Race Day......

Claire putting things in drawers....one of her favorite new activities!
Tommy (Jesse & Claire's uncle) got the opportunity to drive a race car this weekend at Memphis Motorsports Park. Unfortunately, there was a mishap with our camera. (it involved crashing to the ground) So all the pictures we have are before he actually started to drive. We do have video of it though. I may try to post that soon!
Everyone waitng for Tommy & his driving friends Shannon & Brian, to finish with their class.
TC going over last minute rules I suppose....

Claire loved it & her earplugs didn't seem to bother her at all!

Play, play, play.....

Well, yesterday Claire was sick of watching Jesse get all his planes & army toys out of this big box....so she just got in so she could be the center of all the action!!!
This morning it was a little too chilly for shorts, so we went to dress her, and could not find any of her pants to fit her from last spring. I think Claire is finally growing!!! At least taller for sure!.....So, I put her in one of her lightweight outfits from China. She really is into the phone right now & has complete babbling conversations with it. Very amusing to watch!!

More soon....
Love, Gretchen

Hello September!!

September has gotten off to a great start! Claire is growing by leaps & bounds. She is very amusing & just warms the hearts of everyone around her.
She loves rocking in this wooden rocker. She uses this stacking cup & pretends she is drinking. It is the cutest thing! I think I see a little meat on those legs finally!


Jesse on Tuesday September 11th before going into his 1st real musical. He loved The Lion King~
Mom & Jesse taking a picture before show time. What a great evening. Jesse got to sleep a little late the next morning & check into school a tad late......He got a kick out of mom walking him into the office!!

Hope to post again very soon!

Love, Gretchen

Happy Birthday Grandma!!

Jesse & Claire's Grandma Crawford celebrated her Birthday last week & we joined her for a lovely brunch & live jazz. Great Grandma Hydrick was feeling well enough to join us also! We were so glad to have her there!
Jesse & Claire's other Grandma (Nana) will be celebrating her birthday soon as well!!!

Great Grandma & Claire sharing a laugh before cake!!
Claire playing in her room. She's still 16 pounds but gaining lots of inches. Will be walking all over the place any day!!!

Jesse's soccer team, The Hot Shots, before the 1st game! They came away with a victory! They are now 1-0 for the season!

Jesse & the Tigers....

This is Claire being "All Blinged Out" by Aunt Linda at Matthew & Lindsey's Rehearsal Dinner.
Claire plawing with anything she can get her hands on!
Jesse at The UofM Tiger Fan Day.
Jesse with his favorite tiger...Pouncer!

School is in session!

Claire & Crash

This is Jesse playing with Claire several days after his bike wreck. Thanks to everyone for calling & checking on him, taking him to outings to make hime feel better, ect.. We have such great family & friends!! He is much better now & ready for school on Monday. So soon! Claire is doing great & crusing along furniture. It won't be long now....

Well, I'll post lots of 1st day of school pictures on Monday...stay tuned!
Love, Gretchen

Jesse & Claire

Jesse & Claire had their 1st portraits done together this week. We thought you all might enjoy the slideshow. It does have music with it, so feel free to turn up your volume. Will post again soon!
Love, Gretchen

Summer Fun

Sorry it's been a while since my last post. We've been fine, just very busy! Claire & Jesse are doing great!

This is Jesse, Claire, & Keri (their cousin from Jackson, MS) at the Memphis Zoo. As usual, they had a blast & really enjoyed the butterfly house!
Posing for the camera. What hams!
Claire playing around in her room.
Claire & Daddy at the fountains downtown. She loved it! She loved watching Jesse & Keri run around & be silly & soaking wet in the fountains!

One last vacation photo....

I just love this picture, because this is the expression on her face most of the time. She was looking intently at a seagull that was just a foot or so away. Such a wonderful trip!

I will post more pictures soon!

Love, Gretchen

More vacation photos!!

This is the 1st time all 9 great grandchildren have been together at the same time. Grandma Hydrick was so proud to finally have this picture taken! The kids all enjoyed each other's company on the beach!
Brother & sister enjoying evening on the beach.
The annual beach chair picture is a tradition in our family, & now we get to take one of Claire as well as Jesse! She wasn't so sure about this though.....
Hard to smile when staring directly at the sun!

Jesse was so proud to be taking this picture with his sister this year! She wasn't as cooperative as he, though.....

We're Back!!

Well, we're back safe & sound from a glorious family vacation to Orange Beach! Jesse & Claire did great, & Claire loved the ocean & sand! This picture is of the day before we left. She is crawling all around the house now, & pulling up onto furniture! She is doing new things daily!!
Claire's 1st day on the beach! She was all smiles like this until the last 2 days, when she began to cut 2 new teeth. That girl is going to have a mouthful!! Lance says this picture is of his "little Michelle Wie in training".
Jesse & his cousing Peyton. They would play in the beach until they could go no longer! This is their Power Ranger pose......
Claire with cousin Asa. Asa is 5 months old & outweighs Claire. He is the sweetest baby ever!!

Jesse & more of his cousins feeding the gulls crackers. They loved to see the gulls hovering overhead!

Claire's 1st time in the pool!

The Schiller's had a Memorial Day Weekend Party at their house yesterday & Claire got in the water for the first time. Is was very cold, so she didn't stay in long, but she had a blast!! Uncle Tommy went in with her. It was too cold for mom & dad!
Jesse & Peyton playing inthe ice cold water.

Our day at the zoo......

The new butterfly exhibit was wonderful, & Jesse had butterflies everywhere he walked!
Claire going in for another look.....no touching yet....

Jesse & Claire in the petting zoo at a lovely Lily Garden. Claire was pretty exhausted at this point!