Friday Photo Favorites

 

I have a friend like this too!

Meeting up in Michigan.

As much as it saddens me to say we have only been with our youngest goddaughter two times. This being the second time. Thank goodness for blogs (hint, hint) so we don't feel so completely left out of her life. Needless to say we needed to get reacquainted at first.

Brenna was really interested in the other "baby".

Mary Colette being the mature 1 year old of all of a day, was much too busy for Brenna at first and played the, "If I don't acknowledge her; she is not here" card.

Mary Colette found Aunt Noel's company more to her liking.

Just two ladies chatting.

The boys went exploring with Geegee.

Brenna found safety in Papa's arms.
All these cousins are exhausting.

Brenna is like a submarine, quiet and stealthy in her full body attack.


The next group of pictures I'd like to label, "Asserting Seniority."

Brenna was playing happily with her toys when dictator, Mary Colette came along choosing the prime toy to confiscated.

Poor Brenna looking longing at her at this moment favorite toy.

Mary Colette smirks say, "I might be smaller, but I'm older and more mobile."

St. Louis

Back to our traveling adventures...we left you last with pictures of us entering Missouri.
Unfortunately I do not have very many pictures of us in St. Louis. Here is our last morning there, Mary Colette's first birthday.

We headed to Mass, which really meant Mary Colette and I headed to the cry room.

She was not as fond of her cute little dress as I was.

One last hug with Nana before we headed out of town towards Michigan.

We decided on a whim to stop and check out the Arch.
I am so glad we did, the boys were very impressed especially after building arches at the Discovery Center back home.

The cross-country crew.

During the Ach exploration I forgot the camera in the car so a few phone pictures will have to do.

It will be nice some day to take the kids back to St. Louis and really explore the city. It is still my all time favorite American city and by far the most family friendly!

Her newest thing...

Giving sweet, sweet kisses.

 

My Son, I love you.

 The other day Mary Colette was dissolved in tears. This happens a lot. I rounded the corner to see Paul Thomas' back as he carried Mary Colette and her blanket over to the rocking chair. He sat down with her and patted her back saying, "It's okay. I've got you. It's okay"

She was not as appreciative of her rescuer. He was, however, extremely patient (as you can see in the picture) as he has always been with her.

Paul Thomas constantly amazes me with his deep love and concern for his little sister.

She is very blest indeed!

(This was her first time being a big kid. Her brother got her set up and rode very slowly and checked periodically to make sure she was holding on. He really does a great job with her.)

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Sister Bowling!

HA! She wins again!

Passing the torch.

No, it is not as glamorous as the Olympic torch. It is a simple task that was always performed at one only one special place. Filling the bird feeder at Nana and Grandpa's. (I told you not as glamorous.) When ever we visited this was the first task we did on the first morning. It was a constant that even as young adults we eagerly performed, and maybe got a little sad when the job was already completed by another sentimentally grandchild.

Well Grandpa is no longer around to help the grandchildren so Poppy (who shares Grandpa's birthday) helped with the instructing.

 

It's a simple task, I know, but it's a constant in our St. Louis life.

Ohh Mary Colette

My messiest child yet!

(Just a little snippet of this little firecracker!)

Yes, she may be all girl, but that smile says all mischief!

Getting there is half the fun!

 At least with this guy on the road!

This was day two of our two week adventure. Taking us from Dallas to St. Louis. Children out numbering the adults, miles out numbering sanity and thankfully bathrooms out numbering bladders.

 

  

 

Mary Colette's first time in Missouri!

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Here is the H.E.B.I. Clan!

(Please keep Matthew and Mom and Dad in prayer right now. Matthew collapsed yesterday while playing basketball on a retreat and was admitted to the hospital and is being kept for observations. Mom and Dad left last night and will be there around noon today to be with him. Pray for safety on the road and wisdom for all. Thank you.)

(Update: Matthew did indeed have a seizure yesterday, which the Doctor ruled a body temp induced benign seizure? He and Mom and Dad were more than encouraged to find another neurologist for a second look and to be under the care of for awhile. Matthew seems to being doing well. Thank you for all your prayers.)

More than you think

This pictures portrays more than you think. It's more than two boys looking at a beetle. It portrays their little personalities and how they mesh together to make a truly heart warming relationship.

You see, that it is Avery holding the little guy. He is "the brave one", in Paul Thomas' words. Yes, Paul Thomas is my skidish, overly concerned and cautious boy. (Notice his hands clamped tightly to his chest.) He knows this about himself and instead of letting this hold him back he chooses to celebrate and encourage Avery's bravery. He seeks out his little brother to join him on adventures, which usually means Avery is doing most of the dirty work, but oh how Paul Thomas beams with pride and awe when Avery discovers a new bug or climbs to a new height in the tree.  Yes, he sometmies lives vicariously through his little brother, however, they both seems to understand and enjoy this arrangement.

Avery is, well, he's my Avery. It is hard to describe him because he is so many things. For one, he loves to a depth that I pray I can attain. He knows and understands Paul Thomas and helps Paul Thomas to be brave. He is happy and joyful and celebrates all parts of life. He does not get upset when he is not victorious in the many races they have. Instead he proclaims, "Hooray, PT won! Hooray I lost!"  Avery is innocent in that way that is all too often robbed from our little ones.

Yes, this picture says more than you think. It is two best friends celebrating their God-given personalities over a beetle.

 

Friday Photo Favorites

 

 

"Three is a crowd"

It's been awhile!

It's been awhile for a post and with good reason. We just spent the past two weeks putting 3100 plus miles on our car! If you are wondering, that will take you to Dallas, St. Louis, Shepherd, Nashville and back home again.

Now we have a mountain of laundry and two sick kiddos so more post will have to wait.