Practice, Practice, Practice

There is nothing like getting 6 grandchildren (siblings and cousins) age 7 or less together for a little photo shoot with Grandpa. Last Christmas when we spent the holiday in Boise helping with the new baby (Sammy) we got the younger 6 together (3 each for Suzanne and Sally) and I took some photos. They are so much fun at this age. For the most part they get right into what Grandpa asks them to do - and why have a normal shot when I can have some fun.

I've had a lot of fun taking photos of grandchildren with what I call the "rubberneck" syndrome. They grow out of it at some point, but I have a number of rubberneck photos I've taken over the years. I asked the kids to do a rubberneck for me. Most of them got the idea, although Hattie was really more interested in eating a little cheese stick then performing. I think that is probably different now.

Hattie, Danny, Chas, Bonnie, Dean

After that photo I thought I would take advantage of their love of making noise via screaming. I asked them all to scream. What big mouths they have - and they are noisy too. Hattie was still eating her cheese stick and on the other end Charlotte choses her own path (which I understand from Sally is pretty common for her!). Still I ended up with 2 adorable photos of our grandchildren.

Charlotte on the right

Wordless Wednesday

click on me to make me bigger

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Hattie just a little on the tired side during our visit
in July.

An Evening at the Ballpark - Boise Style

Last evening we went to see the Boise Hawks baseball club, a Chicago Cubs minor league team. The main attraction was the $1 tickets, $1 hot dogs, and $1 drinks. Of course it didn't work out quite that way. The hot dog line was 3 innings long and the drinks were $2.50. Thank goodness most of us ate before we came. However, it was great fun.

There were 15 of us at the game: 7 adults and 8 children. We were located in the top of the stands on the first base side with lots of sun. We were facing north and the sun was to the left. That means the left side of our faces were what was tanned (or burned), although today I did not notice any burned faces.

Charlotte was the most relaxed and may have had the most fun (until she got tired). Nothing like a bottle and a floppy hat, from which she can periodically peak out of, to make her day.

Everyone had a good time, however a good time does not include necessarily watching the game. I think we saw a little bit of each inning, but rarely the whole inning. We did get to talk and take care of children. The kids had a great view of everything and spent a lot of time roaming back and forth. We were high enough that we didn't want them climbing up and down the steps. At least I didn't. The little kids never slowed down the whole time we were there and we were exhausted by the time we all left. The kids came home and crashed and we relaxed, then crashed. Some of the photos below show the fun we all had.

The excitement comes in trying to keep all of the kids somewhat corralled, if that is even possible. The Mom's did a great job.

Finally, we find a couple of moms focusing on having a good time. Although with the hat JoAnn has on I thought for a few minutes she was an Aussie. Love the colors and the great smile.

Splendorious Tuesday

We arrived in Boise, Idaho at 1 pm and made it to Sally's home where we finally had the children warm up to us. The results are below:

Bonnie & Chas watching Toy Story 3 book that reads to them.

Hattie, all smiles, just finished (more or less) a few crackers.

Pretty in Pink

Labor Day weekend we went off to Idaho to visit family and to help bless our newest addition to the McLean clan - little Charlotte Ann Bradley. It was a great trip and we had lots of fun. We got to spend time with 7 grandchildren, 3 children, 2 son-in-laws, and a soon to be sister-in-law. It was also very busy. You know you can't get Mom and 2 daughters together without there being a shopping experience, and that started on Saturday at 8 am (that would be 7 am Las Vegas time and JoAnn is not a morning person). Each evening ended with an extended family get together, talking, laughing, keeping track of the kids, and on Saturday the BYU football game (Go BYU!).

Little Charlotte (above) has lots of pink, hence the title, and I could not resist a shot of her in her pink pajamas on top of her pink pillow. Of course she is a McLean/Bradley and has an attitude, but a good one. One of the great joys of a grandparent is holding new borns. You realize just what a miracle life is, and what a joy it is to bring little children into the world.

On Sunday afternoon we were off to Church (you can read Sally and Suzanne's blogs on this) to bless Charlotte. We took up almost 2 rows with all of the family present. It is exciting to see how many family members show up for special events.

Sally and Charlotte were beautiful in their preparation for Church and the blessing. Mom and Charlotte Ann are below, all dressed up for Church and Charlotte in her blessing dress. When she was blessed she was a perfect angel. It is always a great weekend when we can spend them with our family.

Days with a New Granddaughter

Today is the 12 day anniversary of little Charlotte Ann Bradley. Named for her maternal great grandmother. As Sally said, when I saw her I knew she was a Charlotte.

Each birth is special and even as a grandfather you experience a great wonder with the birth of each child. You realize how special life is, how important family is, and how wonderful it is to have these new spirits as a gift and responsibility. As you hold them for the first time you realize the miracle of life that is provided for our responsibility to raise up and educate them.


The first few days I'm not sure Charlotte ever saw any chance to just lay around. She was held by everyone and when not held she was sleeping. You don't dare put her on the floor since her big brother thinks that a pat (okay, a thump) on the head is sweet. He will learn not to be quite so rough, but he too is young.

It was great to see my daughters, granddaughters, grandsons, and my eternal companion welcome this new young lady into our lives. Leaving JoAnn behind with almost every birth we have experienced reinforces the ideal of motherhood that endures with each generation allowing her to forge that special bond with the next generation. Whether she is holding the baby, playing with the children, or reading ... memories are being built.

Bonnie and JoAnn reading. Note the next book to be read is already in Bonnie's hand.

Charlotte Day 2

Suzanne sent this photo from her phone. We aren't sure but we think it might be Ellen holding her. JoAnn says, look how long those fingers are.

Fireworks in Utah, Baby in Idaho

Doesn't that sound good and a little bit later this morning we start the grandparent journey northward. First to experience fireworks (real fireworks, not the kind I cause) in Spanish Fork and then on Monday to see that new little girl (see photo in previous blog) in Boise. I know Charlotte is the reason we give to head north, but when we get a chance to visit 9 of our grandchildren in one almost straight line (with just a little curve west) you can't pass it up. What I haven't figured out is how to keep the line moderately straight and add Denver and Des Moines. I will keep working on a plan to achieve that.

And yes, this photo represents how I feel packing the car sometimes, especially when we traveled with 7 children.

Charlotte Ann at About 8 Hours

Isn't she cute! Taken by Mom or Dad with an iPhone. This is as good as the resolution gets, but she is beautiful.

On Being a Grandpa - again!

One of the nice things about technology is you get to know quickly, or moderately quickly, when you have a new granddaughter. That happened today, sometime early afternoon. We are proud grandparents of a baby girl who is 8 pounds 13 ounces and 21 inches long. Small for a Bradley, but above average for our other grandchildren. We have talked to the new Mom and she is doing well, although the hospital was full and she had to wait for a room following the delivery. We are proud of her and new Dad is off to get Bonnie and Chas to see their new little sister. And no, we don't know the name yet.

So, about being a Grandpa, it is great. On Monday afternoon we will see our new young lady. We are excited. I'll post a photo when I get one. It's not the highest priority with the kids right now.

Sister's Weekend Has Officially Ended - Sort of. . .

I received the following graphic from daughter number 3 with daughters 4 and 5 in the photo. Now at least I know where my car is parked when I get home tomorrow. That makes things good. I carried on periodic text messages with daughters (JoAnn doesn't do text messaging) so I feel as if I know 2% of what went on and that is probably all I want to know.

Yet, it was a good weekend. Two days in a row we exhausted the kids - Bakes and Bradleys. At least I thought we did. Yesterday Deano came home exhausted and slept. Then both boys went down later without a peep - okay, after an hour of talking. But then I remember that my brother and I would talk into the evening after we were put to bed, so it must be in their genes. Daughter number 3 may need a week to readjust her 4 to family life again. I'm sure I've run them a little ragged.

After Church today the girls needed to go out and feed the chickens and ducks. They work pretty well as a team most of the time, as depicted by the photo below.


My heart goes out to those grandparents who raise their grandchildren. I know I'm not cut out for it. I love coming home to JoAnn and a nice quiet home. We enjoy our family, but we also enjoy our time together and we think we have earned it. We have great kids with great families and they do well. We are proud of them. Did I fail to mention that Mike was an awesome help this weekend and I could not have done it without him? It's true! Thanks Mike.