Grandma Rain's 90th Birthday!

Granmda Rain (Avis Lorraine Crawford) celebrated 90 years since her birth, on Feb. 13, 1921. We traveled to Idaho to participate in an awesome Crawford family reunion/birthday party for our beloved Grandma Rain.

But first... On Feb. 11th... we MUST SKI!!!

Olivia and Sophie went with Russ and I, Jim and Marisa and Rustin to ski Bogus, just 30 min. from Grandma and Grandpa Crawford's house. They were a great team and had fun (except when someone dropped their pole off the ski lift) zooming all over the mountain by themselves!

My amazing sister-in-law, Marisa taking vide of the girls. I LOVED the time I spent with her on this trip, she was a very real comfort to me as it was just a few days after my sister, Liza's, funeral. Marisa also lost a little sister to a similar tragedy.

My boy, the skiier. One day I will be like him, sorta.

Rustin takes after his Dad and is quite good on skis considering he lives in ARIZONA!

Russ and his brother, Jim, waiting on us ladies (actually Marisa is a speed deamon as well!)

Thanks for an awesome ski trip honey!

Love those Idaho mountains (and that son of mine)

Got home and changed and headed to Rocky Mountian Pizza for a birthday dinner for Grandma Rain and all of her family and EVERYONE CAME!!!!

Grandma Rain's 3 sons, Bill, Russ and Larry (with the hat)

Three cousins; Bobby (Larry's son), Rusty (Bill's son) and Jim (Russ's son)

Jan Crawford who made this all happen and her mother-in-law, "Grandma Rain"

Grandma's nephew, Flake Casto. He is the son of Grandma Rain's sister-in-law, Janey Crawford and her husband, Flake Casto Sr.

Tess and her favorite Asian- Jami!

Flake Casto's grandchildren.

Flake's daughter, Amanda, and his sister, Kim Casto, who lives near me in AZ!

These girls are soooo happy to be together... wait... 2 of them are.

Revenge for Chloe always giving me a crazy face when I try to take pictures of her!! 

Love you cousin Tori!

Rusty Crawford and Rusty Crawford (no joke! Actually their names are Rustin William Crawford and William Rustin Crawford- No joke! As kids, the Rusty in the middle was called "Roo" - and still is- by Grandma Rain and most of the family, too keep all the Rusty's straight!) and James Vincent Crawford.

Rustin and his cousin, Sloan, all worn out from shopping at the "Blue and Orange" BSU store.

NOW LET THE REAL PARTY BEGIN!!!

Tess had fun meeting and hanging out with her second cousin Taylor Lauer who was born just one day after Tess, barely missing out on the title of "Bompa and Grandma Rain's first great grandchild!"

Taylor with her mother, Shelley Lauer (who is Russ's first cousin and daughter of Bill and JoAnn Crawford) and her sister Julie.

Grandma Rain with one of her dear friends (I'll have to have Grandma remind me which friend this is). I loved all the dedicated friends of Grandma's who came with Oxygen tanks, walkers, canes and wheel chairs. Grandma Rain was worth it!

Olivia snuggling with her youngest Crawford cousin, the adorable Will Straight. 

Jan Crawford, my mother-in-law, in her role as the ultimate hostess. This lady knows how to throw a party! We even started partying the night before at Rocky Mountain Pizza with a dinner with the whole family!

Russ's brother, Jim, talking to his father friends.

Russ with Craig Blaser, one of Jim's best high school buddies.

During the party the kids had a great time outside playing "Red Rover" and I think a little Ninja too!

Tess made grandma Rain's cake with the help of her sister Chloe and their cousins and Aunt Jami. Great job ladies!

It's hard to make a cake in someone else's kitchen, but we packed a lot of Tess's tools and equipment so it worked out well. Love the handpainted gum paste flowers! The 90 is made out of rice crispy treats. YUM!

Some things we did to entertain ourselves after the partying was bowling... (Tess, Chloe and cousin McKenna)

Hanging out at the mall... (Me and Grandma Rain capturing the moment)

... specifically the Apple Store (Rylie and her dad, PJ Straight drooling over the iPads)

Olivia Rocking out to an iPod.  That's my girl!

PJ, Will, Jami and Sophie

Before we headed out, we had the BEST lunch at Tucanos Brazillian Barbeque. Can you say "YUM?" We stuffed ourselves silly on grilled and roasted meats and had fun singing happy birthday to Grandma Rain with the whole restaurant and all the workers.

Grandma, Marisa and Jim Crawford (miss you guys!!!)

McKenna and Tess together again.

Tori, Chloe and Sloan chowing on their choices.

 Thanks for the memories everyone and can't wait to see you all (especially Grandma Rain) at her100th birthday party!!!

Olivia as Abigail Adams

Usually I'm the one dressing up as Abigail Adams around here but today it was Olivia's turn.

She worked so hard on her "famous American project" which included an essay about Abigail, a big tri-fold poster...

And a time capsule filled with items relevant to Abigail's life. Olivia made this suitcase and put a quill pen in ink, an American flag, and a paper rocking chair. She made all of these things, with a little help from mom on the suitcase.

What a darling Abigail she makes! 

(Good thing I saved my mop cap, shawl and apron from Les Mis!)

Love you Abby!

!!!

I LOVE CHICKEN PILLOWS!!!! HI CRAWFORD CHRONICLE :)

Other People's Spring Breaks!

Maryjane, Sarah, Emily and Anne

The four oldest Koski girls were together in AZ for their spring break 

(actually, it was Emily's and Anne's but Maryjane and I played along) 

March 22-26

Olivia, May, Lucy, Claire, and Katie

The cousins watching Spiderman on Saturday morning after the most delicious buttermilk pancakes I have ever eaten!! Thanks Shea!

Clark and Kenny with Rich and Peter in the back

Grandma, Luke and Shane

Spiderman is Grandma's favorite movie! Seriously, I think she has a crush on Peter Parker (Toby Mcguire) No wonder she named her first daughter, Maryjane!

Chloe and May

These two cousins were born just a few months apart and were happy to spend time together again. They swam, shopped, watched movies and were crafty.

Shane, Jake and Katie

The Harringtons (Emily's family) were staying at the Kierland Resort in Scottsdale because Mark was at a medical conference and we had fun at their pool (small waterpark) with the Robisons and Wilsons too! I hung out with them on Thurs. while my kids were at school!! Then we all went there on Saturday morning. It was so nice just cruising around the lazy river and having some great girl talk.

Grandma, Katie, Anne, Shea (in background)

We visited Liza on Wed. before we went to the biggest candy store in the United States, Sweeties!

May and Olivia joined in the fun of cleaning her headstone, writing messages on a lacrosse ball for her and putting together a new flower arrangement Mom and sisters made.

One of my favorite messages on the ball was from 9 year-old Shane

"I might play Lacrosse"

Anne, Emily, Mom and Dad picked out some beautiful blackberries, wildflowers, other red berries and greenery for a more permanent arrangement for Liza. We thought this looked like something she might have grabbed along an Oregon trail while working in the mountains. Miss you Liza!

Grandpa, Anne, Chloe, Grandma and Camille

I always feel like the weather is just perfect when I visit Liza's place. There is such a sweet and peaceful spirit there. Even though it is sad, it is somehow more beautiful than just about any place in AZ.

We really had fun getting to know Liza's neighbors. One very close to her is Justin B. Johnson who we researched on the internet. He was 28 when he died on New Years Day 2008, in a car accident on his way to work in Tennessee. I wonder if he and Liza are friends. 

Sisters are a wonderful thing!!! Love you girls forever!!!