And the Winner is..........

Congratulations Jenni you won my give away.  If you will send me your address I can get this in the mail for you.  

Thanks to all of you who wrote on my blog.  This will not be the last give away either.  Let me remind you that I just purchased a new sewing machine and after I finish the 411 on how to use everything I plan on making something.....haven't figured out what yet but hopefully it will be blog give away worthy.   

I did receive a post card from Jill last week and she has another book out called STANZA.  The description reads:   "Stanza is a character who will steal your heart.  Aa very refreshing take on the "be true to yourself" theme, this book will make poetry tres cool with young readers." 

                                                (Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup)

If you get a chance pick it up.  

I hope you all have a great Monday, I need to get busy and get some cleaning done.  

Congratulations Jenni

It's time for a Give Away

So I promised that I would do a give away so here it is.   I have a wonderful friend whom I've admired for a long time.  We have been friends since we were in highschool.  Several years ago she started writing childrens books of which I have enjoyed reading to my Grandchildren.  This is the latest one.  Her name is Jill Esbaum, she lives on a farm in Iowa.  She has 3 children and has been a great friend over the past well lets just say many many years.   I'm thinking she has more books coming.   If you haven't read stink soup or Estelle takes a bath you need to.

I will do my drawing  around the 20th.   So if you want in then just drop me a note.  Hugs to all of you.

Tender Moments in Utah

Cousins you haven't seen in a very long time and getting reacquainted with.

Cousins who haven't seen each other in forever.  Your to cute Jack-man.

Sisters supporting each other on a very special day.

Their is nothing like a Papa's shoulder to rest on.

A tender moment.... spending time and seeing the smile on our grandsons face.

Our Son and daughter who were great hosts.

Whitney and her new Love Jared

Their is nothing more tender than a new bride and Groom 

this is my niece and her new husband.

While we were in Utah my Dad became very ill and  I don't mean to put such a depressing picture up, but when I look at it it actually is a very tender moment.  I've watched my Mom and Dad care for each other for many years but when I look at this picture it is more than a wife caring for her Husband.  It is about a wife and a Husband who have been through a lifetime together, about a Mother who not only cares for my Dad but about a Mother who loves my Dad more than anything.

Thankfully, the Dr's were able to find out what was wrong with Dad and their is nothing like a Great Grandson who can bring a smile to anyone's face.

Or a Granddaughter who is never to old to lay by her Grandfather.

We love you Dad and pray for a speedy recovery.

.  

Give Away......

Because of all the comments that I received on my blog from all you awesome people I've decided (at the suggestion of my daughter Steph) to #1 keep blogging and # 2 do a give away.
Soooo when I get home in April I will be working on that. I have something in mind that all you Mom's will love I hope.

I am in Utah right now and will be attending my nieces wedding tomorrow. I have also met "Jared" Whitney's bo. He is cute and you can just see how happy Whitney is. We will spend the rest of the weekend getting to know him and then we'll see if he has any "questions" for us.
I'm not gonna lie......this is going to be hard.....she is my baby.

After this week I will be going to San Diego to hopefully enjoy some warm weather. Gary has a conference that I will help with for one day and then enjoy the rest of the 5 doing whatever I want.

Once I get home I will then go an pick up my New Sewing Machine. I'm so excited. My other one is 28 years old so I decided it's time to update. I've already signed up for classes so hopefully that will be enough and I won't need a PHD to figure the thing out.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Good Night Sleep Tight

So I've decided that it is time to start sewing again.  It is something that I've always loved to do and now since I have a little extra time and lots of grandkids and a granddaughter who has shown an interest in sewing I figured it's time to brush up.  

These are some of the pillow cases that I've made....Madison  put in the request that she wanted to learn how to make one.    She made hers and did a great job.  She has picked up on sewing quite well.  

I made the other 11 and have to say they were so much fun and made for each child with lots of love.

So may you each sleep well or just lounge around and always know that Nana loves you.

Sailing away to Key Largo

 We were able to rent a jet ski and take a 3 hour tour.   This was us on one of our stops.

                                               
This was Gary snorkeling.  The color of the water is amazing to me.  Far cry from what I'm use to seeing.                                             

       This was me taking a rest from snorkeling.  I was nervous and Gary new it so he held my hand all the way out to where we were to go.  We were able to see some Coral Reef, all kinds and colors of fish and a see turtle that had only 3 legs, it had been attack by a shark.  Ok, if I'd none that story I probably wouldn't have gotten in the water.

It's 5 o'clock Somewhere

So we just got back from the Florida Keys.  It was such a relaxing and fun time. 

The weather was great.  I loved the food, we either ate grilled grouper or Mahi Mahi and of course Key Lime Pie.  I loved listening to the ocean and watching the beautiful sunsets.

This was the view we had from our balcony.

Yeap I've Done it Again

So tomorrow I'm leaving for Florida and I was in desperate need of a pedicure and while I was sitting their looking at my disgusting fingernails I decided to have nails put on......AGAIN!  I know I seriously have a problem but don't they look cute?

Shout out to Mason

I have to brag just a little bit.  I truly think I have the best son in laws in the world.  Last year 

(I wish I would have taken pictures, but wasn't blogging then) my Son in law Rob got me a box of chocolates for Valentines....this year my Son in Law Mason bought me these flowers.  How lucky am I !!!!!!  I was also told that neither were prompted by their wives.   

What I love about Texas

If any of you have ever taken a road trip and had to stop to....well you know...use the bathroom. 

You know how disgusting some of them can be.    If you have ever had the opportunity to drive in Texas and run across a Buc-ee's then you will know that they are the exception to the rule when it comes to Bathrooms.  They are by far the cleanest I've ever seen on a road trip.   Not to mention that they have great fountain diet coke plenty of snacks and the most awesome Texas decor ever.  It is worth the drive.

Ok so the other day I was at the San Antonio airport picking up Gary so that we could leave from Michelle's and drive to Houston.  And where else but San Antonio can you go in a airport and have a Mariachi Band playing as you get off the airplane.   It happen to be Valentines day and they were also handing out yellow roses to everyone.   GOT TO LOVE IT!

Super Bowl Sunday

                                                   Hey Papa it looks like Chase won
                Cory and Steph were surprised as well....they thought Kim had invited other people.
We weren't ready to spend the Super Bowl by ourselves so we drove to Houston after church and believe it or not we made in time for the kick off.   We didn't tell anyone we were coming so it was a fun surprise.  
Kim and Steph had lots of food.....and Mason was of course in charge of the wings.  What's a super bowl without wings right???? 

I love Valentine's Day

I just have to give a shout out to my Husband who surprised me with a trip to Key Largo. 

We leave on Wednesday and I'm so looking forward to the beach, blue water, a fried grouper sandwhich and my favorite....Key Lime Pie....oops my real favorite spending a few quiet days with my husband.

I will post pictures when we get home.

Winter Wonderland in TEXAS

Last night we kept hearing noises on our Windows....this is what we were hearing.  I forgot  how much more winter weather Dallas gets than San Antonio.  

I love Surprises

So after I got home from Jenns I went to the neighbors to pick up our mail only to find a pkg. addressed to Gary and I.   How fun to get a valentine from Stephanie....she made these blocks and.........put in a package of M&M's.   Thanks Steph.

I always enjoy cuddle time....and Austin is definatley a cuddler.    I had a great time Jenn.

I was also able to enjoy lunch with Gavin and Lindsey at the elementary school....Yummmm doesn't it look good.  

Post Christmas fun......

Ethan thought it would be fun to sing with me on the wii.  Thank heavens I've seen High School Musical more than once and at least new the tunes......I said I new them not I could sing them.

Since Gary was going to be out of town I decided to go back to Jenns house in Little Rock and enjoy some down time......which involved playing pig with Gavin.....I know it was a small hoop but it worked and believe it or not I won.

I don't know about you but after Christmas I get so down and out so when Jenn called and said she wanted to come for a visit over a three day weekend due to Martin Luther Kings birthday....I was more than ready for that.   She came with the 4 kiddos and a friend.    Jenn has never eaten at Cheese cake factory so we had to go.   We brought our cheese cake home to eat as we were way to full after dinner. 

I Love New Recipe's

Hey If anyone is looking for a good recipe go to www.yankeemagazine.com/getrecipe/1639  it is called Dad's Chicken and Rice 

It was easy to make and so so good.

We should try doing some kind of recipe swap on the blog don't you think?

Happy Birthday Jennifer

I'd just like to give my oldest daughter Jennifer a Happy Birthday shout!  Jen turned 32 today, and it has been a honor to be her Mom for the last 32 years.  In celebration of Jens birthday, Gary and I went to see Bride Wars.  Since I can't be with my kids on their day it won't keep me from celebrating with them.   

I love you Jen and hope you had a most Happy Day!

Happy Birthday Stephanie

I just have to give a shout out to my daughter Stephanie who is 29 today and tell her how much I love her and what a great Daughter, Mother and Wife I think she is and for the joy that she has brought to my life for the past 29 years.   Have a great day my dear and always know that Dad and I love you. 

Great friends

I just have to give a shout out to my dear friend Lynn Gossling.  Ever since I've known her she has made me a "yule log" each year for Christmas.  I can't even describe to you how mouth watering delicious this is.  Well....this year was know exception even though I'm in Dallas Tx now she managed to get not one but two of them here for us to enjoy (thanks Tyler for driving them here).

Thanks Lynn!  It meant the world to us.