Grandpa Al

My dad came up from Florida the week before Memorial Day and stayed nearly a week. I was able to take some time off of work and we played golf 3 times. My sister, brother-in-law, niece, and great nephew Skyler visited us on Sunday, and dad left Memorial Day morning. We had a lot of fun and Maggie really enjoyed having him around. We wish he lived closer so that we could see him more often.

Happy Mother's Day

We hope everyone had a fantastic Mother's Day. Our day was busy, but nice. Maggie was so sweet this morning, wanting to give Barbara her card right after waking up, which she did, along with a big hug and kiss and a "happy mother's day". After Church we picked up Barbara's mom and aunt and we all drove to Knoxville to have lunch with my mother. The meal was great and we all had a wonderful time. We shopped for a while and got home after 6 PM. Barbara said it was a great day!

Last week I had a conference I attended in Gatlinburg and I was able to bring Barbara and Maggie along. They shopped and swam while I was in training and I got to share the late afternoon and evening with them. We went to eat on Tuesday at the Apple Barn in Sevierville with my friend Dena, who I used to work with, and her husband Bob. We had so much fun and they adored Maggie. It was their first time meeting her.

When it was time to come home on Thursday, Maggie wasn't happy. She said she likes to stay at hotels and didn't want to come home. When we told her we were going to Knoxville today, she assumed that we were staying in a hotel this evening as well. She wasn't too disappointed when we told her otherwise. I think she likes the hotel so much because there was an indoor pool and she got to swim twice. She LOVES the water!

This week also marked the 1 year anniversary of her palate surgery. I can't believe it's been a year already. She has come so far in that time, and may get to take a break from her speech therapy.

Warm weather and up sleeves

After a cool spring, the warmer weather has arrived. It seems like it went from winter to summer. Maggie loves the weather, as she gets to play outside and gets to wear her "up sleeves" (short sleeves). She asks us every night at dinner if she can wear her "up sleeve" pajamas and does a little dance when we say yes. She is such the entertainer. She has to put on a "show" for us every night.

It's been a quiet couple of weeks. We went on a picnic with Barbara's mom and aunt last Saturday. We had a great time. Maggie had some Easter money and bought a baseball bat and ball. She can actually hit the ball! And she loves it! She's like her dad - she's left handed but swings a bat right handed.

Maggie has a sinus infection and is taking antibiotics. She was mad on Monday because she went to the doctor instead of gymnastics. I can't blame her. She never complained about being sick, but her nose was running a lot. It's much better now.

Next week I have training in Gatlinburg for 3 days so Barbara and Maggie will be going with me. They can shop and swim while I'm in training. They will have a great time.

Happy Easter!

Last year, we were in China for Easter so this was Maggie's first Easter at home, and she got to experience so much. She had 3 Easter egg hunts, her first Easter basket ( she was just a "little" spoiled), her first experience coloring eggs, and so much more. Last week, she also had her nails done, with the Easter bunny painted on her big toes. It was Maggie's idea.

Our weekend began with an Easter egg hunt at our neighbor's home. She is a single nurse and was so nice to have a hunt for the kids in the neighborhood. Maggie had a great time and, once again, got lots and lots of candy and other prizes. On Saturday afternoon my friend Mike and his 2 daughters visited from Knoxville. We haven't seen Andrea and Alicia in a couple of years as they are living with their mom in California. It was nice to see them. We all went to play goonie golf. You should have seen Maggie - she had so much fun, and would take no pointers from anyone - it's her stubborn streak.

Barbara's dad drove in Saturday evening and spent the night. On Sunday morning we woke up and Maggie found her Easter basket and eggs that the Easter bunny had hidden around the house. It was kind of like Christmas again - Maggie was overwhelmed and didn't say much. We then met Barbara's mom at Church and came home for a lunch of ham, deviled eggs, potato salad, green bean, baked beans, and coleslaw. We were joined by my mom and Barbara's aunt (as well as Barbara's mom and dad). Maggie found some more eggs hidden outside when we got home from church, so in essence, she had her FOURTH Easter egg hunt.

Maggie tired early and went to bed before 8 AM. Unfortunately we were all up at 3 AM due to some strong storms. Our power went out and was not restored until 7 PM tonight.

We hope everyone had a great holiday, it will definitely be a memorable one for us.