Kennedy Plays Volleyball 3-7-2020

Kennedy preparing to bump the ball.

Contact made and over the net.

Serving.




Have a good one.

Kashton's Birthday 3-5-2020

Kashton turned 7 years old on March 5th. Three days after the house fire. Vanessa had a birthday
party planned for him March 8th.

We went to the house of their friends where they are staying for now to help celebrate.

Mom and Dad got Kashton a drum set.

Just his size! He's pretty happy!

Here's a short clip of Granddad showing Kashton he has some drumming skills.

He wanted to watch Space Jam so I watched it with him.


Sisters went other places. I don't think Kashton minded. He got me all to himself!

Have a good one!

New Grand Niece 03-04-2020

Fallon Marie Foss was born 3-04-2020 weighing 6lb 7oz 19in long. Fallon is welcomed by her brother Hunter who turned one last June.

 Proud dad (John)

 Sweet picture!

Happy parents.

Happy little family. The dog is a French bulldog named Lola.


So excited for them. Fallon was born the day before Kashton's birthday. We can't wait to meet her!

Have a good one!

Not the Happiest Note

It's not reality to not share things that are not as happy. Like anyone else we've had some difficult things happen to our family.

January 17th, the company that Keannon works for let him go along with many others.

February 17th Keannon's Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer with no cure. His health had not been the best but this was totally unexpected. He passed February 23rd.

February 24th We had to put Kaidence down. She was 2 months shy of turning 15. This was harder on me than Gracie. She was a great companion even though I didn't choose her...she chose me.











March 2nd Keannon and Vanessa's house caught fire. This event was so scary until I knew they were all ok and all the pets were ok.

This was the culprit. A gas grill that malfunctioned.

The window in this picture is the window you see in the grill picture.

This was the kids living area.

The fire damage was confined to this room and part of the garage. This room was originally a garage but the previous owners had converted it to leaving space and added garage to the end of it. Because it was an add-on the outside wall of the house went all the way into the attic blocking the fire from going further through the house but not the heavy smoke.

This is the adjoining room. The door way is the one that you are looking through in the above picture.

The kids will be displaced for quite some time.

The insurance adjuster said he was recommending a total "gut job". They haven't heard yet if the insurance company will agree to that.

Last week (March 16-20) and this week the company that cleans smoked damage items have been packing up the kids possessions.

A dear friend of both Keannon and Vanessa just built a house 4 doors down from them offered them to stay with her and her son as long as needed.

The insurance company has been trying to find them a house comparable to what they have to stay in until the repairs are made but so far they have not been successful.

All things considered the kids are doing really well. There has been an overwhelming outpouring from friends, neighbors, church family and community offering help, money, food, offers of places to stay etc.

The silver lining is the kids wanted to do extensive remodeling. Looks like they will get that now!

Have a good one!

Kashton's 7th Birthday Party 3-8-2020

Before the kids house caught fire, the plan was to have Kashton's birthday part there. Re-group... cause that wasn't happening.

Thank goodness for Old School Pizza. They have party rooms and a game area.

Mom and Dad.

There were already other parties there that day so we had to sit in the main dining area.

Kennedy helped me make my famous chocolate cake. All the kids request me to make this cake for them. Kennedy wrote Happy Birthday and I wrote Kashton.

The boy in the blue shirt is the son of Vanessa's friend that they are living with temporarily. His name is Legend and he's Kennedy's age (10).

He and Kashton get along pretty well.

Kashton and his friend Harbor.

The woman next to the boy in blue (Legend) is his mom, Stevi, Vanessa's friend she is staying with.

Kennedy with a friend's baby Rayna.

 We gave Kashton a Spiderman suit complete with mask and spider web (silly string).

He is so fun to give gifts too because he is so expressive!

He does finally look at the card.

The card I made Kashton.

After the party he was allowed to invite 3 friends to go to a trampoline park in a neighboring town.

A great 7th birthday!

Have a good one!

Korin Gets a New Do 3-3-2020

It is a battle every time Korin gets her hair brushed. Her hair is very fine, silky and thick! Korin has tried to convince Vanessa to let her shave her head! Vanessa finally consented to letting her cut it short.

Vanessa made the appointment for Korin and Kashton to get their hair cut but she was unable to take them so I got the privilege of watching Korin's transformation!

Korin's beautician is our dear friend Leslie.

Before pictures!


Here is a video of most of the process.

Look at all that hair!

Checking out the back.

Lover her new style!

Great job Leslie!

Kashton got his hair cut too but he's had this style before. He just needed a touch up.

Another happy customer!



Have a good one!

Short Family Visit 2-17-2020

February 16th my Dad, Uncle Philip and Aunt Mary Ann came to Texas for the funeral of Weldon Cranford who is Lyndie's Dad. Lyndie is married to my Uncle Alan. I have never been able to call her Aunt because I am 2 years older than she is!

The funeral wasn't until Monday afternoon on February 17th so I got to visit them on Monday morning. 

Vanessa was at real estate school but since the kids were out of school for President's day I took Kennedy and Kashton. Korin was sick and stayed home with Dad.

As you can see Mom came to visit too!

We went to lunch at Pulidos and got the waitress to take our picture.

Left to right Aaron, Andrew, Lyndie and Alan.

Aaron lives in Kansas City. Andrew lives in New York and this was the first we had seen him in a very long while.

We did attend the funeral but did not stay for the graveside. Dad took this picture.

Have a good one!