Happy birthday, TT

Yesterday was Tracey's birthday!!  Though this photo is not really a flashback - it was taken a few months ago - it reflects just how beautiful my big sister is.  Look at those eyes!! 

 

Tracey Hairgrove - November 2014

Christmas goodbyes

An absolutely wonderful visit with Garrett and Maci quickly came to end and it was time to say our goodbyes.  Knowing I would see them both again in the Spring made it slightly (but not much) easier.  Delanie has a rule we should all live by......you never say "goodbye", you say "see you later".  :)

 

It wasn't long after leaving the airport that I got the text below from Garrett.  Is it any wonder why I love this kid so much?? 

 

Of course, the first thing I did after I got home (ok, and after a small crying jag) was FaceTime with Charlene.  She made me laugh like she always does and it was just what I needed.  I snapped a screenshot right as she was showing me her Christmas tree.  I could look at this picture all day long.  The thing I love the most about it is the sheer joy on her face. :)  This chick LOVES Christmas (and me, thank God!). 

Lucky me......I get to see them all in just over a month!!  Not a moment too soon! :)

Flashback Friday

Happy Friday!! :)

 

With MN temperatures in the single digits coupled with wind chills in the negatives, I'm revisiting the warmth of Summer in Texas.

 

 

This was the first family photo shoot to include Jim.  Look how young (and tan!) everyone was.  :)

 

That's a good-looking family if I do say so myself!! 

Mansfield, TX - Summer 2009

Christmas at the slopes

On the last day of their visit, Jim took the kids to tubing.  Elm Creek Park Reserve is about five minutes from our home so they didn't have to go far.  They spent all day long tubing.  Needless to say, they had a blast!! :)

 

 

 

Of course, they picked the COLDEST day of the week to go.....

 

A migraine kept me at home in bed but Jim got some great videos!  I can't watch them without cracking up.  :)

 

This is my favorite one......  It cracks me up that they're laughing so hard while trying to hold on to the tubes!

 

Larry, Curly & Moe.......:)

 

Christmas luck

One of the highlights of Garrett and Maci's visit was a trip to the casino.  Of course, Jim and I didn't mind that at all.  :)  The gambling age in Minnesota is 18 so this is their first time to play. 

 

For the first few nights - when they weren't playing video games - Jim painstakingly taught them how to play blackjack.  Yep, that's my man!  He even created flashcards for them making it a point that if they were going to play, they had to know how to play. 

The training definitely paid off.  Together, they more than quadrupled their money!! :) 

It was so funny sitting next to Garrett.  Poor kid, he was so nervous to bet money.  Honestly.....I thought he was going to break out in a rash.  Did I mention we were playing at the $1 table??  :)

Flashback Friday

Happy Friday!! :)

 

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day so I thought I'd show some sibling love for this one.  I've always been so grateful that Delanie and Garrett have such a close bond.  They are as different as night and day but that never seemed to matter. 

 

And my all-time favorite....... 

 

Grand Prairie, TX - 1999

Christmas 2014

As soon as we got home from the airport, it was time to open presents! :)  Like I said earlier, I didn't take a bunch of photos but I couldn't help myself when I saw this....

Delanie got an acoustic guitar from Santa Claus and her sweet big brother immediately started showing her the ropes.  He is tuning the guitar in the picture.  The sight of these kids together just warms my heart. 

Yep, this is the wonder that is my firstborn.  He always has something funny or sarcastic to say and I wouldn't have it any other way.  :)

Oh, see that picture of Jim's dad to the left of Garrett?  That was Jim's present from the kids.  In the picture, George has his Air  Force uniform on including the metal wings on his hat.  The actual wings are included in the frame too.  Needless to say, that was the hit of Christmas.  Jim loved it!  It now holds a place of honor in Jim's office right above his desk.