Fun at the Beach

We had a wonderful week at Cape San Blas, Florida, in July. Different family members came and went throughout the week, but we had a couple of days when we were all together. My pictures are in a crazy order, but I hope they show how much fun we had. Christopher took the Wii, and Cole out bowled everyone. Here he is showing Madison his technique. He is quite the teacher; she learned to roll strikes before the week was over.

They had a wonderful time with oysters, of all things!

We went to the bay one day, and this red sea horse was the most exciting find. Elizabeth gets to claim that.

A big crab for Cole

The bay was a great adventure. Cole has been quite a few times, but it was an exciting first for Madison.

The most beautiful baby on the beach

Andy and Oren.

Christopher decided to be in charge of the pancakes one morning, and here he shows off his pancake in which his grandfather professed to see the face of Jesus. Christopher decided to eat it instead of selling it on EBay.

You are never too young, or

too old to play in the sand.

Cole gave granddaddy lessons, also.

Oren had watched everyone else on the kayak all day, and he had to explore.

It was a wonderful week. We all dream of going back.

You guessed right, didn't you?

Yes, this one is ours. Now, the name is the issue. I like Martha. Her coloring reminds me of Martha from the children's book series Martha Speaks. My grandson, Cole, likes the TV series based on the books. Al likes Muffin...ugh, too prissy! I have a feeling she will have to learn to respond to both. Stay tuned.

Want a puppy anyone?

Immediate disclaimer...THEY ARE NOT MINE! These puppies belong to Elizabeth and Calvin's cocker, Angel. There are seven of them, and five supposedly have homes planned already. I think the Brownlees will keep one of them. Al wants one, I don't; stay tuned.

Don't worry; water spots on bricks are from a shower that morning...not the puppies.

Busy Spring Season

Can you think of a better way to spend a springtime afternoon? Oren is a precious boy.

This does not look like the best place to let your grandbaby play, but he stayed entertained there for a long time.

Cole can "pop a wheelie" and stop on a dime. He has always been the king of riding toys.

Cole has played 3rd baseman quite a bit this spring. He has also made several runs for his team!

Madison enjoyed the camraderie of T-ball...can you see her in the middle cheering? BUT...

when it came to playing...she was blessed with a very gentle, patient coach. If you can click on a picture and enlarge it, you need to do so with this one.

I am late posting pictures from Christopher's induction into the Junior Beta Club at Arlington Christian School. We were very proud of what he had achieved. Here he is with some good buddies.

As usual he did not want to have his picture made. He needed to rush and be with all those buddies!

Each of these children are a joy to us in their own special way. It just gets better and better!

Happy Birthday, Madison!

Many of you may have met Fancy Nancy, a precious new book character who loves everything fancy. Madison loves her so Elizabeth decided she would be the perfect theme for a special 4 year-old birthday party.

I meant to put the photo of the purses at the end. Each girl made one at the pary...Kate Spade, look out! Our little Indian made a pouch for his gold.

I am not sure if I am having camera or photographer (or both) problems, but some of my pictures are a little blurry. Here is our day, in no particular order.


Birthday cake this year had to be cupcakes with sprinkles!

Emerson Grace Dalton with her goodie box.

Avery King and the birthday girl.

Sophie Kelly blowing fancy bubbles in her "fancy" outfit her mother said Sophie chose with great care.

ONE picture where I caught all 8 moving objects. Note our Indian on the left side. We appreciate our cousin, Cole, being willing to spend his Saturday afternoon with all these girls. We should have seated him in the middle.

Allie King and Kaitlyn Harder petting our "Posh Puppy" who loved all the attention.

Princess also appeared to even love the boa!!

Madison's daddy drew us a big tiara so they all tried to "Pin the Diamond on the Tiara"!

I think part of my problem was not thinking to set my camera for bright sunlight.

Sophie

Madison and her cousin, Makayla

Allie did a great job placing the diamond. Both she and Avery were very close, and I forgot to award the prizes!!!

It was great fun, but.........next year..........McD's!

Beautiful Boy

Oren Andrew Kennedy

Isn't he gorgeous? He is nine months old, crawling and pulling up on every stationary object he can find. He has a little mouth full of teeth. He just is not interested in staying a BABY no matter what the rest of us have to say about it. There is a world out there ready for him to conquer, and he is ready for action.

Time passes, but some things stay the same.

When we were at the zoo this week, I noticed Christopher standing by this replica of a lion's claw and asked him to let me take his picture. In my mind, I was sure that I had a picture of him at the same spot several years ago. I believe he is eight years old in the first picture. Even more ironic was the instinctive way he played with the claw. When he was eight, he pretended the lion was getting him. Monday, as soon as I took the picture, he began to try to convince me that his hand was stuck in the claw. Five years have made a big difference in many ways, but the heart and the spirit are still the same.