He is here!!!

                       JOHN CHRISTOFER RILEY
                            6LBS 8OZ; 19".
                                  Aug 6 2011; 154am
 Proud mama Cheryl did a fantastic job, and had great support from Grandpa, Aunt Missy & Grandma. Grandma Spencer was unable to stay for the birth as the Navy already had her scheduled for drill. Mama & baby both doing well, praise God!

Part 2: The Grandkids Visit Grandma & Grandpa

Much of our time was spent at home, playing and doing 'normal' stuff. Of course, they did have to work for their keep:



Justin was in charge of breakfast. His scrambled eggs are the best in town!  Olivia was in charge of setting the table.




Grandpa built the kids a playhouse. He put 2 big windows on each side for cross ventilation and here he is painting the roof white to reflect the sun.





no one is too young to paint



Justin painted almost a whole wall himself!

 It wasn't all work and no play:


playing in the sand box with Aunt Missy





building with Joshua's Legos

The best $17 I ever spent!

Grandpa reads a story.

resting with Cleo and Chanel, see her peeking out from under Olivia's head?

Beach Fun with the Grandkids

Grandpa drove his motorcycle & I drove the kids in the car down to the 'ugly house' so we could spend some time at the beach. We spent 2 days there. 

We also enjoyed our friends, the Woleslagles, ribbon cutting ceremony. They are Sandals reps so if you need a vacation give them a call: 910 526 9446 also check out their facebook page: Something Special Weddings & Events

Lazy 5 Ranch with the grandkids

We had so much fun with Justin & Olivia. One of the things we did was visit the Lazy 5 Ranch, what fun!

This cow wrapped it's tongue around Olivia's arm.....of course I didn't get to see it but she & Cheryl sure did laugh about it!

Justin especially liked feeding the big, old, papa giraffe.

Part 1: The Grandkids Visit Grandma & Grandpa

For the first time ever, both Justin & Olivia were able to visit us in June! They were with us from June 4 - 23. Joshua's new orders moved him to Massachusetts. Instead of driving the entire family & the dog from CA to MA, the kids stayed with us while the movers came & packed up the house. Then Josh & Stacey and Gabby (the dog) drove east. I flew out to pick them up on Memorial Day & spend a few days. Justin, Olivia & I flew from Ontario CA to Dallas Ft Worth where we had a 3 hour layover. We had some lunch then were going to the USO when we discovered a children's play area. As nice as the USO's are, this was the perfect place for the kids to burn off some energy. Because Justin's reservations were made after Olivia & mine, he didn't sit with us, instead sat in a window seat both flights all by himself. I think he liked being 'big enough' to sit away from us.

Missy Finishes Her Sophomore Year of HS & Goes to the Citadel

Missy finished her sophomore year of high school, where has the time gone? It is hard to believe in 2 years she will be a high school graduate! 

Missy attended Officer Leadership Training at the Citadel June 13-18 and attained the rank of Lieutenant upon completing training. She's pretty excited about that. She said she loved being there, wants to go back but it was, in her words: h-e-double hockey sticks! She also came back wanting to go to Singapore as part of the leadership training school exchange program. I doubt either of her parents are big fans of that plan.

She has spent the summer with her mom & will be home on the 31. I, for one, can't wait, as I've been missing her. She's spent alot of time with her boyfriend, Austin; made some new friends; been to the beach a couple times and did some babysitting for some friends of Austin's mom.  I'm sure she will have lots to share and perhaps I can get her to write something here.

Prom 2011

Missy is off to prom, looking beautiful! She & her mom bought her dress when she bought her military ball dress. She & Austin look very nice & he took her to Lowe's Motor Speedway Club for dinner.