Playing Catch-Up

I think it's past time for an update on this blog. All two of my readers are probably wondering what's up over here.

We had a great Christmas. It was at my house this year. We had my parents, siblings and the offspring of almost all. The only people missing were my sister, Verlaine, and two of my grandchildren. We had ages from 90 years old,(my Dad) to 1 month old (Baby Patrick)and everything in between. It was Patrick's first Christmas, and I was so busy holding him that I forgot to take very many pictures, but here are a few.

My son Ryan is back in school at Fresno State University majoring in Marine Biology. Because of his interest in this field, he has chosen to become a volunteer at the Aquarium in Monterey. He had a meeting to go to on Jan 5th, so I went with him and we spent a couple of nice, lazy days there. First we went on the 17 mile drive. I hadn't been in several years, and Ryan had never been. It was foggy in Fresno when we left, but it was the most beautiful weather you could ever order up when we got to Monterey. It was sunny and cool, but not cold. Perfect! We stopped at Spanish Bay and had a picnic lunch, then continued on the 17 mile drive. By then it was getting dusk and Ryan had to be at his meeting. While he was in his meeting, I walked around the wharf and Cannery Row taking photos. It still was not freezing cold, and it was nice to walk around. The next day, we went to Pacific Grove and just wandered about taking pictures. We also went to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary there in Pacific Grove. We saw lots of butterflies flitting around in all their beauty. Here is a slide show of those two days.

Last Saturday, I went to Nathaniel's wrestling tournament. It had been raining all week before, but that day it was not. The rain had washed the skies clean and you could see the mountains very clearly. It was a gorgeous day!

Patrick was 2 months old on January 21st. He had his 2 month appointment last Monday. He weighed 16 pounds, 15 ounces (1 ounce shy of 17 lbs.) and was 25 1/2 inches long. Needless to say, he is a BIG BOY!!! I knew he was huge. My arms were aching for quite a while after holding him a good bit on Saturday. Here are a few pictures from that day.












Nathaniel turned 10 on Dec. 21st, Alayna turned 4 on Jan 1st, Mom turned 83 on Jan 10th,and Caleb turned 6 on Jan 20th. And time marches on....

This is cool.....Enjoy

This and That

It's a busy time of year. Do I hear an "Amen"?

I've been so busy, I haven't even bought ONE Christmas present. Don't worry, I will. I'm a Grandma and "Auntie" I have four grandchildren and two little nieces that I would NOT disappoint!

Here's what I've been doing......

Cuddling baby Patrick.




Decorating my house, and getting it ready for Christmas. We will be having family Christmas at my house this year.




Taking pictures of the moon...(and the next door neighbor's house).





Walking Christmas Tree Lane and taking pictures.

But, for the last several days facial tissue has been my best friend. I have a horrible cold/bronchitis/pneumonia bug raging. (Well, ok, probably not pneumonia.) I really think I may sneeze or cough a lung up soon, though. I cannot go shopping until I get over this. If I have to, I will find some elves to help. I go to the doctor tomorrow to see if I'll live...

Hope you all are having a great Holiday Season! (Please pray for me.)

HE'S HERE!

After 34 hours of labor, Patrick Aaron Doherty finally made his entrance into the world today at 6:09 P.M.







He weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds, 10 ounces and was 22 5/8 inches long. He has a head full of hair. At first his hair looked really dark, but after it was washed you can see that it is actually a light brown...for now. He is very alert and has had no trouble latching on for his food, for which he started begging almost immediately! (Just like his Daddy, this little boy.)




We are so thankful that Mommy was actually able to finally deliver this precious one, without tearing or even an episiotomy. They were being very careful with the pitosin, trying not to overstimulate her uterus since Nathaniel was born by C-section. That was one month away from being 10 years ago, so she really wanted to try having a VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean) this time. It didn't look good there for a while, but then finally, there he was. They will probably get to go home tomorrow. Baby and company are doing great!

We give a great big THANK YOU to all of you who were praying. We really appreciate the prayers. This Grandma is exhausted and is going to bed now!




One side note: This is rather special to me. Today would have been my Grandfather's 105th birthday, so Patrick and Rev. Jesse Hawthorne share the same birthday. I love it!

Not Here, Yet

As the above ledger says, "I should be here by now", but he's not. Typical stubborn boy, don't you think?

At the last doctor's appointment, the decision was made to induce labor this coming Friday, 20th if he had not arrived before that. When talking to Aaron and Candice today, they may change that plan. They made an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow, and will decide then if they will go ahead and induce on Friday, or give the little bugger a few more days to decide on his own.

I sure wish he would hurry up!! I am so anxious to meet him!

Baby Shower

He's due in about 3 weeks, but we all know that he'll be here when he decides he's ready to see this world.

His name will be Patrick Aaron Doherty. When his Daddy, Aaron, was a little boy, he would say that when he grew up this was the name he would name his son. He is getting his wish. I like it and I can't wait to meet the baby who will receive this name. Another grandson. It's a good thing I like boys!

We had his baby shower this weekend. It was exciting to think of him actually using all of the goodies that he got.

Mommy (Candice) is feeling ready anytime he is....





The cake was sooo cute! It was actually a lot of cupcakes.










G.G. (Great Grandma) made him several blankets, hats and booties and a bunting. They were adorable.









He received a lot of wonderful gifts. We are all anxiously awaiting his arrival!

The Wedding

She was from the West Coast, he from the East Coast.

She from the North, he from the South.

She from Canada, he from the United States.

But, God in His divine providence brought them together in a land of paradise.

The most important page in this storybook union of Joyce McCoy and Tim Smith will be turned on September 19, 2009.

This is the way their wedding invitations read.

It all began in June, 2006 on the Single Adult Ministry trip to Hawaii. This is where they met, and long distance dating began. She visited him, he visited her, many phone calls and computer conversations happened.

In November 2008, on the beautiful coast of Florida, he proposed, and she said yes! They immediately applied to immigration for the proper paperwork for her to move to South Carolina. It took until July 2009 for everything to be approved. She moved to South Carolina with just a month to finalize the wedding plans.

Because Tim and I had been best of friends for several years, I was asked to be a bridesmaid in the wedding. It was my honor to stand up with two of the best people on earth.

The wedding was beautiful. The reception was "Hawaiian" themed since that is where they met.

Enjoy the pictures of the wedding.