Well, it's quiet around here now.  I much prefer the little noises we have been blessed with the past few days.  I am getting better at letting them go.  I really have no say in it.  I sure do enjoy the time we get to spend with our grandboys.  Magnus always lights up my life - even when he is sort of naughty.  :)   I know he just didn't remember to know better.  :)  Oliver is so good when he is here - or anywhere!  He only demands ( and in a not-so-demanding way ) that his basic needs of food and dryness be met.  That's all.  He is very alert and changes every time we see him.  

I can't wait until February when I will get to go to PA and visit them again.  (This time I will be prepared with MANY socks!)  I am very grateful that his parents allow me to visit.  They are very busy young people.  

We measured Magnus on the growth wall.  He had grown quite a lot since this summer.  Must be all that "milker" he drinks!  

He will be fun this summer.  I hope we can keep him for a week again.  You never know how that will go, however.  Little people have their own ideas about staying away from home and mommy and daddy -and now little brother, too!  He was very good last year.  Of course the pool does help my case! 

I want to take him camping a few times this coming summer.  He will love Lake Michigan.  Our Hersha family camping is at Harrison Lake near Fayette, Ohio this year.  Maybe Magnus can come camping with us then, too.  Maybe he can bring his family!

Well, since it is so boring here without my little people, I guess I should finish cleaning my bedroom.  I made good progress earlier today, now I just need to put away the towels I folded on the bed!  (I should probably do that before it is time for using the bed....)

Thanks for visiting ... we already miss you - but I know you are (or will be) glad to be back in your own house and in your own bed.  And of course there are the new toys that Santa left that you didn't get to play with very much before you had to leave...

More Christmas

We had a very Merry Christmas!  Aunt Michelle and Uncle Erik played outside in the snow with Magnus for a long time.  I think Aunt Michelle is having the most fun of all!

Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family.  We were especially fortunate to have Pam and Christopher bring Magnus and Oliver to spend time with us.  They are precious gifts from heaven!

Oliver at Two Months

Pam sent us new images of Oliver.  Our littlest man is two whole months old now and growing way too fast.  I can't wait until Thanksgiving to get to snuggle with those cheeks again!

Sweet Little Oliver

Oliver is growing like a little dandilion.  He was such a good little guy while we were at his house.  He is a little snuggle-bunny (or lion) and didn't care who he snuggled with, which was nice for us visitors.  He does like to make sure his mommy is nearby, however - and so did we!  Thanks for sharing him!

This is my jack-o-lantern...

Magnus was really excited that he had a pumkin.  When we got there, he had it hid under a laundry basket.  He was keeping it safe for the carving it would receive before he went trick-or-treating the next day!

Jack-O-Lanterns and Wooly Worms

Magnus was very excited to have his very own carved pumkin with a candle in it!  Then at the park, we discovered a (somewhat dead) wooly worm that he had to show his daddy.  Oliver was golden and enjoyed a long nap while his brother ran off some energy - mostly of Aunt Chelle's!

Trip to Highland Park

We visited the park where Magnus gets to play.  It is a very nice place for him to interact with kids his own age - or older.  He had a wonderful time with his Aunt Chelle on the slide.  He was one tired pirate when we got home.

Pittsburgh Halloween

We got to spend time in Pittsburgh with Magnus and Oliver (and their parents, of course!).  We (Michelle and Connie and I) had a great time.  Too much chocolate, but a great time!

The Farm

Fall Colors

An azure blue sky and brilliant fall foliage.  Who could ask for more?

Sweet Dreams, Oliver

Sweet dreams to our newest addition.

Hot Dog Boy

Magnus LOVES hotdogs!  He had to finish his hotdogs before he could go for a ride with Grandma and Daddy.  I sure enjoyed getting to stay with Magnus when his new baby brother arrived.

Magnus the Magnificent

Magnus has become quite the painter, preferring to create his magnificent masterpieces in the nude - I guess it makes for easy clean-up!  He is a two-fisted painter who really gets into his work!  Luckily, his body paint comes off in a nice bubble bath!

Welcome, Oliver!

We are very blessed this September to welcome our newest grandson, Oliver.  Oliver arrived on September 11th, and weighed in at 7 pounds and 11 ounces.  Oliver Severyn Heckel was 21 inches long and was welcomed into the family by his parents, Pamela and Christopher, and his very proud big brother, Magnus.  Everyone is doing well.