Cute story

Here's a cute story that I though you guys would get a kick out of.

We had Sunday lunch at our house this past weekend. Erin and Bobby and girls and Heather all came down to Waco for the weekend.

I was sitting on the couch and motioned for Landry (2 1/2) to come over to me. I whispered in her ear "I love you", she whispered the same thing in mine.

Then I told her to go tell Grampy that. She pranced over to him and said, "Grampy, Grammy loves you."

What a hoot that child is.

Gotta brag

OK, you guys, gotta brag on my fantasy football team, it's not too often that I get to do that.

First, I'll explain that I was playing myself (I have two teams because we needed one more to complete the league). We have a family league, Hogs and Heifers, and I've had my Pig and Cow Crushers team since the inception of the league many years ago. This year my second team is called HOH, those of you Big Brother fans know where the name comes from. Well, the two teams played each other this week and according to the match-up the computer figures by the players you're playing, the HOH team was supposed to beat the Crushers by about 10 points.

Well, thanks to, among others, Houston's Matt Schaub (94.9 pts.) and Andre Johnson (43.8 pts) and Detroit running back Jhavid Best (60.2), the Crushers CRUSHED the HOH 340.3 - 212.5.

That is all well and good until Houston has a bye, then I'm in deep doo-doo. It will be my luck that Houston and Detroit will have the same bye week.

You Never Know...

I'm sure many of you know that you never know what kids are going to do or say. Here's a couple of cute things that a couple of my 'grands' have done or said recently.

Erin has a daughter, Landry, who is a typical 2 1/2 year old. Landry is not particularly fond of having her picture taken and will often hide her face or just plain turn around when it's time for a picture. Well the other day she so proud of herself that she was more than willing to pose. I must say it's the best picture she's ever taken. Here is the story that went along with the picture.

Ashton and Erin were doing homework and Landry was in the playroom playing. After about 5 minutes of not hearing anything from her, Erin asked her what she was doing and when she turned around her face was GREEN!

After the "NO ma'am, we do not write on anything but paper and the white board" and "Where did you get the marker" and "Landry Paige, that is NOT a good choice" Erin rushed her to the bathroom to wipe her off. But before that Landry graciously allowed her momma to take her picture.

Luckily, it was a Crayola Dry Erase Marker that wiped right off with water, but can you imagine if it had been an EXPO dry erase marker!

When Erin asked what in the world she was doing, she responded with this answer "well, I was just trying to be Twist (from the Fresh Beat Band) wif sun-cream". {There is an episode when the band members apply sunscreen and Twist can't quite seem to get it all rubbed in.}

There's been a couple of Parker, who is just three weeks older than Landry, funnies lately as well.

On Labor Day we were at their house for a BBQ. Something happened and I said "dang it". Parker immediately said, "Grammy that's a bad word." I said, "Parker, what am I supposed to say?" He retorted with "Grammy, you're supposed to say 'Oh, man'." It seems that dang it is too close to damn it and his parents wanted to make sure no one thought he was saying bad words.

Last Sunday they were at out house and he was racing around and I said "Hey there Charlie, slow down." His reply was, "My name's not Charlie, its Parker. Charlie is a boy in my class!"

I think it was the late Art Linkletter (who most of you have never even heard of) that said "kids say the darndest things." So true!!!!

A Day with Parker

Yesterday Megan and Ricci had a wedding to go to so Parker and I had a date.

With permission from Megan, I took him to see his first movie. Since he LOVES Woody and Buzz Lightyear, we went to see Toy Story 3. Well, half of it any way which is more than I really expected him to last through.

After we left the movie we went to visit Ninny. He has special toys at Ninny's house and makes a b-line for them each time. I thought he was going to try to take his favorite flashlight home, but a quick pocket check showed that he was a good boy and had put it back in its storage place.

Next it was on to Toys R Us. A couple of weeks ago I babysat him and since we couldn't stay around our house (Bruce was sleeping) or go t Megan's (she was having a party), we went shopping at Toys R Us and Wal-Mart. I told him before we went to TRU that I would buy him a small toy but not a big one. I let him walk around rather than ride in a cart and he did great. Had a blast playing with all the toys. He would find a toy that he liked (mainly a Firetruck) and I'd say no that's too big, I'd find a small firetruck and he'd say no that's too small. This went on the whole time we were in TRU and WM. It was hilarious.

Anyway, back to the original story. Ninny asked him if he was going to get a toy at TRU and he said no, just gonna ride the toys (meaning sitting in/on the big motorized cars and tractors). When we got there that's the first place he wanted to visit. Luckily, all of the 'batteries' on the cars were 'dead' and he couldn't drive them, just sit in them.

To make a long story short, since he was so well behaved, we got him a fireman's suit. After eating at McDonald's (his intake consisted of chocolate milk, a few french fries and then he literally drank what was left of his BBQ dipping sauce). How gross is that, didn't touch his chicken nuggets.

Then it was off to Auntie Heather's to proudly show off his fireman's outfit. Then it was time for Grampy to wake up so we went there to visit him. We headed back to Parker's house about 8:15, intending to put him to bed, NOT.

He was soooooooooooooo excited about showing his mom and dad his new toys that he insisted on staying up until they got home. What's a Grammy do to, say no? I don't think so. LOL.

So, when they got home (about 10:15) he was sooooo excited. Hopefully, he slept in for them this morning. I don't think they had an easy time getting him to bed because when I left he still had the coat on and had gathered up the hat, mask, fire extinguisher, badge and hatchet, put them in a pile and was laying across them saying "don't take my fireman toys away from me!!!"

Aw, the joys of being a grandparent and being able to leave and go home.

Enjoy the pictures.

Landry's Swim Lesson

We try to go to get to at least one of Ashton's activities a season and did see a softball game this spring.

Landry is taking swim lessons so I figured that it would be nice to go watch her. My mom and I went up and saw a lesson this morning. As active as she is, I am amazed that she is willing to sit on the edge patiently awaiting her turn. Very proud of LPB in the pool.

Family Visit

On our way back from West Virginia we spent Sunday night in Knoxville. We were able to visit with my cousin David, his wife Sharran and my Aunt Olive. I had seen David and Olive at the Ham-Bilyeu family reunion but hadn't seen Sharran in almost 20 years.

A good surprise was that John (David's brother and my cousin) and Bonita had gotten back from their trip to New Guinea so we were able to visit with them as well.

They all came over to our hotel and we visited for a couple of hours.

David, Sharran, Olive, John and Bonita, thanks for coming to visit with us!!!

West Virginia Trip

Bruce and I recently returned from our trip to West Virginia. If was his first trip there.

We left here on a Tuesday and drove to Nashville then on to Jenn's apartment on Thursday. Kaylie, Ryan, Reed and Kelsie came over that evening and ate supper with us. Reed had just woke up from a nap and was not too sure of us, he was afraid of Bruce because he had a ball cap on. Needless to say, the cap came off and was not worn again!!! He finally warmed up to us.

While we were there Kaylie and Ryan had Reed's first birthday party even though he won't be one for a week or so. He was born nine weeks prematurely but as you can see, he's doing just fine.

The theme of his party was Elmo (or Mo-Mo as he calls him) and Jenn baked and decorated the Elmo cake. It turned out really cute. Ryan, Jenn, Kelsie and Kaylie all wore Elmo shirts.

Got some good four generation pics and pictures of Jenn and her girls Kaylie (19), Kelsie (15 1/2) and Brianna (13).

Enjoy.

Nashville

When Bruce and I went to West Virginia recently we spent a day in Nashville. He's a real country music fan so I knew that he would love the city.

We spent most of the day at the Country Music Hall of Fame. We toured the famed Studio B where tons on country music stars recorded songs. This is where Elvis recorded most of his songs. In fact, the piano that is pictured is the one he used and you'll see Bruce looking at a cabinet, that's where Elvis kicked the cabinet.

After returning from the Studio B tour we toured the Hall of Fame. I'm not a history or museum buff but I thoroughly enjoyed the Hall of Fame and spent just as much time as Bruce did looking around.

If you're a country music fan, put this on your bucket list!!!

Kiddie Land

Today Megan and Ricci wanted to go out to dinner so I graciously agreed to keep Parker. I decided we'd go to Kiddie Land at Lyon's Park in Waco. It's a very small place with about six rides and a train that goes around the park. He had a blast. He thought he was big stuff since: 1) he gave the attendant his own ticket, 2) he could ride everything except the train by himself. He drove a boat, road the train, drove the horse buggy, rode the horse on the carousel, flew a rocket ship and flew an orange thing-a-ma-jig.

After we finished at the park, we had just enough time to go by McDonald's and get Parker a Happy Meal and go to our house so he could eat dinner with Grampy.

Enjoy the pics.
PS - he wants to take Ashton and Landry there next time they come to visit!!!

Sorry, try Facebook

I have tried to post two Parker videos on this blog but for some reason they won't upload.

I have posted them on my Facebook profile. One was last week, Parker's Tools and today's is Parker's Pool.

Ham-Bilyeu Reunion

This past Saturday was the 96th annual Ham-Bilyeu Reunion. Mom and I left on Thursday and stopped in Edmond to visit some of her cousins. We had a nice lunch with Lila, Connie, Barbara and Virginia.

Then we went on to Stillwater and spent three nights at Aunt Vera's house. Of course, in my mind, it's not an official trip to Stillwater unless I eat at Bad Brad's BBQ so we did that on Thursday.

Friday morning we spent visiting the Pryors. I hadn't seen David in 20 years. Also got to visit with Aunt Olive and cousin Mark and his wife Christi. Friday afternoon we spent visiting with Grover and Ginny in Perkins.

Saturday was reunion day. Got to see a ton of people (it had been two years since we'd been to our last reunion). The food and fellowship were great. Saturday night we spent at the Pryors again and visited the David, Mark and Aunt Olive again and added Greg and his family, Edd and Barbara and their granddaughter Toni. Had a good time telling stories (mostly David telling embarrassing stories about Edd).

Stayed until Sunday morning so mom could go to Sunday school and church.

Hope you all enjoy the pictures.

PS - BIG props to mom for buying a digital camera while we were there (I forgot to take mine!!!)

Downsizing

Many people are downsizing now days, I joined those ranks but not with a house, a car.

Now that Bruce has a big truck with air conditioning, there was no need for me to also have a large vehicle.

So, I traded in Elvira the Expedition for Edie the Edge.

Just my size, a cute car to boot! It even matches my hair color!!!

Happy 40th!!!

Yesterday Bruce and I celebrated our 40th anniversary. The girls had a luncheon for us at Megan's house with some yummy Mexican food.

It was so awesome to have almost everyone together for this momentous occasion. Bruce and I really appreciated everyone who was able to share it with us.

Ashton (age 7) decorated the cake. She took a cake decorating class just before Mother's Day and has become an expert as you can see from our cake. She even drew up a plan of what she wanted to put on the cake and carried through with the plan. Way to go Ashton, we are so proud of you and your cake decorating abilities. This cake means much more to Grampy and me than a store-bought one would have.

We got some really nice cards and the "remember whens" were priceless. We were all laughing so hard we had tears in our eyes.

I got a really special present from Bruce via my mom and dad. Dad had given mom a necklace that had little diamonds shaped into a heart with a ruby in the middle for their 40th anniversary. They gave it to me. After that, there was not a dry eye in the house. What a precious gift!!!!

I have taken many pictures of the necklace, trying to get a good shot of it but what I'm posting here is the best of the lot. It is kind of blurry and doesn't do it justice but you get the idea.

Thanks again for all the special memories from yesterday.

PS - one super-cute thing... Parker and Landry (both 2), didn't understand what an anniversary was and kept telling Bruce and I "happy birthday Grammy and Grampy".

The Girls

When Erin and the girls came down for Chris' graduation (Friday), Erin and I had made plans for the girls to spend the rest of the weekend with us. They were coming back on Sunday for Chris' graduation party and would pick them up then.

On Saturday morning Ashton, Landry and I met up with Megan and Parker. We went to Baylor's Mayborn Museum, they were having a special Leggo exhibit that day. Sorry I don't have pictures from that day, I was rather busy chasing after a certain female two year old. Megan did get some pictures so maybe I can bum some off her to post later. She was pretty busy too chasing after the male two year old. Thank goodness Ashton was along, she was a GR8 help to us.

Can you believe that we spent almost two hours in the museum? In addition to the Leggo exhibit they have a whole floor devoted to the kiddos with lots of hands-on things for them to do. Then it was a trip to McDonalds before heading home for Landry's nap.

Once she woke up (and since Grampy was still sleeping, he works the overnight shift), we loaded up and went to Megan and Ricci's house to play.

On Sunday we got up and went to WallyWorld to shop for groceries. After loading the girls in the car, I glanced back to Landry and saw that she had put her hat on backwards. Luckily for me, she was in the mood to have her picture taken and the camera was close.

The picture captures Landry to a 'T'. Cute, sassy and unpredictable!!!

We had a good time with the girls and was glad they got to spend some time with Grammy and Grampy. Thanks for loaning them to us Bobby and Erin.

Chris' Festivities

Friday night Christopher graduated from Lorena High School, boy how time flies. Due to operator error, I missed them announcing his name, etc. But did get some video afterward, Everyone was able to make it except Bobby, he had work obligations in the Metroplex.

Kudos to Erin and her girls for fighting the Memorial Day traffic to be there for Chris' important occasion.

Enjoy. I guess you can tell I really like my Flip Camera!!

Landry the Acrobat

OK, so now having posted virtually NOTHING for six months, I get three done in a week. I'm on a roll. Hope to keep it going.

When Bruce and I went to Frisco on Wednesday to watch Ashton play softball, I also captured Landry showing off some of the activities she's learned at My Gym.

Hope you enjoy the video, I'm finally getting the hang of filming then posting.

ARB the Softball Player

Grampy and I were able to go up to watch Ashton play softball on Wednesday. Boy has this girls improved since we saw her play last fall. She is very good on defense, as evidenced by the fact that they are playing her at first base and pitcher. Boy, can she smack that ball when batting too.

We really enjoyed seeing her play and visiting with Erin, Bobby, ARB and LP.

I captured some video hope it comes out OK.

Enjoy this little Cubs player, we sure did!

Bet You thought...

Bet you thought I had dropped off the face of the earth, huh? NOT, just been verrrrrrrry busy. But, now that basketball is over with and I have such a great student doing such a fine job with tennis, I find myself with some time to spare.

Thought you all might get a kick out of these pictures that I scanned in this week. Just found them laying around the house. Erin, make sure you show them to ARB.