Precious in His Sight

Grandchildren. Oh, how precious. I love every single minute I get to be with my grandsons. Jackson is now 2 1/2. He enjoyed our new tradition of making a gingerbread creation . I started the train and then Tia Leah, visiting from Hawaii, helped him finish it. The candy was a little too tempting for him though. But isn't that what grandmothers are for? We have so much fun together. He says the cutest things. He kept calling my leather sofa the chocolate couch. I am not sure why he thought it looked like chocolate...

Jackson found his seat by Tia Leah at church and was ready to listen to some inspiring words.

Ben found his place on my lap. He is a cutie. We had our whole family together at church .

It took everything I had not to tear up during the service.

(I wish I had given my camera to someone to take our picture all together.)

Ryan, Mary Beth, Jackson and Ben at the farm at Thanksgiving.

(Notice how sweet it is that Ben has his hand on Jackson's shoulder.)

Nana can't wait until Christmas!!

Happy Birthday Grandad

Here is a special message to Grandad from his great-grandson Jackson, age 2.

Fall ~ Hula Style

I recently came back from visiting my daughter, Leah, in Hawaii. What a great trip. Instead of boring you with all of my pics at the same time, I will post groups of fun things we did while I was there.

( Not necessarily in order though.)

The day before I left we went to the Upcountry on Maui. We were headed to the Lavendar Farm when I saw this pumpkin patch. I was thrilled to see white pumpkins even in Hawaii.

Leah and I sitting on the haybale.

You could be in West Texas, except for that is the big ocean in the background!

This scarecrow had a little Hawaiian influence!


The pumpkins were set out in a maze for the little ones.

Leah and J.R.

There were so many photo ops, I had a hard time pulling myself away...


Next, the Lavendar Farm. Can't you just smell it?

Little Helper

I recently went to Abilene where my sisiter lives. She had just moved and then had surgery. Her daughter, Stacey, was there to help. She has the cutest 18month old daughter, Madeline. Well, during the move a piece of furniture was scratched up and my sister, Reinette, wanted me to even out the distressed look. While I was working, I looked down and I had a little helper. Maddie had picked up some sand paper and went to town like she knew what she was doing.

She would even stop every few minutes and check her own work.

Cheez!

Stacey, you are a good mama!

Precious Boys

We just came back from several days in Sugar Land (Houston area) for a business trip and most importantly to visit the grandsons. Benjamin is now 3 1/2 months old. He is starting to develop such a cute personality.

He is a happy baby and is always smiling.

I took a million photos trying to get these two boys together. Not an easy task. Ben looks like his Daddy and Jackson looks like his Mommy.

Target had these cute plates just perfect for this little monkey.

Ryan has such a good helper.

And yes, Jackson is still mowing.

Family Fun

One of our family Summer trips was to San Antonio.

Since we had our grandsons with us a trip to the Zoo was on the list of things we love to do in S.A. with kids. My maternal grandparents lived in S.A when I was growing up, so the zoo is a fond memory for me.

Jackson love, love, loves his Uncle Morgan.

Many of the animal habitats are still like I remember from my childhood. They are carved into the natural stone. I did notice that more fencing has been added over the years. When I was little, you could lean over the walls to see the animals.

Not a good idea.

Mary Beth, sleeping Ben, Ryan and Jackson. I wish I could say M.B. is holding an umbrella because it was raining, but it was to shield Ben from the harsh Texas sun.

We ended the Zoo trip with a ride on the train. I remember riding the train many times. My parents even filmed us as we rode along. I need to find those and show my kids.
Jackson was sat on the train like such a big boy. I had forgotten there was a tunnel. A dark tunnel. As soon as we entered memories of being scared in this tunnel came flooding back to me. I quickly looked at Jackson to see what his reaction was, he was just sitting there frozen. We made it out, and I felt a sigh of relief he was so brave.

Baby Ben even enjoyed the ride.
So, so sweet.




We went down to the River Walk (or Wiver Walk) that night.

A little advice. Do not go on Friday night. This is the only picture we took because there were a million people crowded on the side walks. If you have been there, you know one side of each walkway is the river. A million people, a river, two babies and 150 degree temps. A recipe for disaster. After waiting over an hour to be seated at one of the restaurants, we left , drove through Wendy's and ate at the hotel.

The next morning we drove over to Gruene, Texas. (Pronounced Green.)

We were meeting my family for lunch before we went over to New Braunfels to my Aunt Wilma's 90th birthday party.

Jackson and my Dad had quite an intense conversation while we waited on our food at the Grist Mill.

We had just enough time to browse some of Gruene's shops where I found this perfect cowboy guitar for Jackson. I loved his expression when I surprised him with it.

Jackson loves to sing " I'm in the Lord's Army."

Nothing more precious...

Cool Dude

Jackson is such a cool dude! He usually takes more time putting on his bike helmet and sunglasses than he spends riding his bike. I was lucky to catch this photo before he started moving in his nonstop fashion.

Ring, ring...

Terrific Twos

Jackson is now a terrific two year old. He must have an inner voice whispering to him to live up to everything that this age has to bring, because he never stops moving, talks up a storm and is just a sweetie.

He is a busy, active boy.

His favorite birthday present was this play lawn mower his mother picked out for him.

He mowed the lawn....

He mowed the flower bed...

He mowed the patio....

(wearing the shorts Tia Leah sent him from Maui)

He mowed the carpet....

He mowed and mowed and mowed.

Two month old Ben thought this was all quite entertaining!

Ben and Jackson

6 week old Baby Ben is so nice and comfortable on Papa John's tummy.


We call this Jackson's model pose.



It is quite a challenge to get both boys together in one picture. I think Jackson has photo burnout from all the flashes he endured right after he was born.

We took these pictures while on a visit to China Spring to see the family for the weekend.
It was hard to send the boys back to Sugar Land as we headed home to the Metroplex.
We will get to see them soon when Jackson turns two.
I can't wait! There is nothing like grandchildren.