My Grandparents

- One of the many things my grandparents taught me was the value of family.  For as long as I can remember, they would call us EVERY Saturday morning.  Of course they wanted to chat with my folks, but we always got to say hi.  That was back in the day when you had to pay for long distance.

- We were fortunate to see them almost twice every year whether it was in Arizona, Illinois, California  Michigan or Connecticut.  Never be afraid to travel (or you just may not see your family)  

- Stay healthy!  My Grandmother was swimming and doing aerobics until her stroke at at 92.  Her last few years were not at she wanted to live them - but thankfully she lived 92 of them just about right.

As she slipped away Thursday night we all imagined her giving that signature hug and smile to Grandpa Roy who had been waiting for her for 13 years.

Roy Hartman - December 6 1920-August 17 2000

Doris Hartman February 11, 1918 - February 21 2013

Joined in Love August 29 1941

I hope to be as involved with my children and grandchildren as you both showed me.

We love you

The Family Photos

How often do you roll your eyes at the mention of a family photo - - well don't!These photos are such a treasure to look back on.  That afternoon we randomly headed out to the back fence in our yard for a true Texas style family photo op.Grandma and her 3 Children, Ken, Sue and RussKen's family - Ken & Louise, Luz & Jeff, Matt (remember Cati, Emili and Allison are still in CA), Lindsey &  MikeSue's family - Jason & Stacie, me & Chris, Sue & LesRuss's family - LaDonna & Russ, Rachel and GregThe boys

The ladies

The cousins

The family all together

The Hartman crew from 2008 in Celebration of the family that Doris and Roy Hartman created.  

Doris celebrated her 90th birthday with her family.

o.k. Matt, we're done =)

A party for Grandma Doris that we will all remember

Now it is time to treasure the memories.

looking back on these photos I am amazed and thankful for my grandmothers health, zest for life and flexibility. Its clear in these photos.  

My Grandma Doris turned 90 February 2008 and we hosted a party for her - IN TEXAS!  

She lived in Rockford, IL and she flew to TEXAS for HER 90th birthday party 

(she also shared a room with Nick who was 1 1/2 at the time- that's just how amazingly flexible she was at 90!)  

Her entire family was there to celebrate. (I must note that Katie and their 2 daughters stayed in CA with school, schedules etc.  But Katie made it possible for Matt - our cousin, to be with us)

Her family isn't the type to live all in one place.  Family flew in from CA, MI, CT, MA

One night we had a chef entertain our crazy crew.

It was a party, mozzarella cheese and all.

I love this photo as it captured the brothers on either end and a great grandma smile with her daughter in the middle.  

My grandmother always tried to stay hip with the times.  She tackled computers, email, printers etc.  She did so much it made my head spin  I can only hope to stay hip with the times as my kids age me.

Here she is sampling one of the wonderful chef creations

Here is the entire family together that night at our fireplace.

The next day after the Mexican meal we had the true cake celebration.

90 Years Grandma, - that is truly a reason to celebrate - and we were thankful to have you healthy for all that time.

During that weekend we had some great family bonding time too - cigars on the porch

and great family moments 

And often times Grandma would head off to bed - gosh, she is 90, lets cut her some slack right?  Well, the family would stay up for a little cor-rousing, 

cousin time

and card playing

Gotta love our cousins - hope you all enjoyed looking at the pictures and taking you back in time.  It brought back lots of great memories for me =)!

The Final Page

The final page has more finality than any other page in the last chapter.  Its hard to turn it.  Because once that page is turned, the book is complete.

At 5:20 PM on 21 February 2013 we turned the final page and Doris Hartman passed away.  She was 95 years old.  Her book is an amazing read.  3 Children,  7 Grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren (and counting).  A strong marriage of almost 59 years to Roy K Hartman who passed away in August of 2000 to Lou Gerhigs Disease.  An accomplished nurse, a devoted wife through WWII as my grandfather was in the battle of the bulge for the birth of his first son.  A grandmother that emphasized family and being part of it.

The photo was taken in August 2001 in Nuremberg Germany as my grandmother was always one to travel.  She may not have always loved packing, boarding a plane or anything that came with it - but she did it, over and over again.  Her family was spread all over the world, California  Michigan, Connecticut  and often times Europe. 

She was a real person - never mincing words - comfortable speaking her mind - always using coupons - confident in her own skin - 

One of the things I will always remember is the way she would step up to hug you at the end of a visit   She would always get a bit choked up - she would give you a full smile and tell you how much she loved you.  She meant it every time because you just never know if you will get to say it again.

Our prayers are with you grandma - thank you for loving us.

all in a day

Some days you don't have motivation, some days you do.
Some days you have a schedule, some days you don't.
Some days you use your brain, some days your muscles, some days your mind.

Today at the end of the day i sat back to realize....

I completed our taxes during nap time, I adjusted our master shower to put out MORE hot water, I earned a gym membership at our local gym, I played basketball with the kids, knocked out lunch, naps and minor transportation and with the help of an amazing husband ALSO got a facial, manicure and pedicure at the end of that knocked out $200 worth of returns at the mall.  So tomorrow when I am feeling unmotivated.... I will accept that.

If you don't like the clothes in your closet -

I really hate taking pictures of myself - especially when you see it right away - I always think, I can't possibly look like that.  Surely its the lighting, angle, camera.  Whatever.  

So here I am.  I took these photos for Chelcy as she is my inspiration for drastic and fun hair cuts.  She wanted a 'before and after'

When I sent her this 'after' photo - she told me not to show my folks for a few week.  When nick saw me, the thought I was Chelcy!

I must report, the bangs are not nearly as annoying as i thought they would be.

So here's why I get to spend some $$ on my hair.  I would like to think I am saving it by cutting the hair of these 3....

Yup, This was the night we cut the curls...

He is a boy!

Shaggy and all

Nice modeling buddy.

Pre-mop

He can see again!

A little uneven - but it will work!

4 blonds and one - whatever she wants to be!  

Keeping a schedule

Just when you thought keeping a schedule wasn't terrible necessary - there was Presidents Day.  We opted for Lifetime pool in the morning, a lunch at the cafe, a nap with momma (while the big kids played in the kids club as requested)

And then.......when you try to do one more thing.....

Yup, here is the carnage at Walmart.  Drew's eyes are closed and obviously Shane is OUT - on the pretzels.  Being at Walmart - no one thought i was crazy.  Expect my mom of course!

My Valentines

Hope your day was filed with lots of love -

Hugs, kisses for these 3

Gak rocks - mustaches too

When Drew isn't around - this is the kind of stuff the big boys love - and momma too.  This was a Saturday afternoon that I BEGGED Chris to take Drew AWAY.  Anywhere.  I love where we live because he popped Drew in the stroller with a beer (for Chris of course) walked Pauli to the pond, came back, dropped off Pauli, and headed to Blue Ridge Grill for another beer and than home via the grocery store.  EVERYONE love it.

Meanwhile, 2 containers of Elmer's glue, some warm water

A little food coloring

Borax as the magic ingredient.....  and its GAK!!

Cleaner than playdough if you ask me.  I love the texture and the boys loved the experiment   Nick keeps asking for more science experiments.  Coming buddy!  This is totally in their 'wheel house' right now - its just carving out time to do it.

Sometimes its just simpler to put on Mustaches

Don't grow up too fast.

16 months, WHAT?

Is it true??  Is it Drew??

16 months++  Yikes, buddy.  

Yes, you have grown.  Now he is walking everywhere and wants to do EVERYTHING himself.  Mr. Independent.

If you can tell from the photo, sometimes his legs 'fail him' and his arms don't react fast enough which means the nose catches the brunt of the fall.  Ah, such is life as a toddler.

I snapped these photos real quick as he looks so grown up

He LOVES to be an only child (and mom enjoys that too) but fact of the matter - he isn't.  So life with his brothers is cool as he is constantly trying to be in the mix.  Whether its dunking a basketball, or trying to race cars.  Drew is right there.  He eating is o.k. (still lots of throwing) but when he is hungry he will eat.

The naps are still sketchy at best.  He popped a tooth this week and that took a 103 degree fever to come through.  Yikes buddy!  That night we were just trying to keep him hydrated - so i want to remember his 11 PM snack of pears in our bed.  We almost thought of keeping him with us to cuddle...  almost...

I also learned how to make Pedilyte - too easy!!

We love you Drew.