Portrait of Cailey

Please enjoy my living portrait of this amazing young woman as she has grown from infancy to young adulthood!

Cailey's 19th Birthday

How time has flown! It seems like only yesterday that Cailey (and her parents) moved out here to Arizona, and here we are celebrating her 19th birthday!

A Visit with Jade

We all know how hard it is to move a kid during the school year, especially in high school when they've made deep friendships. In my granddaughter, Cailey's, case, he very best friend Jade was left behind when Cailey's parents moved out here to Arizona. So, when Jade came for a visit, we all made a concerted effort to make sure she and Cailey had a terrific visit. For my part, I chose to take them to Phon D Sutton Recreation Area, a place I'd taken Cailey before, on a visit when she was little. She remembered it!

Cailey's High School Graduation

My first granddaughter, Cailey Hope, grew up on the East Coast so we didn't get to see too much of her; just during the occasional trip by us East, or by them, West. So we were delighted when her parents moved to Arizona! However, I was also concerned that she would have trouble joining a senior high school class in which she knew no one might be tough. Not to worry! Cailey simply signed up for online classes with Chandler Online Academy. And tonight was her graduation! She had never actually met her classmates; but now they were all together to receive their diplomas.

Cailey's 18th Birthday Party

Cailey was my first granddaughter and I still think of her as an infant. This is largely because she grew up on the East Coast after I had moved to the West; I simply haven't had the chance to see her that often.

But recent circumstances have brought Cailey and her mother, my daughter, Dorothy, to the Greater Phoenix Area. And that meant she was here for her 18th birthday!

The party was held at my other daughter, Jenny's, home in Chandler.

The kids received a popcorn machine for Christmas, and made sure to welcome all new visitors with a trayful.

Members of our extended family, Aunt Barbara and Uncle Peter, arrived to help Cailey celebrate.

Dominic's other favorite Christmas present is a motorized tractor and trailer. Dominic is, amazingly, a terrific driver.

Meanwhile, some of Jimmy's pals had come over to watch the game. From L2R: T.J., Jimmy, Walter, and Steven.

After a delicious dinner of pizza, it was cake time!

From L2R: Cailey's mom Dottie; Cailey; Aunt Barbara; cousins Zach and Dominc, Uncle John, and John's friend Amy.

My oldest grandson, Zach, and youngest grandson, Dominic.

Picture Day with Cailey

Because my grandson Zachary lives with me, he gets a lot more attention in my blog than my other two grandchildren. Max, unfortunately, lives in Europe with his mother and we never hear from either of them. But Cailey, though nearly 3000 miles away, lives with my lovely daughter Dottie and her daddy Frank, and I do get photos and frequent updates of how she is doing. So I thought I'd share a few today.

Cailey's Dance Recital

Cailey is already showing skills. Here's a short video of her first dance recital.

Cailey At The Beach

Mary Harahan took these photos of Cailey at the beach on or about August 22, 2004:

October, 2003

Various photos of my little princess Cailey, sent by her mother.

Cailey At Home

Cailey didn't make it out to see me in Arizona for awhile, and I wasn't able to make it to Virginia. But her mom thoughtfully sent me various photos taken in 2002 and 2003.

Christmas 2001 with Cailey

In 2001 I was able to spend Christmas in Virginia with my daughter, Dorothy, her husband Frank and his parents, Joe and Kathy, and, last but not least, my precious granddaughter Cailey.

October, 2001: Cailey's First Halloween

Cailey's first Halloween occurred when she and her mother were visiting us. I, Grandpa Paul, had my usual Vulcan Surfer costume ("Live long and prosper, dude!") but, since I was holding the camera, we didn't get any photos of it. Here's everyone else, though:

Cailey Visits Arizona

Dorothy Elizabeth decided to come for a month-long visit, in October, coinciding with our bringing my Mom back to Florida for her winter stay there. Since we drove Mom home, it made sense for us to drive Dorothy and her baby, our granddaughter, Cailey, back with us.

Cailey Meets Zachary

In February, 2001, my daughter, Dorothy, brought Cailey out to Arizona with her so she could meet the rest of the family. Cailey's Uncle (my son) John got to introduce little Zachary to his new cousin.

Cailey's Astrological Chart

You are a free spirit and you must be first at everything you do. Very energetic, self-assertive and active, things must be done your way. Even though you may feel calm and serene on the inside, you certainly do not act that way. You want to do everything full-tilt, 100 miles per hour! A great competitor, but a poor cooperator—you must learn how to lose more gracefully. Very self-confident, ambitious and passionate, you radiate positive energy. You are blunt and direct, but at times unfeeling and tactless, especially if anyone offers you any resistance. You fight for your beliefs, but your tendency to act first and think later often causes you much grief.

Cailey Is Born