Makayla, Cambria and David. Aren't they a beautiful family? Can you believe David cut Cambria's hair? Amazing. Notice also that Cambria had laser eye surgery and is now glasses free! They are expecting #2 child in May.

My North Carolina grandkids by age: Sydnee, Joshua, Isaac, Caleb and Zachary

Two pretty girls, Taya and Sierra, all ready for church in their Christmas dresses!

My Christmas helpers, Taya and Sierra in front of the tree.

Sierra helping decorate Grandma and Grandpa's tree. After all, what is Christmas without the children?

Taya posing with Grandma's Christmas Bear.

Taya and Sierra having fun with their future Aunt Kim!

I love this darling picture of Makayla. Her hair is getting so blonde, isn't it?

Caleb and Zachary dressed alike for the first time. These outfits are from Titi (Aunt) Irin.

Michael made this video of the twins and their siblings. Enjoy!

Big News! Ryan called me last night and said he proposed to Kim! They plan to be married late winter of 2009. More news later as it is received. Kim will be a wonderful addition to our family. We love her!

All the Nieves children left to right: Sydnee, Caleb, Isaac, Zachary and Joshua. Yesterday at the doctor, Caleb weighed 5 lb. 7 oz. and Zachary weighed 5 lb. 9 oz. so they are doing well. By the way, we have another grandchild on the way. David and Cambria are expecting their 2nd child around the end of May. So the blessings keep coming!

 For some reason I couldn't download a video on my blog from my daughter's computer, but here is a picture of Caleb and Zachary in outfits from my sister Dana. Pictures don't do them justice. Maybe if I had Courtney's talent! They are so adorable.

I'm having a great time in South Carolina with my daughter and her five kids! The babies are darling, of course. As soon as Caryn and Michael get the internet I will post some pictures and/or videos of the babies, etc. Right now I'm at my son-in-law's sister's house so I can check all my email and post some news. All is going well. Check again here for the further adventures of the Nieves Family! Love to all!

Sierra getting ready to play her violin in her first concert at Carl Cozier Elementary School.

The end of Sierra's first concert.

Caryn and babies got to all go home today. Both boys are eating well from a bottle since they are still too little to latch on. Meanwhile, Caryn keeps pumping so they can have her milk as much as possible. They've also had to supplement with formula to keep their blood sugar up. When I called, both babies were sleeping. I wonder how often that will happen!! I'm excited to go see all five of my grandchildren on Friday.

Joyful mother of twin boys. Here Caryn is holding Caleb.

Proud big sister Sydnee with Zachary.

Zachary Michael Nieves was born second, breach and weighed in at 5 lb. 7 oz. He had to spend a little time in ICU but quickly joined his brother and was fine. He was born at 3:57 pm, six minutes after Caleb.

Caleb Michael Nieves weighed in at 5 lb. 3 oz. He was born first at 3:51 pm (EST) head first.

Mommy holding Caleb, Daddy holding Zachary

Caryn, Caleb, Michael and Zachary

Sydnee kissing Caleb.

Michael handing Zachary to Joshua. Looks like Isaac is showing there are two babies!

I've made lots of phone calls, sent lots of emails, posted on facebook, so I guess the only place left is here on my blog for everyone else. Caryn and Michael's twins arrived this afternoon. Caleb was born first, weighing in at 5 lb. 3 oz. Zachary came six minutes later and weighed 5 lb. 7 oz. Both are 19 inches long. Zachary is in intensive care for know because of a circulation problem but should be fine. Please pray for him though. Both their middle names are Michael after their father, which is tradition in his family. No pictures yet because it just happened, but Caryn says they look exactly alike. Of course!

Why so serious? We're at Stoney Ridge Farm! Smiles everyone!

There's my smiling girls! Let's go have some fun!

Children of the corn!

Aren't we cute?

The end of a perfect day!

I've decided to be brave and self-publish my first book. Or in this case booklet. I took a batch to the CTR Book Store in Bellingham. That's where you can purchase them. It's called "Gospel Activities for Youngsters". It's meant for children that are just beginning to read or can't yet read at all. I hope you check it out.

We had a lot of apples this year from our three trees. We gave away many, but still had tons of apples. I have been trying all kinds of recipes lately. Today I decided to look up recipes online. I wanted to make apple fritters. Doesn't that sound nummy! I made a batch and took them to my writing group tonight. They were inhaled. So here's the recipe. Simple and delicious. Mix together 2 cups of flour (I used half whole wheat and half white), 3 Tablespoons of sugar, 2 beaten eggs and one cup of milk. Stir really well, cover with plastic and put it in the fridge for two hours. Dice up two cups of apples and add to the mixture. Drop by tablespoon into hot oil. Brown both sides. Lay on paper towels then coat them with powder sugar or a cinnamon sugar mixture. Enjoy.

I've noticed on my friends blogs that they often share little bits of wisdom and sometimes cute things their children say and do. Sometimes they also share their strong opinions on certain issues. It's all very entertaining and I do enjoy them a lot. Thank you so much for sharing pieces of yourself. I get to know you better and get a laugh or two occasionally out of the deal. Please keep sharing.

The only thing I can think to share right now is the amazing series of books I've just finished reading. "The Great and Terrible" is awesome! What I have learned from them is how the Lord continues to be there for us and that Satan wants to drive us away from Him. Which voice do we listen to? What can we do to stay strong and valiant in these last days? How can we be prepared? Are we ready? This bookaholic was left with much to ponder as the last book ended and the tears were streaming down my face. I'm willing to share my books (they are circulating rapidly) or CDs to anyone who would love to read or hear them. Well worth your time.

Ryan and his girlfriend Kim. He didn't say I couldn't put this on my blog, so I am. I wonder if he'll find out! Hee Hee!

Exciting news! Ed is home safe from Iraq! So now they are one big happy family again! Hurray!

Leslie said she couldn't resist taking this picture. Isn't it amazing how Coral is so dark and Talia so light? Don't you just love those little bums?!?

Caryn and kids in the garage of their new house. The projected time of closure is around the time the babies will be coming of course!

Makayla started nursery class now that she is 18 months old. The dress is from Aunt Leslie. "Hi everyone!"

Here's the latest image of the twins my daughter Caryn is carrying.

Me with my North Carolina grandkids: Sydnee, Isaac and Joshua on the coast of Florida on the way to Disney World!

I've neglected posting pictures of my other grandchildren lately, so the following are pictures of them. Here are Sierra and Taya having fun at the Northwestern Washington Fair in Lynden.

Jeffrey is looking so grown-up these days. What a happy boy.

Here's Talia and Coral playing together!

My darling Iowa granddaughter "going shopping"!

Sydnee, Michael, Caryn, Isaac and Josh at Disney World! Hurray! I was always behind the camera. Rick and Ryan arrived later that day.

Here's the gang at Epcot Center. Caryn had to spend a lot of time in the wheelchair by doctor's orders. She is now in her sixth month with her twin boys!

This is how Isaac and Joshua usually looked like at the end of our days at Disney World!

Caryn, Michael, Joshua, Isaac and Sydnee the Sunday after Sydnee's baptism.

My darling grandchildren in North Carolina who I'm going to visit in one week! Joshua, Sydnee (who will be baptized when I'm visiting) and Isaac.

Ed got to come home from Iraq to spend two weeks with his beautiful family. After he goes back he'll only have two more months away from them with this deployment!

Caryn had her ultra-sound today and the twin are identical. And they are boys! Caryn said they both made that very obvious with their lack of modesty! They are healthy and well developed. Everything looks good. She will have to have an ultra-sound every two weeks however, since they share a placenta and one may be a "blood hog". Sydnee is happy that she still is the only princess in the family! We'll get an ultrasound up as soon as Caryn can send it.

When I helped Megan drive back to Las Vegas this past week, we decided to stop in Laguna Beach, CA and see our old friends. This is me with Gayle Phillips who used to live in our area with her daughter Erin. We went out to dinner and enjoyed remembered old times.

Erin Saunders and Megan in Laguna Beach, California. It was great to see her and her mom!

We really enjoyed visiting with our son David, his wife Cambria and our precious granddaughter Makayla. The visit as always was too short.

Sierra and Taya with Chez (Ryan's baby). Sierra was determined that Chez needed to look at the camera. It took four tries, but here are all the girls!

Latest picture of Talia and Coral. Can you believe they are already 8 months old?

Makayla in Mommy's dance shoes. Precious!

The Proof!