The Greatest Show on Earth

Cotton candy + snow cones + tigers, elephants, and zebras = one happy girl...

We had a ball with Maddie and her mom and dad at the circus.  We were a little worried that it might be a little long for her, but she had a ball.  She laughed, danced and clapped all through the entire event.  She would sit in one of our laps for a while, and then move on to the next person.  She was such a trooper....She only napped about 20 minutes the entire day, but was still an angel! We are already looking forward to next year! 

Reed and I got there early and were able to watch the

elephants walk in....

Waiting in line to go in.  Maddie put her

light on Pop's head!!

The pre-show was lots of fun, although Maddie

wasn't too crazy about seeing the clowns up close.

Pre-show-up close and personal with the zebras.

Asia the elephant

Asia was an artist!

It truly is amazing!

Having a ball! 

More fun!

Cutie Pie!

We decided to eat at the new Ezelle's Catfish in Bessemer. The wait time was an hour,

so we walked next door to Applebe's.  The wait there was an hour and a half....So, we walked

on to Cracker Barrel....This paci was much needed after her long day.....

This kept her occupied for quite a while.

Fun was had by all.....

We had wanted Caleb to go with us, but for some reason the last day of deer season trumped the circus!

We had such a wonderful day!  We can't wait until we see them again. 

This and That

Reed and I traveled to Tuscaloosa to have our eyes checked this week. The only good thing about this was that we got to spend some time with Caleb.  I love that even though he is "away" at college, he is close enough that we can see him often!  After our appointment, we met them for a quick supper and a trip to Reed's new favorite store - Tractor Supply Co.

The very next night Caleb was leaving work and decided to stop at the convenience store before heading home for the weekend. When he returned to the truck, it wouldn't start.  Long story short, Reed and I traveled over, called a mechanic Reed knew (only after they tried unsuccessfully to fix it), left the truck for him to fix and headed home. We were able to bring it home the next night after the circus.  We have eaten out 4 times this week due to 3 different late afternoon trips to Tuscaloosa this week and our trip to the circus.  We decided that we're only going to have home cooked meals this week! 

Next up-The Circus!!!

A Dog's Life

Our precious dogs have a really tough life!!  Gus and Maybelle spend their days outside in the backyard, but they do come in at night to sleep.  I thought I would share a few pictures of the tough life Gus has....

Here he is stretched out on his back after a looong

day of playing in the backyard.  This includes dragging up

and chewing sticks, tearing up ANYTHING we leave outside, and getting

into lots of mischief with his adoptive sister, Maybelle.

Now he rolls over and begins staring at "his" chair......

It's not long before he gets up stretches and hops up there.....

Even if you're not a dog lover, how could you not

love that precious face?

And on a different note-

He and Maybelle are not trying to kill each

other, despite the way it looks.  They spend lots

of time running and playing each day. (And they

truly love each other!!)

I must brag just a little bit.  Gus (for Reed only) can fetch, play dead, roll over, shake hands, and do all kinds of cute little tricks.  Maybelle can do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.  However, she is still very loved!

Have a great day!

A PJ Kind of Day

We made a quick trip to Alex City to take some things to Lindsey and Josh.  Even though we were only there less than 24 hours, we still loved spending time with them. Maddie has been a little under the weather, so she stayed in her pj's, and we stayed inside and played before we headed back.

 Helping in the kitchen

Lindsey made these delicious homemade biscuits for us.

Maddie sits on the counter while waiting for breakfast.

Entertaining herself!

A little snuggle time with Pop......

Silly Goose!

Getting Pop's toes!

Just a few of the many books Maddie and I like to read!

Playing with Blocks

Helping Mom put on her house shoes.....

They are still trying to get her off the paci,

but since she has been sick and running a fever they are bending the

rules a little.....

This weekend we are heading to the circus.  We can't wait for that adventure.  We just know she is going to love it!

Grandmother's Special Day

Happy Birthday Grandmother!  We hope you have a wonderful day!

Grandmother, Lindsey and Papa

Grandmother, Papa and the great grands!

All those great grandkids again!

Aunt Di and Grandmother tired after a long day!

A grandmother has the wisdom of a teacher,

the sincerity of a true friend,

and the tenderness of a mother.

She's someone we admire, respect and

love very much.

A grandmother will always have a cherished

place in our memories and in our hearts.

She's someone for whom we want every happiness

in return for the joy she always brings.

A grandmother is all the dear and precious

things in life...

When she's a grandmother like you.

Happy Birthday!

Why Blog?

I have been asked SEVERAL times lately about blogging.  Questions such as "What exactly is a blog?" "What do you have to blog about?" or "Why do you want to blog?".  Well, right now is a very slow time in the world of blogging, so I thought I'd answer those questions.

First of all, I got into blogging because I was spending so much time stalking other people's blogs.  (Just check the list to the right.  Those are just some of my favorites.)  It's a great way to keep in touch with people that you rarely ever see.  I've also learned a lot about several complete strangers.  I get waaaayyyy to excited when I check and someone has updated their blog.  I seldom have anything earthshattering to share.  It's just a little of this and a little of that........

Next, I have been into scrapbooking for several years.  This is so much easier.......I was thrilled when I found out I could have a blogbook printed of all my blogs by just clicking in my blog address.  And it's a super nice hardback book.  No cropping, adding stickers, etc!!! (http://www.blog2print.com/)

Last and most important, I simply enjoy it.  It's quick, relatively easy, and lots of fun!

Also, if I weren't blogging, I couldn't share such great insights into our daily lives as these photos show!

He is always up to something!

I didn't know it was possible to enjoy anything as much

as I enjoy being a grandmother!

Lindsey

She will always be Daddy's girl....

A little flashback to summer

Maddie and I making cookies

Helping Pop gather sticks.....

 See all the things I wouldn't be able to share, if I weren't blogging!!  In closing, I have truly enjoyed blogging, and I hope you enjoy reading it.  Next stop, Alexander City to see you know who!!

Let's Celebrate!

Thank goodness we didn't have to wait too long for Di's birthday supper.  Lindsey and Maddie were on the way home, so we decided eating with Di and the girls in Tuscaloosa would be a great way to break up their trip and to spend time with Di.

Di and her sweet girls

Isn't he precious?

Our sweet girls

This is what happens when you have a slow waiter!  Ha!

Charly having fun!

Loving on Di

Yum....Ketchup and macaroni and cheese.  She is her mother's child!

A little fun coloring!

My two favorite guys!

We will be off to Alex City this weekend.  I can't wait to share all about our trip!