Mama's 84th Birthday

I can't believe that Mama (Lelia) has turned 84. She had two birthday parties. The first was held at Georgia Belle where she lives and was a real treat for us all. Hank and Kay came up from Lakeland and we all went to hear Hank play for the residents where mother has her home. He sang right after dinner and it was so good. I forget how wonderful my brother's voice is and so much like my Dad. Kay got a cake and there were presents and everything. What more could you ask for. Harry and I were there too and we went up to Mother's apartment for cake after our concert. Hank brought music sheets so everyone could sing along. My favorite was I'll Fly Away. Mom and Daddy spent the last years of their retirement singing for nursing homes so it brought back many fond memories for us all. Thank you Brother for such a treat for us all.

The second party was today. Emily , Jason , Shawn and Lisa were there and all the children. We had a full house and tons of food. Ham, potato salad, broccoli and fordhook lima beans were on the menu with yeast rolls. We had chocolate cake and ice cream for desert. Lydia and Stephen stayed after the parents were gone and Mother sat outside in the yard for a couple of hours watching them ride bikes and play. It was a perfect afternoon. We took her home with a big plate of leftovers and a slice of cake for later. Someone asked her what was on her mind today and her reply was typical stoic Riddle/Padgett. She said - I am concentrating on living. Priceless.

Here are some picture from both days.
Love to you all!
Frances

Pumpkin Patch Day

We had quite the day today with the five Grandkids and our Children. Harry and I met them all at the Presbyterian Church where they have a great Pumpkin Patch each year. We take all the Grandkids and let them each pick out a little individual pumpkin an a large one to carve. It was a beautiful day with perfect weather. We had such a great time and each Grandchild was precious. They had a great time playing and running amuck the pumpkins. We all went to Chick Filet for lunch afterwards. It was truly a great day for the Grandparents and parents. Emily and Shawn were really good sports to help us put it all together. I will post some pictures from the day,

Next is halloween! Get Ready.

Lydia Rides Again

Here is a short video clip of Lydia - my only girl Grandchild riding her bike without her training wheels.
Aren't Grandkids fun.

Spring Creek Outing

We spent the day at the Coast today and the weather was GREAT! Wanted to share a few pictures from the day. Shawn had his boat so I didn't get any pictures of him. The only good fish was caught by Stephen = it was a nice red fish.

Football is Here!

I can not believe it is that time of year already. FOOTBALL MEANS HUSBAND GLUED TO THE TUBE. We watched the FSU game today and it was better than last week. Harry complains non stop about the play calling, the players and everything else but the bottom line is this -only the score gets posted in the record book. I sometimes sit and read while watching the game to keep from going nuts. We are going to two games this year out of town at Georgia Tech and Maryland. The last time we went to Maryland we almost froze to death. Talk about cold - we were so desperate we bought Maryland skull caps for our unprotected little heads. Then we left at half time and were thrilled to walk the mile and a half home. My brother and sister in law are going to the Tech game and Harry's brother and sis in law to Maryland. We will drive to Tech and fly to Baltimore. We are going out of Jacksonville to save some serious bucks. Will tell you all about it when we return. Hope FSU wins, it is a bummer when you travel and lose. Yuck.

Three of the Grandkids are back to school. Lydia is in kindergarten and could really teach the class. She has that late November birthday - born on Thanksgiving so she is very ready for the big stuff. Stephen is four and in Pre-K. He reminds me a lot of Shawn in that the teachers always would say - Mrs. Herman - we love Shawn....but..... Sitting down and being still does not come easy for boys. This is Hunter's first experience with any kind of school or outside the womb care at all. He has been kept by Grandparents so we were kind of apprehensive how he would react. He is doing GREAT! So far the teacher says he gets better every day. Noah is still home with Lisa and Jay is still tolerating the GrandMa's. I have three days a week with only Jay - Hunter comes in at lunch time and Jason' Mom keeps them Tuesdays and Thursday's most weeks. Three half days with one is great. I am helping with taking Lydia to her ballet class and planning to visit and observe Stephen's Ty Kwan Do. Life is busy and full.
I did a little decorating for Halloween. Would love to hear of some ideas everyone has for unique decorating.

Have a happy HALLOWEEN, LETS ALL POST PICTURE OF THE KIDS IN COSTUME! Jennifer always sends the most original with her dogs all dressed up. She is very creative.

GET A BLOGGER ACCOUNT AND JOIN THE FUN!If you don't want to do that - just email me or Terry the pictures and we will post them.

Oh - one more thought - My Mother turns 84 October 24th. She loves to get mail.



LOVE,
FRANCES

LONG HOT SUMMER FOR THE HERMANN'S

Well it has been a good and bad month for our family and extended family. It still doesn’t seem real that Glen and Edwin are gone and Mother is the only one standing. She did very well through the funeral day. When we returned to her home as she was exiting my car she said – I had a very nice day – then she smiled that cute smile she has and said – I guess I really shouldn’t say that. I told her at 83 if she had a good day she might as well say it. She was very happy to be with her people. You all make up her people and she loves you all very much. She has not wanted to attend any funerals since Daddy’s – just too hard. She had a really hard time at Margaret’s (as did all of us) and that is why she didn’t make it to Uncle Reese’s.
Good news is my son Shawn and his wife had a eight day vacation in Hawaii, he changed jobs after many years at the credit union and they moved. All in one month. The really good news is Harry and I survived keeping the three little ones (with help from Lisa’s family an Emily) and we are all still on good terms. No one runs when they see Grammy and Bid Daddy. Harry was a wonderful Granddaddy – sleeping with Stephen and totally helping with everything. We made a good team. One day we had all five Grandchildren. I usually have a teenager with me during the week to help me but she was away at her Grandparents. Emily took some time off so her two weren’t here most of the week. As soon as they returned Shawn left for San Francisco for a week, then end of week Lisa left for Texas. Lisa spent the days before her trip packing for the move. Shawn returned and he moved them. Yikes! They are starting to get things squared away and enjoy their much larger home. The neighborhood is better with nice wide streets and no through traffic. It has a great floor plan with three levels.
In the middle of all the deaths and moving and trips I got a new computer. For those who don’t realize it I love a new computer. I was very frustrated seeing the box on the floor and no time to unpack it. One day one of the Grandkids was standing on the cpu box. That did a number of me. I got a Mac and that is why I have been such a pest sending out all those emails for you to reply to. You could transfer the contact file but it really wasn’t usable. All those replies made it so easy for me to load you back into my address book.
I don’t know about anyone else but I am ready for some cooler weather and a change of pace. Come on fall. Hunter will start preschool in September three half days a week for I will get a bit of a break. Jay and I will be on our own some.
Harry and I are planning two football trips in November to Georgia Tech in Atlanta and Maryland. We will probably freeze to death at Maryland but who cares. You always need something to look forward to. They finally finished out boathouse at the coast but I haven’t seen it yet. Maybe this weekend I can take some pictures.
Hope all is well for the rest of the family. Sign up for a blog so I can find out all your news.
Love,
Frances