Halloween 2012

Halloween just isn't what it used to be, when our children were young it was a big event in our neighborhood.  Adults and their children would dress up and roam the neighborhood from house to house in search of wonderful treats, but tonight we had a grand total of six children come to our door, and three of those were our grandchildren.  I worked at my office in West Edmonton Mall today and in fifteen minutes we gave away candy to 240 children, some of which looked like they were still in high school.  The entire holiday has shifted from a fun neighborhood centered activity to a challenge to see which parents can get their children around to the most stores in the shortest amount of time, scoring the largest bulk of candy, most of which I'm sure is eaten by the parents.
My mom loved Halloween and would spend months thinking up and preparing a costume that would delight her co-workers and customers.  She would be so disappointed in the holiday as it is today.  It's true things change but not always for the better, I'm a traditional kind of guy and I hate to see the traditions of my youth traded for something cheap and easy.
Anyway, loved my grand-children's idea of Halloween, still went door to door and came to our place for a special treat.  Hope our little Eli in Vancouver had as much fun as our local kids did here.

Walker as Bumble Bee & Emma as Little Red Riding Hood

Transformer and Red hooking up for a night of candy collecting and munching in Edmonton.  Even -15 degrees couldn't keep these determined 'Trick or Treaters' from scoring a bag full of candy.  Followed carefully by their little sister Lilllian, 'Trick or Treater' in training as the baby duck.

Lillian as the Baby Duck that growls

Their parents are always so good to make sure that they enjoy these special events and create memories for them that they will cherish when they are my age.

Danielle and her little duckling

  Can't wait to see what our little Eli looks like dressed as Dauby from Harry Potter.

Hide Your Hearts Girls, Eli's Turning 2

A couple of weeks ago we had a wonderful visit from our daughter, Kelsey, and her little guy, Eli.  At the time we celebrated Eli's birthday but he actually turns two on the 29th.  Prior to two years ago the 29th has been a difficult day for me as my mother passed away on this day in 1993.  Now I still have a certain degree of sadness and the memories of that day, but with the birth of Eli my mind is taken to a higher plane and I can't help but think of the fun my mom would have had with this little great grandson.  More than anything she lived her life for her children and grandchildren.  Grandma Lynn was one of those grandma's that got on the floor and played games with the kids and invited them into her bed for books and sleepovers.  Even though many years have passed, our children have the fondest of memories of their Grandma Lynn.

I just love watching my wife, Holly, now playing the role of the 'fun' grandma.  Holly has devoted her life to our children and now that we have grandchildren, it is so fun for me to see her interact with these special little people.  We are blessed to have them close enough that we can see them regularly.  Having Eli visit from Vancouver was so special for us.  Watching him interact with his cousins is precious, his buddy - Walker, was disappointed today when I told him it was Eli's birthday tomorrow and he expected him to be here for a party and I had to tell him no.  Anyway, long story short, having this quirky little Eli in our lives has brought nothing but wonderful memories and laughter to this special day.

Bruce and Kelsey are from a generation somewhat foreign to Holly and I and they both have strong personalities with unique tastes.  Their little guy, Eli, is a unique blend of both his parents.  He can make me laugh just looking at him and now that he can talk he is saying the funniest things and the funniest way.  This past trip he was really into playing cars and it was fun to see that aspect of his personality develop and his imagination flourish.  More than anything we wish we could be in Vancouver tomorrow to see this special little boy but we always look forward to the next visit or next phone call.  As I'm writing this, Holly is having a laugh with him on FaceTime - thank heavens for technology.  Don't know what we'd do if we couldn't actually see him regularly.

Included are a few pictures from this remarkable little boys life, so far.  We love all of our grandchildren so much and they have given even greater purpose to our lives, getting older definitely has it's rewards.

Eli Bruce Chenuz, born Oct. 29, 2010

Danielle & Emma with new born Eli

 

Eli's First Trip to Utah 2011

Uncle Cory & Eli

Halloween as Newsie with his father, Bruce

Grandpa & Eli just hanging out

Eli, Future Dentist?

Playing ball with cousin Walker

Baby Eli with Grandma Holly

Eli consoles his cousin Emma, Utah 2012

The picture above displays one of the most special moments I can remember from our Summer holidays.  Emma was sad and it was really important to Eli that everyone be happy.  So he got in her face and talked with her until he had her smiling and laughing.  Some talents and gifts are God given, perhaps this is his.

Eli's Trip to Zoo with Grandma & Grandpa 2012

King of the Funny Face

Four Generations with Great Grandma

Eli Demo's the Cheese Smile for Uncle Des

Lots of Family and Friends Love this Eli Chenuz

Checking out the penguins 2012

Auntie Haley, Mom and Eli

Shepherd Boy, Christmas as Reays 2011

Uncle Allan Demo's How to Catch

Eli doesn't seem very impressed with the demonstration offered by his Uncle Allan, looks a little bit like Charlie Brown here.

Early Birthday Party 2012

Happy Birthday Eli, We Love You!

Pheasant Hunt 2012 - South Dakota

Just got home from our annual pheasant hunting trip in South Dakota.  Every year my brothers, our boys and my stepfather converge on Murdo, SD for a weekend of hunting, laughs and bonding.  The event has become a tradition that has created and continues to create some wonderful lasting memories.  The expense is astronomical but the reward and the building of boys into men, and strengthening our relationships far outweighs the financial downside.

Cory, Pheasant Hunt 2012

My son Cory, and I hate to admit this, has turned into a better shot than myself.  I enjoy watching his success and the good time he has with his cousins, uncles and Grant, my stepfather.  This year we had great success in terms of the number of birds bagged, limited out every day.  And on more than one occasion ran out of shells in the vest before running out of birds popping up.  It's just insane how many pheasants are grouped together in some of the fields we hunt in Draper, SD.  Below are a few of the photos from this years hunt.

Younger Generation Hunting Crew

Cory finds a snake, thankfully not a 'Rattler'

Cory & Dennis - Draper, SD

Dennis & Brother Shaun with live bird.

Note the bloodied cheek, Shaun was a little close with one shot.

Cory and Dennis, limited out

Grant and boys, 2012

Hunting Crew 2012

Older Hunting Crew

Our Princess Emma Turns 6

Today is our sweet little Emma's 6th birthday.  I have thought so much about her throughout the day and wanted to share a few pictures of her life.  Emma's birth was one of the happiest days of our life and a memory that I will always cherish as are the birth days of all of our children and grandchildren.  Her birth six years ago sends me back in time 29 years to when her mother was born.  I can still feel the joy that was so overwhelming that I thought my chest would explode when I first saw our own little redhead.  Emma is our next generation 'little redhead' and our daughter and son in law gave her the middle name Merlynn, which is my mother's name and she was also a redhead.  We never know what to expect when Emma visits as she is old enough now to dress herself and she definitely has her own little sense of style.  The older she is getting her hair is also turning more strawberry blonde with the Reay influence, and she grows more beautiful with each passing year.  Her grandma always gets a kick out of Emma when she wears one of her funky hats as well.

I remember the day our kids announced that they were expecting and the happiness that rebounded throughout our family.  Emma continues to be a source of joy for all of us day in and day out.  She is always so upbeat and has so much to say and is wise beyond her years.  Emma often has to remind her grandpa that 'stupid' is not a nice word and it's fun to watch her listen to a conversation and have her young mind try to make sense of everything that comes her way.  Emma is so sensitive and careful with others feelings.  It makes me so proud to see her want to reach out and help those that are less fortunate, and it's so important to her that everyone is happy.  I hope she can maintain this wonderful outlook on life as she grows older.

We look forward to sharing many more birthdays with her, she is unique and so very special and our family certainly would not be complete without her sweet little smile and tender, loving heart.  Happy Birthday Emma - we love you!

Emma at the Library

 Our daughter, Danielle, has instilled within Emma a wonderful love of books.  Her library is one of her favorite places and there is nothing more fun than having her read a book to us now that she is learning to read on her own.

Emma at the playground

Christmas Program 2011

Allan teaching Emma to ride her bike.

Train ride with Grandpa, Summer 2012

Crazy Driver!

Emma helping Grandma celebrate her birthday, 2012

Danielle on Halloween 2011 with her three children.

Emma as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz 2011

Emma helping with her brother, Walker's birthday.

Homemade suckers, sleepover at Grandparents

Grandma Larsen, story time with Emma & Walker

This is grandma's favorite time of a visit from the grandchildren.  The time spent in the bedroom reading books, sharing stories and remembering what it was like for us as young parents to take our children for a visit to the grandparents home.  Having grandchildren is truly one of the most remarkable blessings one can ever have.  We love being with the special little spirits as they learn and grow.  It is truly remarkable as is Emma Reay.

Emma visiting Uncle Rick in Utah

Reay family at Temple Square 2012

Emma & Walker

 We love to watch Emma be a big sister.  She can be rough and tumble with her siblings but she is always so careful that they are well taken care of and happy.

Emma Merlynn Reay

Emma certainly has her own sense of style.

Faces of a Birthday Celebration

Yesterday we had a celebration not only for my wife's birthday but for our Grandson's Eli's as well.  Threw in a bit of Emma's also as she will be having a party later in the week to celebrate her 6th birthday.  We had a really nice time with some family and friends.  Thought I would not go into much detail, but here are some pictures that tell the story better than words ever could.