Ummm Ummm Good!

We recently had Maddie for a few days.  There are many things I could share about our visit.  It's the simple things that make our time with her so special.  We love the way she starts her day.  As soon as she wakes up, she throws her pacifier on the floor and says, "uh oh".  We know our day is beginning-usually around 6:00 am.  Also, as soon as she hears any type of music, she begins dancing.  Another favorite is strolling around the neighborhood.  She will actually crawl up in the stroller when she's ready for a walk.  Maddie would spend every waking hour outside.  This is great, except when the temperature is near 100.  She absolutely loves our dogs.  Also, as you will see by these pictures she is a great eater......

There's nothing like a good rib bone to make a girl happy!

Yum! Pop cooks the best ribs!

We don't have any pictures of it, but she actually held on tightly to this rib bone for about an hour in the pool. Can you tell we think being grandparents is awesome?

Have a great week!

It's Almost Over!

For the past 27 years, I have always dreaded this time of the year.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE summer, but after the 4th of July, the countdown for the start of the school year begins.  I always get back into the flow within a few days after I go back, but it's very difficult to give up my carefree summer days.  I keep reminding myself that I could retire, but I am not sure I am really ready for that.  I am taking it one year at a time.  Anyway, I am going to list a few of things that I will miss the most when school starts back.

1.  Spending extra time with Maddie.  There have been lots of weddings, workshops, showers and things that have allowed us to have lots of time with our sweet girl this summer!  (I might add that we enjoyed seeing her mom and dad more often, too!)

2.  "Helping" Reed.  I am not sure how much help I really am, but I enjoy spending time with him.

3.  Swimming with Cathy and the kids in the afternoons.  We have been doing this for over 20 years, and I thoroughly enjoy it. ( I might need to throw in that I enjoy swimming in the morning and night, too...)

4.  Watering and caring for my flowers.  This tends to go by the wayside when school starts, in spite of my good intentions.

5.  Caleb-Although he is working this summer, he only took one class.  In the fall, it will be back to a full load, so we won't see him near as much!

6.  I have also made pickles and perserves for the first time in several years.  Fun!! (And they taste good, too!)

7.  Caring for my mom is much easier in the summer. 

8.  I simply enjoy being home. (And I always have!)

I will say that I truly love the people I work with, and it will be great to see them again on a daily basis.  I think that is one of the reasons I am holding out on retirement.  I am going to enjoy these next few weeks.  I may even try to sleep past 6:30 one morning.......

A few pictures from the summer-

Maddie-Reed has already told me that I won't be able to see her every weekend when school starts.  I predict a few tears.

Maddie and Lindsey in an early summer visit.

Josh and Maddie

Reed has killed two giant rattlesnakes this summer.  One he killed with a stick and another with a ski. Scary!

He will always be my baby......

Even when he gives me looks like this!

Vinca

One of our ferns

Vinca and a desert rose plant

I have not spent nearly enough time here this summer!!  Notice our prize dog Maybelle.  She deserves a blog post of her own...... She has quite a story.

Strawberry Fig Preserves(Lauri will be so proud of me!! She usually gives me some of hers.)

and Dill Pickles

Blurry-but "Miss" Cathy and I have spent many hours over the past 20 years in the pool.

Some of "Miss" Cathy's kids enjoying popsicles.  She is responsible for many swimmers in Aliceville.

Wow-this summer is flying by!!

Our Little Gardener and A Special Birthday

Pop (Reed) ventured into gardening this year. He saves most of the little red tomatoes for Maddie to pick when she comes. She loves this! She takes a bite and gets all the juice out, and then tosses them on the ground. Of course, Pop doesn't mind. If Maddie is happy, Pop is happy. She is also very happy in the pool now. I think she is going to love the water just like her mother did. Also, I was able to help a special friend celebrate her 60th birthday with a surprise party. Alanna organized this party the day before her wedding. How sweet! Happy Birthday Gloria! Finally, I (along with 3 special friends) was able to host a breakfast for Alanna and Brent's groomsmen. Thanks to Phyllis, Melanie and Stacy for helping make this a special occasion!

Searching for the perfect tomato to pick!

Pop is close by with the basket!

Notice the little green one-oops!

Many of them never make it to the basket......

So much fun!

She next ventured over to the peppers, but Pop had

to steer her away from these.

She is becoming quite the little swimmer.  This was taken after she had her bath and was ready for bed. 

I looked around and found her and Pop in the pool.

Gus even joined in the fun!!!

Watermelon is the best!

Happy Birthday Gloria!!

Alanna, Gloria, & Richard at her surprise 60th birthday party-the day before Alanna's wedding. 

Is it good for the funeral director to be at your 60th birthday party?

The bride and groom at the birthday party.

Who would give a 60 year old thongs????

Blurry, but this is Joyce Ann with Anna (Martha's little girl) and Lindsey & Maddie.

My Happy Hostesses for Alanna & Brent's Wedding Breakfast

More on this event later.......

Happy 21st Birthday Caleb!!

Wow! It seems like only yesterday that we were blessed with you! You have provided us with more love, adventures, and entertainment than we could have ever imagined. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful son, and we are so proud of the young man you have become!! Thanks for all the great memories-We love you!!

What a cutie you were!

Hide and Go Seek Accident!

River Rat!

Ready for the first day of kindergarten

Touchdown!!

Best Friends!

Big Sis

What a catch!

Dad & Caleb

Brooke

Uncle C and Maddie

Have a great birthday!  We love you today and everyday!

Happy 4th of July

We celebrated a great 4th with the cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents. We ate, we talked, we played! Everyone had a terrific time, and as always, it's great to be together!

 
 
 

The grillmasters taking a break from cooking.

Uncle C and Maddie are best buddies.

Searching for rocks.

Grandmother and Caleb

Our precious girl!

Aunt Di and Lindsey catching up.

 

Everyone loves Aunt Di's mac and cheese.  Maddie is her latest fan!

Enjoying a swim on a hot 4th.

We hope everyone's day was as wonderful as ours.