Marshall, the Handy Man

I am so lucky to have this little boy in my life---to be my ONLY grandson! He just loves fixing things and has really taken to putting together all kinds of Lego kits, including some really complicated ones recently. This past weekend, Julie and Sean took the kiddos and went to Austin to the IKEA store, looking for some sort of a storage unit for Macy to keep doll clothes in! They were beginning to take over her bedroom! They found the perfect set of drawers, but they needed to be assembled! While Sean was working Sunday afternoon, Julie sat with Marshall to tackle the job. It ended up, all she did was show him the directions (there were 25 steps!) and he took it from there. He knows where all the tools are because he and his dad have made lots and lots of projects. They also go to Lowe's frequently on Saturdays for classes on how to make games, birdhouses, and other things. Well, it really paid off this past weekend, because he put together this entire unit ALL BY HIMSELF!! We were all very proud of him, of course, but I think HE was the most proud of all!

Grandkids and Santa, Christmas 2011

Ainsley

Marshall and Macy

Hayden and Sam



Macy and Her Christmas Doll

This is one of my favorite Christmas pictures from this year. Several months ago, Macy and I were at the Monarch Collectible Doll Store---she calls it "The Big Blue Doll House," because that's exactly what this store looks like. She fell in love with this baby doll (it has her exact same coloring),and I told her I'd think about getting it for her for Christmas. I loved my dolls so much as a little girl and Macy and I love going to this store and oohing and ahhing at all the beautiful dolls and doll houses. This doll is a Middleton Newborn Collectible and it looks and feels almost like a real baby. At the store, they have a large display of these dolls, all lined up in "isolettes" and if Macy could, she would buy every single one of them. It wears size three-month clothes, so I had gone to a consignment store and purchased a few little outfits for her. In hopes that she would receive this doll for Christmas, she had a little pacifier in an organza bag to give her when she opened her! I had seen her carry this into the house and wondered what it was, and then after she opened her package, she gave it to her new doll, so SHE would also have a Christmas present.

(Thoughtfulness is one of Macy's best qualities!)

She has named the doll Amber Gabrielle, which she didn't decide on until she got home and could look for the perfect name in her American Girl doll booklet on baby names. She liked this name, because the name "Amber" means "jewel." I love watching Macy play with her dolls and can imagine the kind of mother she is going to be some day. I hope she will always love them, like I did.

The Pumpkin Girl

Ainsley's visit in November while Daddy was at a conference in San Antonio.

We had a special three days with her. 

Because her birthday was the following week, I let her go on a shopping trip to pick our her birthday present! Target was the place she chose and it didn't take her long to find the perfect birthday present!

This is a "Fur-Real" pet dog that walks on a leash with a remote control handle and even barks and whimpers. Luckily there is a switch to turn off the noises. As soon as we got home, she said, "Let's go walk him outside on the sidewalk!"

"Barky" and Ainsley enjoyed a nice walk on this beautiful autumn day. I think it's the closest thing to a real pet she'll have for now.

A Pre-Thanksgiving Visit from Ainsley

John came to San Antonio for a conference and brought Ainsley to stay with us.

She couldn't understand why Macy and Marshall had to go to school, so we took Happy Meals and had lunch with them and Aunt Julie in the school cafeteria. They lent us one of their wagons to make the delivery easier!

Then it was off to my friend, Betsy's house, who had planned a special birthday tea party for Ainsley. (Her birthday was the following week.)

First we visited with Blaine, her grandson, and their dog named Annie.

With Annie close behind, Ainsley started on her Scavenger Hunt. Betsy placed little signs all around the house directing her to various other clues which would eventually lead to her birthday present.

After about six clues, Ainsley ended up in the gazebo in Betsy's backyard, where we had lemonade and cookies with icing and sprinkles to decorate! (Betsy knows how to make little girls happy!) Ainsley looked up at Betsy at one point and said, "Where are all the people?" We had to laugh because she thought a tea party meant lots of people!

A scrumptious lollipop and fun treats!

Poor Annie thought the tea party was for HER, so she was banned to the house...but she kept a watchful eye on the lollipop!

The breezy weather took us inside to finish up the fun as Annie again looked on from the other side of the glass.

Ainsley loved her tea party at Betsy's house and still talks about the fun she had.

THANK YOU, BETSY! YOU ARE A VERY SPECIAL FRIEND!



A Talented Granddaughter, Macy

Macy loves to sing in the choir at her church and she was excited about getting to hold one of the microphones in one song. Then she had to zip off-stage and change into her ballet outfit.

She and a few other girls did a beautiful ballet at the end of the show. This was a special treat for her and she did a wonderful job! We are proud of your creative abilities, Macy!