Happy Birthday Aunt Lou!!!

The whole family helped celebrate Aunt Lou's birthday last Sunday at Ann & Blake's. It was a great day filled with family and food. The weather was great for an outside BBQ minus the crazy wind! There are a bazzillion pictures so they can tell the tale.

The birthday girl!

The theme for the day was butterflies...Aunt Lou's favorite!

This was one of many great flower arrangements done by Ann & Blake.

It was the debut Blake's new GORGEOUS outdoor kitchen! Perfect for the occassion.

Madilyn, Shawna, and Joy enjoying some yummy BBQ and all the fixin's.

Mondo and Blake having a serious discussion...probably about food or vacationing.

John, Jeremy, Dale, and Mondo having some guy talk.

Sonja and Zane.

Hilari, Blakeley, and Ann sharing some girl talk.

I think Aunt Lou was the first one to eat and the last one to finish...I'm sure she enjoyed every bite...we all did!

Blakeley brought part of her new family with her...this baby sheep. So cute!!

Aunt Lou had some play time with the animals...who knew she'd have a petting zoo at her birthday party?!

Don't forget the chickens!

Some of the kiddos enjoyed the icy "warm" pool.

Chillin' with the Beans.

The party table. Those cakes were so yummy! I can't decide which one was better.

Strawberries and whip cream.

Chocolate mousse.

Happy Birthday to You!

The kids couldn't wait to dig in!

Aunt Lou needed a piece of each...so did most of the rest of us!

Grant, Sam, Ethan, Asa, and Caleb all enjoyed their cake and ice cream.

Nothing like a little sugar to give a big cheesy grin.

One of Aunt Lou's presents: a butterfly pin. Perfect for her!

Butterfly paper. Priceless.

Hilari gets the biggest gold star for the day. She made a photo book of Aunt Lou's life. She worked really hard to scan and download tons of pics, old and new to put this thing together. It was amazing. I'm sure Aunt Lou can't look at this enough. It was awesome!

Aunt Lou's family: Jeremy, Maria, and Jimmy.

Caleb and Zane giving sugars.

Nita, Melinda, Cindy, Jimmy, and Aunt Lou.

Wendy and Aunt Lou.

A special thanks goes to Blake, Ann, and Blaine for opening their home to us. It was the perfect setting for our celebration. And also thanks to all who provided yummy home cooked food. It really hit the spot...especially for Aunt Lou!

-Wendy

So Long Wound Vac, Hello BBQ!

From Nita:
Doctor removed the "wound vac" today off of her foot. She can bear some weight & wear a sock, but no shoes yet. She goes back on March 23 to the doctor. She also told me that she had her toes sticking out of the bandage, which is less bandage than she had. The doctor trimmed some of the dead skin around the wound, but she said it didn't hurt. Doctor was very pleased with the healing & said the area would completely close.

From Cindy per Ann Marie:
Aunt Lou said that when she was leaving the Dr. today, she finally got a good word from him. He said, "I'm proud of you girl !" That made her feel good.

She is really looking forward to the chaos of being together for her birthday lunch at Ann Marie's. Ann Marie asked her if there was anything special she wanted to ensure she had for her lunch. She said she wanted BBQ ribs, Papa's BBQ sauce, white bread, and a straw for the sauce. (She said she was kidding about the straw.)

Ann Marie said their outdoor kitchen has been completed and Blaine polyurethane the bar stools and they are now out there. Blaine did an outstanding job painting them. She said they look great. Their new bar stools for inside will be in about 4-6 weeks.

Finally...the Pig-Bunny Video!

Singing Sundays and Gold Stars

I talked to Aunt Lou Sunday afternoon. During their lunch today a visitor/lady came in and played the piano in the dining room. "She just came in and started playing. It was really nice. She played cowboy songs and all kind of songs. She would finish one book and then play through another book. It was beautiful. We really enjoyed it." Sounds like they had beautiful, pleasant music like at a fancy restaurant. "I could have just sat in there and listened and ate all day."

And we haven't had one of these in a while...a big gold star goes to Hilari! Aunt Lou was touched that every time Hilari comes to visit her, she rubs lotion on her legs. That is so sweet and caring. Gold star to Hilari!!!!!!

Cindy

Hot Sauce and Singing Pig-Bunnies

Mike and I visited with Aunt Lou Saturday afternoon for several hours. She was working on a blanket when we got there. We took pics of her and her room and the art work and cards, which she loves. We polished her nails and looked through two picture albums. She had some neat pics of Sandra which I had never seen. We brought her an ice cream bar, which she loved, and a can of mixed nuts, a National Inquirer (which she loves), a Sunday Ft. Worth Star Telegram, and a People magazine about the Oscars to look at later, and two jars of HOT Pace picante sauce. She does like the hot stuff she said with a smile. Next time they serve Mexican food, hers will have an improved, Aunt Lou HOT sauce taste.

Mike also gave her a pig, dressed like a bunny for Easter that oinks Here Comes Peter Cottontail. When he saw it he said, "Aunt Lou has to have this." She loved it, like her Valentine dog she also still loves. Mike made a short video of her with the "pig-bunny." Ann Marie is so worried about Aunt Lou and the absence of her daily caretaking visits, and Aunt Lou is so worried about Ann Marie, and she wants Ann Marie to rest and take care of herself for a change. Aunt Lou said, "I am doing fine." After all, Aunt Lou agreed she will out live all of us. She has the "old" genes in her blood. Aunt Lou has already finished reading the book Maria brought her. She said she read in bed at night. She said she loves "fictional" books.

Looks like everyone is doing a good job of keeping her wall decorated.

Here's her printer...keep it printing!

Cindy