Fifty One

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday Sweet Reed,

Happy birthday to you!

Birthday lunch-

He somehow managed to change clothes between his meal and dessert......

He chose 4 layered delight over a cake......

 Following a little dove hunting, he got to grill his own steak for supper!

Happy Birthday to you!!

Grandparent's Day and Gymnastics

I recently attended a workshop in Wetumpka, and I normally would have really complained about the distance.  However, this time it worked out great.  I was only about 40 miles away from the girls, so I was able to spend the night for Grandparent's Day!  I was also fortunate enough to get to take Maddie to her weekly gymnastics lesson.  I can't even begin to count the many hours I spent with Lindsey doing the same thing.  I am thrilled that Maddie seems to enjoy gymnastics as much as her mom did.  I hope Lillian loves it too!  The gymnastics pictures are not the best. Actually, they are pretty blurry!  The lighting was bad, and I was pretty far away, but I think it's easy too see how much she loves it!!

And she's off!!

I think every gymnastic's class in America has a parachute!

Walk of a future gold medalist!

Nothing in the world compares to being a grandparent!  We met in the sanctuary for a short program, followed by snacks and a chance to meet the teacher.  Maddie's preschool, "Jacob's Ladder", is located in the Methodist church.  They have LOTS of children.  It is a really wonderful program, and I am so glad the girls have this opportunity.

Maddie, Gigi and Mam (Josh's mom and grandmother)

Checking out the hymnal

Addie, Caleb and Maddie-Caleb and Maddie are best buds!! 

Enjoying our great snack!

And little one is growing!  I know I say this alot, but she is simply the best baby.  She laughs and smiles all the time!  Just Precious!  I have more pictures of her coming up!

I can't wait until our next visit!!

Simply Precious

Lillian was recently under the weather, and I got to go keep her one day.  While I am very sorry she was not feeling well, I was thrilled to be able to be with her.  I know I will sound like "one of those" grandmothers, but she is a great baby.  Even when she's sick, she rarely ever cries.  When she wakes up, she grins like she hasn't seen you in ages!  She has a precious laugh!  Maddie is the perfect big sister.  I can't wait to watch them grow up together!

I only took a few pictures with my Ipad when she first woke up.  We spent most of the day snuggling!  I was able to get quite a few of her laughing, but they were all blurry! :(

I am heading back this week to visit for Grandparent's Day!!  I can't wait!!

So Not Fair

I promised pictures of baby sis, and I promise I am going to do that in the next blog. However, this time I feel the need to whine just a little. I saw a post on facebook that said something to the effect of puttting your big girl pants on and not complaining if you had to work on Labor Day.  I took it to mean that I shouldn't complain because there are so many people out there without a job.  And while I am thankful to have a job, I was not at all happy about working on that particular day.  Yes, I am spoiled.  I have ALWAYS been off on holidays. I see no point in changing that now, especially when really fun things are going on without me!

I had to leave my sweet Maddie at home with Pop and Uncle C.......And while she had a great time, she wasn't too happy about me leaving either!

Pop and Uncle C had a ball fishing with our sweet girl.  And for the record, I use to take my own fish off the hook, but I just can't do that anymore for some reason.  Maddie, however, has got holding them down pat!

No more whining for me......I've already decided I'm just going to take off on my next working holiday. 

All Good Things

All good things must come to an end.  Maddie came for a visit this weekend. We tried to cram all of our favorite things into this last weekend of the summer.  We swam, fed the horses, and played as much as we possibly could!  Nana has to work on Labor Day for the first time in 29 years, so Pop, Uncle C, and Maddie are going to play in the sand piles and do a little fishing! 

I have hardly taken any pictures this weekend.  However, I did take these of Uncle C and Maddie having a ball playing.  They were taken with my Ipad, so they are just a little fuzzy!

Now that summer is over, I am so excited about college football, cooler days, fall leaves, and all the great things associated with Fall!

Next up - the sweetest little sister in the world!!

Anniversary and a Hurricane

Reed planned a trip to the beach for our anniversary.  Little did he know that in less than 24 hours into our trip the govenor would issue a mandatory evacuation from Gulf Shores.  The weather was beautiful - sunny skies, gentle breeze, not to hot, etc!!  We left early Sunday morning and were on the beach by 10:00 in the morning.  So, we did get one glorious, complete day on the beach!  We ate a wonderful supper, sat by the beach after supper , watched the dolphins put on quite a show right in front of us before loading up the next morning, and all in all had a perfect but short trip!!

This was our view when we arrived!  It could not have been more beautiful!

This was in our hotel parking lot when we were loading up to go home!  This is never a good sign!

That's Mr. Fred Hunter and his camera man.  Little did they know that dolphins were putting on a jumping exebition right behind them!! I tried to get a picture of them, but they were just too quick!

Although it was still an overcast but beautiful day, Mr. Govenor insisted we leave......

And in his defense, this is what it looked like the next morning....(I stole this from James Spann.)



Reed has promised we will go back in a few weeks.  But, dove season comes in soon.......I've learned a lot in 30 years of marriage, and my money says the doves are going to win this one!!

Thirty

Time certainly flies when you are having fun!  Lindsey and Caleb recently pulled off quite a surprise for our upcoming 30th anniversary.  I am pretty quick to pick up on clues, and usually I am hard to surprise.  Caleb told us he was taking us and Grandmother and Papa out to eat for our anniversary.  I was quite surprised when we arrived and found quite a few more people there!!  Reed and I had a great night with great friends and family!!  Thanks so much for the surprise!

Beauiful cake!!!

Love, Love, Love my sweet family!!

It looks like another one of our girls is under Tim's spell!!

Great food, friends and family!

It's really great being married to your very best friend.  I can't wait for the next 30 years!

Next up, our 24 hour trip to Gulf Shores thanks to Hurricane Isaac.