Mark & Mandy

In Mark’s efforts to truly Go GREEN, he has asked us to not buy plastic toys* (although sometimes they just show up and I can’t really refuse them or find the slip to return them to target). Elsie had to improvise and found her most favorite toy yet … a card board box.

At first she wanted to push the box around, but quickly she convinced Grammie to pull her around in the Box (your chariot my lady)

Pulling the box was hard on our backs, so grammie rigged up a pull…

Papa didn’t think Grammie’s pull was good enough, so he added a big nylon roap, and the best game in the world was invented. First put your cousin, and your kitties in the box. Convince Grammie to pull and Elsie will push…

Imagination!

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* We are definitely allowed to have used plastic toys – Elsie and I look forward to hitting Garage Sales as she gets older!

A few weeks ago my grandma Jan passed away. Fortunately we were in Montana when her health took a turn for the worst and we (as well as Elsie) spent some good time with her before she passed away.

here we are before Elsie was born (you can see her in my tummy).

Just a couple of days before she passed away Brit delivered dolls to Elsie and Saffron – Grandma had each doll specifically made to match the features of the grandchildren. She didn’t get to see this photo – but here are Elsie and Saffie with their dolls in their matching yellow dresses (also from grandman Jan).

We returned to Montana a few weeks later for the Memorial. We had a lot of family come to town for the memorial and with the help of many we put on quite a celebration.

We created photo boards of the many phases of grandma’s life … (we couldn’t just settle on one photo)

Josh put together an amazing video complete with Josh commentary and many many photos (maybe if we ask nicely he will put it up for us to see – but don’t hold your breath, I still don’t have my wedding video 5 years later).

My grandma was a member of the red hat society and her Happy Hatters all showed up decked to the nines!

Elsie celebrated Grandma’s fun spirit by wearing a poodle skirt!

We enjoyed hearing many great stories and meeting many people that had touched my grandma’s life – its amazing how much one lady can accomplish!

Here are the Richau’s (Clem, Bonnie, Ron and my Great Grandma Esther – My grandpa lavio’s step-mom)

My parents hosted another gathering at their new (soon to be remodeled) home…

It was a true celebration of a wonderful Grandma, Great grandma, Mother and friend. We will miss you Grandma!

Obituary from the Billings Gazette

It has been HOT, HOT, HOT so we headed out to find Elsie a fun water toy. We ended up with a Gigantic Beach Ball that hooks to a hose and sprays water. After much blowing, I convinced mark to get the compressor out to finish filling the giant ball up with air. We hooked the hose up and out came Elsie …

She was quickly drenched with water so we stripped her down and let her have a little bare bottom sun time

but when your clothes aren’t creating a buffer between the cold spray and your sensitive little skin it makes you VERY VERY SAD…

Dad quickly unhooked the hose. Elsie decided it was much more fun to push the giant ball around the lawn – no spray needed.

well maybe a tiny baby pool will do the trick … back to the store I guess!