Aunt G's Wedding

Randy's sister Angie got married this past weekend! Poor CB wasn't feeling great so her eyes are droopy in the photos. She had a runny nose and runny eyes and then the fever came. She just wasn't herself and it made me sad! She didn't walk down the aisle like we practiced, but at the end of the ceremony I took her up to Randy and he carried her down with him. She got to show off her Cinderella dress and I think the crowd enjoyed her sweet face! The wedding was at Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church and the reception was at Gilley's. Horace and Randy sang in the wedding, which made it even more special. Horace sang the Lord's Prayer acapella and Randy sang a song that he pieced together using words from Psalms. He sang during the lighting of the unity candle and it was the perfect amount of time. The ceremony was about 20 minutes and then it was time for the reception! We sent CB home with Grandmommy and Granddaddy before we headed over to Gilley's. I kinda felt like a bad mom for doing that, but we had to go and I knew she was in good hands! So on to Gilley's!! There are event rooms off of the main dancefloor area! Who knew?! And the food was delicious!! We stayed until about 10:30 and we sent them off with sparklers. "Aunt G" and Uncle Tony are married now and they are headed to Virginia where they will make their home together. It was a special weekend and we wish them all the best! As for CB, well she is feeling better now...we've had a few sleepless nights but things seem to be back to normal now.

This is Abby Bowerman and CB. Abby was the flower girl and she did her best to get CB to walk down the aisle with her...but CB just said, "Mama hold you!" So precious!

CB and Aunt G at the rehearsal!

CB in her Cinderella dress with Daddy. Ugh...it makes me sick to think that one day she'll have on a real Cinderella gown at her own wedding. Okay..refocus...refocus...

Horace, Allison, CB, Randy and Shirley Lewallyn

Poor CB...you can see her watery eyes in this one!

Oh how I love this one! Her facial expression is awesome and I love that she is holding Mickey Mouse! Super cute!

Abby, Aunt G and CB before the wedding.

Here we are at the reception at Gilley's.

Randy's aunt Linda (Horace's sister)

Angie and Randy

The family singers! Would you believe that most of Randy's cousins came up to him after the wedding and said, "We didn't know you could sing!" We were cracking up!

Tony and Angie on the dancefloor!

A little smooch!

First Big Vacation!

We ventured out this summer with a trip to a family reunion in Alton, Illinois and then on to Chicago for more fun! I have to say, I was and still am amazed at how well CB did! She took it all in like a sponge and I think she could have gone for more. My dad's side of the family is originally from the Wood River and Alton area so we started the weekend there. We got to visit with family that we hadn't seen in awhile so that was a treat! All of my cousins were there and my aunts and uncles so I enjoyed catching up. We started the trip off on the wrong foot, however, because my mom came down with a horrible illness (fever) and she wasn't able to come at all. I was pretty sad about it. Then Randy came down with fever and he was laid up in the hotel room for two days in Chicago! Again, not the most ideal way to spend your vacation! But, he managed to get some meds and we had a glorious last day with amazing weather! Here are some shots from the vacation in no order...

It was the Apple family reunion!

CB working a deal at the rental car place!

Having lunch at Harry Caray's on the Navy Pier!

Playing at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago!

A beautiful shot of Lake Michigan!

CB's first Cubs game at Wrigley Field!

CB's first taxi ride! So very unsafe, but I did it anyway!

A tourist shot!

Riding a boat over to Navy Pier!

A trolley ride around Alton, Illinois!

Her first glimpse of the Sears Tower!

CB's first airplane ride! She was perfect!

The Pitch

It was an exciting night at the ballpark! At least for the Gibbins family! It was hot, hot, hot but we witnessed Granddaddy Doug throwing out the first pitch at the Ranger game! It was an honor and something we will always remember. Friends and family were there to celebrate and here are some scenes from the evening! Dad and I got to go into the media room while we waited and Nolan Ryan came in for a TV interview! We were surprised to see him and we stood in awe and watched as greatness strolled by! He didn't talk to us, but he smiled and went over to the camera. I am sure if he had spoken to us, he would have been really nice! Ha! Ha! The entire evening was great fun!

CB and Granddaddy before the game.

CB in her Ranger t-shirt!

Uncle Greg and Aunt Chica

CB with Mama and Dada

Granddaddy walking onto the field!

Mama and Granddaddy

Granddaddy praying the ball makes it to the glove!

Heading to the mound!

The windup! The actual pitch photo was blurry! :(

Hanging with some cool Ranger folks after the pitch!

What a thrill!

CB checking out the game ball (notice there are no autographs! BOO!)

CB's gigantic baseball bow!

Kasi, Kristin and Kelsey Prestidge - precious friends!

Abigail's Baptism

My sweet niece Abigail was baptized on Saturday. We all went to Ft. Worth for the big day and Clara Beth had a ball! She loves her "Babby" and she did pretty well during the service! Luckily the church was big and there was background noise so her little murmurings weren't too much of a distraction! My brother's friend Steve and his wife Tammy came in from New Orleans to stand up as Godparents. It was nice to see them and to spend time with Erica's family. We always have a great time at the Fox home! Clara Beth got to swim and run around...and of course there was no nap!

This is my favorite photo of all time! I love this sweet face!

Look at those eyelashes!

Erica, Greg, Abigail, Me, CB and Randy

Elaine, Greg, Abigail, Erica and Doug

Erica, Abigail and Greg with the Priest

Sweet Abigail!

Fashion Plate

Lately when I put a new top on Clara Beth she will exclaim, "Cute Mamma!" She is talking non-stop these days! I have always heard they are little sponges and that is definitely the truth! I wish I could freeze time right now. She is so much fun and a pure joy (most of the time!) I have said before that she is very particular about what she likes and what she doesn't like and I found out firsthand that she does NOT like going to the shoe store! I had to bribe her with some sparkly Cinderella shoes, and fortunately there were some kids in the store causing a ruckus so I was able to try on a few other pairs on quickly! The nice lady wanted to measure her foot but CB was screaming at the top of her lungs and it scared the lady away! Ha! Ha! So much fun!!! We did, however, manage to buy two pairs and I realized when I got home that her Cinderella sandals light up! Had I known that we would not have bought those! Ha! Ha! Oh well...she likes them and that's what counts, right?!

" Look at my new Jellie shoes!"

"My best friend is Minnie Mouse!"

"These are my LaLa jammies!"

"I'm a Barbie girl!"

"Cute Mamma!"

Mother's Day

I had an awesome Mother's Day weekend! Randy let me take a morning nap before my hour and a half massage! It was heavenly! Then we went to the park and played! I am not sure why, but my little Clara Beth is really funny about new things, especially when she is not in control. I am not sure how to describe it other than to say she has to "warm up" to the idea. And this goes with just about everything from new shoes, new clothes, new foods and swinging! We thought she would eventually stop crying once she got going, but no mam! She screamed and screamed and wanted "OUT MAMA!" So what can I say? She's probably not going to the be the adventuresome or daring type, which is fine with me! Maybe it will help me to keep my hair a little longer and my stress level a little lower.

Saturday evening, we went to church and heard an awesome message about marriage. I love that our church really focuses on the value of family, and emphasizes that it all begins with a strong marriage. It was a nice reminder that I need to be more intentional about paying attention to my husband, especially now when life is so busy. I don't praise him enough, but I am so thankful for him and his influence on our lives. We had dinner with Randy's parents and then watermelon for dessert!

On actual Mother's Day, we went to Ft. Worth and spent time with the Fox family and my parents. Erica's mom served enchiladas and we had all the Mexican trimmings! The weather was dreary so we didn't swim, but CB had a blast playing basketball with her uncle Greg and Aunt Chica! It was actually chilly outside (I was freezing), but she wanted to stay "SIDE" as she calls it all day long! We go "side" when we get home everyday to play with BoBo and she loves to blow "Bubbish." Her vocabulary is growing and I am amazed at her thought processes. It's so much fun to watch the little wheels spinning!

This year on Mother's Day weekend I said many "thank you" prayers. I am so grateful that I am here to watch CB grow, and that she is healthy and thriving. It seems like I know of so many sad things that have happened since January, friends dealing with tragedies and people who are struggling. I wish I didn't know about these things...I try my best to stay in my bubble so that I don't dwell and worry, but it's impossible. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their mothers too soon, mothers who have lost children and friends who are still struggling to become mothers. The message at church this past Sunday was to be thankful for every day that the Lord gives you. If you are alive, it's because it's the will of God. We shouldn't take any moment for granted and I believe this wholeheartedly.