Noelle always goes straight for Rara’s suitcase. 

Happy 60th Birthday Poppa – we hope you like your hunting gloves!

Noelle this morning showing me what she found in her closet.

But can’t make up her mind which hat to wear!

These pictures were taken in chronological order… Miss Priss couldn’t make up her mind which hat she wanted to wear!  It was so funny watching her take one off and put the other on, over and over!

I’m catching up on email and I hear this “blah blah blah” noise below me.  I look down and Noelle got her Clifford book and doggie out of her closet and came down to read beside me. 

Noelle  prefers markers to crayons any ol’ day!   

I was really impressed with her artwork – she kept handing me the markers saying, “color.”  That was her way of asking me to switch out the colors…

Off to Marshall and Carol’s for the big surprise party!

Aww… the two love birds!  Happy Birthday, Heather!

We had so much fun swimming at the Addisons.  Thanks for having us over guys – it was a blast! 

Noelle giving Heather her card while Carol gets some Noelle time.

We can’t wait to see you tomorrow!  Be careful on your journey back to Texas, and we’ll give you lots of hugs and kisses real soon!

One of our most anticipated events of the summer took place this weekend- We had Elizabeth’s shower for Miss Mary Elizabeth on Sunday, and it was so much fun!

Miss Kim, Heather, Lauren, Elizabeth, Me, Gotch, and Kristin. 

Elizabeth and I designed this cake over lunch one day in July – I think it turned out so pretty! 

I can’t wait to hold Miss Emme – we are all so excited around here!

Chicken salad sandwich on swirl bread with fruit – E’s favorite!

The yarn game was so much fun (and funny)… several guests’ yarn fit around E’s belly twice!

Heather brought these beautiful flower arrangements for the tables.

Lauren custom-made Elizabeth this quilt – the fabric that looked like Elizabeth was coincidentally named, “The Elizabeth Collection.” 

Ty and Elizabeth got so many great things!  I can’t wait to come over and see the nursery… everyone was so thoughtful!

I made these Hershey’s party favors and put a little poem on them. 

Ty and Elizabeth, our hearts are overjoyed for you as you wait the arrival of baby Mary Elizabeth! 

As I was taking Mike’s dry cleaning in this afternoon, I noticed all the hustle and bustle of the first day of school just letting out, being careful to observe all the school speed zones. Normally I would turn on talk radio and start thinking about politics or finances, but my mind lingered on the subject and took me back to my first days of school. Every year my Granny would take me back-to-school shopping, primarily at Foley’s in Tyler, which had quite the selection in the 90’s. My heart would pound with excitement going up the escalator to the girls’ section. We had the time of our lives shopping together.

In this moment of reminiscing, I burst into tears (Noelle probably thinks I’m crazy). So many memories flooded my mind: her sweet kisses, bed time stories, her grandfather clock, the endless apples she peeled for us, the Hershey’s bars in the metal cubby in her kitchen, her classy presence at every dance recital and school performance, her tidy home, my entrance into her back door that spurred on the “Yoo-hoo, who’s that coming through my door,” and most of all her deep chuckles when I joked around with her as I sat on the arm of her rocking chair. It’s all the little things that I miss the most.

Our blog is always my happy place, and I know that Gran has seen the happiness Noelle has brought to our lives. I am so honored to have her memory so close to my heart. So, if you still have your Grannys out there, give them a big hug and kiss and be sure not to let the little moments pass you by, because these memories are things I treasure the most. I would give anything to have her back.

This is my song to my Granny today:

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Dress up with Mommy is so much fun!

Noelle has been answering her cell phone all week long saying, “Hallo” like an old English woman – it is too funny.  Every time the phone rings she runs over and says, “Hallo, Hallo!”

What a happy birthday boy!

Bailey keeping an eye on his sweet little friend!

Bailey, Noelle, and David playing with blocks – I think blocks are our new favorite thing!

Bailey giving Noelle lots of hugs – too cute!

“Popsicles are the best!”  Happy Birthday, Will!