Grandpa John O'Neill

I just found out that my Grandpa O'Neill has passed away. Even though we all knew it was coming it was still sad to hear that it had finally happened. I have great respect and gratitude for him since he, along with my grandma, were the first in the our family to join the church. If it wasn't for him I would not be LDS today and have the life perspective and testimony that guarantees me that I can be together again with my family.
At Jenae's baptism...
Our Christmas visit '08, Grandpa playing with Adalei (even though she was screaming...)



No one in our family could ever deny that Grandpa was Mr. Personality. He had the ability to talk to everyone and anyone! A salesman through and through. He never backed down from a good argument. Grandpa was like a scientist with his drinks. He mixed all sorts of different colas together and then, when my mom wasn't looking, would give us a sip. He also carried loads of Vellaments when I was growing up. That square mint? What ever happened to those? When he met Grayson, he gave him a lecture on the "proper" way to say goodbye. You shake their hand (or give them a hug), say "see you later" and get the crap out of there! This was especially funny to me since Grayson's family takes 3 hours to say goodbye. He was so proud of his Irish heritage and was often found singing some jig. And I think every cousin I know knows the "Arizona" state song because of him. Quite often when I was little he made Colleen and I duet "I am a Child of God" for him. He also loved his neck rubs. I don't think I ever escaped giving a rub down when I went to visit. I still love the story of Aunt Meg offering to scale his nose down with a laser and he said, "no way, it gives me character!" One of the last things he said to Gray and I is to never stop communicating with each other (and isn't that what all the psychology books say?) and to learn from our children. We love you and will miss you! And as Grandpa would say, "see you later!..."

Lately

Elia is the happiest baby- so unlike Adalei as a baby- lovely!




What we have been up to....
Giving Elia rice cereal for the first time....didn't love it...

Elia figuring out how to get toys in hand and to mouth....
so cute all wet...
what happens the second Daddy comes home...
What happens when I leave Adalei to her own devices...


"the fort in the rainforest"...


Loving Grandpa Schenk...
playing after the baby blessing. This is a favorite game in which Elia "chases" Adalei...

Adalei flying with Grandpa Schenk...He puts a towel under her arms and swings her around!
The blessing of Elia...
All the guys who were able to be there for the blessing...Adam, Grandpa, Uncle Zane, Loni

Eli's favorite position...facing out...
hanging out...

Photo Shoot

We finally got around to taking some pictures of the girls!
I had been dreading doing it since we decided to try to do it ourselves since we are still poor students and take them with Adalei was torture. They aren't on the best camera, but a little cropping and red eye reduction and I think they turned out fine! Besides, I think they are beautiful no matter what! Except when they are screaming...not sleeping...having diarrhea... :)

Friends

When I first married Grayson I had the gall to ask his sister what she did all day (she was home with my niece Kayla at the time). I really wasn't trying to be rude, I was honestly curious (although I am sure she wanted to put a knife in my back at the time- I love you Mitzi!). I came across this article by Carolyn Hax entitled, What do Friends With Kids Do all Day?, and wanted to send it out to all my friends with KIDS!! You won't ever get it unless you have some of your own. Period. End of Story.
Here is the link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/22/AR2007052201554.html

And of course, a BIG sorry to all my friends who hang on and love me anyway when I only get around to talking to you every few months....or more...I still love you!!

Comparision

People keep saying they don't see the resemblance between my two girls- but I think they still look pretty close. Definitely more Schenk in Adalei and more O'Neill in Elia. What do you think?

Babycakes

These pictures aren't in any particular order- my mom was able to come and help me with the baby after we got to Reno which was fabulous!



Adalei can sure be a ham!

She thinks it is great to get the baby equipment when I am not looking!
My little double chin girl!
When we would run errands with my mom and she was walking around with Elia alone people thought it was her baby! That made my mom feel awesome!
She started out with a pretty bad bald head- we call it the Scott Knight noggin' (that is my brother-in-law! :) )
We went to Lake Tahoe for the first time- the picture is kinda grainy but it is SO beautiful there! It was freezing cold- but that didn't stop Adalei from running up and down the shoreline with bare feet.


This is one of the first smiles Elia gave me- she is getting really good and cooing a lot too. I can't believe I was able to capture it on camera!

The sand at King's Beach at Lake Tahoe was this cool mix of caramel and black. Ok- seriously I know I have small feet but this pic makes my feet look almost as big as my daughters (she is on the right)


We are doing great- loving Reno! I am feeling a little better each day and Adalei has stopped trying to take Elia out every five minutes and can actually entertain her a little bit. Grayson started working for CVS and is planning on working for them for "real" when he graduates. He has 8 months of rotations left- YEAH! Hope everyone is doing great!