School Basketball tournament in Williams. Tim promised to be home as quickly as possible. As a mom I was hoping to make a good impression with this new fella is Sarah's life..............only to have Tim come in late and announce that he had been pulled over in his "65" mustang for a possible DUI!!!! I remember rolling my eyes, thinking what is this guy going to think of us now!!

Chris & Laurie's wedding

Almost a year later Joe flew out again, this time to propose to Sarah. He arrived on his birthday and surprised her with a ring the day after. Sarah celebrated her birthday the following day!

3-BIG days in a row!

Priceless.........Cody loved birthday's!!! He was known for finding one of his favorite toys, wrapping it up and giving it to the birthday recipient. You can see the excitement on his face......... poor Joe is completely surprised by it...............the next picture tells it all......

Ahh yes, this here it is!! Good sport, Joe!

Engaged!


Yuba City Youth Pastor and his wife...................

Youth group Harvest Party, a Jock and Cheerleader!

What a cool family..................3-d at Disneyland!

Way, cool!

Joe and Cody have always had a great relationship.........I think that Cody is now taller than Joe!

Joe was the guy with the "Hiram"! This picture was taken when we had an "all girls" trip to Pennsylvania when Sarah & Joe were attending college there. Joe joined us for our outing in Gettysburg! What a sport!

Joe was part of the statues!

A well earned degree!

Two very excited people...........ready for their next adventure.

A guys weekend

A very special time in all of our lives was when we were able to attend church together and listen to our very own son-in-law preach.

Joe and Mya were always buddy's!

A hike to Feather Falls

Vacation Bible School in Gridley

Joe & Keagan

A very proud and happy dad!

Joe..........looking back over the years reminds me of how blessed we are to have you in our family! We love you and hope you know how special you are to us!

Happy (Late) Birthday!

Luv,

Mom Warta

Happy 32nd Birthday Sarah

Ohhhh.........all of those warm fuzzy memories!

The first Sunday "I" was able to take you to church. You were a month old, dad had gotten to take you earlier while I was back in the hospital..........I wouldn't let him take you in this dress because.........it was "my" special dress for you!

Yes, it is your father holding you!

Yup, your holding the diaper pins with the diaper behind you! You loved walking out of those cloth diapers. Nice not having carpet in those days. (look at the old fashioned baby food grinder in the background on the table)

You started walking at 10 months old. I luv Brian's art work on the floor.

Those famous "airplane" rides.............dad use to put you in bed with your night braces on, you would manage to crawl out. We could here you clanking down the hall..........once again, thanks to "no" carpet! (we were too poor for it)

Curlers were a regular part of Saturday nights!

Bathtub in a motor home!

Kindergarten

Mothers Day luncheon. You and Laurie Gledhill were friends way back then!

Kindergarten Graduation...........dad was always so sad he missed it because he was still in Alaska!

Your pigtails and the beautiful dress that Aunt Penny made for you in her High School Sewing Class. (notice the "New" carpet)

I was so proud of making this dress for you!! Guinea Sac dress's were soooo expensive so I gave it a try............you loved it!

One of dad's favorite pictures!

Tim was handing you a flower after your performance.

Was her name Clareece?

Cousins! You and Michaela use to have so much fun with each other.

Wow, dad I both were amazed at this picture!! Brian looks like he's about to bust! It must have been Easter and we were holding the candy back! Remember those Easter pictures?

Another Mother/Daughter luncheon.........this time your cabbage patch had a matching dress and corsage just like yours! Yes, I use to sew.........remember?

That first year of Ashlie's life, you two were in-separable! I remember you not wanting to go with Starr Stassi to Disneyland because you didn't want to leave Ashlie! I had to re-assure you that she and I would do just fine................so you went, and brought back clothes and toys for her!

Then came our little Katie..............and again you thought you could do it all!

Jr. High Cheerleading............a time we both often reflect back on............learning to trust God, knowing He would use this lesson in your life as a time of growth to draw back on, ..........and so many times He did! A priceless mother/daughter memory!

8th Grade Graduation............and the dress that caused such a stirrr, remember! We had fun shopping for it though..............(your sisters die laughing every time they see it) Should I put it in the playroom dress-ups?..............no, way!...........it cost way to much!!!

Another one of those amazing pictures..................how did we ever get you guys to do this?

You and Jennifer Amarel use to have so much fun together! I think you were shopping in Nordstrom and you said you almost got kicked out!!

Hmmmmm the car or the shorts!! It was a great first car though!

Pumpkin Farm with Katelynne, you both look alot alike here.

Cheerleaders...........and that HAIR!

Yes, it's Merideth Morrison and Melody Crawford

A run with Ashlie on one of our family trips to Bodega Bay

High School Graduation

High School Graduation

I found this picture, and the one that follows to be heart warming & similar. Here you are talking to Cody.....you were the first one to get him to laugh..............and make him cry every time you sang the "Frog" song!

A picture I will always cherish in my heart..........this was the day after you brought Zeke home from the hospital and you called me in the weeee hours of the morning worried about him eating enough..............a mothers joy to be able to hop in her car and drive over and give a helping hand! You didn't need it though..........you were doing just fine! Just like you always did with your brothers and sisters when they were little! I will always cherish that Sunday morning, thanks!

Sarah, thanks for allowing this very "young" mom grow-up with you..........we've had so much fun together!

Happy "Very Late" Birthday!

I luv you!

Mom

Happy 27th Birthday Jaime

Jaime...........what joy you've brought to our family!

I remember the summer Matt kept going water skiing with a girl and her family from school ...........I was always full of questions when he got home, wanting to know all about you.

It wasn't long after High School and you were part of our annual family trip to the "Cabin". This year the "rock" was well above the water!

It didn't take long before we realized that you fit in quite well................you had the love for photography that alot of us shared

Your laughter was always contagious! You always have had a way of seeing the lighter side of life and the best in everyone!

You always wanted to know all about our family and it's history!

You and Matt have always shared the same excitement for the holidays! I think this was one of the first ones that we shared with you.

You and Katelynne have always had alot in common..............thanks for always being there for her!

Your smile is contagious................

and you do have a mischievous side!

You and Matt have always been two of our favorite cooks! Your never afraid to try something new.

The summer before Casey and Tim were married and you and Matt were engaged. I think it was the first summer you came to the cabin. I always knew it would be important for Tim & Matt's future spouses to get along.

Congratulations on your engagement!

You've always been a perfect help-mate for Matt! What an inspiration you are to all the girls in the family!

Some of my favorite memory's of your early years in our family is our "girl" trip to Pennsylvania and New York to visit Sarah & Joe.

You were always the adventurous one............willing to go, do, or try anything!

New York City.............sooo much fun!

Central Park in New York City

Our fairy ride to the Statue of Liberty................

looking back on New York City

Calling Matt from the Statue of Liberty

Always ready for the next picture.............a girl after my own heart!

.................and that twist..................who else could have done it?

We would lose you and this is how we would find you!

Ahh yes, getting up at o'dark thirty to stand in line for Good Morning America? Remember the laughter the night before in the hotel..........when we snuck an extra person in our room. We forgot about it when the janitor showed up to fix our overflowing toilet..................Sarah quickly fell to the floor on the opposite side of the bed............ just in case he counted (he couldn't even speak English, much less count) the only problem was, we all saw her feet sticking out and she looked like a dead body!!! We laughed until it hurt.............it still makes me laugh. We had soooo much fun together!

We were so excited to be able to have this picture taken with Diane Sawyer.

You were the photographer on this one with Charles Gibson.

We're starting to look a little sleep deprived with ABC weatherman, Spencer ?

A quick pose at Tim & Casey's wedding..........the beginning of a beautiful frienship between the four of you.

You were so cute when it came time to prepare for your wedding..........full of so much excitement!

One of my favorite pictures..............thank you, Jaime for being the wonderful wife to my son and mother to my granddaughter's that you are! You are truly a blessing in my life!

I luv u and hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Happy (Late) Birthday!

Luv,

Mom Warta

Happy 8th Anniversary Tim & Casey

Congratulations on 8 years of marriage!

Fall has always been a favorite time of the year and your wedding made it even more special.



A glowing bride..............Casey, you were absolutely beautiful!

I'm not sure who was more proud............you, or your fathers!

You looked so relaxed!

It's hard to believe this is Hailey..........I'm sure Landon thinks that it's Bethany!

The photographer did a fantastic job capturing the day!

Cody & Hailey found the leaves to be quite fascinating!

A very handsome groom was soooo excited..............

but this pose looks like they were standing in front of a firing squad!! They really did smile once in a while!

O.K. much better...........here are all of the groomsmen.

Glad to see the smiles!

Ushers, including Cody............who as only 9 yrs. old!

The 3 amigos...........once roommates!

Tim you were so proud to have your Grandpa & Grandma there..........I look back now and know how difficult it was for them to come...........Grandpa wouldn't have it any other way, he was very proud of you!

Cody did a great job ushering!

Katelynne made sure all of the candles were lite.

Casey, everyone loved the way you had your bridesmaids pick out their own design for their dresses............it was a new idea then,...................one often used now!

Drew Tollenaar and Hailey made for the perfect couple!

Hailey had to throw those leaves just right!

Here comes the Bride!

Tim looked so stunning!

Ahh yes, the brothers did have mischief up their sleeves............we weren't too surprised!

Too cute!

Hailey and Drew were very concerned that they stay on the quarter that was taped to the floor for them.............if they were good they could keep it in the end!

OK Drew.................we know you've had enough.............and Hailey, hmmm sitting on the quarter, then you know it won't go anywhere!

Lost in their own world...........as it should be!

The first kiss...........

MR. & MRS. TIMOTHY WARTA

A quick kiss before the guest make it out!

The Family Picture

The wedding party

Your cake was stunning and VERY tasty!

Tim got her.............it wasn't too messy though!

Matt's toast ..............of course it was funny as well as emotional!

Their first dance, no really it WAS their first dance!

Priceless picture! We didn't know that Grandpa would only be with us a few more months! We were able to celebrate Grandma & Grandpa's 50th wedding anniversary just a couple of days before the wedding!

And away they go..................

Yes, it was a beautiful wedding!

Tim & Casey by now you know a good marriage takes alot of hard work..........Congratulations on your 8 years! Keep up the good work, it only gets better and better!

I luv and appreciate you both!

Luv,

Mom Warta