Happy Birthday, Pop!!

Happy Happy Birthday, Pop!  We love you VERY much!  Wish we were there celebrating with you!  Hope you have a wonderful day!!

Mawmaw (Dad's mom), Pop, and Hallie

Pop & Hallie at the Mississippi River

Happy Birthday, Gramps!!

Happy Happy Birthday, Gramps!  We love you VERY much!

Now...a funny story about Gramps's birthday:

We were eating supper on the river, celebrating Gramps's birthday--he turned 60 today!  Jonathan was telling Hallie that Gramps would be 60...and tried to get her to count to 60.  She counted along with him until a little past 20...then she didn't know the numbers.  Jonathan counted super fast and then "out of breath" said, "SIXTY!"  Hallie was wide-eyed and said, "Whoa!!"  She was impressed.  Later, Jonathan was simply trying to get Hallie to SAY the number 60.  This is how it went:

Jonathan:  Hallie, say "sixty".

Hallie:  One, two, three...(loud sigh)

Jonathan:  No, Hallie...just SAY "sixty"...just say the number.

Hallie:  One, two, three, four, five...(head rolls, loud sigh)...I can't!  I'll be too tired!"

We all got a good laugh out of that! :o)

Happy 60th, Gramps!  Isn't it nice to know you're a number that makes Hallie tired. ;o)

Charley, Charley.

Our stint in dog-sitting has continued through this week.  Hallie has had so much fun with Charley.  He tolerates her pretty well these days, but we know he's longing to be back at Gramps and RahRah's house!  Ha!  He is more than slightly spoiled there.  

Hallie wants Charley to be her little friend...she wants him to sit with her when she wants.  She wants him to follow her.  She wants him to lay down beside her during nap time.  Charley is about 8 years old (dog years), so he's a little old and set in his ways.  He doesn't want to lay down beside a toddler who may or may not start jumping up and down on the bed at any given moment.  Ha!  

On this particular day, Hallie wanted to read Charley a book.  You can tell in the pictures below how incredibly thrilled he was to be subjected to this.  Haha! :o)

Playdate Fun!

Today we had some sweet friends come over for a little playdate.  We've been trying to get together all summer, and one of us was always out of town.  We finally got together!  I did not tell Hallie that Miss Jeni and Gabriel were coming over to play until about 10 or 15 minutes before their arrival.  I knew she couldn't contain her excitement...and boy was I right!  Until they got here, it was, "Are my friends here yet?" over and over!  Ha!

Jeni and I wondered if Hallie and Gabriel would actually play together.  Hallie's 3 (March 2) and Gabriel just turned 2 (June 20)...but it seems they got along just fine.  They didn't really play together so much, but I know Hallie enjoyed simply having Gabriel there.  At one point, she had flashcards out, showing him the picture and then telling him the word.  A little teacher in the making?  Let's hope not!  HA!  Gabriel even got his hair done at Hallie's Beauty Parlor!  Too cute!  I'm sure Gabriel was completely shocked at all the PINK he saw everywhere...but he got right in there and played with the kitchen, the dolls, the princess vanity, pushed the pink grocery cart, pushed the baby stroller, and even rode the pink four-wheeler!  Roy probably had him out playing football after his playdate (that is, if he knew about all the pink his boy had been subjected to!).

We were going to get out and play in the sprinklers, but tummies (mainly mine and Hallie's, I think) were rumbling, so we headed to Chick-fil-A.  Hallie got to be the big girl and help Gabriel out in the playground.  Of course, she tried to be a little leader (read: bossy).  She would tell Gabriel on to do the very thing she was told not to do!  Ha!  Very cute.  I think naps were had by all after our fun playdate!

Can't wait to do it again soon!! :o)

A break from the fun.

First customer at Hallie's Beauty Salon. :o)

Going at it on his own.

Roddy Tree Ranch

This past weekend, we got to spend some time in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.  My sweet in-laws rented a cabin at Roddy Tree Ranch...it was very relaxing!  Hallie loved the little "trip" as she called it.  She got to do lots of swimming, lounged around, and fished for the first time!  She was thrilled!  And luckily, Daddy helped her catch her first fish. :o)  The only thing she wanted to do?  Pet the fish!  Ha!  The getaway was to celebrate Gramps's 60th birthday (this Thursday).  RahRah kept it a surprise that Jeremy, Jonathan, Hallie, and I were coming up for the weekend...well, sort of.  She ran out of "little while lies" right before we showed up!  Ha!

Hallie's Highlights:
*Loved spending time coloring
*Loved swimming with Uncle J, Daddy, Gramps, and RahRah (and I suppose me, too!)
*Got to see a deer one morning
*Was super excited about fishing and getting to pet the fish
*Fed the ducks
*Missed out on canoeing b/c of naptime--Gramps and RahRah canoed and then Jonathan and I canoed (very relaxing)
*On our way home, we stopped in Fredricksburg, TX at The Candy Bar.  Hallie got to pick out some candy...she chose a play baby bottle filled with candy.  Ha!

It was a wonderful weekend, and we're thankful to be able to get away with people we love so much!

Roddy Tree Ranch

                

  

Fredricksburg, TX at The Candy Bar

  

Dog Days of Summer

Oh boy, oh boy!  While Gramps and RahRah are relaxing at Roddy Tree Ranch in the Hill Country, we are dog-sitting (our dog!). :o)  Hallie has had SO much fun with Charley ("Cha-lee") the past few days.  We're going to be very sad to see him go back to his grandparents' house.  I'm not so sure that Charley won't be welcoming their homecoming, though! Ha!  He has been a very good sport...maybe he's just getting old.  We have taken Charley for a walk every morning, played with him all day, and then Hallie has taken him for a mini-walk every evening.  One thing is for sure, he has gotten his exercise during his stay!  I know he misses Gramps and RahRah, though.  He is just a little bit spoiled by Gramps.  He's a good boy, though, and we love him!

One cute Charley story...we took Charley with us to the Splash Park yesterday over at Mountainvew Park.  No, I wasn't going to let my dog splash around in the water.  There was NO chance of that because Charley absolutely HATES the water!  He was content to lounge under the bench, underneath the shade of us and our beach towels.  The kids there loved seeing the "puppy" (he'll always be a puppy because he's so little).  Everyone had left for the time being, so I let Charley off his leash (which Hallie refers to as his "blush") and let him roam around a little bit.  Once he got a little too far away, I started calling him back.  Hallie decided she'd take matters into her own hands.  She marched over to the grassy area and yelled, "Charley, come!  Come, Charley!  Now!  Charley, you are disobeying God!"  Now I know she's listening during our little lessons of obeying. ;o)

I love this little spunky girl!

Hallie walking Charley.

Charley walking Hallie.

You decide. :o)

"Sit Charley!  Sit!"

Sweet girl.

Uncle!

These two are quite the pair. Hallie LOVES her Uncle J and I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual.  While were were in Alabama, these two were apart for 3 solid weeks.  So when Uncle J came over this past Sunday, they caught up on their goof-off time.  The greatest thing about Uncle J is that he will be silly, silly, silly with Hallie and she just eats that up!  They are never short on giggles when they're together.  It is so fun to watch Hallie be so loved by her uncle!  Thanks, Uncle J, for being such an awesome uncle to our sweet Hallie!

Hallie & Uncle J in thier tu-tus

June Part II (and July)

So...a quick recap.  I finished up the school year and my parents and sweet niece, Abby, came to visit for a week.  After their visit, Hallie and I went back to Alabama with Nonna, Pop, and Abby.  We visited for a week and then Jonathan joined us.  We spent another week (with Daddy) in Alabama relaxing and enjoying the slowness of it all. :o)  Daddy had to head back to Texas and Hallie and I stayed an extra week.  Pure bliss!  There was more swimming, more relaxing, more doing nothing, and more visiting with family and friends.  Completely wonderful times!  Hallie even talked Pop into going swimming with her. :o)  We hated to leave sweet home Alabama, but we were getting homesick for Daddy, Gramps, RahRah, and our own beds...though we totally could have stayed another week in Alabama! ;o)

We completely enjoyed our visit with my parents--it was a much needed break for me.  It's almost as if the second I step into my parents' house, the stress of every day stuff just rolls completely off me.  The joy of getting to walk out onto the screened in porch and then onto the back patio to take in the view of tall trees, complete greenery and a beautiful pool is...well, it's lovely.  While in Alabama, I got to FIVE books!  I loved it!  Since being back in Waco, I have struggled to finish the one book I bought before I left Alabama.  And it's a great book (The Lucky One by Nicolas Sparks)...I just haven't found the time (or relaxing spot) to take in the book.

While in Alabama, my BFFSK (Best Friend Forever Since Kindergarten--LOL) Kyetra (Key-tra) just happened to be in Alabama, too.  Awesome!  It was wonderful to get to spend some time with her, see her little guy, Taft, and then make the visit that we've been needing to make for some time.  One of our childhood friends, Walter, was diagnosed with ALS a few years ago.  Let me just say...Walter was the kind of guy who could make anybody smile.  He was one of the funniest people we (or any of our other friends) knew.  He was a great guy.  When we were in 3rd or 4th grade (I can't remember), he moved from Florida to Alabama.  He was the new kid.  And he had a funny accent.  Well, he was quickly liked by all b/c of his witty sense of humor (read: He was THE class clown).  For some reason, he and I would pick on each other endlessly.  He'd call me Miss Piggy and I'd call him Boss Hog.  We were friends, though. :o)  So...Kyetra and I went to visit Walter.  I'm not sure how long he had been bedridden at our point of visiting...but his sweet wife woke him so he could visit with us.  It was wonderful--despite the scratchy voice that didn't quite sound like the Walter either of us remembered, he was the same sweet, witty guy everyone loved.  Walter passed away July 2 at his home.  He left behind a wife, Christy, and two elementary-aged children, Ford and Marley.  Per his request, there was no service.  It was said that he didn't want to put his family through a service after all they had already been through...he didn't want anyone crying over him.  Please keep his family in your prayers.

I didn't mention it before, but during our first week in Alabama, my grandmother (my dad's mom) was hospitalized--she is such a strong lady.  Love her!  She had been having trouble breathing due to fluid around her heart for about 2 weeks...she had been sleeping sitting straight up b/c if she laid down, it was hard for her to breathe.  At some point, it was bothersome enough to actually go to the doctor...and he immediately put her in the hospital.  She was released a few days later and now has a little oxygen machine.  Some of her children put in a window A/C unit and a ceiling fan in her living room.  Believe it or not, her house has never had an A/C unit (well, I take that back, there was one for my grandfather before he passed away, I do believe)...so this is a big deal.  But the cooler air will definitely help her breathe better.  She is still spunky, but moving a little slower.  We would all appreciate your prayers for her--she isn't one to want to prolong her life.  She's ready to go HOME and see her husband (and other family); but being selfish, we all just want a little bit longer--especially those of us who don't get to see her quite often enough.  With that said, we saw Mawmaw a few times while we were visiting Alabama.  She has 12 children, MANY grandchildren (I should really count that up), and several great-grandchildren.  She is definitely blessed. Hallie got to entertain her (and Mawmaw's sister, Granny Dell) quite a bit. :o)

For the Fourth of July, we went to my aunt Amanda's and uncle Mike's place down by the river (that's just how we southerners say it--lol).  It was, of course, beautiful.  Lots of green pastures, a beautiful river, lots of trees.  Hallie LOVED it.  She did get called a "city girl" when she didn't like walking around in the mud and dirt...lol...but she enjoyed playing in the "dirty water" (the river) and chasing around a few cousins.  It was wonderful to see some aunts, uncles, and cousins!

We hated to say good-bye...but we're adjusting to it being just Hallie and me at home during the day.  We're getting used to not walking outside to a sparkling pool or having our meals cooked for us and our laundry done so neatly.  LOL.  We miss my mom and dad, but it's good to be home.

Besides...we'll be back in September for Stacey and Wes's wedding! :o)

JUNE IN ALABAMA

JULY IN ALABAMA

June Part I

Oh what fun!  The last week of school was a busy one for me!  I wrapped up a school year and prepared for my parents' arrival (with my niece, Abby, in tow).  They stayed for a fun-filled week.  On Monday and Tuesday (June 7 & 8) the girls played at home and at the Splash Park.  I had training both days.  The rest of the week was filled with lots of play, a visit to Chick-fil-A, a trip to Jumping Party, shopping, lots of giggles, and FINALLY a trip to Lion's Park to ride the rides and train.  I think they had the most fun there.  Abby had so much fun at Lion's Park, you would have thought she was at Six Flags--she was precious!  And it being one of Hallie's favorite places, she was just as giddy. :o)

After visiting for a week, we prepared for the long car ride back to Alabama.  When you have 5 people in an 8 passenger vehicle with all the STUFF that goes with those 5 people, it's a little crowded.  We made it work, though.  Mom and I made Abby and Hallie some little "Busy Baskets" to keep them entertained on the long ride.  We also made personalized lap desks for them so they'd have something to write/color on.  They turned out great!

We made many stops along the way from Texas to Alabama.  One of the stops was at the Mississippi River.  I got a few great shots before it was just too dark.  We left Texas around 11 am on Saturday--we left from IHOP (always a good, less sad departure location).  We got home around 4:30 am.  It was a LONG ride!  Somehow my dad managed to get up on Sunday morning and preach.  Hallie and I didn't wake up until noon!

We spent the following week enjoying the pool and seeing some friends.  It was very relaxing!  I loved every minute of it. :o)

My memory card was full, so I emptied it onto one of my dad's laptops.  Then we (really, I) forgot to get them off the laptop before heading home, so I don't have the pictures to post individually.  I uploaded them to Facebook while in Alabama, so I was just able to upload them to a slideshow from there.  When my dad mails me the pictures, I'll upload some of my favorites. :o)

Lots of pictures in the slideshow.  If you want to see them individually, just click the scrolling pictures and a new tab/window will open up. :o)

June is Missing!

OK, OK...wow.  For all [three] of you who read Hallie's blog, I have to give a huge apology.  I had no idea it has been over a month since I have posted the happenings of Hallie!  Believe me, lots has happened since Hallie got her hair cut! :o)  After that, I was busy wrapping up the end of the school year, then my parents came and stayed a week.  Hallie and I rode home with them and stayed a week.  Jonathan joined us for a week and then left us there another week!  Needless to say, we've been "missing" for a month!

I'll post updates soon...lots of them.  And lots of pictures, too!