James Mark Mast ~ My dinosaur loving grandson!

As you know I'm in the process of making each of our 14 grandchildren a quilt.   When James said he wanted a dinosaur quilt I hardly knew where to begin.  It wasn't long before I found a bed sheet at the thrift store covered with dinos.

That was my jumping off point.   I pieced the names of different dinos around the border using scraps the color of that particular dino on the bed sheet.   Then when it came to quilting it I double stuffed the dinos and machine quilted fairly close to puff up the dinos.

The backing was a blast to make.   James favorite is a styracosaurus so I pieced a really big one on the back.

I told James his quilt was stitched full of love.  It melted my heart when I overheard him telling someone that "Grandma stitched it full of love".

So today I decided I had better add a visual of that love.

I machine quilted some hearts in the body of one.  I even let James sit on my lap and make three of the hearts.  We decided to outline the ones he did so they wouldn't get mixed up.

Looking closer I realized he put little smiley faces in his three hearts.

Our trip to Michigan!

I believe it's been close to a year since we've been out to Michigan to visit our oldest son Israel and his family. 

 

Merle, a family friend, made the trip with us.  The children loved hearing him sing.

When did my grandchildren grow up so fast?

Here is Shad, our oldest grandchild, riding his uncle's motorbike.

Misty making a wonderful lunch for us.  Fresh fried veggies in tortilla's with cheese.

 Grant has his own lawn mowing business.  He makes the mower payments.  Mows his folks place for free and then picks up other mowing jobs to make the payments!

   

Little River Joy was a real source of entertainment for us all!  I loved getting to know this bundle of joy better!

She loved copying her sister and trying to climb the chain.

What fun getting a horsey ride from daddy.

Learning the fine art of machine quilting with her grandma!

It was Summer, Amber and Autumn's job to keep the raspberries picked.  

 

Oh my were they good!

River checking out her grandpa.

Summer all snug in her top bunk with the quilt and pillows I made for her this past year.

No, we didn't plan on color coordinating with our sewing project.  I'm feeling rather old having a grandchild so much taller then me.

Misty practicing machine quilting for the summer throw we are making.

 

Jessica cutting and making the cute-ist cloth napkins that I've ever seen.

Life is so full at this Yoder house!  Lots of work, laughter and love  going on!

One evening we took a ride to go see their longhorn cattle.

"Outstanding in his field!"

 

These cattle are all grass fed.  He sent us home with some of the best meat you'll ever get!   Thanks Israel.

You guys are so special.   Thanks for all the extra work you did to make our visit so dear.

Travis Luke Yoder

Welcome into our world little Travis Luke Yoder!
We love this little fellow so much already.

Our youngest son Timothy, Diana and their precious new wee one.

Last evening I made supper for them.  Diana asked if we would join them.  We took Grandma Yoder with us so she could hold her newest great-grandchild.

~ Four Generations ~

Jeremy and Cheryl joined us as well, anxious to see and hold this new nephew and cousin.

It was a quick trip for Jeremy and Cheryl.  They wanted to visit Ariel's grave before heading back to Baltimore. 

We had a little time to swing the boys before they headed out.

"Push me high Grandma!"

Last week Mark and I were able to take a 24 hour excursion.  For Christmas Mark bought us tickets to "Celtic Women", a concert in Baltimore.    After the concert we had  ~Bed-n-Breakfast~  with Jeremy's before heading over to Fort McHenry.    We both love history and wanted to see the fort where the Flag flew that Francis Scott Key was inspired to write our National Anthem.

This is the spot where the original flag was raised the  morning after the British retreated.  Since it was a windy day and calling for rain they flew a much smaller flag.  A guide told us the original would of been down to that first jut out piece.

On our way home we drove on down to Annapolis, MD and had lunch on the waters edge.

Also took in an hour boat ride before heading home.    What a wonderful little 24 hour excursion with my man.   Thanks honey for the great Christmas gift.

Life at the Yoder House

Now don't you think that my grandson Isaiah looks like my baby picture?

This past week-end was filled to the brim with company.    Friday noon my sister Barbara came for a day and night.   She taught a quilt class on Saturday in Bowie, MD so she  came the day before and we sewed from noon till night!  She left early on Sat.

Barbara's son Ben and wife Malissa came Friday evening and stayed with us through Sunday.   They came to Delaware for Doug and Kelly Roots wedding.    Here they are practicing for a few songs they played at the reception.

Chris and Alicia also played at the wedding. 

We took care of Isaiah while his mommy and daddy played before the wedding.  They sure know how to dress him up!

Then Saturday evening my niece Javonne and husband Jeremy came for the night.   They were taking in the Nascar race in Dover the next day.  Javonne is my oldest sister June's girl.   Loved having you here Javonne and Jeremy.  Be sure and come again.

 

Sunday most of the family came in for the day.   Ethan and Queena are moving to North Carolina for an extended period of time to be at the Wycliffe Headquarters.  Dorie suggested to Holly that we gals have a tea party on the porch.

I never turn a tea party down.

Now stay tuned for some baby news!!!!   It won't be long now for Timmy and Diana!