Thankful

Thanksgiving at Papa's was once again filled with wonderful food, lots of smiles, precious new babies, and most of all family.  My favorite is watching the cousins play and interact.  We are blessed with so many children, and I love watching them grow and change.  Maddie loves every minute she spends with the cousins.  We have had lots of changes in the family the past year and a half, and we definitely felt the void left by their loss.  However, the love is still evident in every  conversation, smile, and new memory made.

 My greatest blessings!

Family fun and great food!!

Reed and Rylie are 6 weeks apart.  I am thrilled they will be able to grow up together!

Three generations

I think this one will probably end up in a frame!

You never know what Aunt Sandra is going to come up with for entertainment.  This year she found marshmallow guns, and they were quite a hit!!

Another Thanksgiving is in the books.  Now, the tree is trimmed, the halls are decked, and we are anxiously waiting for Christmas!!

How We Roll

Reed loaded up the girls and the oil for frying the turkeys and headed up the street to Papa's.  The rest of us will shortly be on our way.  Family gatherings are one of the things I'm most thankful for.

This is how we roll!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wedding Fun

Taylor's sister, Tori was married this past weekend.  Jean and I enjoyed the festivities so much.  It was a beautiful, sweet occasion.  I must say that it just makes me wish for January 31 even more though.  I just can't wait for Caleb and Taylor's BIG DAY!!  These photos are all courtesy of Jean's phone!!


I don't have any pictures of the beautiful bride, but I think this couple is just precious!

I also got to spend some time with this handsome little guy!  Rose Lynn's husband was a groomsman, so Baby Ty got to enjoy the reception.  He is an absolute doll!  I must add that I am still amazed that Lindsey's classmates are married with families of their own now!!  

This one was a little blurry, but I had to include it.  He's so cute that you just want to squeeze him!!

The girls are coming today for a little pre Thanksgiving fun.  Their mom, dad and sweet baby Reed will be here tomorrow night to add to the fun!  We can't wait to see everyone for Thanksgiving!

Go Generals!

 Maddie had a cheer competition in Tallasee  recently on a frigid, windy day.   I'm talking seriously cold!!  The competition involved a jump off, chants, cheer and a dance.  Maddie's group went second, and they were awesome.   After they competed, I really didn't think they could be beat-until the next squad went!!  They were very good, too.  So, Maddie's team received second place after a really great performance!  Two girls on her squad also received awards for the jump off. I don't remember exactly how many squads competed, but there were quite a few.  Maddie's group has lots of 5 year olds, so I thought that made their win even more special!  I have sat through so many camp performances and games with her mom cheering, so this brought back lots and lots of memories!

This little blue-eyed sweetie got to stay with a babysitter! Pop and Josh got in a few snuggles before we left.

All bundled up, waiting (and waiting and waiting) on the event to start!  Maddie's bow was standing straight up due to the blustery wind!!

And we're off!!

Cheer!  My favorite is the two upside down signs!!  That didn't effect their performance!  They were truly awesome!!

Dance! 

And a well deserved trophy!!

This has been a very long, but fun season.  I am amazed at how much Maddie has progressed!  I see lots more of these events in our future!

These are some pictures the babysitter sent of Reed during the competition!  He looks like he had a great time!  So glad he stayed warm!

Another quick but fun trip is in the books! Lindsey just called.  Both girls have strep!!  Bless them!  

Turkeys, Feathers and Fun

We treasure each visit with our sweet girls, and just can't wait until Reed can join in on the fun.  We were a little worried about Lillian, because she has become quite the mama's girl.  We were thrilled when she didn't miss a beat!  She was perfectly content the entire visit, just like always.  We have always been so blessed, because there are no tears either coming or going!!

For many, many years as a teacher, I have innocently sent home "projects" for my students and parents (turkeys, feathers, Christmas trees, Easter eggs, etc).  I always thought these were perfect things for parents and their children to do together.  How silly of me!!!!  Actually, it was lots of fun!!

I thought both turned out quite well!  Trust me, both were very specific about what they wanted!!  The only real problem was when Maddie wanted to put the orange and blue hearts together.  I reminded her that we don't do those colors in our house!  She wouldn't budge, but did agree to add some red to the orange heart!

Maddie is getting so tall that her feet almost touch the ground on the swing now.  Little Bit is such an awesome helper!

For a while, we thought she was going to be afraid to try new things, but she likes to go high and fast like her sister!

No trip is complete without a trip to the park!  It's even more fun now that Lillian is bigger!!

I can't describe how special it is to be a grandmother.  It is a love like no other.  These sweet girls and their precious brother make any day just a little brighter.  I can't wait for Uncle C and Aunt T to throw a couple into the mix!!!!  

Next up-Maddie's Cheer Competition!  

Sunday Funday

Maddie asked me if she could whisper something in my ear this weekend, and of course I said yes.  She softly said, "I really want to see my cousins."  I so love that she is already recognizing the value of family!  We weren't able to see all of the cousins, but we did manage to see Charley, Josey and Riley.  I am so glad the holidays will soon be here, so we can spend more time with everyone!

First, a little pre-church fun!!  

After church, we headed across the river to spend some time with Lee and his sweet family. Riley is growing so fast!

Maddie and Katy-Maddie loves riding on the four wheeler.  

Sweet Family!

Lillian and Pop

Lillian and Josey 

Precious Children-Maddie, Lillian, Josey, Charley and Joe

Charley was a great chauffeur!!

Riley is pooped after a fun weekend!!

Family times are the best times!!  More on our fun visit with the girls next!!