Brent's turn

Today was Brent's turn to take the Oath of Allegiance. He's the original "I hate having my picture taken" guy and so there were no pictures with the judge or under the US seal, but I did go up onto the gallery and took a few pictures from there.

This is the courthouse. A glass building within a glass building and as it was pushing 100F today, it got pretty hot in there.

Can you see Brent?

A view across the gallery. It looks like a UFO is hanging there, but it's just a huge glass structure with lights behind it.

The new citizen. He cheated though. I never saw him sing God Bless the USA, but he did a pretty good job at waving the flag.

Only Daniel to go now!

I'm a US Citizen!

Today me, Olivia, Michael and Jordan became US citizens. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let Brent do his today so we'll have to repeat the whole process again next week when he gets his citizenship and then again when Daniel gets his in a couple of months. There were 101 people from 33 different countries there along with family members at the US Supreme Court building in downtown Phoenix, so it was a long busy morning, especially because we had to have Olivia's children there with us and a 2 year old really doesn't understand anything other than he's bored and tired. He did really well though.
After checking in and being assigned seats in the courthouse, the judge came in and then the ceremony was really quite quick; we all stood to take the Oath of Allegiance, then we recited the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the national anthem, watched a video of welcome from the President and then all waved out flags along to Lee Greenwood singing God Bless the USA.
We were able to take a couple of photos, but they were a little rushed so they're not the best, but nevertheless, they're a reminder of the day.

I hate my feet, they're fat and puffy, but the Star Spangled Banner looks cute on those toes.

Olivia, Katelynn and Christopher before the event.

Me, Michael and Jordan before the ceremony.

With the judge who made us citizens. Christopher was screaming by this point and wouldn't let go of his mammy.

What a happy bunch we are. That's the problem with only one take, you don't get the best shot possible.

This statue of Sandra Day O'Connor who was the first female member of the Supreme Court and who happens to come from Phoenix, was outside the courtroom and so Michael decided to have his picture taken next to her.

Christopher's 2!!!

Today was Christopher's 2nd birthday. How time flies! We had a nice family barbeque with all his Gwynn family and his Grandma and Grandpa Guthrie also there. Of course, this is Arizona, so it had to be outside, near water and in swimsuits. Here's the birthday boy and his sister enjoying their day.

Dad

This frame is about my Dad. The picture on the right is a pencil drawing of my Dad that was done by one of his fellow prisoner of war comrades while they were in a POW camp in Rimini, Italy during 1947. Of course, I never knew my Dad when he was this age, but it's a pretty good resemblance. The flag on the left is the Ukraine flag and was knitted by my Mom when I was a little girl. For as long as I can remember, these have been hanging separately somewhere in my home. Now they're together. Love you and miss you Dad. XXXXX

Sheriff Joe

It's a bit blurry, but this is Michael meeting Sheriff Joe Arpaio following a talk he gave this evening at Mesa Community College. Rumor has it that he's going to run for Governor of Arizona later on this year. Michael dedicates this picture to his Nanny!!!!

Grandad Lenton

My maternal grandad, Harry Lenton (1896-1981) was a private in the Lincolnshire Regiment and served on active duty in France during World War I. My mom gave me a number of old photos and memorabilia from this time and so with Michael's help we put some of them into this shadow box to proudly display them.

Oh You are a Mucky Kid!

Is there a parent or grandparent alive who doesn't smile when they see independence in action? I think that chocolate mousse was the main culprit here, but Christopher couldn't care less. He just enjoyed himself.

Wild Child and Troublemaker

Can you see what's written on Katelynn and Christopher's new pajamas? Very appropriate I thought which is why I bought them in the first place. :)

Bath time

Bath time photos are the best. Here are all my grandchildren in the tub last night. They had such a good time splishing and splashing and best of all, getting clean.

Christmas Day

Better late than never I suppose. Actually, I didn't charge my camera batteries and so my camera died on Christmas morning after only a few shots, so the ones here don't really reflect the good time that we all had opening presents.
We all got lots of lovely presents but of course it was really all about the children. They really enjoyed running into the "no-no" room as we call it (no children allowed near Grandma's precious things!), getting a present and bringing it into the family room to rip the paper off. I was on bin bag duty as always.

Here's Katelynn at the beginning of her Christmas adventure.

Christopher and his mammy.

Katelynn and her beloved Spongebob Squarepants.