the Flames getting ready for some action!

Reid with his two besties - Jack and Clay.

These two had an impromptu sleepover.... melt my heart.

then the next night... Kyle and his stuffed animals. I laugh about it but I know there will be a day not too far off when he will send them all to Reid's room.  Sweet hearted kid...

when did Mr. G start taking up an entire queen bed?!  Where's my 19.5" baby?!?

I babysat Jacob while Anne had her teeth cleaned. He saw the boys get off the bus!  This is a sweet moment of the three of them watching it go away.

Remember Freddy the Frog from preschool with the other two?  This little frog gets to go home with every family (germs and all) to be loved on (covered in germs) and taken care of by the preschool child.  Reid, like his brothers, thought this was awesome. 

My shopping buddy... He has developed a personal style, too - frog rainboots and tie-dye!

I'm going to miss having a friend on the end of my cart one of these days....

Reid has been sick the past three days....

We've had a lot of random naps on the carpet....

 and movies....

  and playing with my phone taking photos....

Snow Day!

It seems February is our snow month here.  Many February days have had snow in the past when I go and look at pictures. This year is no different.

Reid has loved to make snow angels the past 3 years of snow.  He is so serious about it, too!

The little bros outside playing after school on Monday!  Grant was inside finishing up his homework, and I kinda had to yell at him to get outside!  :)  It was fun.  Not too chilly but the downside was most of our snow was really powdery and not good for Olaf building.

Ready. Aim. Fire.

Favorite winter picture!

We ran across the street to help get the Lawsons yard all messed up for them.  :)  Emma and Kyle had to pose.

DECADE DUDE!

A DECADE!!!!

how am I old enough to have a kid who is ten?!?

He sure makes it fun to be a parent, though.

We had dinner at Ted's a few days before so he could wear the sombrero (he had no clue and it was hilarious!!!  He was actually embarrassed).

...but happy....

annual door decorating.  When I woke him up for school, he rolled over and said "I know it's going to be on my door because it always is!" and then looked and said "I told ya!"  Glad we didn't disappoint as we remembered around 11:00 pm laying in bed!

He had baseball practice on his real birthday at 6 so we had an early dinner - at Subway!  Isn't that where you dream of your birthday meal?!?  :)

We love you, Grizzle. You make being a parent enjoyable and memorable and oh-so happy.

Parties

Class parties have happened! (ahem, a few weeks ago).

Usually the parties are fun and parents are there!

 Lots of food, games, and laughter...

I have chosen a few years to be the homeroom mom, and a few years I have been selected by the teacher by default when no one else will sign up. This is one of those years....

The party is set to begin in 2 minutes from the time I took this photo.

What excellent parent involvement in this particular class this year...

I have to say - how fun is this!!!  Sweet B had her mom braid her hair in a heart for Valentines!  love it!

Kyle showed Jason and me his "bottle man" - this is Alexander Graham Bell as he would appear as a plastic water bottle dressed up and decorated.

A certain Daddy showed up to both parties!

 Second grade friends!

Papa died on Friday, February 6.  He fought a tough battle with liver and colon cancer.  His funeral was the following Tuesday, and it was really nice, including a speech by Jason.

Here are a few pictures to share of him...

with baby Grant

All the grandsons in January 2012

Reiders 2nd birthday in May 2013

I think this is my favorite ever

 Grant's baptism in October 2013.

 

The whole family, Christmas day 2013

Papa raised the most incredible man I know and for that, I will always be grateful.  He and Ruby would have celebrated 45 years of marriage this Saturday.

Here's the beginning of Jason's speech - his obituary.

Dad died Friday, February 6, 2015 at his home. He was born July 3, 1946 in Ada, Oklahoma to Lonnie Wesley and Essie Mae Baker Walker. He graduated from Vanoss High School.

He married Ruby Roach on February 21, 1970 in Ada, Oklahoma. Dad was a construction supervisor for Pontotoc County Self Help Housing, a rancher and spent most of his career as owner of Walker Construction. He attended Crosspointe Church.

Survivors include his wife, Ruby, of the home; one daughter, Misty Turner and husband Mark of Holdenville,Ok;  one son, Jason Walker and wife Stacy of Stillwater, Ok;  three brothers, Don Walker of Moore, Ok, Johnny Walker of Stratford, Ok and Wayne Walker of Vanoss; five grandchildren, Morgan and Manning Turner, Grant, Kyle and Reid Walker.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Lena Riley and Mildred Nail.

Bearers are Brian Carter, Randy Ellis, Jeremy Bagwell, Jeremy Cothren, Brandon Chandler and Josh Turner. Honorary bearers are longtime friend, Dennis Ellis, Wayne Cothren and George King.