Up Yonder 2009

Well, I am officially a bad mother. I didn't even get my camera out of its case at the reunion. Luckily there were a lot of cameras out and active. Kudos to all the great camera work. I am including a few shots from Anne-Marie ( a Dollahite Grandchild). Also here is a video of Grace on the new addition to her swing set. We didn't put it together at first because who really want to encourage an 18 month old to climb better. This was her 3rd time up a climbing wall ever. Bob she'll be ready for bouldering in no time.

If you are a Facebooker many have posted their Up Yonder pictures there. Here are a few:





Tod stayed for just a short stay and then left to go to see our new newphew (a boy?)
Ford Burton quite happy and healthy


The funny bit is that Grace hated "bumpos" when she was the age they are intended for. At the lake she couldn't have enough time in it.



The five under two and under at the Reunion, one Cooke, one Alston, three Dollahites.
Annaliese (D), Grace (C), Corri (A), Glorianne (D), Gabrielle (D)
(Aren't those outfits cute?)



Golf anyone?



What would the reunion be without at lease one good gossip session a day.
All of the little girls had a blast playing together. Grace was sad to see them go.



See what I mean, GOSSIP.





Actually, I just thought it was nice to see the eldest generation still enjoying the reunion.

And last but not least...



She knows no fear. no waves to big. no wake to imposing.

no hands !


Grace looke at me solemly as I got my ski on for my one ski this year and said:

"No ski, Mama.

No ski, Mama.

Gracie ski."


Maybe next year.




bye bye.

Swimming Like a Turtle

Grace loves "swimming like a turtle".  Her self declared new skill in her pool.  

Bad Mama

Okay,  so I am finally getting around to putting some more pictures of Grace up. 

It has been very busy here.  I ended up selling 23 dresses and 3 hats and still have some people interested in more summer wear.  One of the orders was for 21 dresses for a woman who is opening a store for infants in Rockport, MA.  I learned through some of our conversations via Etsy that she is also a RISD grad.  A few years before me and from illustration.  

Tod is done with school and is getting lots of Grace time in.  

And, Grace is a hoot and a handful.  She loves to read.  She loves to run fast.  She loves to laugh.  She is starting to figure out swimming, as opposed to splashing. She can now  catch and throw a ball with as much accuracy as I can so hopefully Tod will do his fatherly duty and get her past me.  She is learning how to pedal her tricycle well and it speeds up walks to the park.  I may even be able to get some walks back in myself.

  We still like seeing Andersen.  Grace and He really do have fun together they just didn't want to pose for pictures.

  "Special treats"  aka fruit snacks make everything better...

  just not pictures.

water water everywhere and I must always splash.
  Tod and Grace love to feed the fish at the Botanical Garden
   Dance moves are quite individual
  She shares her treats.
 she is an expert snuggler and wrestler and sometimes it is hard to distinguish between the two.
  Always the ham.
  Where else do you read your Bible but in the hamper with all of your animals, and of course with your goggles.  These are a frequent accessory notice they were at the Botanical Garden also.

  We also love to go to the park.  Grace has mastered all the ladders and climbing equipment and finally most days would rather run and climb and slide than swing.
  Today the balls had to come. but Grace washappy to share them with some of the other frequent visiters.

  And, what else do you do when you've played so hard at the park and Mama won't let you hold the camera?  Take a nap.

Springtime

Well, we have all been enjoying the beautiful spring weather here in Memphis.  It has been delightful and mild.  

Our wisteria has been wonderful and has attracted many buzzzzzy bees to our deck.  

Grace and I sit out there to have snacks and sew and chat.  She's getting quite chatty.  Nannie (Jane) would be oh so proud.

Grace loves getting out and spending a good bit of the day either swinging, digging, or squirting with a squirt bottle. Luckily she knows not to squirt Mama.  (At least usually she remembers not to.)  

In case you all haven't noticed Grace is definately a character and has a bit of a ham in her.  She loves to run and has a healthy exhibitionist streak. 

 

 I have been busy getting a lot of sewing done.  Grace condescended to be my model this afternoon for some of the items I've made.  I've got several more that are just waiting for buttons and final trims and so forth.  I'll have to get back to updating my ETSY site. 

Mid kitchen

Well the floor is done the appliances are back in and the electrical is all squared away.  Oh and the window and door trim have been reinstalled.  So tomorrow backsplash tiling and then the last details of painting and finding all the odd little moments to trim out somehow.  We have even stashed a couple of cookbooks in the cubby by the fridge.  I didn't take any new photos today.  I'll get some after the backsplash is done.  Mainly I felt like adding some photos of Grace. She is such a character.  These photos string back over the last month. She is so talkative with Tod and I now and using sentences, and lots of adjectives.  It is amazing how fast her verbal skills are taking off.  Nannie here she comes.  She'll be able to do both my Nannie and her Nannie proud soon.  

 

Kitchen Redp\o

Kitchen Redo  

Well here are a few photos of the new room.  It still has a long way to go before it is hgtv ready but considering it is the end of day 3, I guess we won't complain yet.

We were able to get more of the same backsplash tile for the other side of the kitchen.  Tomorrow I think we'll tackle the floor.  I have just two more cabinets to install hardware on.  I ran out of time before bedtime precluding using the drill in the house.  the piece of drywall next to the laundry door will be painted white and have trim put in it to create a message center.  It is hiding big ugly holes in the dry wall.  The trim around the window had to come down.  I think we will need a narrower trim. There is an odd little space next to the refrigerator where the upper and lower cabinets don't match up and we are going to build a small little cubby in that space out of the spare parts from the damaged pieces.

Also photos of Grace, and a very belated birthday video for Nannie.

Grace would rather swing than do anything else a lot of days.  Even when there is snow.  Of course, if we had that great sled of Uncle Richard's it may be a different story.