Day Three Hundred Sixteen 2013

HAPPY 37TH BIRTHDAY, KELLY!


Daughter Kelly celebrated her [hot pink!] 37th birthday today [and it snowed today just as it did 37 years ago which added a nice touch to the celebration]. We enjoyed a fun party at Kelly and Kerry and Knox’s new/old house with yummy cake, ice cream, and punch [and presents of course]. I wonder how long it’s been since that hundred year old house has heard that many loud voices and so much laughter. Wishing our snow baby a happy birthday and a wonderful life filled with lots of love and many many more good time celebrations. Your dad and I love you!!

Day Two Hundred Ninety Six 2013

Grandson Knox fell asleep on his mom’s shoulder while eating a Popsicle and watching Spongebob this afternoon. His mom and dad moved a load of stuff from their old house in Murfreesboro to their new house here. Got lots more to do before they’re fully moved and settled in, so all three are pretty much tuckered out. As long as he’s got his Thomas trains, Knox doesn’t seem to mind all the upheaval.

Day Two Hundred Forty Nine 2013

COUGAR RUN!

Today marked the 25th year for the Cougar Run ~ grandson Elijah’s school’s only fundraiser for the year.

Elijah’s second grade class is all lined up and ready to run! [Elijah is fifth one sitting down from the right]

This Cougar is ready to run!

The school mascot and the school principal join in on the first lap.

They ease into it, walking the first lap or two.

But you gain more laps if you run. The kids are urged to pace themselves. They run to the beat of all sorts of rock and roll music.

Elijah’s mom, Holly, who also attended this school back in the day, wore her vintage Capshaw Cougars T shirt and ran/walked some laps with Elijah.

Elijah stops long enough to get his lap mark. [I wonder how many kids run right past and forget to get their mark…]

Grandson Knox, hopefully a future Capshaw Kid/Cougar, got in on the action with his aunt Holly.

Elijah picked up the pace during the last song.

Knox was a bit confused by it all and probably wondering why all these people kept running in circles.

Mom and son walking the last lap together

Running out of steam ~ time to quit

17 laps for Elijah! Not too shabby [especially when Granny and Grandpa pledged two dollars a lap].

Stick a fork in me; I am done. Good job, Elijah! I’m very proud of you!

Back where they started ~ only this time hot and tired and happy to have that cup of cold water. Good job, all you Cougars who ran so hard today! They were rewarded with a hamburger/hotdog picnic and could play the rest of the day or leave if their parents gave the OK. Needless to say, Elijah opted to hang out at Granny’s house. Good choice.
Happy TGIF, everyone!

Day Two Hundred Thirty Seven 2013

This is one of daughter Holly’s neighbors [tee hee, could not resist], and grandson Knox got a kick out of petting her velvety soft nose this afternoon, although he was a bit intimidated by the size of this animal. The horse was very gentle and loved our attention. Then she suddenly turned her back on us and ambled away. To find greener pastures, I guess.

Day One Hundred Sixty Seven 2013

"A righteous man
who walks in his integrity -
How blessed are his sons [and daughters] 
after him."
(Proverbs 20:7, NASB)

My dad, Flynn Mabry, and me when I was two or maybe three years old. He was always so quiet and only spoke when he had something he needed to say, was often described as having the patience of Job, and he loved and provided for his family in a quiet and humble way. But most important of all, he was a Christian man who did his best to live a Christ-like life. This is what I will always remember about him. Wish you were still here, Pop, so I could tell you I love you and wish you a Happy Father’s Day. God bless all the good fathers out there. Hope you enjoyed a very happy Father's Day.

Day Eighty Eight 2013

Daughter Kelly and grandson Knox are visiting this weekend.

Knox will be 16 months old in four days. He’s getting so big ~ the consummate toddler, always on the go and curious about everything.

He sat down with Elmo and his mom long enough this afternoon to watch America’s Funniest Home Videos. And then he was off again because there’s a whole house full of stuff to explore.
Happy TGIF, y’all!

Day Three Hundred Sixty Five 2012

My family got hit with the stomach flu bug after Christmas. Daughter Kelly was the first to get zapped, then they started falling like dominoes. Grandson Knox, grandson Elijah, and son in law Kerry suffered (or are still suffering) with this crud. Daughter Holly is iffy at this point. Hubby Neil says he refuses to get it, but it’s not looking too good for him, either. Kelly is over it, and Knox has finally come through it, as you can see from the picture. I’m patiently waiting my turn at this, for no one seems to escape it once exposed. Keep a good thought for us! Hope you all stay healthy on this next to last day of 2012. Today is Day Three Hundred Sixty Five, but this was a leap year, so we get an extra day. Happy New Year’s Eve Eve!

Day Three Hundred Sixty Three 2012

To get (grandson) Knox to eat, sometimes his mommy has to resort to making him laugh, which distracts him and makes him open his mouth long enough to shovel in some food. It works. Wish you could hear his belly laugh in this picture.

Happy TGIF, everyone! Rock on!

Day Three Hundred Fifty One 2012

HAPPY 34TH BIRTHDAY, HOLLY!

My daughter Holly celebrated her 34th birthday today. Here she was at the age of one, sitting on her Grandpa Ranft’s lap. They were pretty good buddies, and I know she’ll appreciate this picture because we were just remembering him today and how he always unclipped his clip on tie and hung it from the front of his shirt when he was done with it.

Happy birthday, dear daughter Holly! So hard to believe our Christmas baby is 34 years old. We wish you all the best of everything today and always. We love you more than you will ever know.