It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We finally have our tree up, and some of our decorations, these darling blocks are from Tami and the kids.

Happy Birthday, from my girls!

When I arrived home from an exhausting trip to Costco, I was surprised to have Todd, Andrea, and the two boys on my doorstep. But that's not all. They also had packages. I thought, "what are those two up to"?

Tami, Ly, and the kids sent me these darling letters for the home

And Tori, Larry, and Ethan sent me my favorite pizza! Ever since my trip, I cannot get enough of it, and you know how much I love cheese pizza.

I shall enjoy them both so much! Thank you my dear children, for thinking of me on my birthday.

Jamaica!

Chicago! My kind of place...

I just spent a fun week with my adorable daughter, Tori, her wonderful husband, Larry, and our cute little Ethan aka Jumping Bean. I have never seen a child run and jump so much. We celebrated Ethan's 2 year birthday with Larry's parents and some of their fun friends.

Batman!

I got this adorable costume/PJ's for our grandson, Ethan. Tori said he was into Batman, and I thought he would love it. He is like a little lightning bolt running around the place with his cape flowing.

WHAT IS A GRANDPARENT? (Taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds)
Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people's.

A grandfather is a man & a grandmother is a lady!

Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them.
They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the shops and give us money.

When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.

They show us and talk to us about the colors of the flowers and also why we shouldn't step on 'cracks.'

They don't say, 'Hurry up.'

Usually grandmothers are fat but not too fat to tie your shoes. They wear glasses and funny underwear.

They can take their teeth and gums out.

Grandparents don't have to be smart.. They have to answer questions like 'Why isn't God married?' and 'How come dogs chase cats?'

When they read to us , they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again.

Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television because they are the only grownups who like to spend time with us.

They know we should have snack time before bed time and they say prayers with us and kiss us even when we've acted bad.

A 6 YEAR OLD WAS ASKED WHERE HIS GRANDMA LIVED. ''OH,'' HE SAID, '' SHE LIVES AT THE AIRPORT AND WHEN WE WANT HER WE JUST GO GET HER. THEN WHEN WE'RE DONE HAVING HER VISIT, WE TAKE HER BACK TO THE AIRPORT.''

GRANDPA IS THE SMARTEST MAN ON EARTH! HE TEACHES ME GOOD THINGS BUT I DON'T GET TO SEE HIM ENOUGH TO GET AS SMART AS HIM!

It's funny when they bend over, you hear gas leaks and they blame their dog.

Vincent Todd Tolman

Was born on this day in 1977. Happy Birthday, Todd.

Todd has a sensitive heart, quick mind, and a cute Mom and Dad. He says the biggest blessing in life is his best friend and sweetheart, who would follow him all the way to Jamaica. It is a gift to be sensitive and tender heart to his environment and so conscious of those around him. One of his hero’s is the dog whisperer. Todd’s has a way with his customer’s that he makes them his friends. Todd is constantly reading and educating himself, bettering himself in all areas of life. One day he may write Rush Limbaugh, and the next Glenn Beck. Todd’s opinions are like his heart – always on his sleeve, you always know where you stand with him.

We have enjoyed watching him grow up and his interaction with his older sisters, and younger brother.

We love you so!

Welcome our dear little Leeya Katherine Tolman, born May 19th at 8.4 lbs and 21 in long.

Mother's Day remembered:

We were living in Provo and I gave a family home evening lesson on responsibility. The girls all took these lessons so serious. Guess that is why I loved Family Home Evening.
My lesson was on teaching the children responsibility. I memorized one part and it went like this:
A mother is not a Maid, that is not her calling. She is a counselor, a friend, a listening ear. When you spend the time picking up your toys, doing your own homework, making your bed, this frees your Mother up to do her calling. You can spend time with her, talk to her and share your problems. She will be able to fulfill the calling she was sent down to earth to do. Remember.....A mother is not a maid!
I had to fly to Florida to see Nana who was very sick. The first letter I received after I arrived was a letter from Tori.
It went like this:
“Wow, a Mother is not a MAID. That is not what she is suppose to do. Wow, I did not know that!”
It was so darling, I kept that letter and have it somewhere. I loved it when "the light bulb" turned on and Tori grew up line upon line.

This just melts my heart...

Our grandson, Ethan loves to talk on the phone. In fact, he may talk more than I do. But when he does, it's clear who he likes to talk with (oh, it's just me being the proud Nana):

ODE TO TAMI......from her loving family!

I remember.....that little black haired doll all dressed in white with great big eyes taking in all sights. She was so familiar and dainty as can be. She loved to read books and playtime with me. Creativity was her middle name, and once on a Wednesday, (Relief Society Presidency Meeting) she made it rain,
With wheat from the buckets, little handfuls she took and threw them in the air ......a wheat storm she cooked.
She was not alone, but with little friends in hand - they brewed up a storm - it sure was grand!
Food storage in the basement was never the same, probably some kernels on the floor still remain.
Also, little writings on the wall she just couldn't restrain,
With crayon, or markers they all left their stain.
She was proud of her work, a great artist she thought:
I'm just practicing now with the talent I've got.
No matter what scribbling she left on the walls,
Its the mark on our souls, we remember most-of-all.
She never grew tall, but a giant she became -
By leaving her mark on our hearts - we'll never be the same. (sane?)
So on this day of birth (April 8, 1971) we all join in -
And express our gratitude for you being our kin!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday dear Tamara Lee Tolman Tran!!!!! You are loved.

Happy Birthday, Andrea!

Our Andrea's birthday is the 6th. We are so thrilled to have her in our family and what she brings to it. We love how Andrea interacts and we love how she loves our son. Andrea is not only a partner in marriage but also Todd's business partner. They spend every day together. Love to you dear Andrea!

Congratulations, Asay's!

Here are some pictures of the kids' new home. We are excited to visit with them in the warm weather and visit with the kids once they are all moved in.

We are so proud of our second daughter, Tasha and her husband Seth. They just moved to San Antonio, TX and are purchasing their first home!

It is brand new, and we do not know exactly what the floor plan is, or how the home will turn out, but we are looking forward to pictures and the Asay's calling it home.

Our Little Allee

Our cute little granddaughter Allee is 8 yrs old. She is very much like her Aunt Tori in every way. I have to share a funny story:

The other day, Tami told me about Allee. Allee woke up one morning, horrified and in terrible pain. Her legs! She was in excruciating pain and could not move them. She started screaming and crying, "I'm crippled, I can't walk". Allee made Ly carry her around the house and to the bathtub where a warm bath awaited her to hopefully soothe her aching muscles. Tami sent Allee to school with a note saying she would only participate minimally since she was 'debilitated', and would be excused from recess.

But, during recess, Allee must've become extremely bored since her friends did not want to just sit with her and just watch everyone else playing and having fun. Miraculously, her legs began to work, and she was healed! Thank goodness!

This is our son-in-law, Larry (Tori's husband). He was the first police officer in after the shootings at NIU in Cole Hall on Feb 14th. He has done such a remarkable job and it is proof he is a good officer. We are so proud of you our dear Larry.

What Fun...

Thank goodness for youth and spontanaity - the kids and Vince and I all went to Boomtown Casino and shopping at Cabella's (a sportsman store).

We had so much fun, and it was very last minute so no one had a problem not doing one thing or doing another. We just enjoyed one another.

Funny story....

Yesterday Nikayla had Charlie's picture in her hands and went to Kate and asked: Mom - have you seen this little boy? I want to know where he is.
Kate said: I think he is with yourDad.
'Oh,' she said, 'If you see him, tell him I want to see that boy'!
Then, later, she saw Charlie and had something behind her back.
She asked Charlie if he wanted to see a monkey? He shook his head "YES".
Then she showed him the picture of himself and they both laughed and laughed.