One

This Friday Lillian will turn one.  Wow!  It is hard to imagine what life was like before her. She entered the world at 8 lbs and 12 ounces! Her smile, fiestiness, sweet personality, and just all around cuteness make her hard to resist!  I got a little teary going back through pictures for this blog!  Both of the girls are growing up way too fast! 

It's already hard to remember her being so tiny!  (Is 8 lbs and 12 ounces really tiny? :) )







It didn't take long for her precious personality to shine through!


It also didn't take long for Uncle C to fall completely in love with his second niece!





And now, here they both are!  Ages 1 and 4

Happy Birthday Little Bit! We love you!!

 

Early Morning Fun

Lindsey was attending graduation at her highschool, and Josh and Maddie were attending his sister's graduation in Montgomery.  So, Nana lucked out and got to keep Lillian for the night.  Most of these pictures were taken early the next morning before hair was combed, clothes changed, or teeth brushed!  Early mornings are always one of my favorite times with these cuties!!

Early morning concert with Lillian on the flute and Maddie on the harmonica!

 Just a mess!!

Not too sure about this look!  Either "What you looking at Nana?" or "Would you please quit taking my picture?"

 Josh and Lindsey ready to head out, and Maddie being her sweet self!

We will be celebrating Lillian's first birthday next weekend.  They are both growing up so fast!!

Sweet Summertime

The end of my twenty-ninth year of teaching is rapidly approaching, and boy am I ready for summer!  This year has really flown by quickly.  I am so excited about spending time with the girls, and enjoying a few lot of pool days.  My flowers are blooming and growing, and that is always a sign that the end of the school year is near!!

Reed planted these roses a couple of years ago, and he has nurtured them quite a bit!  This year they are really beautiful!

I actually planted a little later than usual this year, but most things are coming up nicely.  However, I have a critter that keeps eating my blooms in about 5 planters.  After replanting 3 times, I am accepting defeat!

Due to a pump malfunction last year, we are beginning this year with all new goldfish! A special thanks to our sweet neighbors and to Mr. Jack who gave us fish!

I can't wait to spend lots of time here this summer!

Happy Summer! 

Garden Time

Sometimes I think Reed plants a garden just so that Maddie can help him!  She loves it too!  I can't wait for it all to be ready!

Gardening is tough work!  Shoveling topsoil was lots of fun!

So was getting your hands nice and dirty!

And after a little hard work in the garden, the hoola hoop was lots of fun!

Mother's Day

Being a mother is the greatest gift possible.  It is a love that is simply hard to explain.   I feel so blessed to be both a mother and now a grandmother.  I feel the love for my children and grandchildren every day, but it is quite nice to have a day set aside to honor this special gift. The older I get, the more I value the time with my children and grandchildren.  Before I was a mom I didn't know so much warmth, joy, love or satisfaction was possible. And before I was a Nana, I didn't know that all those "Mom" feelings would double!


The day began with a little facetime with the girls and ended with a supper for Grandmother.  In between I got to spend some quality time with Caleb and Reed.  Pretty close to a perfect day!

Papa

Reed and Uncle Tony

Grandmother ready to eat!

Caleb and Aunt Sandra-Quite a pair!!

Papa and Aunt Di

Grandmother with her children

And then Papa joined the group!

And on a personal note, I would like to share a little about the gifts my sweet family gave me for this special day.  Caleb and his sweet self gave me a beautiful evergreen tree that he planted surrounded with salvia and petunias, along with a beautiful lantern.  I also picked out some new outdoor cushions and another lantern.  (This time of the year, my family knows I am only thinking about outside "stuff".)

And then there was this -Mine is the one with the sparkles!

I am blessed!

All Good Things Must Come to An End

Maddie had her last TBall game last week. I was able to make it to 4 of her games. (It would have been 5, but it was cancelled.) They really improved as the season progressed.  Lots of memories were made!  I am already looking forward to next year's season!

Entertaining Little Bit at the park is lots of fun! Josh has a wonderful aunt that kept her during most of the games.

Running the bases-Every time she crossed home plate, she looked at the stands and smiled!

Batting

Playing in the pitcher's circle - Mom got to help!

Dad got to help when she was at shortstop.

Learning about good sportsmanship!

Three and Four year old TBall was lots of fun!  No outs, everyone bats, everyone scores, and everyone plays in the field!

What a Ride!

On the way to the field for her last game, Maddie gave Lillian the ride of her life!  Other than Lillian's hair blowing in the breeze, you can't really tell just how fast they are going by the pictures! Both were all smiles!

Sometimes you just have to hold on and enjoy the ride!

Next up, the final game of the season!

Then We Celebrate

Caleb is not one for bringing much attention to himself, but he did let us have a small celebration supper!  Lots of fun with family and some people that have been very special to him along the way!

Congrats Caleb!

This one enjoyed the festivities!

The aunts both tried crawfish for the first time!

Friends and family -

Next, we moved in to open presents. 

I am pretty sure he wouldn't have made it without the help he got from these two in high school!

Maddie was great help as he opened his presents!

Thanks up to all who helped us celebrate!
Caleb said it's time for me to stop blogging about him, so next up is more on our sweet, sweet girls!

The Ceremony

Friday night marked the end of a special journey and the beginning of endless possibilities.  Time flies! It seems like yesterday that he was beginning kindergarten at Mrs. Dot's.  Even though it was a cold, rainy night, it was such a beautiful and special ceremony!

It's not official until you see the name in the program!  I found it on page 44!

A little pre-ceremony entertainment!

Walking in- I had scoped out the seating chart on the UA website, so we sat right in front of his section. Low and behold, he was on the front row!!! It would have been perfect except for the bush that was right in front of him!

Walking across the stage and receiving his well earned diploma!  Officially, his degrees are Accounting with a major concentration in Professional Accounting and Finance with a major concentration in Banking and Financial Services.

The moving of the tassle!

Heading out with Diploma in Hand!!

Congratulating Uncle C!

Our Graduate!

We are so very proud of you!!