The Kids Come to Stay at Grandma's House

With Jason and Kathryn attending a conference together in California, we, the family and I, had four additional "little Kempsons" living in "Grandma and Grandpa's house" for five days, as we readily agreed to "adopted" our nephew Jaron and his three little sisters, Kirra, Kylin, and Kelci, all four of whom are expressive, active, and curious. Mom, the two Aunts, Lydia and Emily, and Uncle Jesse did most of the "nanny-ing," the playing with, instructing, feeding, entertaining, dressing, cleaning, explaining, etc, and whatever else was needed. I was here and there, having to work, but I was able to join in and enjoy the experience of caring and having some fun.

"Hats off" to Grandma (my mom), Emily, and Lydia! Because of them, who were the key initiators of most activities, the kids were able to be a part of and do some fun things....

Jaron, being "one of the guys," had fun goofing-around and "roughhousing" with Uncle Jesse and the two Abbott boys, Daniel and Jeremiah.

What a group! Are they to be trusted?

"Jaron just tackled Daniel" - Mom (watching the boys play foot ball in the backyard)


"Hut-hut-hike!"


Jaron, although the little guy of the group, can "pull his own weight" for sure.


Kelci hung-out with Aunt Emily up at the lake.


Throwing and "collecting" rocks.

The young archaeologist inspecting the pebbles,

and collecting rare specimen in her...bird feeder?

"Hmmmmm...interesting."

"Ummmmm...what did you say?" (I love the eyebrows!)

With additional help from Meredith, a good friend of Emily and Lydia's, they put on some creative skits.

In this photo we have Wendy Darling (Kylin), Peter Pan (Jaron), Captain Hook (Meredith), and Tinker Bell (Lydia).

(Other members in the cast of Peter Pan not present in this photo were Hook's trusted side-kick Smee (Lillianna), the lost boy (Kelci), and (Kirra).


The Big Hungry Bear would have been a hug success, but Aunt Emily couldn't convince Kirra to play the part of the Red Ripe Strawberry...so unfortunately, that showing was concealed.

"Snug as a bug in a rug," as the old saying goes.

Aunt Lydia knows how to make someone feel "right at home;" no more tears.

Baking "blue-baby" muffins with Aunt Lydia. What Fun!

Meet the bakers! Or, are these the butchers and the candle stick makers?

This is a funny photo,

I believe that Lillianna is still in character as Smee the goofy little pirate.

Always follow the recipe.

Here we have Kelci the little Monk with her lamp, or,...

...Kelci the little Hobbit, the priest, or the little Ewok.

Now she looks more like Dopey from Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

It's not easy to get up on a bench, being so little in stature....but...

...don't let your size determine your altitude....

....With perseverance and a little muscle, "elbow grease,"...

...you can do it in the end!


On Thursday, we went to a Corn Maze up north.

But you'll have to read about that adventure in my next post.

"Hello World!" from Baby Victoria!

Also, while "A&Z" were here in the States on vacation, Jared and Becca gave birth to their first little one, and Amanda and Zeno were delighted to visit the new little Kempson family along with mom, dad, and me.

Victoria Elise Kempson, also known as "baby V" or "Tori," was born on September 11th, 2009.

Victoria - Victorious, victory, or Victorious Spirit
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

Elise - My God is an oath, or Consecrated One
"Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord, that He may bestow upon you a blessing this day." Exodus 32:29


Victoria is a healthy and beautiful baby,

with attentive eyes that seem to take in everything and a head full of hair.

Uncle Zeno and Aunt Amanda are excited to hold "Baby V" for the first time!


Jared and Becca's daughter is, and has been, an amazing blessing from God.


The little Kempson family. Awwww....

(Becca, only 11 more to go...lol...just kidding)

Daddy and daughter. Jared is a Father!

A great big smooch from Aunt Amanda, Italian style :)

"Ciao zio Zeno!"

"I love my new neice," "What a precious baby"

Aunt Sarah and "Baby V" hanging out.

Grandma wants to hold baby Victoria too!

Victoria seems to put a smile on everyone's face.

Grandma talking with and telling Tori something; as Mom would say, "something or other."


Grandpa is all smiles as well, he loves his new granddaughter.

This is a familiar picture; Dad has held many babies in the past.

Little Tori will be 2 months old on November 11th, and although she has only been apart of our lives for such a short period of time, it is hard to remember a life without our new niece, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter.

We Love You Jared, Becca, and Victoria!

There are Many Happenings Afoot in September, Especially when A&Z are Visiting!

First of all, this post will most likely "fall-short" in its attempt to fully express and give an account of all that we did and felt together as a family during Amanda and Zeno's most resent visit to the States, especially in light that I didn't participate in all the events, activities, and tasks that took place during their time here. However, I'll do my best to hit all the "highlights." Most importantly, regardless of the event, activity, or task, and I speak on behalf of the entire family and especially for myself, I want to say that without a doubt we were all blessed, loved, encouraged, challenged, humored, and more, thanks to Amanda and Zeno (A&Z).

We love you two! Miss you! and we are Praying for you!

There were many fun-felt and special activities and events that took place without the presence of a camera (or, at least I didn't take any pictures at the time, and I haven't been able to get "my hands on" any photos); although not documented visually, I'd like to at least mention a few of them in passing. In addition, I would love to give a heart felt thanks of appreciation, that is long overdue, that indubitably goes to Gigi, Nana, Mom, and Dad, as well as to other family members, who gave of themselves and who took the initiative to make these experiences and memories possible. Thank you!

Many highlights during their visit involved dining and eating out. We "whined and dined" our much loved visitors from Milano at restaurants and in homes, at a number of locations, on a number of occasions, and with various individuals, as we took meals together in groups both large and small. These delicious and memorable meals were only made possible through the generosity of the grandparents and great-grandmas: Bravo, Maggiano's, Chinese, Panera Bread, Starbucks, Ice cream cakes, tea time, and more. In addition to meals, which is always a nice excuse for a get-together, we found other reasons to see one another in order to celebrate life and family.

Being the month of September, there were many birthdays to celebrate. Lillianna Joy turned two on September 17th, and Josh and Natasha hosted a birthday celebration at their house with homemade desserts, presents for the birthday girl, playtime and photos with the cousins, and with relatives attending from both sides of the family (Boyces, Kempsons, and Nelsons) which made for some good fellowship. Nana and Uncle Gary were thrown a joint-birthday-bash at Mom and Dad's with a great dinner, "hats off" to Mom and the girls. The bash, or picnic, was topped off with a warming bonfire, made primarily by Dad and Zeno. In closing, it was an enjoyable and filling result with Mom making the fixings, Lydia seeing to the ice cream cakes, Dad manning the grill, and of course, all the family being together.

Other things that took place and that others did with A&Z: running in the rain, long walks, going to church, a road trip to Maryland, going to the Creation Museum in Cincinnati for the day, cooking, movie nights, decoupaging, shopping, speed-scrabble, Trivia Pursuits at Jason's and Katheryn's, Uncle Pete and Uncle Gary visiting from California, playing games, and of course, visiting, visiting, and hanging out with friends and family.

Now for the photos. Enjoy!

Fixing Up the House:

Zeno was great help to Dad as they both set out to repaint and caulk portions of the house.

Dad aspiring to higher hights.

Dad smiles for a job well done.

Zeno hard at work (Emily as the photographer in the background).

I didn't realize that the Scarlet Pimpernele was there to help out. "Sink me! I'll have the Daydream lighten the load by carrying the needed supplies."

Working up an appetite.

"Don't paint me Zeno!"

As Pop-pop (Grandpa Nelson) would say, "Is Zeno normal?" (lol)

A Surprise Birthday Tea: Thanks to Amanda's initiative and planning, we were able to throw Emily a true surprise birthday-tea in honor of her turning nineteen years old. Together, along with the beloved sister whose life we desired to honor and celebrate, we dressed up in "olden-day-dresses," prepared, baked, and decorated,....and we, Lyd, Manda, and I, almost let the "cat out of the bag" on a number of occasions, but in the end we were able to "pull it off" and host two surprise guests unbeknownst to Emily, who was thoroughly excited to see Rosanna and Meredith. We sipped tea, jam-ed scones, chit-chatted, played games, and took photos. It was, as they would so properly say, (of course with a british accent) "an afternoon enjoyed by all."

Lydia is in charge of making the tea...

...Amanda is in charge of making the whipped cream.

What a lovely spread, we used Gigi's (Grandma Kempson) tea cups, new and old. What fun!

A big-loving-birthday-Abbraccio! (hug)

for the birthday girl from her beloved older sister!

Sorelle per sempre!

Ché benedizione dal dio!

(Sisters for ever! What a blessing from God!)

The sisters in their newly acquired aprons. We LOVE them Grandma!

"Rosanna!?!?! I had no idea!"

(Surprises are such fun!...good job Amanda!)

The ladies sipping, jam-ing, and chit-chatting...how lovely!

A birthday kiss was given by all! We love you Em!

What did they put in that tea? What silly girls!

Gorgeous, beutiful, breathtaking....

the sweetness of the scones and jam is shinning through, and through.

I love these pictures of Emily.

What a photogenic and beautiful young lady.

Happy Birthday Emily! Hope you had a blast!

"These are a few of our favorite things....":
Mom and Dad treated us to a matinée at the Beef&Boards Dinnier Theater.

It was a lot of fun! We saw The Sound of Music.

Joshua Peduto, the boy who played the role of Friedrich (center),

playes on Jesse's soccer team.

Dad and his girls! (Emily, Amanda, Dad, Mom, Lydia, and Sarah)

The girls, what fun!

Tea Next Door:

Mom and the four sisters were cordially invited to a tea party at the Johnson's house (our next door neighbor and good friends of the family)

Mrs. Harrison, Mr. Johnson, and Mrs. Johnson were all present.

They prepared a nice meal out on their patio.

Smile Sarah, Emily, Mom and Lydia!

Biking the Hope Ride Trails:
Being adventurous, with Zeno and Amanda having participated in the event last year, a few of us drove down to Hope, Indiana, to do the Hope Ride

Upon arrival we picked up our packets.

We were given a t-shirt, mug, map, and other bits of information.

We decided to be a little more daring and do the 32 miles route.

Right before taking off we took a group picture.

"On you marks! Get set! Peddle!"

Emily and Lydia riding by fram lands of corn and soybeans.

Zeno taking the lead!

Manda enjoying the country ride and fresh air!

I'll follow Dad!

Yeah Mom! What fun!

There were some hang-up, as Lydia's bike decided to be difficult.

But with help we were underway.

Having lunch with friends from College Park Church.

We were rewarded with root bear floats at the end of the race.

All hands in! Great Riding Everyone!