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!