Happy Pappy's Day!!

Heather told their kids to say "Happy Pappy's Day" to Pappy as they left today, so that's the title of this post.

Sunday dinner was one of Gary's favorite's, Swiss Steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed corn, lettuce/cucumber salad, with apple pie and German Chocolate cupcakes for dessert.

We honor the three dads who were present today and the one in Houston,Texas who is married to our daughter and remembered our dads who have gone on.

Here are the three most important men in my life.  I am so proud of the husbands and fathers that our sons have become.  They work hard to provide for their family but more importantly, they model how to lead a family in loving and serving God.  But then, they have a father who modeled that for them.

Just happened to get a picture of the boys with their daughters.

Where's Ava?

There she is!

Each of these sons has two sons of their own, who will grow up watching their dad be the kind of dad they want to be.

I'm feeling especially blessed today!

Wife and mother to these three incredible men!

Random June Pics

Here's some cute shots of Ava in Nursery during church.  This was mine and Lindsay's Sunday to stay in the nursery.  Ava and Liam had a lovely time playing together. 

In case you didn't notice Ava's shoes, here's a close-up.   Sooooo cute!

Haven's dreams came true.  Meet Rosie, the newest member of their family.  She is the sweetest little thing and loved by all.

Another trip to the zoo, but this time with Gavin.  Cael would ride that train over and over and over...............  We were counting the number of turtles that were sunning on the logs.

Couldn't pass the elephant with getting a picture of the three of them.

Looks like we wore Ava out!  She is ready for her bed!

We are making memories every day!!

Mema











Amazing God, Awesome Power!

Thank you to Jamie, Kerry, Mickie, Sarah and all the planners for the 2012 Springhill Vacation Bible School! The title of this post was the theme for the week.  Our grandkids had a wonderful time!

I got to be a "mom" and my duty was to take the K-1st kids around to each of their classes, so I got to have Haven in my group.  But we were able to see the others occasionally and here are some pictures:

 Jude and Cael had their opening in a different area than the older kids.

Our theme had to do with Aviation and I just loved these little airplane hats they made and wore.  Their snacks each time had to do with our theme and were so clever and tasty!

The youth helped with recreation and here's Haven waiting to get picked to play "Duck, Duck, Goose"

I loved their craft time this year.  Each day they made something to give away.  One day it was a bag of goodies.....toothbrush, toothpaste, granola bars, a little New Testament...I can't remember what all was in it, but they wrote a note to include in the bag and had a lesson on Jesus first, others second and ourselves last.  They were to give this bag to someone who needed to know that God loves them.  The next day, here is Jadon is picking out decorations for a notebook they will send with our mission team that is going to India to minister to teachers there.  Again they wrote a note to the teacher who will receive this notebook.  What great lessons in giving!

Their last recreation was spent on this homemade water slide.  All of the older children were together at this time.  They had so much fun!!  Cael and Jude's classes played in the water  with squirt bottles, but I bet they would have loved this slide, too!

What do you think about VBS, Jude?  Is that a whoo-hoo?

I so enjoyed watching these precious little ones learning more about Jesus and having fun with the others.

Amazing God, awesome power!!!

Donna

Happy Birthday to Haven!

Haven Elizabeth Wallace is 6 years old today!!! Happy Birthday to Haven!!  On Saturday afternoon, Aunt Karla and I took Haven birthday shopping and guess where she wanted to go?  That's right, Build-A-Bear.  She has had her eye on a dog that can be the mother to a puppy she already has.  Of course, she informed me this will be her 9th Build-a-bear animal.

So we got to the store and she found her dog, which she immediately named Rose.  Here are some pictures of the adventure.

Then, that evening we attended her birthday celebration party at her house.  Here we are enjoying grilled burgers and hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, etc. 

Lovely Hello Kitty dress, Haven.

And now, the presents.

And....a new bike!!

Haven's very own "pupcakes" and homemade ice cream!  (Two cupcakes decorated to look like a dog.)
    

Haven, you are certainly a lovely 6 year old girl.  I love how sensitive you are to others and how much you love to help.  You seem to already have a servant heart.  I am blessed to be your Mema.

I love you,

Mema

Memorial Day!

I decided kind of at the last minute that grilled burgers sounded good for Monday, Memorial Day.  So I started calling family members to see if anyone had any plans.  Turned out the kids didn't have plans, so Gary and I started setting up the little pool for the kids to swim in  and the fire pit for smores. Poor Gary, when I get an idea, he's usually the one who works the hardest to implement my idea.  I did tell him I appreciated all his hard work, since he won't read this and know how I am praising him.

I fixed some ice cream for Gary to churn.  He is an expert at that!  He made sure the grill was ready so I could cook some burgers, brats, hot dogs, salmon burgers and corn in the husk.  He put together the new fire pit for smores (which nobody wanted after burgers and brownies and ice cream).  Oh well, we'll use it sometime.

B.J. and Donna joined us and brought Erica and Jackson.  Steve had to go to work, but Cozy came. Matt and Lindsay and kids, Todd and Heather and kids all were able to come.  Missed Karla, the Bischoffs and John and Beverly who all couldn't be here.   I love this family so much and the more time I get to spend with them, the better!

Enough Food?

Jackson and Ava

I bought this little pool last summer, but when I got it out this year, the ring around the top won't stay inflated and I cannot find the leak.  Grrrrr.  The kids didn't seem to mind very much.  They just enjoyed the water!

Most of all, on this holiday, I want to remember those who have served and given their lives for our freedoms.  My daddy and father-in-law were in World War II and I am honored to remember them this day.  Our nephew, Eric, is serving in Afghanistan now and we appreciate him so much and pray for his safety!

Salute...

Donna

Ava's First Birthday!!

On May 25, 2011, we celebrated the arrival of Miss Ava Hope Wallace to Matt and Lindsay.  On Friday, May 25, 2012, we celebrated her first birthday at her house with many family members. She really knows how to throw a party!  We had Chick-Fil-A, veggies, fruit, chips & dip and cupcakes!

Ava wasn't sure about her cupcake at first, but it didn't take long for her to dive right in.

Time for presents!! 

Ready for Dancing With the Stars with her Rumba outfit on!

Playing Itsy Bitsy Spider with Nana!

Ava, it just doesn't seem possible that you are one year old now.  And with being one, comes no more formula... no more bottle..you are using a sippy cup now.  Your car seat is now front facing...you can see what is going on better.  You crawl everywhere and pull up and stand.  You jabber like you are telling all kinds of stories.  Pretty soon you will be walking (probably running) trying to keep up with Cael ....and then running to Gavin for protection.  You have a mommy, daddy, two big brothers and a huge extended family who adore you.

Good-bye formula!

Good-bye bottle....hello sippy cup!

You are so precious and we love you so much and look forward to seeing how you grow and change in the coming year. 

Love you, Ava Hope!

Mema