Family Pics

Bailey saved a piece of her 18th birthday cake for Grandma, who was ailing on her birthday.

Speaking to the CDof A; Bailey received the award and a $500 scholarship.

The principal, Bailey, and ? with the check

Proud Grandma

Happy parents

Loving sisters

Flowers for me? (I love this picture.)

Love this one too

Megan Hammelman, Mary Beth and Mark's oldest daughter, readying for her piano recital

Megan's First Communion Day

I love pictures, and I enjoy sharing them with family who read the blog. I think about all of you when I put pics on, especially those who live away. I hope these smiling faces make you smile too.

Yesterday I helped Carrie out by watching the last hour of her daycare and the evening with the grandkids, so Carrie and Tony could go to Springfield for the wake service of the father of a good friend. I was not so sure about how to entertain all those little ones, but not to worry....about 5 minutes after Carrie and Tony left, the kids spotted a little toad in the window well, and that little critter entertained them for hours! I am sorry to say the toad ended up belly up this afternoon on the sliding board, a sad demise for the nature-loving Hannah and Cora. But Nolan was the first to report the event, and Carrie said he was matter-of-fact. "Mom, you gotta come out and see this." I imagine there was some unintended trauma to the toad as one little pair of boy hands after another "took care" of him today. Another day in the life at the Dede household. But I will say I had a fun afternoon watching them with that toad.

***A note about Bailey's award....In his presentation to Bailey, the principal told the group that this year the Routt philosophy was "What have you done today to make somebody's day brighter?" He then said Bailey consistently lives the philosophy by coming to school every day with a smile and helpful and friendly manner. Now that is a great compliment to Bailey. We should all follow her example and make it a goal to make somebody's day brighter every day.