Waco Suspension Bridge with the boys

Riley

Collin, 
     I want to tell you about a really special man. So special that we chose his name to be your middle name. Riley was Gammy's first cousin. They grew up playing together as kids in Excel, Al. 
    When he was 16, he volunteered for the U.S. Naval Service.  As a Naval Seabee, he was part of the invasion and heavy combat on the Island of Okinawa in WW II.  He graduated from Emory University. He became a reporter with the Southwest Alabama Publishing Company in Monroeville and later served as the editor of The Frisco City Sun and The Monroe Journal.  He also served as program director and announcer for Radio Station WMFC.  He was a regional correspondent for The Montgomery Advertiser, The Mobile Press- Register, and The Birmingham News.  His later years were devoted to free-lance writing, publishing award-winning articles, short stories and poetry.  He was a member of the Alabama Writer’s Conclave and a past president of the Alabama State Poetry Society.  He was a talented artist, creating beautiful leatherwork and paintings.  He volunteered his time and played the piano at the senior center and had a love for the many cats that took residence at his home in Excel. He passed away December 11, 2014.
When I think of Riley, I think of a very talented man. He was great on the piano and could really play some "boogie woogie" songs. He was always a part of my life from the time I was a little girl. We were his family. We went on many beach trips together. We even went deep sea fishing together. Christmases were always a special time for our family to be together. He would often make gifts for us. He and Gammy were close. He loved her dearly and he loved her family as his own. He always enjoyed his time with you and Owen.
I wrote to him when we chose your middle name to be Riley, he felt so honored and you were so special to him. I don't know who you will be when you grow up Collin. Will you love to write, play music, take photographs, work with your hands and maybe just have a generous heart? Or maybe you will be your own individual self. Only time will tell, but I bet we will see a little bit of Riley in you too.

Owen Christmas 2010

 Recreating a picture they had of me when I was a baby.

 Meeting Collin 

Collin and Riley July 2014

Christmas fun

 It's been a most unique Christmas season. We have celebrated life and honored those that went to be with Jesus. Maybe it ties it all together in a way. We did not get a big tree this year (which if you know me, you know I love a Christmas tree and all of the ornaments that hold special memories). But we did get a little live tree. It is filled with shatterproof ornaments and ornaments that Owen has colored for advent. It simplifies things and maybe in a way reminds us more what this season is about.

 Owen was so excited to go and see Santa. Santa is listening to Owen has he told him he really wanted a Lego Police Station. 

David was such a good daddy and went "ice" skating with Owen. It is not really ice put actually plastic…not quite the same as the real thing, but Owen loved it.

 and I will close with a little father son bonding. He thought he was so cool being like Daddy.

..and yes there is a plastic guard on Owen's razor and we talking about safety ; )

One week until we are in Alabama for Christmas. We are so excited to hug your necks and show you how the kids have grown and changed. Excited to celebrate the birthday of Jesus with you!

a little video of the skating:

collin the climber

Collin's new favorite trick is to climb.

He is 10 months old (soon to be 11) and an active little guy. 

My mom brought up the fact that really he has always been active. This time a year ago he was flipping around inside me and I was praying he would not be breech. So why am I surprised?

Collin really is so cute. We love his head full of hair, his sweet laugh…a lot like Owen's, his big smiles,  and his great appetite.

He is a happy kid, I love that he is his own little person. He only sleeps in his crib…very different from his brother. Some nights he will fall asleep after I feed him and I watch him sleeping in my arms and kiss his sweet little forehead. He is such a precious gift that I am so grateful. I am enjoying these days. Treasuring the moments we share together, and chasing after him the rest of my time! I will blink and he will be as big as Owen. 

her pics

These are a few more pics Eileen snapped when she was here. She had just received a new camera in the mail and our family was some of her first subjects.

dock and owen

Eileen snapped these pics of Dock and Owen. Owen really enjoyed having Uncle Dock around.