The Callahan Crew

Upon arriving in Tennessee on June 1st at the Callahans' this is what we found:

1. Three awesome children that were so ready and willing to call us Grandma and

Grandpa. Within minutes of arriving they were all snuggled up on the couch with

me and then the top photo was snapped. The boys really enjoyed shopping at

Walmart with Grandpa that first day and I just enjoyed getting to know each child.

2. One very expectant Sherina and one very anxious Chad. He swears he had prego

cravings too. The photos were taken at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge. It's a really

pretty place with a small stream running through it. We went there on our third

day with Sher and she was crazy enough to run a foot race with everyone.

3. A new attraction featuring genuine articles from the Titanic. We went there on our

way home from the park and just goofed around while we browsed outside. The

bottom two photos are in front of the boat as it cuts through the waves.

4. A bunch of kids who are very good bike riders. I rode along with them once in a

while because it was just to dang hot to walk. A hard working, fun loving Dad who

does all he can to keep everyone happy and kicks butt in Tai Kwon Do and can sing

with the best country music stars. A new mommy who tries daily to find balance

in her busy situation and a beautiful new baby girl who her family loves so much.

Grandpa and Grandma Miss Y'all! XOXOXOXOXOXO

One Little Boy

.Cohen's favorite thing is to walk Aggie and as an ever faithful dog, Ag is just the best

about following along and never pulling to hard on his leash. This boy never stops.

.Erik hides his hats in the coat closet, but they certainly aren't hidden from Cohen.

Every day we got them out and he would give Grandpa and I our shoes, even when

we didn't need them on and then he would put Daddy's hat on our heads. Sometimes he

even gave us sunglasses to complete the ensemble.

.I am amazed at how well this boy eats. He is learning to enjoy berries, whole wheat bread,

pastas, casseroles and sour gummies. Oh, he does not like in any way, shape or form, baby food.

Eating is not a chore for him, it is an event complete with cartoons.

.My favorite was when Cohen and I would go on walks around the condos and he would hold

my finger with his chubby little hand. He always led the way because he always knows where

he wants to go - to the basketball court to shoot baskets, in his back yard to play in the sprinklers, or around the next condo unit to see the chickens and smell the flowers. We also

discovered a beautiful wind chime so I would always lift him up high so he could ring it.

.He hasn't seen Grandpa and I much in his short life so we were very happy that after about

the first 30 hours he became more comfortable with us. Once when I was playing peek-a-boo in the kitchen curtains with him and then again, when I was reading him a lizard story, Cohen gave me a real kiss. I was so so happy. He hardly ever gives kisses to anyone. I miss that boy and am more than thrilled that he and his family will be here in August. Can't wait for more adventures.

USU Stadium Fireworks

Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue. My favorite holiday was spent with some of my very favorite people. Two days of celebrating and eating homemade cupcakes, Ginger Chicken, Kalua Pork, salads, baked beans and a pan of brownies. (I think L.J. claimed half of it but after all, I did make them for him :) I hope our grandchildren will learn to love and honor this great land and remember with gratitude the heroes who have fought to preserve our freedoms.

STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER!

Precious Baby Payton

What an amazing, tender experience to watch little Payton

be born. The first thing we saw was a tiny little curl as she

crowned. Doctor Love teased Sher that he was going to give

the baby a hair cut before she arrived. Oh, how we enjoyed

those rare moments with our new little granddaughter while

we spent two weeks with her. She really was so snugly and

just enjoyed being cuddled all the time. When she was awake

she would intently look into my eyes and I would always tell

her about heaven and the divine purpose of her life here. She

just bound her little heart tight to mine and Grandpas'. It was

very difficult to leave her and Sher. I tried to talk Chad into

letting me pack Payton in my suitcase but he is too attached

to this new little one to allow that. Sher is a wonderful mommy,

Chad is a devoted daddy, and the three munchkins just adore

the baby and are always anxious to hold her for a little while.

In Tennessee at some beautiful parks.

Truly the only place to go so one doesn't

turn into a cute little puddle with eyes.

Always so refreshing to be in the hills.

I have been home from Tennessee nearly a week and I was thinking about how many hours I've spent doing different things. Arrived home at 2 AM Thursday and that morning at 10:30 I went to the hospital for an injection in my neck for the migraines I get. Afterward, Dean and I shopped at Sam's Club to purchase food for the 4th of July family gathering. Came home and unpacked my bags then worked on getting better at blogging. Made cute patriotic cupcakes and then worked in the yard, downloaded my 700 photos from my trip and went to bed.
Friday morning I woke up early and weeded flower beds for two hours then cleaned the house and got ready for The Readers and The Barkers and Trev to come over for dinner. Unfortunately, Kiley had to work so she missed the fireworks at USU Stadium with us. They were good but Hyrum City's were even better. Grant, Ellie, Addie and Macie loved the firework display at the stadium. Macie was sitting on my lap and kept pointing at them exclaiming,"Oh, pretty," over and over again. I think Danica and I will instill a great love for this holiday in them.
Saturday I just took it easy and caught up on the bills and played alot with the kids. I have many photos of the fourth and Tennessee but they will be added later. When I woke up Saturday I truly thought I was still at Erik's house and I nearly headed the wrong way when I got out of bed. I was excited to go see Cohen, it was all good though cause I got to snuggle with my three girlies. How I missed them and their parents. Plus, Grant is here for a few more weeks.
All the days since then have been nothing but catch up. . . tons of house work, endless yard work and I even dejunked and organized the storage area downstairs today. I am not happy unless my little world is organized. I will be done by Friday. Poor Dad, he has been living with one ornery harpie. I can only hope he will hang in there until my emotions even out. Even I can't stand myself. Thank goodness for an awesome family, because those memories of little Payton, seeing Sher again and getting her great hugs, meeting Chad's kids, watching him spin in Tai Kwon Do, adventuring with Erik and Allison in the gorgeous Appalachians, holding Coco's little chubby hand when we went on walks - they are what keep me going sometimes. And to all my kids that live close, thank you for wanting to spend time with Dad and I. That means the world to us. You are the best. Love ya all so much. Night Night.

Grandma Nana

My maternal grandmother, Nana, came across the ocean from Sweden

alone when she was just 19. She left her homeland and loved ones to seek

the promised land of America and to ultimately make her way to Utah to

be among the saints. She sacrificed much and and her life was one of hard

work and dedication to the Lord. She raised 8 children essentially by herself

but never lost sight of what was really important. I am truly grateful for her

undying faith and fortitude. These pages tell her story of coming to America.