Randomness

Life has been busy lately.  I am more than ready for all things spring!  (So much so that I may or not have decorated for Easter today.) Pop and I have an upcoming beach trip with the big grandkids soon, and we are looking forward to that.  Pop has also been busy working on Papa's yard this week.  It is really taking shape.  We are going to begin on painting the outside soon.  Lots of changes coming there!

Cottontails was lots of fun with this bunch!  I actually think I enjoy this more than the Christmas Village.  I found a few goodies, but mostly love spending time with this crew.  I also love that Lindsey is able to join us.

I am also thrilled to have Michaela back in town.  She was the first one to cut my hair besides Mrs. Carolyn in 35 years!!  John Sawyer is glad she's here, too!

And all is still well in the world of our chickens.  They aren't able to free range quite as much as before.  We are having a problem with hawks and cats.  Pop actually saved one that had been caught by a hawk.  Luckily, the chicken only lost a few feathers.  She's still a little ruffled though!  And, I never in a million years thought I'd be a chicken lady.......

The big kids helped us with Senior Meal a couple of weeks ago.  They are truly a big help. They also enjoyed Jeff Long's band.

In spite of  that not so happy looking face, he really enjoyed his first crawfish of the season.  Plans are for him to cook some soon.

And I can't wait to have all the gang here again soon. Practice for spring sports has started, so their visits won't be as frequent. Soccer, softball, martial arts, gymnastics, and piano keep them and their parents quite busy.  It won't be long until games start.

Rain, Rain Go Away

The big kids were back this weekend for a visit. The highlights for them were playing with Belle and John Sawyer. I love watching the 4 of them playing together, and just can't wait until Jack is here to join in on the fun!  Maddie wanted to do a little quail hunting, so Pop was happy to oblige.  The flooding made it a little more challenging, but they made it work.  We were beginning to think the rain was never going to stop.  Flooding was very severe again this year, and so many are still drying out. 

The gangs all here and ready to go!  (The sun was in Reed's eyes.)

Before the hunt began, they checked out the flooding.  This is the road on going into the gravel pit area.

And while the pontoon boat is suppose to be in the water, it shouldn't be nearly this high!

The dredge should be sitting on dry land!

Uncle C came in the "normal" way which was flooded in multiple places. Pop and I came in the long way, which wasn't over the road. After he hunted a while, we took him as far as we could, and he waded on out.

Back to the floods-Reed was able to get his loader and crane to higher ground-just barely.

These two didn't mind all the water.  They are standing on the road here.  It gets much deeper just a few feet down from where they are standing.

Checking out the road

Now, back to the hunt.Uncle C didn't get to stay the whole time. (Since he had to wade through the water to get back to his car.)

There's nothing better than a tailgate or trailer lunch!

This duo is ready!

That black thing in front of Maddie's gun is a quail.  She got it!

Water break! Lillian, Reed and I rode around on the Ranger and delivered water.

We also stopped and played a good bit.

I also had the best chauffeur around. His feet don't reach the pedals yet, but he's a great driver.

Uncle C, the little ones and I left these two to enjoy the afternoon.

Quail, Rain and Memories

Reed grew up hunting quail with his dad, and has worked hard to create a place on his land that will allow him to share this sport with the family. Maddie is sold (Caleb, too). Pop is also counting on Reed and John Sawyer growing to love the sport as much as Maddie does. No need to worry about Lillian, she will be at the house with me cooking and doing other fun stuff.  This was the last weekend of deer season, so in between deer hunts, they got in a quail hunt. Maddie shot her first quail with the same gun that Pop used when he was young.   I hung around long enough to take some pictures, and see how things went. It's really a fun sport.  I was a little anxious about Maddie shooting, because this is so different from deer hunting.  Pop assured me she was ready.  And you know what-she really was.  She has an excellent shot, and was very cautious and careful.

Maddie is such a wonderful, well-rounded young lady!  She is extremely smart, athletic, and just all around beautiful and precious!  I love that she enjoys doing so many different things-and she does them all well.  For the first time in many years, she came by herself this weekend.  Pop and I really missed the other two, but it was nice to have some time with just her.

They made a very good team!

I also loved watching Beau retrieve.  It's great to see him channel his unending energy into something beneficial.  

Back to the hunt-Pop gave her very specific directions on where and how to shoot.  She shot several birds.

Sweet sister stayed home and attended the Father-Daughter dance with her dad. I think they both had a great time!  

And will this rain ever end!? John Sawyer and I rode down to see Pop and check on the flooding. Pop was moving some of his stuff to higher ground.  

The Tombigbee has made it's way into one of the ponds and the slough.  Those trees below shouldn't be surrounded by water. And, it's still rising......

Checking things out with Pop

John Sawyer also got to hop on the loader and help Pop move some things.  He loved it!! He reminds me so much of Reed at this age.  They love all things involving tractors, trains, cars and such!

Riding the loader has always been a favorite of the kids.  This picture was Maddie's first time.  Holding on tight!

Before long, she was an old pro! Reed also loved it, but I couldn't find a picture!

Things are fixing to get even busier for these two with soccer starting soon.  

This one will be playing softball again.  When you throw in gymnastics, martial arts, piano and life in general, they will be quite busy!

They are all coming this weekend, and we can't wait.  John Sawyer will be thrilled to see them, and so will we. We are praying for dry weather while they are here.  We are all over this rain!

Sandpile Fun

Pop's sandpiles have been a hit with the kids and grandkids for as long as I can remember.  It's tough to beat a big pile of sand for tons of fun!  When you throw in a walk in the water, life just doesn't get any better! I know it's winter, but we were thrilled when the weather warmed up enough for us to get outside some.

This little one loved the water.

Surprisingly, he wasn't as thrilled with the sand! I think he will be once the cousins can 

show him all their tricks!

This was also Belle's first trip to the sand piles.  She loved it!!

I thought I'd add a few flashback pictures of the other grandbabies at the sandpiles! 

Reed

Lillian

Maddie

A couple of other things- Pop's chickens are like puppies.  They literally run up to you and follow you around.  John Sawyer and this one are buddies!

He and Belle are also buddies!