May

May 2025

Well, a lot of May was covered in the posts about graduation and my Utah trip, but here are a few more happening with the Gwilliam fam. 

May 2025

My "work" days with Gram are going well. I find I'm better with my time on other days of the week, because I know Tuesdays and Fridays are taken. It's really fun for me and Gram when family or friends drop by. It helps break up the day and provides something new. Kerry stopped by with his grandbaby, Olivia at the same time Britney and the girls were over. Perfect! Gram lights up when a baby is in the room and loves getting to hold them.

She loves her baby dolls as well and is a good momma to them. This pink phone really works. I think she was talking to Alma at the time. Gram was going back to her early days by taking care of babies and getting a little visiting in at the same time. She was a pro.

This picture makes me happy. My mom was loving on one of her babies when it was time for church, so the baby came. I glanced over one time in Sunday School and she was cuddling her. I looked over again and apparently it was my dad's turn!

Tanner started a new job. He is now working at Ann American with Adam Bird. He's a goofball. He got his new hard hat, steel toed boots, and safety glasses and wore them over to Sunday family dinner. Erin said he also played Xbox with them on. He will be selling nuts and bolts and starts training in June after their cruise.

Kaide and I were walking to Gram and Grandpa's one day, and we ran into Grandpa riding his e-bike.

Our Elders Quorum went all out to help the women feel loved and celebrated on Mother's Day. They took over Primary classes and had a yummy breakfast in the cultural hall.  I was in Utah, but here is a picture of Erin, Ang and my mom.

He let me read him a book. Miracle!

Braddock, Hudson, Brit, Erin, Oliva, Courtney, Ella, Maci and Aubrey

Memorial day swim party and Gram and Gramps. Grandpa bought chicken strips and rolls from Bush's Chicken for the group, and Brit and I brought sides. The Chris Vore's were on one last family vacation before they leave for their three year mission, so it was a smaller group.

Dad, Brit & Adam

Ella, Kaide, Maci, Aubrey, Char and Braddock

Kaide and Papa played lots of b-ball in the pool.

Aub and friends have jumped on the junk journaling trend. I like seeing them happily creating and chatting together.

Parker, Maci & Aubrey

We got to have Kaide for three days while his parents went on a cruise. Brian, Aubrey and I LOVED having that much time with him. He was living the good life too because he had three very willing adults at his beck and call all weekend long. He got to play Play-Doh, go on walks, do the jumper, play with Bird cousins, do football, basketball and ping pong, dig in the dirt etc. He was also great to quietly play by himself. Thankfully, he is a great sleeper too. He had rest time or nap time everyday and went right to sleep each night. 

He was pretty sure morning workouts were the best. It reminded me of trying to workout at home when the kids were little. They would bring their toys, sit on me, want to use the weights...it got complicated.

Brinley-about 1 year old

Kaide was thrilled to get a video of his mama talking to him and showing him the ship.

We had him Saturday, Sunday and Monday. When he got up Monday morning, he pointed to the couch and asked, "where is Papa go?"  I told him Papa was at work, and he nodded. Then his face got cloudy and he asked, "Dadda at work?" I reminded him that his dadda was on a big ship, and then I distracted him a bit. 

And then at breakfast, I asked him, "are you ready to take a bite?" His response: "I ready to go to Birds. See Charlotte and Hudson." We have Sunday night (our weekly extended family gathering) at the Bird's house on Sunday nights. He was ready to be with cousins, jump on the tramp, and play soccer with Hudson (his 15 year old 1st cousin once removed.)

Later, he asked Aubrey to set a timer. She said, "Okay, I'll set a 20 minute timer on my phone." Then Kaide asked hopefully, "Timer rings, we go to Birds?" Tricky boy! Britney heard about all of his requests and told me I better bring that boy over! We did and he had so much fun with Charlotte, Ella and Hudson.

One morning, without me knowing, he slipped into Aubrey's room and woke her. She groggily opened her eyes and said hello. Kaide pointed to the floor and said, "Off." Only he could get away with that! Aubrey got up and they played with her digital camera, and then she watched him do the jumper.

He's the sweetest boy, and it was fun having him here for several days in a row.

Parker sent some fun pictures. He is on a mud volleyball team. Check out that sunset too.

He went to Minnesota to a friend's cabin and was able to go on a fishing expedition. He loves being outdoors. 

Like father like son! Erin and I took Kaide to the children's museum in Midland. He had a blast checking out all of the fun areas: construction zone, giant Lite Brite wall, gas station with kid cars, outdoor music area, interactive projected game on the floor, toddler room etc...

Erin is such a good mamma. She is patient and loving and teaches Kaide about his world everyday. I'm grateful she is part of our family.

Kaide kept being silly when I was trying to get a picture of them together.

He loved the outdoor music garden. It took us a bit to make it to our car. Erin sent a few pictures to our family group chat and Parker responded, "So many good memories at that place" and Tanner texted, "Fr (for real) I loved that place" Those two comments seriously made my day. I have fond memories from our time at the Children's Museum of the Southwest, and I felt so fulfilled that they did too.