August 2022

Aub holding Dylan

Permian Volleyball season has started.  Aubrey is on JV Black and her position is hitter/front row.

Maiya and Aubrey

Brinley is HOME!  We haven't seen her since April, and this is her first time to meet Kaide.  

He's wearing one of Tanner's b-ball shirts that Christie Applegate turned into a sweet pea outfit.

Benja married his beautiful bride, Maddie.  They met as missionaries in the Little Rock mission and started dating once they came home.

Adam holding Noah, Christian 3, Lincoln 5, Megan, Jake Davidson & Charity, Chris, Benja & Maddie, Ang, Erin & Jeff Freeman, Kate & Joseph Vore, Lauron

Brit decorating the tables (Mom & Dad's 50th decorations have come in handy!)

Wedding receptions are So Much Work, and my part was so little.  Can my children just elope please?

I avoided the detailed decorating and did things like tying sashes and cutting fruit.  I also baked 200 chocolate chip cookies and helped make cake pops.

Ang, Brit, Monica Jackman, and me

Cute little family.  Tanner and Erin are doing great as parents!  Tanner is still showing signs of sleep deprivation...dark circles under his eyes and the mustache definitely doesn't help.   Erin has looked amazing since day one.  Kaide's nicknames right now are: Kaideraide, Kaiderbug, Bug and Mr. Bugster

It's really sweet seeing my baby take such good care of his baby.

Throw back of me and Brian.  I have no recollection of this picture, but I think it was when we were already engaged.  My kids all commented on my lovely jean on jean look though.

Kerry and Gram

Taco Villa Monday on Wednesday at Texas Burger.  Hud, Gramp & Aub

Seriously so great having Bryn home for a couple of weeks.

Brother Atchley was so kind to offer his services free for newborn photos.  He had all sorts of plans but Kaide was not cooperating,  Bro Atchley posted on FB that he guessed this little guy did not like the paparazzi!  

Bryn visiting Gram and Grandpa

First day of school pictures.  Aubrey is a Sophomore and Tanner and Erin are Seniors.  

School started less than a month after Kaide was born, so Erin was able to delay a few weeks.  I was able to watch Kaide her first day of school so I snapped her picture before she left.

Gram was able to meet Kaide.  It was a little scary once we set him in her lap because Grandpa gave a little headshake and said, "Ummm, I don't know if that's a good idea."   Too late!  When she thinks something is hers, my purse for instance, or you try to set something aside she is holding, she holds on for dear life.  My heart dropped when he said that, and I was really scared for how we were going to gain control of Kaide safely.  Luckily, we did a swap with her baby doll and it all worked out.

She is really sweet with her baby.  She will kiss her and hug her.  She will say, "you are such a pretty baby."  She says it with so much love.  It's sweet

Carlsbad Caverns Take Two!!  We tried to go right before her mission, but due to Covid, they were limiting guests.  We drove to New Mexico only to find they were sold out for the day.  Also, due to covid, more people were bored out of their minds and going to National Parks and more outdoorsy activities.  (It was easier to social distance outdoors.)  

Here is the story/blogpost from Take One, We were both sol glad our second time trying was a success.  

The caverns were amazing.  We were both so glad we went into the bookstore to get a small radio to listen to short descriptions and explanations of the formations and rocks.  

This is a stock photo from the internet...it was hard to photograph with low light.

We found a cute souvenir shop on our way out of town.  We didn't buy anything, but we got some fun pictures.

Braddock meeting Kaide.  

Wishing I made about 5 different blog posts instead of this giant one but...I'm in too far now.

Amber Jackson and Anna Merriman

Anna and I hosted a farewell gathering for Amber Jackson and family.  They have helped and served so many people in 4th and 1st ward over the years.  They will be missed.

Elder McDougal and Nichols, Maire & Annalise Howell, Amber holding Owen, Penny Jordan, me, Cathy Bonifay, Vera Howell, Elaine Dickman Front: Merideth Howell, Colby Jackson, Colby's friend and Anna Merriman

Aubrey & Lauron    It's awesome to have a cousin as one of your very best friends.  Also, La was staying with us for two weeks while her parents were on a cruise.  She made us this meal.

I walked over one day with Kaide.  We enjoyed our babies together.  Gram was really cute oohing and aahing over Kaide.

And she's back off to school.  We enjoyed having Bryn home between her summer job and fall semester.  She and Macy Gwilliam (cousin) are enjoying hanging out at least once a week, and Bryn is loving that time together.

   

And to wrap up this really long catch up on August post....our Parker Bryce is doing good things in Ghana as a missionary.  Currently he is serving as an office Elder and helping take care of logistics for incoming/outgoing missionaries, needed apartment supplies, food for zone conferences etc.... When they have windows of time throughout the week, he is able to do some proselyting.

A Few More July Happenings

A few pictures from the second half of July. 

1

Bryn has been a For Strength of Youth assistant coordinator this summer.  She's been loving it!  As the weeks go on, she is getting pretty tired though.  It's 80+ hours a week and pretty intense with all of the participants' needs and everyday counselor and coordinator responsibilities.

Becky came into town.  It was nice to have her helping my dad take care of my mom over the weekend.  

One day my mom was pretty agitated.  My dad brought her over to help me in the kitchen.  I think I was baking cookies for Benja's wedding.  We baked with moon sand while I baked chocolate chip cookies inthe oven.  My mom settled down a little but not much.  I think it was nice for her to get out of the house though.

Look at this cute grandpa with his first grandbaby....

Sunday night family gathering was at our house.  Christ, Ang, Erin F., Tanner and Bri

Still Sunday night...Aub and La played a little volleyball and Holden held Kaide for the first time.

Missionaries!  We really like this group.  They are hard workers and relatable.  They have been really good to connect with Tanner.  A couple of them are really athletic.  Elder Briggs loves b-ball and he has invited Tanner to play with them on Mondays.  They also usually all play on Thursday evenings.  Elder Ili, Elder MacDougal, Elder Bingham, and Elder Briggs  

Visiting Gram and Grandpa.  Grandpa snapped these pictures.

Look at this tiny cuteness!  We love him.  Tanner and Erin call this look "milk drunk" because he is knocked out after getting full.

First bath...Tanner and Erin wanted me to show them how.  I loved them asking because my mom gave everyone of my babies their first bath.  With Brinley, I just needed a reference of where to start.  With the other three, any extra help was always appreciated!  

I love these pictures...we were all invested!!!!

Opening a package from Grandma and Grandpa Gwilliam: two of her handmade blankets💕

This may have been his coming home from the hospital picture.  I love his rolled-up Kaide blanket.  Also, the nose syringe is 1/3 the size as he is!

And this handsome boy with these beautiful children in Ghana.  He is doing good things, and I am so grateful he has this opportunity to learn and grow in the gospel.