Trimming Time Again...

Spent the entire day at the vineyard today... it's trimming time. Hopefully, the lack up crop due to last year's April freeze will mean a great harvest this year. And by the looks of the piles of trimming we're accumulating, it will be. Some say the amount of wood you cut away can be weighed to predict the coming harvest. We've never tried it, but all the while I was out there today I kept thinking, "Please don't let the buds freeze again... or the drought come again!" We've haven't had a full crop since we put in the 2nd acre of grapes, so I am hoping against hope that we can see that this year at long last! It would be nice. No photos...just the sound of clippers clipping, wind blowing, and the sun shining. Can spring be too far away?

Sydney Comes to Dinner

Last night, Sydney and her parents came over for dinner. This was a deliciously relaxing LONG weekend for us. Three-day weekends are the BEST! They are almost as good as snow days for unwinding... In my book, any work week without a Monday is worth cheering for!

This photo was taken by my son-in-law, Nathan, who is one superbly talented photographer! When I look at it I just want to know "What is that little girl thinking?!"

A Morning Spent at a Rally

Had an interesting day.... Got up early today and went to south St. Louis for a John Edwards Rally. While the man is currently running a distant 3rd in the Democratic primary races, he has some very interesting ideas about what America could be if it lived up to its true ideals. I find his willingness to confront the machine of corporate America refreshing... I hope more people will take the time to hear what he has to say. I was fascinated to watch him one-on-one talking with citizens from the crowd who wanted to say a few things to him. He listened to them with focus and took the time to respond to them and then listen some more.

Sydney Gets Visitors!

Grandma Carol Jameson and I show off Rhylah (3 mos) and Sydney (8 days).

Rhylah:"Okay, Sydney, it's my daddy with the big camera again! Just wave and smile and he'll go away."
Sydney:"Got it! Hey, you're right; this photo shoot stuff is a piece of cake!"

It's been a whirlwind of a week. However, this weekend was extra special! Sydney got visitors from the West and the North. Leon's mom arrived on Friday to get her first chance to cuddle with her first grandchild and then Aunt Kate and all Sydney's cousins arrived to admire her on Saturday!

What fun! Lot's of photos by Uncle Nathan ensued and he was good enough to share some with me. I'll have more to go up in the days ahead!Cousins Sydney and Rhylah already look like they are putting their ideas together for how to outfox Gabriel and Asher.... watch out, guys... there's girl power in the family now too!

Day 4: Changing Each and Every Day!

Every day brings new and better things with little Sydney Grace. She's been home for 48 hours now and everyone is doing great! I am having 3 days of "prime grammy time"! It's wonderful!The photos tell the whole story... so just enjoy!

More Joy in the New Year!!!

January 3rd was a very special day in our family. We welcomed our newest grandchild, Sydney Grace Jameson, into the world! She arrived a bit by surprise at 5:14pm... all 7#2oz. and 20.5 in. of her!!! She had been "scheduled" for next week... but this little lady has a mind all her own when it comes to schedules. (We'll have to see if that continues as she grows up... hmmm....)

Everyone is doing great! Gretchen and Leon are loving every minute of cuddling with their little girl. From the top of her fluffy little head (dark hair!) to her cute little toes... we love every inch of her!

Papa Staude holds his newest grandbaby.

Look at those fluffy brown curls!

The happy Jameson family!

Cocoa is MAGIC!

One of the most fun things we did while our grandkids visited us was taking Gabriel ice skating at Steinberg Rink in Forest Park. There we discovered the magical powers of COCOA! Gabe started out clinging to Papa and the side rails... and after one exhausting trip around the rink which took easily 30 minutes, he GOT IT! Then, after a "cocoa break" - he went back out onto the ice and he REALLY got it! My grandson can now ice skate! It was SO much fun!