Paul: Merry Merry Christmas. Cute pics with a message. We really enjoy them and they help to shorten the miles and miles. Aidan, India, & Cameron -- I really miss you guys and I miss the walks to/from school. Love Grandpa

Rebecca: Happy Holidays to our dear friends! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year too. xoxo

Paul: The next time we come for a visit -- we just have to visit / see / explore Hadleigh Castle. Miss you all Dad

Rebecca: Awwww. A beautiful post about an amazing boy. We've always known there is something special about that kid, and I truly believe he is going to grow up and do something wonderful in the world. Aidan, the world is better because you're in it. Just do your Mom a favor and don't grow up too fast! Sending big hugs across the Atlantic . . .

Paul Dunn: Gosh Dena, Ask your brothers about being NINE you had 4 of them. Of course you ruled them all. I remember being Nine. It was a great year -- a move from the big city (San Francisco) to a very little country town in the south of Colorado -- what an adventure, got my own donkey to ride, my first "real" girl friend (Jeannie Mortensen), the first time I got beat up by a bunch of bullies and the first time I went ice skating and rode a horse. I chopped wood and coal for heat and hot water. Fed and cared for rabbits. Did chores and cooked meals and cleaned the house because Mom was very ill. I almost got bit by a rattle snake and made lots of friends. I ate (with much enjoyment) my first Mexican Food, I really liked the hot sauce and salsa. I also experienced sadness and heart break but I grew from the experience. It was an exciting and memorable year. It is what you receive and what you make of it. Aidan has the ability to make being NINE the best year ever. Love Ya All Dad

Patsy Dunn: wow! All any of us mothers can do is the very best that we know how and hope that it is right and enough. What I remember about 9 year olds is cub scout activities and all of their energy. I taught 10 year girls in Primary for a long time and loved that age and the boys who came along with the Sunday class were very special to me. As far as getting them to 18 in one peice, I have no idea how to do that and not repress their wonderful imaginations and energy. As much as I hated my kids to hurt, I knew that stitches and broken bones were sometimes part of childhood. Enjoy nine, 12 and 13 get very interesting. Of course this Nona knows that Aidan is tops! What a cool fellow.

Rebecca: Puree heaven is PURE heaven. Oh thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for giving me a Cameron fix. Except that it just leaves me wanting more . . . how can he be *six* months old already??? I've got to get out there to meet him and soon!

kateyn: i am ever so grateful for blogline's "keep new" feature. your words always flow so smoothly.. and i often save your posts for inspiration when i have children of my own. i loved reading about the rice ceremony.

Patsy Dunn: Looks yummy alright! Cameron, I'm coming to share dinner with you, I wish. Dena you are right, he is sweey cute and oh so yummy. Nona

Paul Dunn: A pat on the back is well deserved as it was well earned. Keep up the Great Work. You write about sweet things very beautifully and I enjoy so very much reading and viewing your artistic works. When are you going to do a BOOK?? Love Dad

Paul Dunn: A pat on the back is well deserved as it was well earned. Keep up the Great Work. You write about sweet things very beautifully and I enjoy so very much reading and viewing your artistic works. When are you going to do a BOOK?? Love Dad

Rebecca: You nut. Two can play this game. Alright you stalker . . . I posted. Your turn - lol!