Lots of Laughs All Day

Post by Grandma W

When I first arrived, Gabe was happy to see me and quite willing to let me hold him. Yesterday and today, he laughs when he sees me, but he does not want me to hold him! This morning, Greg called me to watch how he can get off their bed by himself. As soon as I appeared, he climbed back onto the bed next to Daddy and laughed hysterically. Greg repeatedly told me to come as Gabe was starting to get off the bed. Immediately, he would scramble back to Daddy while belly laughing.

Both little boys (or should I say "the three little boys" ha!) enjoyed playing with Gabe's presents this morning!



We went to Greg and Cathi's church, the Fort Worth Satellite of Fellowship Church. The lead preacher was away, so another staff preacher gave the video sermon. He began by talking about the Miami Satellite congregation and being at Miami's South Beach. He spoke of he and his wife going in a direction on the beach where they were told amazing things would unfold. As they walked, more and more unfolded and unfolded until there were fat wrinkles everywhere, and he coined a new word: fatulous.

On the way home from church, Cathi asked everyone to tell what they had learned that morning at church. My response was that South Beach Miami has a nude beach. They were all aghast at me. They didn't believe that he had described a nude beach; simply a beach were everyone was fat. I thought maybe they didn't want the kids to know about the nude beach. So I looked it up online to prove my point to Greg and Cathi. The truth had totally gone over their heads! LOL

I came to Texas wanting to take a photo of my 5 grandchildren together. Getting everyone to cooperate is not an easy task! It was to happen this morning while everyone was dressed for church. In fact, when Brandy appeared ready for church in a shirt with huge lettering on it, I asked her to change to something that would look better in a group photo. She willingly obliged me. The portrait did not happen, because Gabe fell asleep.

So I asked Brandy to pose for me before changing her clothes.

We agreed that the pool would be the place for the photo. Nope, a "formal" portrait did not happen. But I did take these:







Brandy is on the swim team at school, so I asked her to demonstrate for me. Wow! She is a strong, fast swimmer, but it was hard to take a photo capturing her talent. Here is a back stroke.

I think this was the breast stroke. (With Kevin under water in the foreground.)

I finally had my Mexican dinner with Margarita tonight. So yummy!!!


Greg loves taking mystery detours with surprise endings. On the way home, we stopped at Blockbuster, then a park near their house. The perfect spot for a grandchildren's portrait!!! But first, some playtime for the overly eager children. The oppressive heat (can you believe *I* am saying that?!) of the day had abated, making a pleasant evening.

Kien enjoying the swing with Brandy absorbed in her iPod.


Finally, after dinner, my chance came to take a photo of my 5 grandchildren together at the park. This is my favorite shot:

Alternates included these:



Wish I remembered why I was laughing in this one!!!

A Day of Celebration!

Post by Grandma W

I had to take a picture of Kevin sleeping with Duke. I was being pushed out of bed. I awoke three times, had to move Duke over a few inches, then slide Kevin over, so that I was not falling off the bed! Daisy slept on the sectional sofa in the background.

The day began with everyone on the computer including Brandy and Jeremy on an iPod and iPhone.

My first cousin once removed had a baby girl about a week ago named Cordelia Sydney. Her marathon-running father, Sidney, had a septuple bypass last fall. During that time, Marsha dreamed she had a daughter named Cordelia -- a name stemmed from the Latin word for heart. It seemed to be a divine revelation, for then she discovered they were expecting. They waited for birth to know the gender.

Cathi has begun a business of creating baby gift items: diaper cakes, diaper wreaths, gift boxes, and much more.

Here are some samples:

Better sample photos will be posted on her website soon. Keep watching! She can accept orders and ship anywhere.

And here is some of her supply stash:

She worked on creating something fabulous from her and me (and our significant others). Kevin helped her. He LOVES arts and crafts!


This is Kevin's little hand assisting.


We cannot show the finished product as Marsha follows this blog!
Little brothers kissing.

Watching TV

Preparing for the Celebration!
A cake with Gabe's picture scanned and painted on the icing.


Kevin is using the "hand clappers" to mark the rhythm while singing "Happy Birthday."

Gabe donning his party hat and Mom holding his personal one-year-old cake.

I look at Gabe, and I see a face that is very familiar. Kind of eerie! He has the look of many Walshes in one face. He not only has curly hair on top, but curly hair all over now -- like Grampa and like his Angel-Aunt Karin.

Dig in!


The family watching the essential action.

The official one year old boy!

Presents!




Bedtime.

Gabe's Birthday that Wasn't

Post by Grandma W

Kevin's and my bed is the pullout sofa in the family room. When I come, Duke and Daisy always sleep with me. Last night, both dogs sometimes laid on top of Kevin! He awoke a few times complaining of a dog on top of him! It's nice to be loved!

Brandy started Band Camp this week. She has to be at school from 7AM to 6PM in the blazing 100+ heat. Tryouts were today, and she secured a position, as expected. Congratulations, Brandy! Her school has one of the top bands in the state!

This morning the boys played in the family room.


Kevin shared his beloved doggie with Gabe!

Kevin and Kien are really enjoying each other! They do a lot of hugging and rolling around, sometimes with Kevin's larger body bringing some pain to Kien's smaller body. Kien said to Kevin, "I love you. I miss you." Then he started calling Kevin "Mama." He calls his mother "Mommy," but, when he was younger and learning to talk, he called Karin mama. I am sure he is remembering that and equating Kevin with his former life. A psychiatrist told me that Kien will always remember Karin and his life with her. He was old enough for that to be a memory. However, Kevin was a bit puzzled by Kien calling him mama! ha!

Grandma gets lots of hugs, kisses, and "I love you"s from Kien too, and even from Gabe! He likes Grandma now and laughs for me. Here he is giving me an open-mouth "kiss-kiss."

We needed to take Daddy's lunch to him.

The kids had some playtime after our picnic lunch on a blanket on the floor. Jeremy and Kevin played catch. Kevin is doing much better at catching a ball!



More hugging time before strapping into carseats.

After running party errands, we went to the pool!

Gabe was not so sure that the pool was fun.



Today is Gabe's first birthday! He was sung to and best wishes were expressed over and over again all day. We picked up his cake, bought mylar helium balloons, wrapped his gifts, but the actual celebration never happened... With all the running around of the day, Gabe only caught cat naps in the car. By the time dinner was finished, we were pushing his happy demeanor and decided to postpone his celebration until tomorrow.

After Kien and Gabe were in bed, Kevin took it upon himself to put all the toys away! Cleaning up is one of his talents. Aunt Cathi was very impressed and said the family room had not looked that neat in many days.