This Girl!

She graced our world 10 years ago today...

And life has been so much sweeter ever since!

Happy Birthday Autumn!

You are the best Big Sister, the most amazing Daughter,

and the miraculous one who first made us Grandparents...

You split our hearts wide open with Blessings and Love!

May your day be filled with all the magic and fun that can be had when the world is shut down for coronavirus pandemics and such...

And don't you worry, sweet 10-year-old, there is coming a day

when we will celebrate you with Hugs and Cake

and lots and lots of Love!

You make our hearts smile!

Love you Big,

Memaw & Pepaw

Battlefield Break...Birthdays and Bonfires

Sundays have always been days for worship... for rest... for praise... for beauty.

And this needn't change in the Battlefield.  We are taking a break this day to relish in family and the joy they bring...

A celebration of years... 80 to be exact!  We spent the weekend at our lake place honoring my father on this, his 80th Birthday...

 

There was food...

 

and friendly, rock-skipping challenges between brothers...

 

and fishing fun on Brushy Creek...

 

But no Bonfires :-(

We are under another Burn Ban,

Even after the historic spring floods,

we find ourselves right back in drought conditions.

But no matter...

It was a weekend that mom would have absolutely loved,

we don't take a minute of this for granted...

it was blessing and bliss all rolled into one.

There were smiles a'plenty...

 

and special picture book memories...

 

And then to top it all off and make a Birthday weekend even more exciting,

we gathered together and Christened Poppy's new fishing cabin!

 

 

This little fishing cabin has been a dream of his for a long time.

We offered up a little corner of our wild, tangled 11 acres,

and it is now his weekend, fishing, guest house...

It is the cutest little "tiny home" you could ever love!

Come inside and take a peek...

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Poppy!

 

We love you to the Moon and Back!

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Living Life...on the Exotic Side!

Just back from a glorious few days with the Birthday Girl!

Daughter Katie turned "20-something" and asked for the sweetest gift... a road trip with her mama.  How could I not oblige?!  Especially when she told me the destination...

The Exotic Zoo Ranch Resort in Johnson City, Texas!

 

 

We stayed in a rustic cabin in the middle of our very own zoo!  Surrounded by wallaby, zebu, antelope and bison... we took a walk on the wild side!

 

 

A friendly Good Morning right outside our cabin door...

 

 

 

 

And then there was our zoo-fari trip around the compound!

 

 

We waited for an excited group of pre-schoolers to disembark the trolley before heading out on our adventure and to our blissful amazement, we had the safari trolley all to ourselves.

 

 

 

Lydia was our knowledgeable guide and she gave us the royal treatment, stopping often so we could get pictures and hand-feed the wild beasts...

 

There were camels...

 

 

 

 

And adorable, fuzzy, Scottish Highland cattle...

 

 

And curious Zebra...

 

 

And one very hungry ostrich...

 

 

 

And then we topped a hill and came upon the amazing Bison...

 

 

Gentle Giant...He ate right from our hands...

 

 

A Road Trip worthy of Birthday Memories!
We won't soon forget the adventure, the handsome beasts, or the charming accommodations.

 

But the Memory that holds top honor would be the time spent with a Beautiful Daughter, Reconnecting and Enjoying the Gift of Slowing Down Together...

 

There was laughing, and sharing, and shopping, and celebrating. 

 

Memories of Love tucked deep down in this Mama's Heart...

 

Happy Birthday, Katie!

Love you to pieces :-)

 

Weekends are made for this...

Weddings and Kayaks and Grandbabies and Smiles and Spicy Salsa!

What a blissful mix... Mom would have been in the middle of it all!  So, we just went out and lived life joyful in her honor...

She would have turned 73 this very day!

Winging Birthday Love heavenward to you Mom.  Not a day goes by that you don't cross my mind and heart in a thousand ways.  Missing your voice and your laugh... and you would have laughed much over the tumbling chaos of this happy weekend.

Wedding of friends, traditional and sweet...

 

 

Kayaking adventures on our favorite Lake...

 

 

 

Artful designs of wood and wing...

 

 

 

And the weekend would not be complete without the ever-lovin' antics of Aubree Claire...

 

 

Determined to try the salsa... On. Her. Own!!!

 

 

"Are you sure you want to eat that?" her mom questions politely...

 

"Yes, I do." Emphatic reply...

 

 

"Whoa...who put the spicy in that there salsa?!!!!"

 

 

Mom to the rescue instantly!

 

What would we ever do without the tender love and watchful care from our moms?

 

... and our big sisters and daddies???

 

 

Weekends are made for this!

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

We felt your presence as sweetly as an embrace.

You are Missed sorely, you are Remembered always,

You are Loved forever.

 

Can't wait to Hug you again and tell you face to face...

Love you so very much,

                                  Jane

 

 

Move over Cookie Monster!

There's another Cookie in town...

 

Oh, wait...It's just our lovable Aubree Claire turning 1!!!

It's a day meant for celebrating and we loved every minute.  Hard to believe a year has passed since she graced our lives last January 6th!  How the time has flown!  From binkies and blankies to topsy-turvy toddling and toothy grins, we are head over heels in love with this patch of mischief in pink!
 

And so we celebrate this Birthday Sesame-Street Style!!

There were Cookie Monster Cupcakes!

 

And Elmo Veggie Trays

 

And Big Sisters with Balloons!

 

And there were Bags!!!

 

With Toys in them!!

 

And Holy Cow, Big Sister says there are more Toys...

 

Such Happy Girls!

 

Who knew Birthdays could be such fun?

 

 

And then it got even better...

 

Mom says it's a Smash Cake.  I am intrigued...

 

Touch it?!  Seriously????

 

Well, maybe one little touch...

 

Sweet Birthday Cake! Where have you been all my life????

 

Ummm, No, Mom....I'm not done yet!

 

But our favorite Cookie Monster is willing to share...

Want some???

 

Oh, Sweet Aubree Claire you make our world go round!

 

Love you to pieces,

Forever and For Always,

Memaw and Pepaw