Number 14

Ruby's baby sister arrived Sunday,March 30, 2008, at 11:50 pm weighing in at 7 lbs 3 oz and 20 inches long bringing the number of grandchildren to Grandma and Grandpa Baird to 14! She has gobs of dark hair and is darling (of course). I arrived in Fairfax, VA. the Wednesday before her arrival so Kerri and I had a couple of days sans babykins to check out the closest Mall and get haircuts. Jeff and Kerri's townhouse is lovely. Lots of stairs, but I guess that is how everyone here in the area keeps in shape. The first floor has a lovely foyer and a small room with a fireplace, bathroom, and small bedroom (they are using the fireplace room as a handy office and the bedroom for storage at the moment. This bedroom has doors out to the fenced in backyard. They are on an end unit which is lovely.

The next floor has a sizeable living room, lovely kitchen, (large enough to have an eating area) and then another room which could easily be a formal dining room which leads out to the deck. There is also a bathroom on this floor.

The top floor has three bedrooms. The master bedroom and bath are huge. A sunken tub mind you where you could have a community gathering if you would so choose, a separate shower, double sinks, etc. Gosh it is a party room. The potty room is separate!!! The bathroom for the other bedrooms (Ruby and I are currently sharing) is enviable as well. Tub with shower, lovely double sinks, etc. Okay, so I am a little jealous considering any bathroom you choose in our house in Utah would also almost fit in the Master Bath Tub. Both (did you get that) BOTH closets in the Master Bedroom are walk in. Nice, eh? Nice digs with lots of light. Hardwood floors throughout the main floor, carpet everywhere else. Pretty lucky pups to have such a pleasant spot. There is a pleasant common area behind all the fenced yards and the maintenance here is incredible. The workers have just finished manicuring the lawns and shrubs and have mulched everywhere.

Can you believe, they pick up the garbage here twice a week. Pretty nice I must say. And by hand to boot. No truck lifting devices - they throw it in manually.

The grocery store here reminds me of Jeremy and Corinne's fancy, dancy store. Fantastic bakery, live lobsters to pick from, gorgeous displays and even a little train overhead to keep the kiddies happy. Wow. And luckily it is not too far away.

I have not been too adventures zipping around, but did take Ruby on an adventurous tour the other day. Today we retraced our steps and found it quite fun. Last time out it was just downright scarey.

Ruby has lived up to her name and has been an absolute jewel. I was a little concerned in that she doesn't get to see me very often and thought she might be a bit apprehensive (expecially when both her Mom and Dad were gone and then they brought home a little person that is staying put). She is very pleasant and we have some mightly fine and fun times.

Even Kerri was getting cabin fever so we took a little drive into DC on Sunday late afternoon. Kerri, Ruby and I took some pictures of the Capitol Bldg. Made a pit stop at the railroad station (absolutely gorgeous building) whilst Hattie and Jeff stayed in the car. It was pretty gray, cool and damp. Hattie seemed to enjoy the ride too and Jeff never complained about the traffic and our popping in and out of the car.

HK, Emily, Max and Jane left for California today to attend the funeral of Lisa (Friend Jean's daughter). I feel badly that I cannot go to give Jean a hug too, but I am sure the family will understand my absence. HK is coming here on the 14th. We thought we might make a day trip to NYC, but it turned out to be more than the budget will currently allow via Amtrak. I am sure we will find plenty to see and do here and hopefully Kerri and the little girls will be up to joining us. We have quite a few friends and family here to see as well: Bunny Ririe, Ryan Nelson and his little family, Darrel Fuller and his family, Millie Segura, and the Stocks who live a mere couple of hours away. We are hoping we can meet them somewhere in between... And to think, Jeremy and his little tribe are just four hours + away. Hmmmm.

Hope you all enjoyed Conference and gleaned useable information from the talks. If you didn't have the privilege of "hearing" everything, thankfully there is always the Ensign, right? Of course right.

Love to all and keep healthy and happy. Grandma Baird in VA - whodathunkit...