She Did It!!! Mother's Day Fun.

 Happy Mother's Day to me! Ali decided she was going to learn to ride a two wheeler this weekend. She worked on it a bit on Saturday, dragging me through the sprinklers as I ran along behind her. She really is fairly head strong and that only lasted a few minutes before she said it would be easier without me. So I left her to her own devices. She said Tyler gave her some good tips and on Sunday she was flying up and down the street on her two wheels-no training wheels. Quite the happy girl she is with her new accomplishment. We get to see her tricks now like riding with her bum off the seat and being able to do the "loop" without putting her feet down. The Loop is riding up to our neighbors driveway turning around and riding back to our house.

 This is the lawn chair the kids got me so I can relax and look at my garden. I am more of a worker than a relaxer but every once in a while I remind myself to sit back and enjoy my beautiful garden. Usually sitting there just gives me ideas for what I can switch around or what weeds I need to get up there and pull but it is nice to sit back and look at it all for a minute.

 Kids enjoying the "puke" park fun. They ask if we can stop almost everytime we drive by. We drive by multiple times a day and we don't usually stop but now they are bigger and can walk down to the park and I pick them up in a half hour or so. They are liking their group independence.

 Ali and her girlgriends. Gabby and Danni tried out for Ruby's Show Team with Ali and they all made it! I am hoping she will continue to love dance.

Look below....see there I am relaxing in my new chair. It reclines backwards which is good for viewing the hill. I am still anxiously waiting for some of the shrubs/trees to mature. I can't wait for the privacy we will get with the view blockers from the neighbors.

 This is me and my loot. Tyler made me a hand-loomed rug. Carter did an awesome heart collage and Ali made the sweet butterfly and card. Good job kids!!! They are always spoiling me with their hugs and kisses. I am one lucky lady! I love my sweet little family.

 We had the cousins and my parents over for mother's day. They all dined on the trampoline. I know fancy accomodations. We did hear, "Mom there is HAM on this trampoline." The only question is why she was so surprised to have some ham spilled on the trampoline after all those eaters were finished.

Carter getting some time with Charles and Lisa's baby Kate. She is such a sweetie, we LOVE it when they come and share their cute kids with us. Luke is a super-stud cousin and Kate is so sweet to let all the kids pass her around and not fuss to much. We have tried to get them to leave her with us but for some reason they want to keep her. Dang.

Mother's Day is always one of my favorite holidays. I am so grateful for the women in my life who have taught me and are still teaching me. My mother is an amazing woman. She has always been a great example of getting it done, no matter what it is. I learned empowerment from her. She waits for no-one and she doesn't ever wonder if she is capable of getting something done. She knows she is smart and she can figure it out-even if it is building her own house. She has taught me everything I know but most importantly she has taught me not to be afraid of what I don't know. Just do it and you will figure it out is pretty much the motto she lives by. I am so grateful for her and for all she does for our family. She is always willing to pitch in and do whatever needs to be done. You are wonderful Mom!  I love you!!! Happy Mother's Day.

And they called him "RED"

 Gratitude...That sums up my feeling after attending the funeral of Byron's grandfather Red. We all called him Papa, his mother called him Melvin but only when he was in trouble. His two children called him Dad and everyone else called him Red. You learn a lot from your parents, more at times that I am willing to admit but we do....who we are is basically a reflection of what we learned from those who raised us. Every once in a while a strong soul will brake out of their "cycle" and become something more than what they were brought up to be; thank goodness for that but in this case there was no need. Red was a good man, quite the joker, full of love and most of all he taught his children well. He and Nanny raised two amazing children who then went on to raise amazing children of their own. I am grateful for those who came before and have influence my amazing husband. He is all I could have ever hoped for in a husband and father and I attribute his goodness to his father and grandfather. Don't get me wrong; the ladies had a lot to do with it as well but I am just taking a minute to show gratitude to the men in his life who have shaped him into the man he is today. Thank you Papa Red and Phil. I am grateful!

 Jason and Chris folded the flag Papa received for his service in World War II. Who knew he was a pilot? He even buzzed the tower just like in Top Gun. Of course it was after nearly crashing trying to fly a loop-de-loop.

 The grandkids sang I Am A Child Of God, Tyler and Jozsef played the guitar accompaniment.

 Nanny and Ali all ready to head out for the service in Rice, TX.

 There was a grand pool party after the services. I don't think I have ever seen so many kids in the pool at one time. Three rescues later and all the grandkids had a memorable swim at Phil and Laura's. Jason made his most beloved jump into the pool with his clothes on but he wouldn't do it alone this time. He said he would only do it if Byron would. Knowing how much my kids LOVE having Jason play in the pool I threw caution to the wind and jumped in with Jason fully clothed....Byron was peer pressured in shortly thereafter. So the kids had fun playing with the three crazy adults who jumped in with their clothes on. (No phones or watches were lost this time....they have been in the past.)

 I had to snap a photo of this. This is baby Byron and his sweet parents a few years ago.

 Nanny, Nanna and Hollie were looking over Nanny's baby book after the funeral.

 Ali sporting her new Texas Sweatshirt. Sometimes you just gotta get a new item of clothes that reads TEXAS on it.

 Bear Tales. I had no idea they started with Red, but he was the original contributor to the tradition of night time Bear Tales. We learned about Flopover the Dog who had legs on both sides of his body so he could just flop over and keep walking or climb straight up tunnels with his 8 legs.

Ali and her favorite Dallas friend, Amber. I do believe Ali would leave us to live with Chris and Amber in a heartbeat. I love the sweet friendship they have with each other.

This was our shortest trip to Dallas ever. We were in and out in about forty-eight hours. It will be one that is remembered and held dear to our hearts. We are so grateful we could be there to help honor such a great father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather. We love you Papa Red.