Christmas

 Olivia and her Daddy - the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

 What are you guys doing up there?

 Lindsay and Olivia with the cross stitched quilt that her Great-Great Mamma made for her.

 Sweet Brenna hanging out with Daddy

 Ian's new gig

 Olivia showing Uncle Ian everything this thing can do

 Olivia's new headband

 Merry Christmas, Brenna!

 Checking out her new activity mat

The theme for Ian's Christmas was NOISE!!!  Besides the guitar (thanks, Mimi and Pa!) and this very noisy chain saw (thank you Lindsay and Troy!), he got a Paper Jamz drum set, which he very much enjoys banging on, along with the music that comes with it (thank you Elizabeth and Drew!)

 

 Brenna Noelle

 Brenna and Dad-dad

 Olivia, after 3 of her 4 Christmas celebrations

 Olivia and Mommy

Brenna and Great-Great Mamma

Weekend Happenings

We had the privilege of hosting our church's high school youth group last Friday evening for the entree of their progressive dinner.  We were struck by 2 things:  how much they ate (after already devouring appetizers and soup and salad) and more importantly, the focus on and worship of the gospel through Scripture reading and singing.

A dear friend watched Ian on Saturday so we could do some shopping for him, so we braved the traffic which was frustrating to say the least, but we managed to get some surprises that we're pretty sure he'll like.  Saturday evening, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Drew, Elizabeth and Brenna to celebrate Tom's birthday.  On Sunday evening, we had our small group families over for a fun and delicious Christmas dinner.  Two of the ladies made and filled stockings for all the children, which was so very exciting!  Here are the girls with the aprons that they got.

More stocking opening....

And here is our Jamaican king with his new nerf gun and football which he is completely obsessed with.

I have this thing about frost - it fascinates me!  Sunday morning we woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland of ice crystals everywhere!  It was breathtaking!

I always try to capture it with the camera but can't come close.  What a wonderful reminder of our amazing Creator and the beauty He gives us to enjoy!

Sweet!

Happy Birthday

I can't let this day go by without wishing the love of my life a very happy birthday!  I hate that it usually gets squeezed in between the Christmas craziness, but he never complains.  I have no idea why God chose to bless me with this wonderful man, but I couldn't love him more (although maybe that's not true because I seem to love him more every day!)  He has taught me so much over the last 30+ years.  His personal mission statement is simple:  "love God and love people."  He is the Godly leader of our home and loves me unconditionally - in spite of my faults and quirks.  He is an awesome father and grandfather.  I feel blessed beyond measure when I reflect on our years together and the ways that God has grown us as individuals and as a couple. 

Happy, happy birthday, Tom!!!!  I love you!!! 

Babysitting Brenna

Tom, Ian and I got to babysit Brenna for a little while last weekend and of course, that means Grammy brings her camera.  She's getting so big and changing all the time!  I'm sure she said "Grammy" one day last week and is smiling lots.

Go Boilers!

Hanging out with Uncle Ian who....

loves her and....

 is fascinated by her feet!

Sweet girl!

Olivia Visit

Warning:  If you read Lindsay's blog, you might want to stop reading this one now because they are pretty much the same.  Tom, Ian and I headed to Memphis for a quick visit (way too short) and had a wonderful time with Olivia and her parents.  She is growing and changing so much each time we see her and developing quite the personality.  We tried to convince Lindsay and Troy that they should let her come home with us until Christmas but it didn't work.  I think we're going to wear grooves in the road between here and there before the next 5 years is over!

 So big!  She's not interested in crawling but loves to stand.

 The weather was beeeeaaaauuuutiful (in the 60's) and Drew texted on Saturday to say that Lafayette was getting snow!

 Playing with Uncle Ian

 Uncle Ian loves his nieces!

 Awwwww!

 Proud grandparents

Watching a DVD together
I did 2 posts at once so keep reading.....

90th Birthday Bash!

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we celebrated my grandmother's 90th birthday at the Mayberry Cafe.  Her children shared stories of their childhood, we took a history quiz based on her life and the grandchildren put together a scrapbook of pictures and memories for her. 

 Happy 90th Birthday, Mamma

 Ian was very proud of the finger painting he made for Mamma, especially when everyone oohed and aahhed over it.

 Mamma and Me (not many people who are my age are blessed to have a grandparent still around to enjoy!  I'm very thankful!!)

The youngest (Brenna) and the oldest family members

We took many more pictures; children (with and without spouses, grandchildren with and without spouses, great grandchildren, male cousins, male cousins with gray hair, etc. - you get the idea) but I'll spare you all those, thanks to my very slow computer.

It was a great time of celebrating a dear life that we are all so thankful for.

Filling Out

All during the past year, folks would mention to us that Ian looks like he is filling out.  It's hard for us to see since we are with him all the time, but we do realize it when we lift him.  A year ago, at his first trip to the Riley CP clinic, he weighed 48 lbs and we were thrilled because that was up from where he was when we brought him home in Sept.  Well.......I took him to get Botox injections yesterday and they had to weigh him so they could figure the exact dosage.  74.5 lbs!!!!  Yes, he's filling out and growing up!

Happy Thanksgivng!

I had a meaninful Thanksgiving post written in my head but alas, it never made it to the computer keyboard so I'll save it for another time.  In the meantime, we wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving, remembering the many blessings God has so graciously bestowed upon us, most importantly His Son!!!

Brenna Noelle

Brenna is growing and changing daily so it's time for an update.  She is 5 weeks old and weighs over 9 lbs and is starting to "talk" and smile, although not usually when I have a camera stuck in her face.  Everyone has told us for years that grandchildren are the greatest blessing and boy, were they right!  What a joy!!!!

 This one was about a week ago.

 Hanging out with Uncle Ian

 Mesmerized by the swing

 Trying to stay awake and talk to Papa Grande

 Grammy is always trying to get me to smile!

Yay!  A smile for the camera!