March 2026 Update

Well, this month was a bit more exciting!

On February 20, Lanita Adalia Sommer was born to Ella and Cody.  She joins sisters Hazel, Ivy, and Josie, and brother Truman.  All are doing great, and here's a picture of Krista with Lanita when we went to visit them the day after she was born.

Her name is special to us because Krista has a sister in heaven named Lanita.  We're very excited for this 21st grandchild!

Caitlin and Ben and their girls, Lena and Nora, visited us in early March for a few days.  It was really fun having them with us because we don't get to see them enough.  We were delighted with how well we got on with the girls since they don't really know us that well.  We had a grand time with them, but it was too short.

On March 3, Asher Declan Matthews was born to Zach and Brandi!  He is helping a little to balance out the number of grandsons vs. granddaughters we have.  This brings the count to 16 granddaughters and 6 grandsons if I counted right.  I'm sure someone will tell me if I didn't.  We're going to need a lot more grandsons to even that count!  Here's a picture of Krista holding little Declan.  Yes, they are following our tradition of calling their boy by his middle name, like we did with Philip Zachary, his dad.  Actually, I don't know if their following our tradition or just decided on their own to do it, but I'll take the credit.

He is very precious, and we love him so much!

Not nearly as exciting, but still enjoyable, was our church's semi-annual Euchre tournament on March 14.  My son-in-law, Bernie (Abigail's husband), has been my partner for that tournament for the past several years.  We always enjoy it, although we never do really well.  I guess this year was better because we finished in the top half of the teams, but we really go for the fun, and, for me at least, the great snacks they provide.

OK, I guess that's all for this month.  We will hopefully have another grandchild by the time I write next month, so you can look forward to that.  Oh, and we were told by Cai (Andrew Micaiah, to illustrate again that middle name thing) and Amy that they are expecting their third this fall!  Our tribe continues to grow!