Lucy is 4!

Lucy's official birthday party was held on Friday, July 15. However, her REAL birthday was on Sunday, the 17th! The 17th was also National Ice Cream Day so, when Tom, my daddy, and I went to Little Rock, we celebrated with birthday ice cream cones!



Lucy has been riding a strider bicycle with no pedals. For her birthday, she was given a new bike.

She did very well on her first try! Watching Jenny and Eric run around Pulaski Heights Elementary's (Lanie's "old school" - she's in middle school now, you know) sure took me back to days of teaching our quartet to ride a two wheeler!

Catching up with pictures!

I have not blogged in a while because I have been so frustrated by my pictures disappearing! I decided today that I was just so far behind that I HAD to try again! Most of the photos are self-explanatory!



On Jenny's facebook: "Sweaty but happy"

I made this hat out of some very cool yarn! I made three sizes and this one fit Hannah! (Can't take credit for the flower. She already had that in her hair and just left it!)

A professional photographer too this one of the Paul family at the Rainey Newton House - where Jill and Stephen's reception was held.

Jimmy got a flagpole for his birthday on July 3rd! It was Tanya's idea, newly naturalized citizen that she is, and Tom was responsible for tracking down just the right pole, purchasing it, and having it delivered. Installation was a group effort!

The El Dorado Powercats get ready to play.

DanMan pitches!

According to her mother, Lucy sang and danced everywhere she went in Branson!

Hattie is walking all over now - in her squeaky shoes!

First Attempt at Homemade Pasta

I decided to buy myself a new toy with part of the money my daddy gave me for my birthday - a pasta maker. (I should say "I decided to buy US a new toy..." because it is certainly a two man operation!) I reported for jury duty yesterday to find that the case had been settled out of court. The news was the gift of a day! It is strange how, now that I am retired and have so much flexibility and freedom, I was so excited about the unanticipated empty day! I had been anxious to try to make pasta because I wanted to figure everything out so that I can fix it for my daddy while he is with us. It looked very much like rain (none arrived though) so Tom was indoors and we got busy! VOILA!!!

Quick trips - one long planned, one completely spontaneous!

Wish these pictures had posted in reverse order!



On Saturday, after one in the afternoon, a decision was made to make a quick trip to visit Grandma. Since the females from the Junior Johnson home were missing, Bo and DanMan decided to ride along. Texts were sent to Julie, Stephen, (Jill was in Chicago), and Jenny. Turned out Julie was already in Monroe but the Fussells and the Pauls had nothing planned. Jenny's family met us at the nursing home. Grandma was so happy to have the company. Next stop was the Buffalo Grill for an early supper; the three Fussells joined us there. Then we all (six adults and five children) went to watch the Arkansas Travelers (Little Rock) play the Arkansas Naturals (Northwest Arkansas). Lucy was so excited because "The Arkansas" were going to win. We could safely assure her that her prediction would be 100% correct! There was an hour and a half weather delay before the game began but the rain was never heavy and there was plenty to see and do to keep the kids occupied. I was so grateful because the weather cooled off and it was so comfortable outdoors. (My enthusiasm for the plan initially was a tad weak because I was expecting to swelter the way we have been at DanMan's recent games!) Before the game got started, Shelli (Shelly, Shelley?) plunked himself down beside DanMan and the girls rushed in to pose.

I mentioned back in May that Hannah had been given a trip to New York City as a 16th birthday gift. Well, this is the weekend! Tanya sent this picture just before take-off. Last night, while we were being rained on at the ballfield, they were at the Majestic Theater, on Broadway, watching PHANTOM OF THE OPERA!!!!

Nannah "watches" DanMan pitch!

Found this on a friend's Facebook page. You can't tell how hot I am but you can tell how nervous I am!!!! DanMan pitched seven innings over the weekend and I watched them all just like this! (I think my eyes are closed under the hand and the sunglasses!) This is my position as he bats too! I can promise you, I did not have a nice, shady spot like this for all five games! I did, however, have my birthday present from Julie, a chair with an attached umbrella!

Two sides of DanMan!

Tom came running to get me so I could catch a picture of this sweet scene! As you can well imagine, this librarian's heart almost overflowed! I think I have posted pictures in the past of Hannah and/or DanMan reading HENRY AND MUDGE books to Lucy before Hattie was even born. Not sure which title this was but Henry and his big dog, Mudge, are still favorites!

Most of our Memorial Day weekend was spent at the the ball park. The Power Cats, with 8 of the 10 players shown above, made it to the semi-finals of the Wally Hall tournament held in Bryant, Arkansas. DanMan, the player with the bat, played well. He pitched more than his grandmother was comfortable with - but, when he isn't pitching, he is catching; I don't like that either, when the temperatures are soaring! The gear is HOT and HEAVY! The team really played some BASEBALL - like the big boys do, over the weekend! It is kind of sad in a way to have them be so grown and capable but I am proud of every one of them. They are all nice young men, who are turning into good ball players!

Maddy graduates from kindergarten!

Miss Madeline Rose Nolan graduated from Hugh Goodwin Elementary's kindergarten on Friday, May 27, 2011! Here she is with her proud parents after the ceremony. (Her proud grandmother took the picture!)