Beach~Finally

Gulf of Mexico

I don't think we've ever been anywhere that John didn't have to have a hat when we arrived!

In Oklahoma, he was after a Hoss Cartwright special, the kind that required a special container to transport. Luckily he opted for a more amazon variety, Dundee?

So I got in on the fun too... but only because the hat was red and I can use it at our monthly Red Hat Society meetings~ and it is that special Madagascar weave like the one I got in Catalina~ Ranes thought it was hilarious that the one thing I loved best there was a hat! That was in 1998 and I have not worn it since, still waiting for the right occasion!

It's been so long, I forgot the pleasantries of the beach! We went out into the surf, got knocked over a few times, went past the first dip to the sand bar and still at about waist level. I couldn't keep my balance, had to hold on to John's hand all the way back in to keep from falling~ This must be what aging is all about, no longer a fish in the water~

The view from our 4th floor balcony. The pool (one of 5) is posted to be *for adults only* and *quiet area*...what a hoot! Those adults were louder than most children I have been around on loud days!!

Words can not describe~~ the Bird of Paradise~

This was an incredible thing that I managed to miss, John was there!

The Tampa Bay Rays played The Detroit Tigers (and lost but that is fine as we are Tiger fans since my uncle Paul pitched for them) . There was a huge beach party for the game, which is shown on the giant screen TV attached to an even bigger truck!

We finally made it to the beach! One more day and it would have been September!

The occasion (there has to be an occasion) was the annual meeting of the Gulfcoast Chapter of the Underseas Hyperbaric Medical Society. None of the pictures depict that, but that was the objective of the trip, just happened to be located at a totally gorgeous tropical type resort beside Treasure Island on St Pete Beach!

Scholar's Academy

Sky (turquoise blouse, middle left) has just begun the seventh grade at the *exclusive* Scholar's Academy! (exclusive because it is a special school for gifted kids, but does not cost to go there, is still public school! (this last picture was her sisth grade class at SA)

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

Braydon's Choral Group SANG at the Ballgame!

He was so excited! Sky and I were on the way to Tallahassee, Fl, they were having a Saturday morning chat on the cell phone (long distance cousins, but it works) and Braydon was telling Sky the plan, She was excited too as she is also involved in a special choral group.

Tyson, ready for the ballgame and his big brother's group singing!

He has been sick the last few days, hopefully on the mend now!!

It takes a lot to slow Tyson down!

Kayleigh's pictures always speak for themselves!

Her face always tells the 100% truth!

She is totally excited to be at the ballgame!!

Look at that wave!!!

The Lehi Children's Chorus, lined up and ready to WOW the crowd!

Back to School 2

Tyson, age 8 (in a few weeks)

Tyson, Jacob, Braydon and Colton (check out Colton's ride)

Kayleigh and Clara thinking about school!!

Compare the previous pic (last blog) to this one, they suddenly got serious!

Braydon, age 10 (in a few weeks)

First Day of School Pics!

Tyson, grade 2, Braydon, grade 4

Anymore pics out there? I'm collecting them like I did at Easter!

Too Fun!!

Is what Grandma's do since they aren't out buying school clothes, shoes, supplies~~ They don't know what to do with themselves!

OH... Papa John and I spent last Saturday at a local school supply giv-a-way!

Tons of donations were made by local merchants, bags were hand packed for ages K to 4, then 5 to 12! It was a lot of fun to be part of the team!

Grandma's Birthday!

Is this not just TOO adorable??

I've just had the best Birthday a girl could want!

Because this Blog will turn to Blurb and a book, I copied this very cool picture

from the Paris Family Blog!!

Also~~ Located on FaceBook this morning~~

This is the COOLEST youtube I have ever seen!

Ranes has sent a different YouTube birthday greeting

every day for the past week!

The one above is the most innovative and creative I have seen yet.

Ranes, you're the greatest!

(HOW'D ya DO that???

THANK YOU ALL!!!

Rose City Red Hatters

Tonight was the SIXTH anniversary of the Rose City Red Hatters!

We chartered in August of 2003, the first Red Hat Society in Thomasville.

We all met at Ryans, which was our first meeting place (in public, in full dress) back in 2003.

BUNKO came alive!!

Bunko Winner!

(and the Vice Queen, better known as the *Queen of Vice*)

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!!

Pink Hatter BLACE!

You have to be 50 (or older) to be a Red Hatter! Those under 50 are known as Pink Hatters, they wear Pink Hats and Lavender Dresses until they turn 50, then the Purple Dresses and Red Hats can be worn. The only exception is when it's your Birthday Month!! Then you are allowed to wear a RED dress and PURPLE hat~

This was Blace's first meeting, she was not interested in a hat, but did enjoy the Bunko and the meal~ Maybe one day~

PaPa John's Boo Boo~

What you are looking at is a black eye that will get bigger and blacker with each day~

Yesterday, John had a skin cancer removed~ fainted in the middle of the night~

Fell on this very place (along with a few other choice bumps and bruises),

and is now restricted to the recliner for the rest of the weekend~

He wanted to share this with the Grandsons, Braydon, Tyson and Carter,

as they have all three had accidents of some sort this past year~

BOO BOO's~ thats what they are!!

We Love Our Family!

What a grand day! My favorite brother and his family came to visit for a few days!

Mother was beside herself with excitement and we all really enjoyed the visit!!

I think her favorite pastime is to sit on the screened patio and just chat, she got to do that a lot during the visit, so I know she thoroughly enjoyed it!

My brother Charles, sister-in-law, Judy and nephew Christopher!

Great-Grandmother (Mamoo) and Christopher

My Mother, My Brother, and Me!!

Did someone say DS???

Christopher, Sky and Braydon are all in DS'ville.

Sky is actually in DSI'ville, but she is a few years older~

It looks so fun that I considered getting one, but I would have to use reading glasses, that would not be cool!

Back To School!

Van's is the winner this year! That tiny box on top must be Kayleigh's~

Braydon's and Tyson's look like Boats!

In 1954 (yesterday) Buster Brown was the shoe!!!

We never had this much fun shopping for school!

Much less THIS much fun!
GOOD JOB TYSON!

Name The Project!

I just don't have a clue what is happening here but

The Fabulous Five

appear to have a project going on!!

It really does look fun!

The picture below should have been second,

so scroll down to see the sketch~

Ranes has to be taking the pictures and I don't know where Tyson is,

but am willing to bet he is working

VERY HARD and doing a GREAT JOB!

Fireplace? Castle? Puppet Stage?

Kayleigh is working on it!

Besides the unknown project~~~

Note the blue turban on Braydon's head.

He sent me an email that said ,

*Hi Grandma, I just wanted you to know that I got surgery*

Ranes tells me he had a cyst on his head removed

and from the facial intent I see in this picture, he appears to be well!

BLESS YOU BRAYDON, STAY WELL!

Back to the unknown project!

Heather is working hard!

(note the skinny, WAY TO GO Heather)

So this may be almost finished? Paint?

Let the guessing begin!