JAIME: Heidi's Seussical Soiree

The day after Heidi's birthday we threw a bit of a bash to celebrate her gracing us with her presence one year ago. Since one of the things we called Heidi during my pregnancy was "Little Who" because we didn't know who was inside there, we decided on a Seussical theme. Plus, anything Seuss-related is just plan fun. After lots of prep and planning, which are some of my favorite things to do, we invited 50 friends to feast and celebrate with us. Heidi was her charming self and greeted all of her guests, made the appropriate ooo's and ahhhh's when opening her gifts, and, much to Grammie's delight, did not cover herself in cake. She was ever the princess, using a fork and daintily dipping her fingers in her cake. Grammie put a halt to it all before it got messy and whisked her off to the bathroom for clean-up. 

We are so thankful for all of the friends and family that helped set up and tear down. When the RSVP's hit 35, Johnathan convinced me we should move the festivities to the church fellowship hall instead of our home and I'm so glad we did. Heidi and all of her friends had a blast! And even if she doesn't remember it, we have plenty of photos to show her years from now of all of the people who have loved her dearly from the very beginning!

JAIME: Happy Birthday Heidi Lou Who!

Maybe I was a little misty-eyed all day remembering every hour of craziness one year ago today... while sitting calmly at my desk. I may have yelled out to my staff in the other room, "Heidi will be here in 2 and a half hours from right now. I just started pushing right now!" They patronized me and sighed along with me at how fast the year had gone. But it has gone quickly. Lightning speed quick. In fact, all year long I've said, "I know now why it's a cliche: that whole thing that parents say, 'Oh they'll be grown and gone before you know it.' Because it's true."

Heidi is truly the biggest accomplishment in my 32 years on this globe. She is a beautiful, vibrant little soul and we are so blessed to be chosen to raise her. I told the Lord before she was born, "Now if you allow me to actually have a girl, she has to be a Die (Great Grammie's side of the family---characters every one). She has to be the fourth generation Diva. There can be none of this shy, quiet and reserved sweet child. Give me the sassy kind of girl!" And well, I have one more bit of proof to God answering prayers living in our home. Heidi Suzanne has more personality packed in her little finger than many adults! 

So tomorrow we will officially celebrate her gracing us with her presence with a blow-out, McGarvey-style party. Fifty guests will gather to munch and lunch and read Dr. Seuss and shower Heidi Lou Who with presents. More photos to come.

If you'd like to see more, click over to Heidi's one year birthday photo shoot.

Ten Months Old!

GLYNNDA: February Celebrations

Johnathan turned the big 3-0 on Tuesday and though he had his BIG official party at his home on Sunday evening, we just had to do some celebrating on the real day!  So, since Johnathan doesn’t care for cakes of any kind, I always bake him a pecan pie from a real Texas pecan pie recipe made with real Texas pecans, shipped in from Comanche, Texas.  After prayer meeting, it was time to celebrate with some Mexican cornbread, black-eyed peas, salad and pecan pie!  The best part came when he opened his birthday card and found cash to put on his trolling motor when he goes fishing!

Who would have ever dreamed we would have a fisherman for a son-in-law, but as his card said, “He’s a Keeper!”  So, Happy Birthday to our Favorite Son-in-Law!

Heidi was asleep when Sasha Hlavac, Suzi’s mom, came by for a visit and to bring Heidi and me our Valentine’s presents.  As you can tell from the pictures, Heidi loves Purrcy, the Lion, the latest addition to her animal kingdom!  It shakes and growls and doesn’t scare Heidi for a second!  She loves to cuddle up with it, and I am going to enjoy every bite of my chocolate rose!  Thanks, Sasha!

Blizzard at the Lodge

 

Glynnda: January Celebrations

Hooray!  I have finally reached that magical age where I can begin drawing Social Security if I wish!  So, of course, that called for lots of celebrating!  First with dinner at K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen in the French Quarters with Charles, Vernon, Jaime and Heidi on the day before my actual birthday with promises from Charles for a King Cake when we came to his home on Friday. 

Then, on my birthday we went shopping around Jackson Square and two more pairs of shoes were added to my collection followed by dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in the French Quarters which was so much fun with glasses that lit up and delicious seafood.

On Friday, as promised, Charles had a delicious King Cake for further celebration when we arrived at his home. 

When we got home, there were many cards and good wishes and a delivery of fabulous cupcakes from our new bakery in town, BAKED, from Scott, Suzi, and Cooper.  I had planned to start a diet that Monday, but alas, it was not to be...

Then, on January 22^nd, Vernon and I celebrated 39 years of marriage with a delectable dinner of fillets at Longhorn Steak House!  What adventures these 39 years have held for us, and we are looking forward to many more!

Glynnda: What a Way to End January!

On Sunday evening, Alexia Crabtree asked if we could watch the movie, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, after her piano lesson on Monday evening.  I thought a minute and remembered the catfish in our freezer that her dad, Bill, had given us some time earlier.  “Yes, and let’s ask your Dad to come fry fish for us and let’s make it an evening.”  So, with a blizzard on its way, ice already glazing the steps that caused Bill to take a tumble, and school and colleges already dismissed for the following day, Alexia and I finished her piano lesson to the smell of frying catfish, French fries, corn on the cob, green beans and green salad and Sister Schubert’s rolls.  What a fabulous meal to enjoy with friends and family.  We wondered what the poor people were doing that night!  

And then it was downstairs to the popcorn and big screen and the saddest movie about a little German boy and a little Jewish boy in World War II.  We counted our blessings once again as we wiped the tears and said good-by to Bill, Jackie, Alexia, Johnathan, Jaime and Heidi as they very carefully walked down the icy lawn, avoiding the steps, and very carefully drove home as the blizzard began in earnest.

Tuesday and Wednesday have been a wonderland of snow with no school, college or church as we are seeing more snow than we have ever had since we have been here in almost 23 years!  Enjoy our pictures and stay warm!