Simonsen Brothers

Today I tried to get a picture of my two grandsons. Boston didn't like Lincoln "touching" him so when Lincoln kinda leaned on his shoulder, Boston got up and left . . . then Lincoln fell over. He didn't even cry -- he's a very good natured baby.

Boston didn't like me fixing his hair like I used to do his mom's hair when she was little. But I think it looks cute!!

Lincoln is already looking older -- he is so handsome!

Gerhard had to fly off to work on Sunday afternoon but I'm having so much fun being with Natasha's family in Provo, Utah. I get to spend alot of time playing with Boston and once in awhile I get to hold new baby Lincoln. They are both so beautiful and now I understand the joy that comes from being a grandma!! Today it was so nice outside that Boston and I took our forth trip to the park. He loves to swing . . . and slide. There's also a little pond close where he can feed the ducks. As you can see, he wasn't about to let the ducks have all the bread!

Another fun moment was watching Boston play with the swings. Once his Dad had brought out the little swing for baby Lincoln, Boston wanted a swing too so they had a vibrating rocker. He brought that out for Boston and that made him happy. He sits in his rocker and says, "swing, swing!" Well, one day he decided he wanted to "swing" his big bear -- problem was, he tried to get in with the bear and there wasn't room for him and the bear!

Trip to Utah

Our fourth grandson is born -- Lincoln George Simonsen was born March 10th at 4:03 pm. Gerhard and I drove to Utah on Monday and Natasha decided it was safe to have the baby so she went into labor the following day. Finally, Lincoln was born on Wednesday while Grandpa and Grandma stayed with Boston. What a fun time! The only part I didn't like was knowing that Natasha was in pain. But everything turned out great and they are doing well.

Gerhard and I had the privilege of taking Boston to the hospital to meet his new little brother. I'm not sure he was that interested but he definitely loved the balloon that we bought to give to Lincoln -- he also took his briefcase, which contained his new color book and crayons. So much fun!

Grateful

Grandparent

Trip to Montana

Chelsey and I flew to Montana to visit my parents. Thankfully, Gerhard was able to use his mileage points to get us each a ticket -- one advantage to flying every week!! We rented a car in Great Falls and drove to my parents and arrived on a Sunday afternoon. We didn't tell them we were coming so it was a shock -- a good shock I hope!!

Look at this weather -- that sky was blue . . . but don't let the sunshine fool you, it was stinkin cold. We went for a walk to make Jag happy (their dog). I don't know what is more beautiful -- Chelsey or the mountains in the background . . . OK -- Chelsey is!!

We stayed for a week. During that time we went to a girls basketball tournament with my mom. One day we drove to Great Falls and took my mom to the movie, "Avatar". It was funny to look over and see my mom in 3-D glasses (that was her first experience with 3-D). We played alot of majong and Chelsey put two jigsaw puzzles together. We all enjoyed hours of watching the Winter Olympics on TV together. I read two books. But mostly, we just enjoyed being with my mom and dad!

This was taken at Christmas but what a great picture!

Christmas continued

Here we are on Christmas Day!

Here's Jennifer, Richard, Kase & Jadan Here's Nathan, Bree, Tyler Ann & Walker

Here's my brother Rich & his family

Christmas in Montana

We had a wonderful Christmas visiting my parents in Montana. They live on the edge of Glacier Park so it is always white and beautiful this time of year. This was a first for Gerhard and I -- to celebrate Christmas without any of our children. That hasn't happened in over thirty years! It was quiet and OK, I admit it, a bit lonely . . . but my parents appreciated the company and we tried to focus on all our blessings! We were able to visit the Utah kids before we went to Montana. Then on the way to my parents, we stayed over in Great Falls and were able to attend church with my Aunt Necia and her family. We arrived at my parents in the early afternoon and then attended Doris Shurburn's 90th birthday party that evening.

We stayed at my parents until the following Sunday, December 27th, and then started for home. My neice (Jennifer) and my nephew (Nathan) and their families came to East Glacier the day after Christmas and stayed over night. My brother Rich, his wife Linda, their kids, Cassie and Trista, were also able to visit the day after Christmas. Cassie also had her boyfriend, Josh, with his little girl, Kylie. Trista had her little girl Ahmia. It was so much fun to see everyone. Here's some of the pictures we took while in Montana.

This Christmas season the Plenerts are all going in different directions! Mom and dad are going up to Montana to spend the Holiday with mom's parents, which is what everyone else should be doing but this year they will be empty nesters. Zack and Rick will be staying in Utah because of work and other things that would make it to hard to go away for the Holidays. Natasha and Mark will also be staying in Utah for the Holidays but only because she is to far along in her pregnancy (baby Lincoln is due March 5th).

As for Josh, Amy and Chelsey (me), we are on our way driving to L.A. where we will stay overnight with my cousins. On Friday morning (Dec. 18th), we will be flying to Ecuador. My cousin, Aidan (who is 17), is also going on this trip. We went to Ecuador in August 2008 and helped out an orphanage and a senior hospice care center. We plan to do the same on this trip -- hoping to brighten their Christmas. We will be gone for a month and get back in time to start a new college semester.

Merry Christmas Everyone and a Happy New year!