John David's First Fishing Trip

Aaron got done with work early today and came home and got John David all dressed up in his camo. They went and picked up Paw Paw and went to do a little fishing. I couldn't even begin to describe how excited my little man was. So, so excited! I was so happy when they got back home and Aaron told me that he had taken some pictures. I think this one is my favorite.



He did not like the worms, and refused to touch them.



Does he look excited or what?



I love this one too.



Ooooo......he got one!



Reeling it in.









He grabbed it like a pro. Kinda cracks me up that he wouldn't touch the worms, but had no problem at all grabbing the fish.







Paw Paw's catch of the day.



Going after another one.



Reeling in another one.





He's a natural.



Aaron said he caught five fish, and loved every second of it. Not too shabby for a first timer. I love that he loves spending time with his Daddy and Paw Paw making memories.

The first of many fishing trips.....I am sure.

Celebrating our Favorite Veteran

Today we went to school for the Veteran's Day program. John David wanted to sit with Aaron. He thinks he is always supposed to be wherever Daddy is. And he did pretty good......for the most part. He got a little squirmy and I went to get him. When I let him go back to sit with Aaron a few minutes later, he was fine for the rest of the program.



I was able to find Sarah and Carolyn amidst the sea of children.



And Lily too. She made this sweet card she is holding for Aaron. She gave it to him after she read her part in the program.



The program is always great.......short and sweet.





Sarah came over for a quick hug (and picture) after the program.



Here's Aaron with his high school friend, Tony, who is in the Army Reserves. He is also on the Sulphur Police Department. He comes over to visit from time to time and I have learned not to be alarmed when I see a police officer or car in the driveway.



Friday night we invited a few friends over to celebrate with some cake.



I forgot to take pictures of the inside of the cake, but it was red, white, and blue with strawberry filling.



We are grateful to all of the men and women who serve our country!

It's a bird.......it's a plane......it's Superman!

Don't know if you're aware of this or not.....but we know Superman.



In fact.....he lives at our house.



And since he lives at our house, we have learned first hand some things about him.



He's not really a fan of getting his picture taken.







He can climb just as good as Spiderman.



He really likes to ride tractors.









And I'm sure you already knew he was strong, but did you know that he can pick up a tractor....................



........over his head..................



...........carry it across the room.................



.............and throw it on the couch? Yeah, I didn't think so.



And he loves to show off his mad flying skills.







Yep, Superman is pretty awesome



But..........even Superman needs to recharge every once in a while!

Time to read scriptures

When we say "it's time to read scriptures", John David will run to the book shelf and grab our family Book of Mormon and bring it to either me or Aaron.



Tonight he grabbed it and went to sit on the couch all by himself. I said, "John, bring it to mommy." And he said, "John's turn."



I thought it was the sweetest thing, so we let him "read" the scriptures to us.



He talked and talked as he flipped through the pages.



But the only words I was able to make out were "Jesus Christ" and "gators."



I'm not sure which story he was "reading" to us..........



............but it was still one of the sweetest moments ever!

Grandaddy's Memory Quilt

I finally finished my daddy's memory quilt.



The front is made up mostly of his clothes. The blue plaid squares were his pjs, which were his favorite things on the planet to wear.

The center block is just like the block I put in the center of the quilt I made for my mom. I love it!



I included this poem that I also love.



And a list that we made of things that we love about Grandaddy.



These hand print blocks we did during a craft day at Camp Singletary this past summer with my family. That is also when I gave each family a stack of squares (all made from Daddy's clothes) to make their own memory quilt too.



And then I included a picture of each of my kids with Grandaddy. My point in doing this was to help them think of him and remember him, and hopefully to start conversations about him. I don't want them to forget him. Well....the girls at least. I know John David will have no memories of him, but I want him to know my daddy from stories that he hears us tell about him.



This is Sarah sharing a popsicle with my Daddy. It was taken when we were home for Christmas in 2004. They had a really special bond, that may have started at this very moment that was captured in this picture. She still talks about him and how much she misses him.



This is Katie with my Daddy on the first trip we took back to North Carolina after we had moved to Louisiana.



And this is my Daddy with John David during the visit that turned out to be his last trip to Louisiana, in which he stood in the circle to bless John David and when Katie received the gift of the Holy Ghost. I am so thankful that he was able to be here for those two special occasions.



I included a pocket from his pjs for us to write letters to him.



I put navy minky on the back, so it will be nice and cozy to wrap up in.

I'm looking forward to wrapping up in this memory quilt, remembering my Daddy, and telling my kids stories about him..........and when they're older.............I will have to tell them his favorite joke.

Back by Popular Demand

A few days ago Katie asked if we were doing the Thankful Tree again this year. I was so happy to hear that she wanted to do it. So as we were running errands in Lake Charles yesterday, we stopped by the teacher store and got some brown bulletin board paper to make our tree.



We are looking forward to counting our blessings this month!