An Evening at the Reay's

My sweetheart is away visiting our youngest daughter and family so Cory and I are managing on our own for a few days.  Easier said than done.  Thankfully I have some wonderful children that look out for their old Dad and make sure I'm fed.  We had a bit of a Dog-Introduction Celebratory Dinner and Danielle and Allan's tonight.  Haley got a new little puppy this week, Ruby, and you'll see from the pictures she is just as cute as our Hannah when she was little.  The kids had so much fun with her and were so excited.  You just can't capture the pandemonium and excitement with words or video, you had to be there.

If I ever need to smile, all I have to do is think of my wonderful little grandchildren and their antics and it brings a smile to my face.  There is nothing greater than being a grandpa unless it's from the perspective of grandma.

Today I spent most of the day, again, editing some punctuation errors and typos from my manuscript, 'With Cruel Intent'.  Next time I hire a copy editor!!  Uncle Rick got the proof copies in the mail and they look really good.  I have to say I'm pretty proud of the final product even if we don't become world renowned because of it.  I'll be happy just to have it to show my grandchildren and great grands when they come along.

Ruby

Some photos from our fun evening together.

Des and Lillian

Reay Children entertaining Ruby

Walker proving to us that he can fly - Awesome Attempt!

Book his #4 a few days ago on the Amazon.ca Romance Suspense Novel List!

Holly at Snow Canyon - St. George, Utah Dec. 2012

Really missing Holly and St. George tonight!

The Superhero 'Walk-a-Do' Turns 4

This past week my energetic grandson, Walker, turned four years old.  He is such the 'minnie me' to his father, Allan.  I get such a kick out of how excited he gets over various things especially Superheroes and lately, Transformers.  Walker has been such a wonderful blessing to our family.  He was our first grandson and we are fortunate to have he and his family so close.  We get to see them on a regular basis and have seen him grow and grow and grow into the stout little man that he is today.  Allan is sure that he will be, in not too many years from now, playing linebacker for the BYU Football Team.  I have no doubt that he will have the physical capabilities to do just that.  I believe that we all have the ability to accomplish whatever we focus our energies on.
Walker, or as I prefer to call him, Walk-a-Do, has more energy than I ever remember any of our children having.  I just sit back and watch and chuckle to myself as his parents try to contain this bundle of, sometimes misguided, kinetic energy.  On one hand he can be 'over the top' all boy, dragging his little sister around while she screams and a minute later he will be holding and cuddling her and telling her it's going to be alright.  Seeing the interaction of he and his sisters is magical to us as grandparents.  He adores his older sister, Emma, and counts the minutes till she will return from school so they can play dress up, he being the hero in every circumstance, I'm sure.
I appreciate so much, in this little boy, that he cares about others and is concerned about their welfare.  He is going to grow to be a big, powerful man but I have no worries that he will still retain his compassion and love of others.  It warms my heart to have him be so excited about his next 'sleep-over' party with grandma and grandpa.  It is one of the days of the month that we look forward to the most.  Walker stands out as a unique character in our family and we are so very blessed to have him be a part of our sometimes hectic lives.
Walk down memory lane with me as we look back at his past four years!

Driving Instructor Walker

The Blanket Fort

Walker 'Texas Ranger' on his Hog

The Reay Children, Perfect Blend of Mom and Dad

Walker wearing more clothes than usual

Danielle with kids at the circus, so very excited!

Walker, loved by Aunts and Uncles - Richard, what's up?

Aunt Haley loves her little buddy

Reay Family with SLC Temple Backdrop 2012

Walker learning to shoot from the 'Master'?

Reading Time with Grandma - Famous Sleep-Overs

What Grandpa's Do Best?

 Walk-a-Do, what a Cool Dude!

Just Chillin' at Uncle Rick's Pool

Walker loves his 'Dress up'

These two may fight like crazy but they are so sweet together most of the time.

Walker, the boy behind the smile.

The 'Real' Walker Allan Reay!

Happy Birthday Walker, we love you so much!

My Novel 'With Cruel Intent' Is Available NOW!

In October of this past year I started on a quest to write a romantic short story for my wife.  Once I got into the story and with some direction of my wife, the story took on a life of it's own and it eventually became 'With Cruel Intent'.  A novel synopsis is below:

The author of 'With Cruel Intent' takes the reader on a roller coaster of a ride, evoking an array of emotions as the main characters experience happiness, romance, treachery and pain.
A stagnant heat and economy push Blanche Delaney, a beautiful 33-year-old librarian, to pack her bags and head for Valdosta, Georgia in search of happiness, adventure and love.  Concerned that life is passing her by she is compelled to travel the thousands of miles away from family and friends to start a new life among a host of Southern characters that will ultimately change her life forever.  Her new home, a temporary room at Caroline's Bed & Breakfast, introduces the woman to true Southern hospitality.  The array of guests, coming and going, opens the door for antics that prove to be both humorous and horrifying.
A trio of unlikely suitors enters the librarian's life, each with unique capabilities and characteristics; Jasper, a black bodybuilder who is liked by all, an unlikely hero in Seymour, an awkward university student that falls for Blanche and lastly, an accomplished burglar, with no rap sheet but an obsession with the shapely newcomer.
The untimely death of a local real estate tycoon pits Beverly Marshall, the middle aged widow, against her stepson, Jeremy, for control of the estate.  A conspiracy develops that draws the unknowing lovers into the fray, leading the reader on a wild crime-ladened ride through the homes and streets of Lowndes County.  Before long the entire populace is scared and seeking answers from the local Sheriff's Office, headed by Sheriff Angelo Lupo, 'The Wolf'.  Twists and turns aplenty as the entire cast of unlikely characters will be pulled together in an explosive and very unexpected ending.

Available at www.amazon.com

 The Kindle Digital version is available now and the Soft Cover version will be available in a week or so.  If in Canada use www.amazon.ca.
$3.99 for the Digital Version and $14.99 for the Soft Cover

Sleep-over Party & Gma & Gpa's

Every few months we get to have our Reay grandchildren over for a sleep-over party.  Cars, play-kitchen, books and treats are the order of the day.  Today was no different except the cupcakes had small cookies baked into the center of them for a little surprise.  Emma, Walker and Lillian certainly enjoyed Grandma's Special Cakes.  Emma is getting so big that she can read to me better than I to her and Walker is the ultimate Super Hero or Power Ranger depending upon the day.  Lillian is just content to look at books as long as they have animals in them so she can do the sounds over and over again.  I especially like that all birds say 'quack', bunny's say 'hop hop' and fish make her smack her lips together.
There is nothing better than being a parent and grandparent.  Greatest memories and joys are created within the walls of your own home, at least it's been that way for us.  Some pictures of our latest adventure with the kids below:

Grandma frosting the cupcakes - cute little granny, eh?

Emma, looking so cute with her new haircut.

Walker, not sure if he gets more in him or on him.

Lillian, made quick work of her treat as per usual.

Auntie Haley came to help out, so much fun to watch her play with the kids.

Movie Time - Walker was so excited, looks so much like his dad.

Lillian, of course, was more interested in eating my keyboard than the movie.

Emma loves to snuggle with Gma when watching a show.

 

 

Hannah just seems to take it all in stride, a precious moment without Lillian mauling her.