Colyer World

You know Emily

and Max,

and Kedryn

and Brynn,

Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen,
But do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Had a very shiny nose,
And if you ever saw it,
You could even say it glows.
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah …

We had a wonderful Christmas in California this year with my dad, sister Suzanne, niece Brynn & nephew Kedryn. This was the third Christmas without my mom and the first Christmas with us all together since her passing. The chaos & craziness of 4 little munchkins running around certainly provided diversion and prevented us from sitting down for a minute & dwelling on it. No time for sitting with these crazies. Nonetheless, her presence was there and she certainly was on our minds during the holidays as she is every day.

One of Emily’s requests from Santa was nail polish! Boy was she thrilled to find it in her stocking and Papa Dave was happy to paint her fingernails and toes!!

She also received a pretty lavender long sleeve Ariel shirt from Aunt Denise, Uncle Paul, Kyle & Alexis

And a beautiful doll named Marianne from The Oma & Grandpa Dale which Brynn quickly took an interest in

Another highlight for Emily were princess & castle decals for her room from Auntie SuzyQ & Papa Dave. SuzyQ & Brynn took the time to put them up for her and she was thrilled to walk into her new Princess Room!

Max’s only request from Santa was a marble track!!! He was over the moon to receive not only one, but TWO marble tracks!!! He couldn’t get enough of playing marbles!

Papa Dave showing Max & Kedryn how to use the new race car track. The boys loved it!

Brynn was happy to receive a pink Hello Kitty purse and a pretty scarf from The Oma! She actually wore the scarf while ice skating in Tahoe! It was more of a designer, decorative scarf than a winter scarf, but Brynn didn’t seem to care! She wore it with flare!

Brynn with her new panda pillow pet from Emily & Max which she named “Oreo”

Perlar Beads were plentiful and also a huge hit with the kids! Kedryn with a fish that I made for him which he named “Q” after his mama! Ahhhhhhhhh!

Papa Dave, Max & Emily with a gift of Petit Fours from Uncle Frank. The kids were anxious to try their first petite four.

We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with family & friends. Here’s to a fun & fabulous 2011!

I remember my mom every day, but on this day in particular.  This was the day, two years ago, that she was freed from the pain of ovarian cancer that inevitably took her life.  Although I feel immobolized at times with sadness, it also brings back incredibly strong wonderful memories of a person that lives on through me, my dad, my sister, her sister and many many others.

Mom & Dad

Mom & Suzanne

Mom, Brynn & me

Grandma Jane & Brynn

Grandma Jane, Kedryn & Suzanne

Nana & Max (she asked for my kids to call her “Nana”)

Meeting Emily Luisa for the first time (July 2007)

Mom, her sister (Margie), niece (Kim), & nephew (Jeff)

Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Lake City, Colorado

Emily Jane celebrating Emily Luisa’s 1st Birthday (July 22, 2008) in Los Gatos, California

She traveled from Pennsylvania to California even though she wasn’t feeling well and put up a good front

In memory of a wonderful mom to me & Suzanne, a loyal & loving wife to my dad, a generous & giving Grandma/Nana to Brynn, Kedryn, Max & Emily, a kind & caring sister to Margie, a special Aunt, an honest, true friend to many and a best friend to those lucky few.  Today and every day you remain a strong presence in my life and will always remain in my heart. 

Papa Dave, Auntie Suzy Q, Uncle Scott, Brynn, Kedryn, Max, Emily & I piled in my dad’s van and drove to The Land of Little Horses in Gettysburg on Wednesday, June 23rd. 

Grandma Orlie & my parents use to take my sister & I there when we were young and I have such wonderful fond memories of the place.

It was the place where my love of horses began

and a special place that I wanted to share with Max & Emily.

Brynn & Emily watching the Arena Show

Emily riding a tractor

My girl

Kedryn

Brynn hugging a darling miniature horse

Papa Dave pulling the crazies to the pony/horse ride area

Emily riding Scout

Max riding Scout

Cowgirl Brynn

Max & Kedryn with rosey cheeks

Cooling off with an ice cream cone

I have to chuckle a little bit.  Papa Dave took all 4 grandkids to the Gift Store afterwards and told them they could pick out anything they wanted.  The store was mostly filled with horse related gifts as you can imagine.  Emily chose a small purple ball and Max chose two small hamsters?!?!  HUH?!?!  There were stuffed horses, beautiful Breyer horses, horse games, horse clothing, horse everything!!  A Hamster?  A Ball?  I don’t get it!    LOL!

The kids hit the pool first thing once arriving back to Suzanne’s house!

Brynn & Emily having fun in the cool pool

Kedryn

Emily

Kedryn in flight

Brynn & Scott

Miss Brynn & Miss Emily

Kedryn

Brynn

Papa Dave & Max

Emily floating around in her ring