Birthday BBQ Pictures

Eleven Candles

A boy & his Dad

Val and Emi

Shelbie made the cake, it's a turtle

Uncle Cracker and Aunt Cheese, put quarters inside 11 balloons for a grand total of 11 dollars. What fun to pop the balloons and find the treasure.

HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY TO MY #1 GRANDSON!!

Today is my little "prince's" 11th birthday. My goodness he has grown up way to fast. I know how excited he was last year to be 10, you know, he was now "two" numbers old. Funny how they view that type of thing. The pictures I have posted are some of my personal favorites. They are recent, with the exception of the little one. He was maybe 6 months old. Landon is the sweetest little boy, always has hugs for his grandma, and will talk your leg off. He will talk to you about anything. He is always reminding me that I drive a "pimped out" car. Heaven only knows where those things come from. I think it means it's a cool car. He and I have a deal that when he comes to my house we always get Kentucky Fried Chicken. He tells me that no one else at his house likes it. So we try to do that. I absolutely love it when he and I get the one on one time. Now that he is older we don't do it very often, but I savor it when we do. Sometimes I wish they would stay small, you know, when going to grandma's was the highlight of the day. Darn it, they just grow up too soon.

Landon loves sports. His favorite is football and he loves the Greenbay Packers. He plays football in the fall, and it's a fun time to watch him. He comes off the field with smiles, especially when things are going good for the team. He played baseball this summer and was a really good catcher. I don't much like that position, it's hot and dirty. Maybe that's why he likes it. He can get down and dirty.

Just in case you haven't guessed it, I love this little guy with all my heart and soul. When I look into his eyes I see his Granddad. He has those dark dark eyes, the kind that tell you everything you want to know. Landon is someone really special and I want him to have the very best 11th birthday ever. Love and kisses to my "prince", I love you very much. ~Gram.

The GIRL of Summer....

Watching girls fast pitch softball was so much fun. These are pictures of my favorite #3 granddaughter. These pictures are from one of the tournament games of this past weekend. Watching grandchildren play a sport is the closest thing next to heaven....you are watching them enjoy something they love and in this case, very good at it. She is a team player, and what was so amazing to me, was the fact she had her head in the game all the time. She knew what was going on, where all the runners were and knew exactly what to do, if the task fell upon her. I saw her field 5 grounders hit to her put the runner out at first base every time, and make a double play. That was exciting. She caught a fly ball, and put the runner out on second base, when the runner came back to tag up. What a thrill. She was awarded a S.H.E. Award at one game. I think I have this right: S=sportsmanship H=hustle; E=enthusiasm. I am sure someone will correct me with what is right and I can change it. But you get the idea. What a great season she had, and next year she moves up, so she will really have to work hard to make the grade. BUT, I know she will do what she needs to do to make it. Thanks for a great season munchkin!!

Gram's MVP!!

First of all, I forgot my camera tonight. So this picture is of Shelbie playing in another tournament. But the colors of the uniforms are right. They are proudly wearing the black and gold of Newton. The game tonight was pretty darn good for 12 & 13 year old girls playing fast pitch softball. Shelbie played 2nd base and was absolutely awesome at the postion. She fielded 5 out 5 ground balls hit to her and threw the runner out every single time. The fifth was the kicker, because that out won the game for the Newton All Stars. They advanced to the next round which is at 9 am tomorrow morning. Not sure who they play, because that game was after theirs tonight. We shall see in the AM. Oh yeah, they won 5-4 against the Mulvane team. It was a really good game, everyone played well on both teams. You played a great defense in the game Shelbs!! I think the thrill for this Gram was to see her run off the field and jump into her Dad's arms after she made that final out. Reminds me of a similar scene a long time ago. Remember Uncle Cracker?

GOOD TIMES

Good Times! A few of the pictures taken at Celebrate 2009. I had a good time and I hope they did too.

Celebrate The 4th of July & Home Town Heros

The Atomic Veterans ~ Hometown Hero's

Beautiful fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July 2009.

I had the pleasure to attend an Independence Day celebration today. My family that included my sons Tim and Mark, my daughter in laws Danelle and Michelle and my beautiful grandchildren, Valleri, Emily, Shelbie and Landon. My sister in law, Sherry and her husband Andy were all in attendance to witness a celebration of Home Town Hero's. Everyone who knows me, knows that I have passion and determination to have my husband recognized, along with countless others as Atomic Veterans. I have published my feelings regarding these HERO'S. Tonight, in front of God and the city of Wichita those HERO'S were recognized for the contributions they made to the world and to humanity. 48 veterans were recognized tonight. They were saluted for their service to their country. As a widow of an Atomic Veteran I stood in place of my husband. It was bitter sweet, but an honor just the same. My thanks to KAKE-TV, who had the fortitude to take a stand for these wonderful men and to give them something they have deserved for over 60 years. There were Army, Air Force and Navy Veterans present to receive their HERO recognition. My thanks also to those who have read my postings, and took a stand by talking about the A-Vets, writing a letter or maybe even saying a prayer that the Congress of the United States of America will do the right thing and recognize these hero's.

**there are other pictures and I will post another time.