Happy Birthday Tatum!

Tatum turned two years old today. She had a party with Nana, Pa, Gretchie, PaPa John, Kristen, Nathan, Mom, Dad, and brothers Chandler and Cooper. We ate Cinderella cake and ice cream. Lots of fun and Tatum was so excited and loved opening her presents.






Coco a little doggy- the most favorite present and so excited with the cuttest facial expression when she saw what the present was but of course didn't get the picture moment.



She likes to "primp" so received a hair dryer and curling iron to use on her vanity table a present from Nana and Pa. Also liked her pink jewelry box from Grandma and PaPa John.

Nathan reading Tatum's favorite story.

A big hug for "pa"!

Happy Birthday Princess!

Valentine's Day

Yesterday the boys came home from school and immediately dumped their bags on the dining room table to look at their valentine cards. It was a fun.










I woke up this morning to a lovely orchid. My gift from Alvin. It is always intriguing to receive orchids and in the past I have done pretty well with them.

We had our taxes done last night and will be receiving a substantial refund so Gretchen and I went out shopping today for a new couch. Isn't it true that we are suppose to be spending money right now? I have wanted a new couch for a few years and have patiently waited. Anyway, when Alvin got home from work we took him out to see the one we liked and looked at fabric swatches. Wrong idea - his likes and mine are totally not the same. So, I have swatches here at home on the back of my existing couch and will decide by Monday which one I want. His or MINE! But, it is Valentine's Day right?

Happy Birthday Cooper!

Cooper turned five years old today! He had a party at the park with his friends last Saturday and today he celebrated with cookies and his mom at school.





We love you big guy!

My New Knee

It has been a month today that I had my knee replacement! I didn't feel like talking about it much until lately so I picked "the one month" as the debut of my scared knee. (an ugly not so straight scar at that.)


Yes I know - it looks a little R-rated. SORRY! I did not take a before picture - I should have but anyone that saw it thought it pretty gross. Tatum would not have anything to do with me for several weeks. She is finally liking me again.

The month started out not so bad. The first week was rather easy and then the pain hit. I was pretty miserable the 2nd and 3rd week with the ice machine for pain and swelling, 127 vicodin tablets, the walker to get around which I hated because it was scratching my wood floor, the restless uncomfortable nights, not wanting to read, knit or do anything, and the physical therapy two days a week for one hour each.

Things starting to get better the 4th week! Alvin went back to work and it was actually nice to be alone. I continued to have occasional swelling and pain but I dealt with it.

Today, being the start of the 5th week I no longer need the pain pills and I still use the cane I started using the end of the 2nd week. I feel like an old lady using it and my SIL reminded me that I really am just that. (maybe she is but not me) I still limit my activity and need to take a trip to the mall to return a few things but I know I just can't do that for now. I have hired a cleaning lady, started watching the kids on Friday again, continue twice a week physical therapy and just today reached my goal of 128 for my "range of motion", and I rest a lot. I have even read a book so I figure a couple more weeks I will be as good as gold.

Annual Leaf Day

Our ash tree obviously gets bigger every year which means more leaves to pick up. The tree is beautiful when the leaves start to turn after Christmas and look like snow falling when they descend to the grown. They are mostly on the ground now and the boys have been waiting for the "leaf play and pickup day." Our schedules have been hectic so it has been hard to find a time for the event or is it after four years the excitment has worn off. So, Alvin priced each bag full he would give fifty cents! The boys have been pretty excited about money lately! So, take a look!

New Year's Day Activity

Alvin and I gathered everybody up yesterday and rode the newly opened "light rail". When I first acknowledged several weeks ago that I wanted to ride the train a few family members turned up their noses. It opened on Friday and 150,000 people rode the rail the first 2 days. Going on the sixth day was busy but not a huge amount of people to deal with.

We boarded on Dobson and Main with no plan as to where we were going. Our goal was just to eat dinner somewhere. Everybody liked the experience so we rode 45 minutes and got off at Central/McDowell and walked across the street and ate dinner at the Spaghetti Factory. It has been many years since I have been there and it was a fun place as well. We than walked back across the street and took the 45 minute ride back home.

We will do it again! A fun afternoon and evening.

First Impression

Tatum's first impression of Nana's Christmas decorations were "pretty". Thanks Tatum! Here is Tatum and her friend Bella checking out the chef ornaments on the kitchen tree.