Samantha's Lament

Samantha apparently really misses her Gramps.. i.e., me.. Here she is standing at the window waiting for me to return...Anneka took this. Sam likes to watch the traffic go by and the window is a good height for her to stand and watch. She is apparently standing up next to all the furniture and "walking" to the other end. Still I think she is just pining for dear old Gramps!

Gramps' Favorite Picture

This is now my favorite picture.  I have always enjoyed the kids when they were small and so snuggley.  OF course Richard wasn't much of a snuggler and Meg wouldn't let you hold her in a traditional way.  At this age a child is so completely trusting and just loves you.  Besides they are really warm and comfortable.

Gramps at 1

OK, so it is Samantha Moya Smith 

who is 1 year-old, but Lori and I got to be with her for her birthday.

Lori and I flew down to Idaho Falls to be with 

Anneka /Mike /Samantha for a week.

Between looking at my computer clock instead of my cell phone we missed our flight from Seattle to Idaho Falls, so we had to spend the night in Seattle.  

Samantha has been growing 

faster lately, but she is still a very petite 

1 year old.  She crawls all over, but dosen't have much interest in standing much less walking. 

 Mike and Anneka just moved in to a new apartment which allowed us to help put a few things away.

Samantha's birthday party was a Mike's parents' house and there were a bunch of the relatives there.  They are a fun bunch. 

 Samantha did very well with our tradition of letting the birthday 

kid destroy/devour

 their own cake.  Sam's was a butterfly made with one 9" cake.  She had no problem digging in and mangling the thing. 

 When she was finished 90% was inside of her as there wasn't much on the floor or on her lap.  

Anneka made 3 cakes

 with a butterfly 

theme and did a great job.

We got to spend time going places with Anneka and Mike.... with Sam of course.  

Grams and Gramps enjoyed being quite silly.  Lori and I even got to attend the Idaho 

Falls temple.

The only downside to the trip was

 my dental experience.  It had been 3 years since I had been to the dentist... before we moved to Alaska.  

I am a whimp and have to have gas (nitrous oxide).  

No one in Sitka uses it so Anneka got me an appointment with her dentist.  Yes, with gas.  As it turned out I spent Tuesday, 

Thursday, and Friday mornings in the chair getting 8 cavities taken care of.  Ouch!

We really had great time with Samantha and I really miss her hugs and snuggles.