Testing, stand by. more to come.

WHAT A BUSY LIFE

I have said it before, my oh my how time flies. I often thought about updating this blog, but somehow I never got to it. So there are lots of things to cover to bring us up to date. Going back to the Christmas season brings back many recent memories. It was a little hectic as usual, but somehow we were able to keep the reason for the season first. Christmas day brought the family over to our house for breakfast and the gift exchange. Hannah and Rachel read the Christmas story from the Bible. Our focus this year was the angels, specifically their advice to "fear not". Grandma Sharon related a time she was afraid, and Grandpa Pete told of an incident during the war when he waws under fire from the Japanese soldiers, and afraid. We discussed how the angels told the shepherds to not be afraid as they were confronted by the angels, and how that message applies to us today, that we should not be afraid but rely on God and Jesus to protect us and give us courage to get over the things that make us afraid. I thought about that I thought about how frightened I would be even today if suddenly confronted by the heavenly hosts. This year was pretty special as the triplets had figured out that the brightly wrapped packages contained special toys and clothes.

Each of the triplets' personalities is totally different from their siblings, so it is quite interesting to watch how they handle the different events. We have learned that what one does, the other two will want to do also, but if one rejects something, then the other two will also reject the same thing. So, it is important to know which one will try new foods, because if that one takes the food the other two will also. This also applies to trying on new clothes, and other activities. Nicklaus has become quite a train and hot wheels car fan. He got a wood train layout on a table for Christmas and spends hours pushing the little wooden train cars around the layout on the wood grooved tracks. Gracie continues to be the motherly type. She loves to play with dolls and calls them her babies. It is not unusual to see her walking around carrying a doll wrapped in a blanket. Madie is still the loner. She often plays by herself, although she does join in when the activities seem interesting to her. Madie likes to look at books, and also tries to play with Nicklaus' cars and trains, but thast usually creates a fight, as the word is don't mess with Nicklaus' cars or trains. It is interesting how each of the triplets has adopted one of us to be their favorite. Even though we make every effort to give each of them an equal amount of time and attention, Gracie has decided that Sharon is her gamma, Nicklaus says that I am his grampa, and Madie has become Daddies girl.

Breanna, Hannah and Rachel all need to be mentioned. The girls are growing up so fast. Breanna started attending Orange Lutheran High School this past fall, and is making a good transition into high school. She sings in the school junior choir, and is talking about trying out for the school soccer team next semester. Hannah continues to amaze with her knowledge, and Rachel, although the youngest of the three, is constantly trying to be as "old" as her older sister. The girls make life pretty interesting for us.

New Years eve we had family over to play board games, and of course watched the parades and football games on New Years day. January was pretty hectic for us. Sharon and Christy take walks nearly every day, walking through the neighborhoods around our area, pushing the triplets in their strollers. One day they saw a new for sale sign on a house about 3 blocks from our house and brought home a flyer for Brian and Becky to see. The next thing we knew Brian and Becky had purchased the house. Brian, Becky and the girls moved in with us so that their old house in Garden Grove could be emptied making painting the house easier. Becky's mom, Sharon and I, and Brian and Becky spent the better part of a week getting their old house painted and some minor repairs made. They then put their old house up for sale and sold it the first weekend it was for sale. Sionce then they have moved into their new house which is about twice the size of their old house. The new house has a pool and RV parking for our travel trailer. Hannah and Rachel are very excited because they have nice big rooms and a seperate area for studying and playing.

Just one more tidbit about the triplets. Led by Nicklaus, they have recently decided tht it was time to start using the potty instead of soiling pampers. Nicklaus is the leader, and often does not soil a pamper all day. The girls are a little behind, but making progress. Their vocabulary is also increasing daily, again, Nicklaus is the leader, although once Madie starts, she is hard to quiet. So there is a short version to bring you up to date. Have attached some pictures taken at Christmas time for you to enjoy. I will try to do the next update a little sooner, but no promises.

WOW, IT'S DECEMBER ALREADY

KING MADELINE GETTING READY TO TRICK OR TREATKING NICKLAUS CHECKING THE FIT OF HIS CROWN

KING GRACE PLOTTING HER NEXT ADVENTURE

Well, I can't believe that December 1 is just around the corner, which will be followed by Christmas and then the New Year. The above photos are of the triplets in their Halloween costumes which were made by Grandma Sharon. Unfortunately Sharon and I were in Europe at the time, so we did not get to see them go Trick or Treating. But as you can see from the photos, they looked cute as ever. How could anyone resist giving them lots of candy? Sharon had quite a time getting the triplets to try on the costumes as she was sewing them. We have learned that if we want them to do something, we have to figure out which one of the three will do what we want, and then get that one to do it. If we approach the wrong triplet and get a rejection, then the other two are sure to follow and like their sibling, rejct whatever it is we want them to do. But, if one of the three does what is asked or desired, then the other two will go along with the program. Since Grace likes to dress up and look pretty, we had her try on her costume first, and then got the other two to try their costumes on with minimal resistance.

All three are talking more and more each day, and doing so in understandable english, not their own triplet language which is what they were previously using to communicate with each other. Nicklaus and Madeline can count to 5, and feel like they really accompished something when they do so. Sometimes I have problems understanding what is being said, which really frustrates them, especially Nicklaus. This Christmas should be lots of fun and I suspect a bit frustrating.

Well, that is the quick update. Christy and Steve certainly have their hands full.

Bernd

JULY A MONTH OF BIRTHDAYS

Grandma Alma enjoying cake for her 94th Birthday

Grandma Alma getting help from Madeline opening presents

Blow out the candles, Grandma

Grandma Alma with one of her birthday presents

July 2010 is history as I write this, and what a month it was. The month started with Grace, Madeline and Nicklaus celebrating their second birthday, and ended with Grandaughter Rachel celebrating her eighth birthday. In between we celebrated Breanna's fourteenth and Grandma Alma's ninety-fourth birthdays. The highlight was Grandma Alma's, as it is not every day that we celebrate someone's 90th plus birthday. The family went to the board and care home where Grandma lives, taking her presents and cake with us. She received cards and letters from friends which were read to her. She has a hard time keeping focused on things, so it is hard to know if she understood the cards and letters, but in any case she said it was her best birthday party ever. Her cake did NOT have 94 candles, as that would have set off the fire alarms, but was still enjoyed by all, especially little Nicklaus who kept begging for cake until a piece was cut for him. Once he got his piece of cake all was quiet, and he gave Grandma a big smile of thanks for having a birthday so he could have some cake.

Breanna and Rachel each celebrated their birthdays during our Monday evening family nights. A family tradition has been that each birthday person gets to select their favorite meal for their celebration, including their favorite dessert, and each did. Grandma Sharon's Texas Sheet cake seem to be everyone's favorite, so that was what was had several times in July. Next month we celebrate Grandma Sharon's birthday and before that Sharon and I will be off on an Alaska Cruise celebrating her brother Bill and Sister-in-law's 25th Anniversary. Time for a little relaxation and I am looking forward to it.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE TWO YEARS MAKES

MADELINE GIVING GRANDMA SHARON HER SERIOUS LOOK

NICKLAUS PLAYING MAYBE IF I CLOSE MY EYES I WON'T HAVE TO OBEY

NICKLAUS JUST HAPPY AND IN THOUGHT - WHEN CAN I GO OUTSIDE TO PLAY?

GRANDMA, THIS IS A FUNNY AS I CAN LOOK SAYS GRACE

OR MAYBE THIS IS FUNNIER, GRANDMA, CAN'T YOU PHOTOGRAPH MY BETTER SIDE?

The above photos were taken a week after their second birthday. If you go back to earlier posts on this blog you can see their progression. Well, we are all expecting the terrible twos, or is it threes?? We do have three, maybe then it will be the threes in their terrible twos???? Confused, I am. Grandpa Bernie

MORE JAMAICA PHOTOS

Brian and Becky enjoying dinner and maybe some Jamaican Rum

Breanna and Deanna enjoying their dinner.

Nicklaus getting into the spirit of fun in the wading pool.

Madeline and mom enjoying the cool evening dinner show.

Rachel loving her cousin Nicklaus who is thinking about what he can get into next.

OUR JAMAICA PHOTOS

We made it to Jamaica, looks like we have enough luggage to last a while
Madeline and Grace are having a blast splashing their dad.
Hannah with her Jamaica cornrolls.
Rachel also got her hair done Jamaica style.

Nicklaus trying to tell Rachel about the water.