Eating, Swimmin', & Writing

Breakfast with Margaret Gray

Went a little early to swim lessons the other day. Ella and her friend helped the kids out before the instructor got there. Poor Henry...little does he know, he's not swimming and no where close to doing so.

Working on writing his name. He needs his friend, Ava, to teach him out to properly hold his pencil.

Louis Family Reunion

A couple of weekends ago, we headed up to Oklahoma for a Louis Family Reunion...PawPaw's side of the family.

Driving I-35 at 5 o'clock was slow moving... but it gave Henry time to warm up to finally holding Margaret's hand.



Stopped at Babe's Chicken along the way... (Henry is still talking about the Hokey Pokey) and got to the lodge around 9.

Pull up to Tom's uncles roasting this:




Tasted pretty good the next day for lunch.




Saturday morning was FREEZING! complete with a good wind. I brought Henry some warmer clothes and Margaret had to rock her PJS under a dress.


The chilly weather didn't keep Henry from wanting to fish. He was so excited.

Some other morning activities:

Baseball

Henry loved Alice's ATV and had some trouble sharing it :)

Rope swinging

More fishing... can't see the fish cause it's turned sideways.

Playing with cousins in the Lodge

Before lunch, PawPaw did a splendid job of introducing everyone... I think there was about 60 in attendance.

The whole reunion idea got started when Uncle Walter (far left) wanted to get together with some family while celebrating Cousin Daniel's (middle) graduation from UT of Arlington.

(can you tell that "tall" is relative with the Louises)

At one point before lunch, I found Henry like this... the guy was wiped out and asking for a nap.

Lunch

MG, fresh up from a nap, found some comfort in PatPat's lap and a brownie.

Afternoon boating and enjoying the sun... it had warmed up considerably.

Aunt Sarah and Cousin Laura

Tom and Brent dominated washers

Family group shots

The Ross brothers and their families

So this would be Tom's grandmother's sister's (Florence) family

The Snowdens

Tom's grandmother's brother's (Buddy) family... I think.

And here are the Louises

Too bad we had already gotten Henry and Margaret ready for bed.

4 out of 6 aunt/uncles with their families were in attendance.

It was a good weekend. Good to be out in some fresh air and to enjoy the company of so many loved ones. I truly enjoy Tom's family...nice people... even if ,back in college, one of his uncles called me "ol' what's her name" while I was trying to take a family group shot and I cried all the way back to Shreveport... :)

1st Swim Lesson

Margaret Gray and Henry had their 1st swim lesson yesterday at the Wood's house. A lady that Kate had used for Thomas and Ella agreed to use their pool... so lucky for us, we only have to drive 1 min each day.

My camera was acting up again, so these are as good as I got for documenting the event.

We waited inside while Mrs. Stacey and her helpers took care of business.

1st, the kids got on floaties and floated around the pool- Henry and MG thought that was fun.

Next task was practicing putting faces under water... Kids didn't like that as much.

(pics taken through a window)

(I was really surprised how Margaret waited her turn... there are 5 in the class)

:)

After the lesson was over, they both wanted to get back in the water... a good sign. We'll see how it goes when its time to put on their swim suits today.

Mother's Day 2011

At first glance, I thought, "Whoa. Interesting flower choice, Tom." He later clarified that Henry picked the red, and Margaret Gray picked the pink.

After church, a quite fancy lunch at Taco Bueno, and long naps for everyone, we headed over to the Woods for dinner.

(like Margaret's black eye? Her left one.)





So none of the hands are mine...but I thought I would share this sweet idea. Since Grandmother Herndon was with us that evening, Kate took advantage of 4 generations being together and take this picture. From top left going clockwise: Kate, PatPat, Ella, Grandmother Herndon, and Alice.

I hope to get together with my mom and grandmother soon so we can attempt this pic... especially since I love MG's sweet hands and her thumbs remind me of my mom's. Maybe we could do our feet, too.... since we all like our feet- right, Mom?

It was a sweet day. I adore my silly kiddos and my husband who makes me feel very appreciated and really takes the time to make my job easier.

A little after dinner entertainment

Family Photos

For my 30th birthday (back in November) a group of my girlfriends got together and gave me a photo session with Sarabella Photography.

Amy had used Sarah before and I was excited to use her, too.

I think we got some good photos.

Well, not this one... the kids were done by this time

It was Henry's 3rd birthday that day

Thanks Amy, Mary Pat, Jenny, Meagan, Sari, and Kristen!

It was such a precious gift!!!!

Dinosaur Valley State Park

Last Friday, we took a family excursion to the Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas... about an hour and a half away.

Luckily there was a man who offered to take our pic... you should have seen me try to push the self timer and make a run on the slippery rocks to get to my spot. Kept getting pics of my behind. :)

We found a local restaurant to enjoy some lunch... luckily, they had outdoor seating... always a plus.

Ate some pie at a pie shop and played in the town square before heading home.