Kara visits and Dave's birthday

Kara with in Maryland in August with her children: Jacob, Blake and Ava.  They were on their way to their new home in New York.  They were here for Dave's birthday and came with Dave, Andrea and I to Urban Pirates in Baltimore, where we had a fun 'pirate ship' ride in the harbor.

                                   








     Mermaid Cheri and Pirate Dave hanging out at the dock

It was just right for the kids.  I bought them an earring and sword souvenirs before we started.

                                     They got costumes and watercolor tattoos.

                    Here are some of the gorgeous views we saw along the Chesapeake Bay.

                                                         They had singing and dancing.

   And the kids got to shoot water from the canons.

               And, there turned out to be a 'real pirate' they got to aim at.

                             They even sang to Dave at one point for his birthday.

It was a great summer day with the grandkids.

Another day we went to Wheaton Park where we rode the train.  

Not sure what Ava thought, but the boys liked it. :)  Thanks for coming to see us, kids!

Andrea graduates!

Andrea was very busy and involved with some important causes her senior year.  She had an internship with an Autism group for her Intern-Mentor class at school, and had a lot of responsibility for several events. In the fall she helped put on a 5k run in our county to promote awareness of autism. There were lots of booth, food, music, and it was a beautiful day for people to be out around the lake.


Here is the written research she did for her project this year.







 
                                          Andrea happened to be right by us as she started her graduation procession.

 
Andrea was an outstanding high school student.  She had an awesome GPA, was president of a service club, and belonged to several Honors groups. We are very proud of her!

Ava May born on May Eight

I flew out to Denver two days before Kara's daughter, Ava May,  was born on May 8, 2015,

I stayed with Jacob, 6, and Blake, who is turning 4.  Here's the whole family of 5!

It was fun to stay with Kara and her family for two weeks.  Kara has lots of energy and made a quick recovery.

I crocheted some hats and booties for Ava, and finished a blanket for her while there.

Ava was blessed at church in the same dress that I wore (!), and that Kara wore for our blessings  Although not brilliantly white anymore, it was fun to see that dress used for three generations!

Welcome Ava May.  I know your family is very excited for a daughter and sister!

You have great parents and brothers who love you!

WELCOME, Alek Diego Meiners!

James' wife, Tammy, had a safe home delivery on Friday, April 18, 2015.   Alek was born at 7# 12 oz, and looks cute as can be. Here is is on the day he was blessed at church--and fits in Dad's hand!

This patriotic boy is also wearing Maryland crabs!

 He joins 13-month old sister, Audrey Louise, into their family. Welcome to our fourth grandchild!

Mormon Prom

Andrea and her friend got ready here for Mormon Prom-- a church sponsored dance.

Ten of them had a fancy dinner together at a friend's house beforehand.
Andrea was on the youth committee that had put up decorations the night before.  Don't they look great?

31st Anniversary

Dave and I took an early anniversary trip to California-well, California, Maryland.  There is a lot of interesting history around that southern part of Maryland.

Our first stop was Dr. Mudd's House.  He was the kind doctor who assisted Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth.

Booth broke his leg in his escape on horseback from Washington after shooting Lincoln in the Ford Theater. Dr. Mudd didn't even know Lincoln had been shot until the next day but was still sentenced to life in prison.  He was released 4 years later for helping in a yellow fever epidemic.

St. Mary City was the first capital of Maryland.  I thought the history of it was very interesting.  It was mapped by Captain John Smith in 1608 and settled in 1638 by 140 people who came from England in two sailing vessels, the Ark and Dove. 

                                                    The recreated Dove.

It's surrounded by water, and is a nice peaceful little area.  

The capital was moved soon after to Annapolis, so now St. Mary's is just a historical landmark.

Their State House

Public shaming in the stocks for misdeeds...:)

Inside a recreated Native American dwelling.

Absolutely no air-conditioning in those days, anywhere!  But, very beautiful.  :)

Julia and Matt were married

Julia and Matt were married December 27, 2014 in the Washington D.C. temple

of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

It was a beautiful day for a December wedding, and they are a beautiful couple.

We were fortunate to have all of our children there, their families, and my Mom

The reception was held at Maple Lawn in Fulton, and was a great atmosphere.

 

 

Audrey was the flower girl.

 

                                                                            Wishing you an eternity of joy, Julia and Matt!