Proud Grandparents

Patricia Ann Winterfield








The Winterfields(Left to Right)

Maria, Kathy, Tim, Patricia, Tom and Tommy








Proud Grandparents









Mutual Admiration Society










Our Granddaughter Patricia graduated from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, yesterday. We (Tom, Tim(her Dad) and I) went to Grand Rapids on Friday. We had a wonderful dinner at a restaurant called the 1913 Room in the Grand Amway Hotel. It was a pretty swanky place and a special treat for Trisha. Saturday was the commencement ceremony. We sat through an hour and a half of name calling so we could hear "our" girl's name called. We are so proud of her.

Patricia is considering joining the Peace Corps. She had a final interview last Monday in Chicago. She is being strongly recommended and
hopefully will be "invited" to join. She will likely be sent to Subsahara Africa to teach science. She has worked so hard to get through school. She did it the hard way, working, taking loans and some help from her family...but mostly she did it on her own. She is so enthusiastic about life. She wants to gain life experience, help others and make this world a better place.

Trisha, Grandpa and I want you to know how much we love you and how proud we are. You are your Grandfather's legacy. He was tearful at your commencement, wondering out loud where the years had gone. You have so much ahead of you. May you succeed in the many adventures that lie ahead of you and may you learn from the ones that don't turn out as planned. And keep in mind that saying , about "things being rearranged for the right outcome."

Grandchildren are the BEST! Until next time....Always, Kathleen

A Visit with Evelyn

Lions and Tiger and Bears...oh boy! A Grandpa Smooch

Sharing a Giggle

Pucker Up!

Has it really been over a month since I've blogged. I guess that shows the

difference in available free time between

Florida and Michigan.

We arrived home on Saturday 4/4/09 and one hour after our arrival, this little pumpkin showed up at my door. We had five wonderful days together.

Evelyn now knows more about her zany Grandma. She heard me sing our "Zoo Song" at least 6 times each day she was here. Now I call and have Lara put me on speaker phone so she will continue to hear my voice and know "our song". After the first few words she bounces on her parents laps, or on the floor or in her chair. She claps too. She likes "our song". We visited the zoo while she was here and it will become a part of many more visits to Grandma's house. She now owns a pink baseball cap that says "Detroit Zoo" and her own divided plate and a bowl stating the same and decorated with numerous zoo animals.

I also taught her how much fun it is to sing and dance and twirl in Grandma's arms. She laughed, actually giggled and had me short of breath. What aerobic exercise I would get having this child around me on a more regular basis. I will do anything to make her smile and hear her laugh. Ask the grownup kids how their Mother acted at the Zoo. Zany!

And of course, Grandpa got his kisses in. It's such fun to watch Tom so delighted to win a smile or a vocal response from her. They had their cuddle time in Grandpa's chair and she passed him a crumpled sheet of paper...back and forth, back and forth.

What a delight she is.

Until next time....always, Kathleen