October Birthdays!!!

As I promised, here are the October Birthdays:

G.J. Soriano................October 3, 1988
Bill Bailey...................October 3, 1967
Heather Holland.......
Brandon Holland.......October 24, 1973
Roger Holland............October 26, 1951

Someone please help me with Heather's birthday date. Sorry I have misplaced the info.

I Got It!!!

Kim, I need help!!!! My first attempt to do a collage and why the spaces between the pictures and I don't know how to get the "title" off from above the pictures. The words, " Calvin's family" shouldn't be there. That is what I had named the folder when I downloaded the pictures. Oh, well, the pictures are so cute and you can double click them and they will become full-screen. Brianna is Sharee's 10 month old daughter. The girls were so cute together. Notice the expressions on Kamryn's face!!! Just thought everyone-----all 2 of you, that is-----might need a day brightener.

Have a great weekend.

Dortha

Our Company Left

Miss Kamryn

This is Miss Kamryn after her grandmother strapped her into her car seat this morning, she was waving "Bye". She has her own personal DVD player mounted onto the back of the seat in front of her and she is a pretty good traveler. She has clocked up lots of miles as she has traveled with Martha from TX to AR and "regions beyond" all of her 18 months.

Kamryn's favorite thing to do while visiting here was to go up and down the stairs. She hasn't seen any reason or need to talk since she can get what she wants by letting out a little (?) "yell"!!!! She can say "eat" and "night-night". She is a very special little girl and we enjoyed her visit along with her grandmother and great-grandmother. We hope they can come again soon. Dortha

God's Handiwork!!!!

Sunrise in Nixa, MO

Talk about a beautiful sunrise. This is what I saw this morning from my kitchen window. Jan reminds me that it is "her" sky because it is on her side of the street. She has to share, however, because I let her watch my "sunsets"!!!!

This has been another lazy day. Our company left this morning so now this house seems very quiet. We had a nice phone call from Roger. He and Scott are on their way to Boulder, CO for the very important ball game tomorrow. They will return to CA on Sun.

On a sad note, I received word that a very dear friend is losing her battle with cancer. We have been friends since the first day of High School in Searcy, AR-----60 years ago. I visited each year and usually spent the night with her when I went to our Church Homecoming. So sorry that she could not get well. Several of my classmates have passed away. I am reminded all the more that every day, every minute and every breath truly is a gift from God. I am so thankful for the life and the years God has granted to me.

Dortha

Hello Again!!!

KAMRYN

In case you don't recognize this cute little girl, she is Martha's 18 month old granddaughter. She lives in Dennison, TX. Kamryn, Martha and Marie have been visiting us this week. We have had a good, lazy-like visit. Last evening, Ron joined us for dinner along with Jan, Sherlyn and Courtney. Our company will be leaving today and we shall miss them.

Looks as if we are due another perfect Fall day. Not much to complain about these days except that we need more just like them.

No news but I didn't want you to think I had forgotten how to post!!! Just been busy. More later, Dortha

Yes, Kristen, I will!!!

I will pass your message on to your Nana. I did see your braces, in fact, I enlarged your picture full screen and you look very nice with them. I hope they are not too uncomfortable for you. I am so glad you learned to post. I enjoy seeing your name and your Mom's. Your Nana has been so busy lately and her knee hurts a lot, she doesn't get on line every day. She has to work too much and too hard. Take care and keep posting.

This picture is one Anne took while in Australia a few weeks ago.

I love you,

Grandmother

Grandmother can you help me?

Hey grandmother can you help me? I was wanting my favorite Nana to look at our pictures that we have posted the last few days. So can you get your daughter on here, she keeps saying that she wants to see me with my braces on and in my school picture I have my braces on so could you help me please? And Anne that picture is so beautiful I wish I could take beautiful pictures like that, maybe some day if I learn enough I'll be able to take pictures as good as you.

Later Gaters

~Kristen~

This is the Day...

There is nothing special about this day, except that God made today just for us. He thought about the color of the sky, the temperature, and all the smells in the air- and I believe He said "Let me bless them just a little more today- and give them a beautiful day." I hope each of you enjoy today and take from it what He has planned for you.

I've attached Andrew's school picture. As most of you can see, he has grown so much in the last year. He loves the fact that he is taller than his mother! He mentions it every chance he gets. He is so much easier to get up for school in the mornings this year - apparently there are girls at his school... who knew?!?! Andrew is testing this month for his third recommended black belt in Tea Kwon Do. This means he is in the last stage of training before he will test for his 1st degree black belt. He has put in a lot of training in the last two years, so we're pleased to see him reach his goal. Enjoy your day - Darla

Annie's Photography

Taken in Beautiful Hawaii

I am envious of Anne and her talent and knowledge for taking beautiful pictures. We have identical cameras but I never get the unbelievable pictures she does so I am convinced the important factor in great photography is the person behind the camera rather than the camera itself. Oh, well, she is so kind to share, so I will just enjoy her pictures.

We are promised rain today. That is OK. We haven't had any for several weeks. I am realizing a little more each day that Fall is here. Our days are getting so much shorter. Jan has to leave for work while it is still totally dark. Yesterday morning she had to stop for the deer to cross the road at the bottom of our hill.

My love and prayers for each,

Dortha

Just saying HI

Hey just wanted to say hi and see how all of you guys were doing. On Wednesdays I think I told you about my vocal try outs for a group called ''Circle of State''. Unfortunately I didn't make it, but that's okay I still had fun trying. I do though have a playing test over some music in band on Monday or Tuesday. Once I take the test and find out what chair I make I will report back and tell all of you guys.(I'm hoping I get first chair)

~Kristen~

P.S. this is a picture of me, Andrew and our little cousin Logan Mace Earwood(my aunt Steph's youngest child) at my b-day party

Kris' school picture

Hey guys, just thought I would share my beautiful daughter's school picture. Hopefully Andrew will get his next week.

Some of you'll smart people will have to help me out with this one, but I think Tulsa is on the way to Oklahoma City?!?! Just don't ask my brothers; they probably think that it is in Kansas or something! As for Grandmother and Marie - if you girls need a rest stop while you are traveling, then we would love to see you. Safe travels. -Darla

Thanks Kristen!!!!

Joy, Joy, our "blogging" family is growing!! Kristen, you did a great job posting last night. Thank you for including the pictures. Your party looked like a lot of fun---and I wonder who made your pretty cake?? I would guess your talented Mom. Also your music activities sound interesting. It is good that you are making music a part of your life. I will be anxious to hear your play your instrument and sing.

I mentioned a few days ago about a dear friend passing away. Marie, my sister, and I will be traveling to Oklahoma City for Eudell's memorial service on Saturday. Eudell was our closest neighbor while growing up in AR and we have enjoyed a close contact all these years---79, for me. Eudell turned 84 two days before I turned 79 so we had birthdays in common. We will miss her, her calls, her e-mails and her visits.

Thanks again, Kristen for posting. Now we will expect more from you!!!

Your Grandmother

It's me!!!! Finally!!!

I'm so excited my mom showed me how to get on this blog! Now I can talk to you guys all I want... 24/7 - so watch out! This school year I"m taking Band again (flute), and I added Vocal for my other elective. Both of the classes are really cool. I'm hoping to try out for All-Region Band in a couple of months. If I make All-Region, then I get to go to OSU (even though it should be at OU!) and spend the weekend learning new songs and perform in a big concert later. Today we had try-outs in Vocal for Circle of State - which is a music group where we go to concerts and sing. And I'll have more try-outs in Oct. I'm putting a few pics from my birthday that was in August. There's one of me and a couple of friends in the hamock (they're twins by the way) :P The other pic just shows that a birthday girl knows how to have some fun!

Later Gater ~Kris~

Darla & Kim, Thanks!!!

I realize this snowman is a little out of character but I think he is cute!!! Today is a very warm day and a little snow wouldn't be too bad.

Cheers to Darla and Kim!!! You two can go to the head of the class!!! Thanks for your contributions. Your birthday pictures are great, Kim. Looks as if Cole had a fun time. I will look forward to Kristen's picture tomorrow, Darla.

I just needed to acknowledge your postings. Our on-line "family" is growing. At least Darla admits reading so that is encouraging. Now surely she can find 5 minutes a day to say "Hello".

Bye for now,
Dortha

Cole's 2nd Birthday

Cole turned 2 in July, but I'm just getting around to post it. We went to Major Magic's, which is like a Chuck E. Cheese's except with better pizza, cruddier facilities, but fewer rugrats running around. Baylea is holding Cole's ears out - when you do that, he says, "Dopey!"

Make a wish, baby!

He loved skee-ball, but I don't think the ball went far enough even one time. That's okay, I love skee-ball, so I got to play for him.

I think I put about 10 tokens in this one machine. It was his favorite. Cole tries to say 'car', but it comes out 'cow'.

I'm still here!

Sorry I've been away for a few days. I had a business trip to Cincinnati for several days. And then Bill's father has been in the hospital for a couple of day- due to heart problems. Needless to say things have been unusual for the last week. I'll try to get Kris on the computer tonight to post a pic from her birthday. She is very excited.
I love to be able to keep up with everyone, I quickly log-on to check for new pics and posting, all the time now! Grandmother is right- it is very addicting!! It brought a smile to my face to see that cute smile and bright eyes of Maverick! He's adorable, but that isn't a far reach with having such a handsome father and beautiful mother. Until later-Darla

Ole' Glory!!

I feel humbled and thankful each time I look at our beautiful American Flag. It speaks volumes to me reminding me of the many-----my dear husband included----who laid their lives on the line while protecting our freedom. Where would we be without our Military? They deserve our prayers and support. I know it is not easy to leave home and family and the many comforts we take for granted and go to a foreign land where they have little--or NO--comforts and conveniences. We Support you, Troops!!!

I see my daughter posted FOR THE THIRD TIME!!!! Good for her!!!! I feel confident that Ryon and Jessica will be joining our forces soon------that is, if they can understand the instructions I sent to them last night. (Kim, I may refer them to you, if they need further help!!) It will be so good to know more about what is going on in their lives and see more pictures. Ryon tells me they will soon be moving into Orange County which will place them much closer to the rest of his California family.

Well, these "elderly people" don't stay out 'till midnight " EVERY night. Usually it is only Wed. and Sun. nights. That has been our schedule for most weeks since 2000. That is the year we traveled to West Virginia with friends, Hugh and Mary Fenley. After we had checked into our motel rooms (side by side) the first night, here comes Mary and Hugh with a deck of cards in tow. I thought, "Oh, no, this is not going to work!!" Cards had never been allowed in our house and I didn't know how Merrel would react. Well, to my surprise, he fell right in, learned how to play very quickly and is now our greatest threat. We usually play "Hand & Foot", men against the women, and more often than I like to remember, Merrel is the first to finish the game. We have a lot of fun and as Jan said, it seems to be good for our "brains". We have traveled with this couple several times, in fact, the four of us were on our way to Hawaii when the Twin Towers were hit in 2001. We spent 4 days and 3 nights in Dallas, waiting for flights to resume and guess what we did most of that time!!!! If you said, "Played Cards", you would be right.

Enough for today!!! Have a good one.

Dortha

Keep the elderly off the streets late at nite

Hi everyone!

I don't know any news worth telling. Just thought I'd let my mother have something to do besides staying out 'til all hours playing cards!!! I like to tease Mother & Dad about their late night escapades. (Yep--it's midnight when they come home!) But really I'm glad they have friends to socialize with and games to play. (Keeps their brains sharp!)

Ryon, I agree with Mother that it has been fun seeing Mavrik grow up via emailed pics. Can't wait to see you guys.

The washer and dryer are calling my name. For those of you who don't know it, I REALLY do like to do laundry. Of course, I have my own rules everyone has to go by or I don't do theirs!! And I really do have to fold the towels the very same way everytime!

Another thing about me........I have to have God in my daily life. I can't live without Him.
God bless.

Jan

Mr. Sunshine!!!!!

Mavrik James Holland, 8 months old

How can you look at that smile and not smile yourself???? He is quite a little man and growing soooo fast. He looks typical "Californian" with that built-in tan. Thank you for sharing your pictures, Ryon. Even though we haven't seen Mavrik in person yet, we feel we know him as we have followed him from the hospital nursery to this present time via your great pictures. We are anxious to see him and hopefully it will be this December.

We don't need to look at the calendar to know it is Fall time. We have had some made-to-order, typical, Fall days recently. Today we are promised rain but that is OK. We will enjoy these last few days of Summer. All too soon, we will have to adjust to not-so-comfortable colder temps.

Take care, all,

Dortha

God is so Good!!

I am so grateful for the freedom we have to worship. We take so many things for granted and don't dwell enough, perhaps, on the fact that our freedom could be taken from us. There are many in this world who are not free to worship as we are. I appreciate so much our military who put their lives on the line and some even GIVE their lives for our protection. They deserve our prayers and support.

We had a good weekend---good services at our church and a special surprise and treat when Karen and John stopped by for a visit on Saturary. They were on their way from Tulsa to Branson for a little "R & R". It was good to see them. We were surprised to see that John has lost 60 pounds---Doctor's orders as he is scheduled for some serious surgery on Oct. 1st. I know he would appreciate your remembering him in prayer.

Saturary evening we enjoyed a visit from Ron, Vicky and Kim. It was good to spend time with them. Kim & Brett drove back to MI Saturday night. We would be glad if they lived closer so we could see them more often but I understand they are where they need to be for now. Kim spent some time teaching me some new "tricks of the trade". I appreciate all the ways she has walked me through things I didn't understand. The rest of you people probably wish she had not taught me ANYTHING about blogging!!! Too late now!!!!

I love all of YOU!!!!

Dortha