thankfulness

on my gammy's 87th birthday we sang, had cake, opened cards and gathered at her bedside. she had been in hospitals, rehab facilities, nursing homes and at that time hospice for a total of six months. she passed away later that night. my gammy was strong, creative and hilarious. she always asked me what i was making for supper. she encouraged me and paul to tell each other 'i love you' every day even when it's questionable. she always commented on my weight - favorable or not. wishing i was more like her. perhaps i will become so.

raggedy ann doll gammy made me in 1974. i pulled her out of hiding after the memorial service in early december. june LOVES this doll. changing her clothes together the other day i was reminded of one incredible detail. over her heart, hidden under her clothes - how could i ever forget?

really warm day this week june playing alone in and out.
i found her happy as a lark just like this.

thank you paul. i love you.

growing up

my baby is totally NOT a baby anymore. i can't pretend any longer. she's got her own thing going on. and it's incredibly awesome to witness. she is so much like her poppy in her outgoing, social, goofy, fearless personality. i'm so glad she's not a bitch like me.

kitty wranglin'. boo loves it.

back in mcallen - roaring like a lion.
(compare to july/aug entry)

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loving the merry go round

bubbles make everything better.

how could you hide these from me for so long?!!

impromtu photo shoot at big red sun

pix from nov 12th excursion when june and i had to get out of the house b/c we were feeling sicky. we both ended up with week long stomach virus yuckyuck. these were the fabulous fleeting moments before it got baaaaaaad.

the perfect pint sized fountain. rocks + water. toddler paradise.

whistlin' dixie

i made her sit in bumpy wet grass. real trooper.

check me out - walkin' and talkin'

bunnies beware!

from newest to oldest

june and {pop.pop} chillin in a hammock
*june now refers to paul as {pop.pop} which is actually the pop pop sound you make
with your lips without breathing out. can you do it?

june and her long lost love - kettle corn
auntie qt introduced her to this celtic festival delicacy
after she (june) face planted in a labyrinth
*just kidding about the labyrinth - are those celtic anyway?

big beach baby
not so happy once towel swinging came to an end

june is obviously hanging five

june and nana at the sandcastle festival, spi
june is attempting to charm the helmet off a biker, which she succeeds in doing
they are standing in front of the grand prize castle, btw
*and if you look closely you'll see mom's wearing an obama tee

little bits to chew on

horsing around was never this fun!

at deep eddy

with grammies

spreading the love

until fall gives us a break

regal profile, don't you think?

june and i stay busy. i don't post about her enough. i think she'll forgive me. we get coffee in the mornings and play with little people. we've been taking jogs and longer bikes rides. zilker playscape and train (choochoo) have made for nice afternoon jaunts. big stacy last week made it seem like months since june's been for a swim - she couldn't get enough of the water. kicking and jumping off the side. she was a little upset when it was time to go.

she's 15 months now and really wanting to talk. she practices and it cracks us up. it's very serious work to her and because she babbles with such conviction we can't help but find it amusing. this morning she slid off our bed and began a conversation on the cell phone in which she'd occasionally immitate laughing (not her real laugh). all very choreographed. occasionally she'd put the phone down and walk away, presumably to do something else but not, and turn right back around and pick up the phone and continue 'talking'. so funny.

art party at eila's - yumyum!

trip to the valley - june in my most favorite PINK bathroom
even the heater behind her is pink

proud grandparents, great grandparents and owners of
aforementioned pink bathroom

aunties fight for june's attention. she's dumbfounded.

The next list of photos are a backlog beginning with oldest to newest. June's evolution over the past month or so. She's definitely a 'kid'. No more little tiny baby.

every morning

june and paul hang out

before the meltdown

meltdown

oh my

i did not throw the ball of sand that was atop this sculpture

a.m. yoga

cheesysandsnack

what's that on her head? sunscreen.

lake front

mysterious power plant

photo essay on la lady

oh june. you little charmer.
how i love you at the beach. and anywhere really.

in search of dolly: part II - when it rains...

the park near my mother's home has been there for quite a while. it's much different than when i was a child - no more mayor mc cheese clubhouse for example. but plenty of playscape fun for miss june bee. here are some photos of june having a sticky sweet time.

this lion water fountain has been there FOREVER

by the by: june is wearing one of kyle's baby tees. when clearing out dad's house we found a box of baby clothes (his + mine). half don't fit june anymore (tears already cried) and the other half (kinda) is tops, dresses, bonnets, smocks sewn by my gammy for me! so fantastic to see these OLD OLD OLD clothes (30+ years) still in tact and being rocked by june june. i'll make note in upcoming posts when june's sporting some of my stylish threads. it'll be obvious. the 70's will never die.