Ava and Tyler's Birthday

 This is the cake Pappy baked for Tyler and Ava's birthday today.

 Here is our one year old birthday girl!! 

 Our smiley grandson on his 2nd birthday today.

Ava having her first taste of cake.  She really got into it and liked it a lot after this first taste.  She needed a bath afterwards of course.

Ava and a Vintage Toy

 I gave Ava her Mommy's Lolly Dolly to play with .  She loved it just like her Mommy did.

Our cutie Ava playing with Lolly Dolly. 

Ava Plays Dress Up with Grammie

 Since Ava spent the night with us, I thought I would try on some clothing we have bought for her to see how they fit.  This is her Christmas outfit.  It should fit by December.

 Ava liked playing with the tag.  She cried when I took the dress off.

 Here is Ava in her birthday jammies she will get in 2 weeks.

These are jeans I bought at the Black Swamp Art Festival.  They only had a 12 months in the jean I liked.  They are just a little long for her.  She will grow into them shortly. 

3 Grandkiddos Play with Grammie

 I got to have the three younger grandchildren with me to play for a couple of hours.  Our biggy girl is sitting in the high chair that her Mommy and Uncle Zach sat in along with her two brothers.  She is looking and acting older.  I love our little princess.

The two boys asked to watch Toy Story 3 as soon as they entered the house.  Don't you just love the thumb in the mouth and holding his blankie.  Such cuties and so sweet.

Evan's First Day of Preschool

Here is grandson Evan on his first day of preschool at Rainbow Preschool with his teacher.  I am so lucky and proud to be his first teacher.  Evan calls me Mrs. "K" at Rainbow and not Grammie.  It is so cute.  Of course, Evan is one of the smartest kids in the class and cutest, too.  That is Grammie talking and not his teacher.  I know we will have so much fun together this year at Rainbow Preschool.

This was taken at 6:30am on Saturday.  Ava first woke up at 6 a.m.  Then, Josh at 6:15am and Tyler and Evan at 6:30am.  Gerry went to get doughnuts for breakfast at Stimmel's Bakery.  Kori was the only one still sleeping.  When I took this video, I was wishing I was still sleeping on a Saturday morning, too.    It was a fun day with the kiddos!!

Fun Times with 5 Little Munchkins (Grandkiddos)

 The Three Stooges eating a cookie for a snack. Ava was sleeping and Kori was in "her" room watching the Disney channel.

 We took the grandkiddos to the zoo.  We stayed for almost 3 hours.  It was so much fun.  This photo shows how we did it.  Pappy pushed Tyler in the umbrella stroller and I pushed Ava in her carseat stroller.  The 3 older kiddos walked. 

This is first time sweet Ava has fallen asleep in Pappy's arms.  She was just staring at him and fell asleep.

Miss Ava

Little Miss Ava was playing at my house yesterday.  She is able to sit up and play with toys now.  We are so thankful that she is meeting these developmental milestones.  Go Ava!!!!

Visiting Caden in the Hospital

 We were able to make a quick road trip to NC to visit Caden in the pediatric ICU.  Here is Pappy on Saturday being silly as he entertains Caden.  Pappy did his claw with Caden which is a tradition for him with his grandchildren.

 This photo says it all.  I need my Mommy and Daddy.  Caden took their hands.  So sweet.

 On Sunday, just before we were going to leave, they said Caden could go for a wagon ride.  He had a full entourage... Mommy, Daddy, Pappy, Grammie, Nurse and Respiratory Therapist and his oxygen tank.

 Caden's first time to see the beautiful bubble wall at the hospital.

Caden and his mommy and daddy gave Pappy his birthday card.  Pappy is reading it to Caden.  Caden liked the yellow envelope.  It was his new toy.


Our prayer..... Dear Gracious Lord, Thank you for the healing you have done for Caden.  We are so thankful that you wrapped him in Your loving, healing arms and gave him the strength to fight this pneumonia.  We ask that you continue to heal Caden and have him be stronger every day.  Thank you for the wonderful doctors and nurses who are caring for Caden.  All praise and thanks to You.  In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Ava is 9 Months Old... Our Miracle Baby

Ava is 9 months old today.  Here she is talking to me.  Thank you God for this precious baby.  She is your miracle to us and we are so thankful.

Cute Brother and Sister

Ava is 9 months old (adjusted age 7 months) and Tyler is 21 months old.  I have been a lucky Grammie to have these two with me each morning this week.

Ava Likes Bananas

Ava is thinking  "I like bananas."  Two weeks ago she wanted nothing to do with baby food.  It turned out to be a sensory issue which can be common with preemies.  Ava is doing great.  The speech pathologist has been amazing to figure what Ava needs.  Early intervention is the best... the earlier the better.  Ava is a fine example.  She is doing great!!!   And yes,  she does love her grandma (Grammie) and her Grammie loves her a lot, too!!!  She is my sweetie pie.

Caden and the Zebra

 Caden and his Daddy looking at a zebra at a local vendor's fair.

Caden likes the zebra and is shaking his hand.  So cute.

Dreaming of Hawaii

I had the 5 grandkiddos wear Hawaiian leis.  It looks like baby Ava doesn't like the Hawaiian look.  Tyler is ready to take off.  Josh is excited.  Kori is always the model and Evan smiles with squinty eyes.  This is not the photo I was hoping for.  Oh, well.  Sometimes you get a good picture of 5 children and sometimes you don't.  They are cute anyways and I love them all sooooo much!!!

Interesting Friday Night

 Ava playing this morning and doing her Tummy Time.  She enjoys Tummy Time, finally.  She used to cry and get very upset during Tummy Time.  We, however,  knew the importance of her doing Tummy Time.  It is so nice now that she likes her Tummy Time and will play and look around.  She is growing so fast and developing. 

We got a call from Alisson saying that their power was out.  We invited their family of 8 to sleep at our house.  We had power and air conditioning during this 100 degree weather.   I got all arrangements ready for their arrival and then Terence told us that their power was  back on about an hour later.  They all came over anyways for ice cream.  I asked if anyone wanted to spend the night.  Evan asked to stay 7 days, Kori wanted to stay and I asked for little Ava.  So, we had 3 of the grandkiddos stay overnight.  Fun but interesting Friday night.

Fourth of July Fun

 We had our Annual 4th of July Block Party with our neighbors and family.  I made ice cream cone cupcakes as a dessert treat for the grandkiddos and other children at the Block Party.  Check out Ty's face as he tries to eat the ice cream cone cupcake.

Terence is smiling because I volunteered to clean up Ty and Evan after they eat their ice cream cone cupcakes.  We had a wonderful fun, hot day at the Block Party.  Family, friends and neighbors..... it can't get any better.

Our Cuties.... Ava and Tyler

 We had Ty and Ava spend a couple of nights with us.  We had a fun time with them.  Here they are Sunday morning waiting for their Mommy and Daddy to pick them up.

Sweet little princess Ava Grace.

Our 38th Anniversary

It was 38 years ago that Gerry and I were married.  Our children and grandchildren should be happy that we were joined together that day. Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband, Gerry.  Love you so much.

Family Reunion in Iowa

 Here is Gerry standing in front of the American Picker's store.  We had a nice time visiting antique stores and craft shops in Le Claire, Iowa.

 The Mayer cousins at the reunion.

 The Mayer cousins with Gerry's Mom and Dad... Uncle Gerry and Aunt Claire to the cousins.

 The in-laws or as we are called "The Outlaws."

 The Mayer third generation.  Alisson is in the photo.  She and baby Ava attended the dinner with us.

 The fourth generation of the Mayer family.  Alisson and Terence's family took up most of the photo. Ha! Ha!

 A few more of the 4th generation.  We had a lovely family breakfast at Eagle Point Park.  This is a Mayer family tradition.

Kori and Evan rode to Iowa and back with us.  We had some exhausted kiddos on the ride home.

Our Little Cutie

 I just melt when baby Ava smiles at me.

Thank you, God, for this precious granddaughter.  We give praise and thanks to you for this miracle baby.

Grandkiddos Stay with Grammie and Pappy G

 Baby Ava finally let Pappy G hold her.  She has been crying for a couple of weeks when he would hold her.  She always wants her Grammie.

 Pizza night with the grandchildren.  They like pizza.

 We did smores with them one evening.  Each child went one at a time to the fire pit with Pappy.  We did this after baths and pj's on. 

 The grandkiddos sporting the shirts they made with me.  Of course, I did baby Ava's for her.

We had the 5 grandkiddos with us for 3 days and 2 nights while their Mommy and Daddy went away for their Mommy's birthday.  Here is precious Ava just hanging out and playing.

Family Fun

 Baby Ava with her Great-Grandpa.  She even took a nap in Great-Grandpa's arms.

We celebrated Father's Day and our daughter Alisson's 30th birthday a week early.  Here is the family relaxing the shade after our luncheon.  We had a wonderful family time.

Evan with his Daddy.  Evan loves his animal cookies that Aunt Bon and Uncle Charlie gave to the kiddos.

All of the kiddos had great fun with the Dollar Store water squirters, the baby pool, and the squirting globe.  They did water play for 3 hours.  I just love when I can have the family together.  We got to Skype with Zach, Laurie and Caden.  So, I had all of my family here.