Bath time

There is not anything better than a clean, sweet smelling child.....

Congratulations to Carolyn and Big Tom!!

Carolyn and Tom Gerik are proud first time grandparents of Addison Lee Gerik, born Monday, July 23, which also happens to be Big Tom's birthday. Daddy Joe, mom Joanna, and baby Addison are all doing fine. Carolyn and Tom, your lives have been forever changed by this day. Go forth and spoil........

Ditto on the picture...... : )

This little gal is too cute!!!!

This photo also provided by Brandon Dieterich. (He makes me put this on here. Not really, I am just teasing......luv ya)

More Pool Pictures

Congratulations to daughter in law Samantha who started her new job yesterday as a pediatrician in Round Rock. This amazing young woman has spent the last ten years of her life in college/residency, preparing for this day. And always, I might add, at the top of her class. She is going to be upset with me for bragging on her but I just can't help myself. She takes pretty good care of the son, too, and makes him very happy. We are so proud of you and love you bunches!!

Madison found a friend at the party, and learned about a game that is popular in Texas. It is called "washer pitching". The girls were retrieving the washers for the big boys that were playing.

Mimi and Madison watching Big Tom blow out his candles.

A kiss goodbye from the birthday boy.

The 2 1/2 year old drama of not having your new favorite towel........

Again, photos by Brandon Dieterich.

Big Tom's Birthday Party

We went to "Big Tom's" birthday party on Saturday (son's father in law) and Madison had a great time in the pool. Samantha and Tom helped her slide many times until Big Tom was very tired.

Even Aunt Mo had her turn.

Cool Papa with his sunglasses.........

Photos provided courtesy of Brandon Dieterich.

What a difference a day makes!!!

Now Madison has decided that she wants to cheese it up for me!! What a cutie!!!

Madison

Our granddaughter, Madison, has come to stay with us a while. She was very determined that I was NOT going to get a picture of her on the way home. She is quite a clown!!

Sunday Balloons

Today was the last day for the balloon races. I will miss them. There is something exciting about watching them. And the colors are so beautiful!! I sat outside with my cup of coffee and camera before getting ready for church this morning.

Probably the last time we will see our friend from Iowa........

Thursday Morning

I was out early on Thursday morning and followed the balloons in a neighborhood just around the corner. This is what I found. Lots of chasers and people from the community there to watch.





In the quiet of the morning, the sound of the blasts of heat from the burners is very loud. People were coming outside to go to work and going back in to get their kids up and out to see them. Lots of camera phones at work.

Wednesday Balloons

The balloons were already up, up, and away this morning. I didn't even bother to rush to get out the door this day.

More balloons.....

This guy passed right over the house and landed several houses down from us. I bet he didn't offer them any corn.......

"Wouldn't you like to ride in my beautiful balloon......."

The National Hot Air Balloon Race is being held in Waco this week. Yesterday was their practice day and it was beautiful. I had plans this morning to get ready for work, leave a little early, and go just down the road where they would be lifting off to take some pictures. This is what we found in the back yard when we walked out to go to work.
The cloud cover was so thick and low that once the balloons got off the ground and to their flying level, the pilots could not see the ground. At that point, the competition was cancelled and they started looking for places to land.

The pilot of the balloon yelled to Greg to see if we minded him landing in our yard, and of course, we told him to go for it. Greg went out to help and I went for the camera.

Shortly thereafter, a couple of vehicles full of observers and helpers came pulling down the driveway to help pack up the balloon.
It was great morning entertainment!! Right in our backyard!! This particular team was from Iowa. The pilot told us that they had brought several ice chests of fresh sweet corn from Iowa, were going to cook it at the hotel tonight, and invited us to come out. We joined them this evening and ate the sweetest corn I have ever put in my mouth. They were gracious hosts and were very appreciative of our assistance this morning.

Big Goldfish

This is one of four large goldfish that we have. I think he is probably 3 years old, having started out as a little bitty 19 cent feeder fish. I am hoping to soon have a pond for him to live in.

Patio Primed

We got this done Tuesday evening after work. It was quite a chore to paint up high over your head. Thank goodness we got it done though. We had quite a rain/thunderstorm last night so it has dashed our plans today of painting to finish. I won't be mowing either. There is water everywhere again.

OH MY GOSH!! LOOK.....A DRIVER'S LICENSE!!!

Almost Done........

We are so close to being done with the house. The electrician came out Saturday, just in time to get the ceiling fans up before the party. We later hung the tv/surround sound/stereo. About all that is left to do at this time is to paint.

**Someone I know is going to complain that I post too many things at one time. But I don't have a chance every day to upload the pictures so I wind up posting them all at once.

More Birthday Pics

HELP!! Call the fire department!!!

Opening gifts is really fun!!!

I think this young man had a sample of EVERY dessert!!! No, I take that back. I don't see any chocolate ice cream.......

Sister Brenda, brother in law Tim, and niece Katie.....these people look like they need some sleep. They had just come back from a four day family reunion at Lake LBJ. And we know how wild those reunions can be!!!