Look at Baby James Owen

Our friends Andy and Norma have made an addition to their family.

James Owen
They now have two sons, and they are both cuties for sure!
Easton and Owen
Easton is loving being a big brother and has already started looking out for his little brother.
The other night his family was sitting down for dinner and everybody's plate was fixed. Easton asked, "Momma, why don't you ever fix Owen a plate? I know he must be very hungry." His sweet momma explained that Owen had no teeth and he only drank milk for now. That seemed to satisfy Easton, but he remained very quiet. Easton then stated, "Momma, Pawpaw has no teeth and still fixes a plate and eats." Ha, ha, ha!
Easton is just looking out for the little man. He even is helping out during bottle time.
Even more baby announcements to come, we seem to have lots of friends making additions to their families.
Congratulations!
Holly and Clark - Baby Girl, July
Carrie and Joe - Baby Girl, July
Polly and Taze - Baby ? (oops!), December

Welcome Baby Emma

Our friends Russell and Amy Winston have a new addition to the family.

Isn't she adorable!
Emma Elizabeth
Look at her tiny little feet.
Proud Big Sister - Abby
Don't they look alike?
After Russell put the kids to work washing the dog,
he decided we had earned the privilege to hold the new edition.
We were all excited.
She is so sweet, so SWEET she even let the whole family have a chance to hold her (minus daddy - he did get a good look, but I think he has decided he has done his baby duty) without crying a peep.

I Want to Be Just Like My Papa

Watkins and Papa (my dad) are two of a kind!

Take a look.
My daddy loves his little man for sure.
I don't know who was more excited when we found out one of the twins was a boy - Daddy or Jeremiah? Well, Watkins really likes to do anything his Papa does and now he wants to look just like him.
Watkins told my dad, "Papa, I want a "hairtut" just like you." Of course, my dad responded, okay, we can get you a haircut like me, but then Watkins further explained..........
"Papa, I want a hole just like yours."
A hole you might say, what is that?
Yes, my daddy is going bald, and Watkins thought daddy got his hair cut like this on purpose.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Watkins explained to me that he needed to get that hole shaved in his hair and we could just throw away all the hair that came out.
Got to love it!
Our baby boy really loves his Papa!

Happy Birthday Ashleigh

Little Miss Turned 27!
Happy, happy birthday Ash!
YOU ARE.........
absolutely precious
special to us
hilarious
a lover of those rebels
especially good at games
impossible to live without
a great neighbor
a huge help whenever we need you!
Hope your day was a great one!
Here are a few pics from the celebration...........

some of the gang
Lawson Joy and Baby Henry loving that straw!
Watkins and Brittany
Laura and Henry (we are so proud he is eating!)
Mr. Bill
Ashleigh and Her Dad
Joseph, Phelps, and Lily busting a move on the stage!
Lawson Joy, Ashleigh, and Katherine
so once again........

Happy Mother's Day

Shelby (little sis), Me, My Momma
Happy Mother's Day, Momma!

Who do you call when something just doesn't seem right? From the kids to the cornbread in the oven.
Who reassures you when you need a little encouragement?
Who taught you to pray?
Who gives you private sewing lessons?
Who took you to the many cheerleading practices, ballgames, piano lessons, or shopping trips for that perfect outfit?
Who came to stay with you after you had your babies?
Who made sure you were in church on Sunday?
Who made sure that you were loved unconditionally?
Who taught you to be who you are today?
Who hauled you and your little boyfriend around?
Who taught you to love Jesus?
Who made sure you went to college?
Who loves you no matter what?
Who would do anything for you?
Who is the one and only Granny Audie?
The answer to each of the questions is, MY MOMMA.
Thank you for being the best mother.
I love you!!

(P.S. I do not have on make - up in this picture. I just thought I should point that out before any of you made suggestions like my sister. Shelby looked at the picture after it was taken and then preceeded to say, "You would look alot better Hope if you would wear eye make-up." Thanks Shel for the tip. You are SO sweet and helpful. I love you, little sis!)

Memphis Here We Come

Jeremiah headed to Memphis on Wednesday morning after the election on business. I joined him Thursday night, our kids were safe and sound with my parents, who always have an open invitation for their grandkids. I have to say JD and I are very lucky, both our parents will take all 4 of our kids most anytime when we ask. So to get away from the hustle and bustle of Starkville, jobs, school, kids, sports, and so on........... Let's just say our very BUSY life, we opted for a relaxing Mother's Day weekend alone in Memphis. We had a fabulous time - just the two of us! JD still had a little business to take care of Friday morning, so I enjoyed a breakfast of a "made to order" omelet at our hotel and then headed to the........

hot tub where I spent my morning catching up on all the latest gossip, reading the latest editions of all those girly magazines. It was very nice and QUIET! JD got through working, we had an afternoon of a late lunch, a long nap, and then to a night of blues.
We bought tickets to this concert, it lasted until the early morning hours, but I am pretty sure we were fast asleep by 11.
Saturday was spent with a little shopping at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Thanks JD for letting me pick out some much needed things for the house! And then we headed off, to well......let me let you guess............
Look in the background. Do you recognize that very famous mansion? One more glimpse.........
That's right!
GRACELAND, HOME OF THE KING, ELVIS
(he bought it in 1957, for $100,000, at the age of 22)
We just were not sure what to do with our afternoon, so we contemplated going, but it we knew it was little bit pricey. I called, Laura, to get the exact cost and directions and she said it was worth it. It was a done deal after that because Laura would NOT go or suggest that someone else go unless it really worth while. You see sweet Laura is a saver not a spender! Her exact advice, "You have to do it at least once in your lifetime." I now agree. I learned some Elvis facts and I will share a few............
Did you have a swing set like this growing up? I did and so did Lisa Marie.
Did you know that Elvis had quite an interesting decorating sense? This room was covered in this fabric. Walls and ceilings completely covered! Over 350 yards of material! I wonder how much dust is in there?
"The Jungle Room"
Lisa Marie's favorite chair
The ceiling and floor covered in green shag carpet. Nice, huh? Did you know that Elvis actually recorded a part of one of his hits in this very room?

He owned not one, but 2 planes!
You could pick up a phone and call anywhere in one of these.



Elvis owned many cars, but he also gave lots and lots of cars away. He gave cars away to family, friends, and people he did not even know.

Elvis was a wonderful singer and won endless awards for his talent, but most important Elvis was a very genuine person who loved his family and fans.
Here are just a few of his gold records, all around us in this room.
So next time you are in Memphis and have some time to spare, I do suggest going to Graceland.
The rest of the weekend........
We skipped lunch, because we headed to a Brazilian steak house for dinner. I will feel you in on what it is because I did not know myself. At this steak house they bring around tons of different kinds of meat such as lamb, duck , roast, pork chops, chicken, fillet mignon, and list goes on and on. You sample as much or little as you want. It was VERY good and VERY filling! We are old, so after dinner we called it a night. Sunday we headed to my parent's house to get our sweet babies and big girls. We were so ready to their smiling faces, and the best part of the weekend was all the big hugs we got when we returned.
It is always nice to have "a moment" to yourself, but there isn't anything sweeter than being back together as a family!

We love you Ms. Martha!

Today is the last day of preschool this year for Phelps and Watkins. Ms. Martha has been their teacher, and she had been just what my babies needed for their first year in preschool. We absolutely love her! I don't know if Phelps and Watkins will know what to do without all her hugs and kisses each day! She has surely taken very "special" care of our babies. Thank you, Ms. Martha! WE LOVE YOU!!
These are the special sunshine cookies we made for their end of the year party today.

Sing, Sing, Sing

Lawson Joy, Katherine, Phelps, and Watkins all had their end of the year choir musical last night. Lawson Joy had a speaking part, and Katherine had a sweet little solo. They both did fantastic! I have to admit - it did bring little tears to my eyes to see them all in action.

Look my big girls!
In action!
Mari Hunter and Lawson Joy

I had a fun and interesting time to say the least helping with the preschool choir. They are all such little cuties!
Watkins and Phelps love to sing, but most of the time not at choir. Although, last night they were into it.
Here they are "just a singing"!
playing the sticks
Will Evans and Watkins

Definitely a night to remember!

The 3 Little Pigs

"Where's Ansley? Where's Ansley?" is the first question out of Phelps and Watkins mouth as soon as we get to the ball field each and everytime. Ansley, Phelps, and Watkins are best buddies and inseparable at school, so they love the fact Ansley is at the ball field too! They always have fun running, playing, and eating, but this time they found a mud hole! OH - WHAT FUN!!!

Watkins

Nice and gooey!
Ansley and Phelps
Slipping and a sliding!
Stomp! Stomp!
All 3 Little Pigs
The Proud Little Pigs!

Future Ball Players?
Could not leave these cute things out.