Just hanging out

We made some brownies.

Pretty good!

 We went to the arcade at Mr. Gatti's.

 Second day of school--so far, so good!

Is that the mom or a teenager?

Motocross

No trip to Clyde is complete without watching Aidan out on the motocross track! That boy loves to ride and has continuously improved over the years.  It was only a practice day but we still had fun watching, despite the heat!

 Riding in the car

 Aidan and his big eyes!

 Ally making faces

 Showing his stuff

 Getting a little advice from  Daddy and Papa

 It's hot out here!

 Can we leave yet??!! 

Fun Day before School Started

The kids and I had a Friday to ourselves while their parents were at work. We went to late breakfast/early lunch at IHOP, took Aidan's iPod to get the face replaced, and then spent the day at the zoo, the playground and the splashpad at Nelson Park.  We had a ball!

They were goofing around and not wanting to pose together when a woman walked by and told me, "Just wait, it gets worse!" I told her, "Oh, I know...I am the Grandma."  Score another point for Jane being mistaken for an inept mother.  LOL

Reuniting with Friends

Besides spending time with my kids and grandkids, one of the best parts of coming back to Texas is seeing some of my dearest friends.  They've been with me through thick and thin and I love them lots!

 Diana, Karen and Ally

 Aidan, me and Sherri

 Ally and Jim

 Susan, Aidan and Sherri

 Diana, Sherri, Jane and Karen

 Susan and her sweet kids

 Kelly with her daughter Audra and sweet grandbaby Blaise.  He's so cute!

Trying to do a group selfie.  No, no we are not very good at it!

 Okay, that's a little better!  Connie, Jane, Kelly and Karen

 Connie and Karen

 Jane and Kelly

Another day, I met my friend Angela for lunch.  Angela was my student when I taught social work classes as an adjunct at Hardin-Simmons U; she went on to be a coworker at West Texas Rehab. We had a nice time catching up about life and work.  We made this sign for our friend Kirk, who'd been another coworker and who was battling cancer at the time.  Unfortunately, he passed away not long after this.  He was only 39 and leaves behind his wife and three small children. So very sad.  We will miss him and his sense of humor, as well as his caring heart.

On to Clyde and Abilene

I drove to Clyde and met up with these two little cuties.  Their dad was just about to go to work (and mom was already at work) so I took the kids to Abilene and we did a little shopping.  They love stuff they can build and put together!

 Ally with her gift from The Netherlands, and another "squishy ball."

 Aidan with a "squishy ball" and a book about the Roman Colosseum

 Yes, he is taller than Gigi and I don't like it a bit!!

 We went to Ally's "meet the teacher" night--here she is finding out who her teacher would be.

 In her classroom

Kids being goofy!

Ally with her teacher, who said "She's one of my favorite girls!"

 First day of school!  Aidan is in 6th and Ally in 2nd.  They both had a great day!