Lots going on in March!

Well, it's been a while since I've posted Claire in action at gymnastics, so I thought I'd post some photos of her in class today! She is always giddy at gymnastic class...as shown here!

She is getting much better at walking across the parallel bars quickly.

Bridge anyone?

Jesse had his biography presentation last week at school and portrayed Milton Hershey(of the Hershey Company) and did a magnificent job! Way to go Jesse! The audience particularly enjoyed the Hershey samples at the end!!!

Promise to post again soon!

Gretchen

Let It Snow...Again!

Boy did they have fun in it this time! I was just trying to get a picture and they decided it would be funny to pummel me with snowballs......

Jesse really enjoyed his dad coming out and playing with him for a long time on Saturday afternoon!

Jesse's Basketball Team af their end of the year party. Go Magic!

Jesse after receiving his trophy. He was mesmerized by the fact that the ball spins.....

Well, this is going to be quite the busy week...I promist to post pics as soon as I get a chance!

Love,Gretchen

It's Zoo Time!!

Well, the weather was nice enough yesterday for Claire & I to take a visit the the zoo. Claire was fascinated with the Sea Lion Show and was super intense the entire time...

Claire enjoyed the giraffes the most yesterday. I think the 2 baby giraffes really intrigued her!

This is the look we get now when we say "Smile!" I have to get better at taking her picture "on the sly..."

Sorry it's been so long......

Well, this post is much overdue, but I've been out of town taking care of a dear friend following surgery. I spent the last week in South Florida (Hollywood, Fla) and was able to see the beautiful area they live in while still taking care of my friend. Margaret's husband also happens to be an NRA instructor, so I was able to learn a thing or 2 about gun saftey, and went to a shooting range afterwards. I have to say.....it was so much fun!!! He even took me back the next day to get a little more comfortable with it before I flew back to Memphis. Thanks instructor Joe!

In Ft. Lauderdale, these horses patrol the beach. The patrolmen found out we were from Tennessee and apparantly these are Tennessee Walking Horses, so why not take a photo?.....It was a fun outing!

The breezy beaches of Ft. Lauderdale with Joe and Margaret!

My strong little friend! Headed to the beach after a lovely lunch at Casablanca!

Winter Fun!

Nurse in training???

Jesse, playing in the flurries last week before leaving school. Look how tall my baby is getting......

Today at 7 in the morning.....Those kids were out forever! Had a blast making snowballs!

After the snow fun, of course hot cocoa!!

Our neighbors Nina, Cade, & Tori playing in the backyard with Jesse & Claire!

Chinese New Year Celebration!

Well, Claire was as happy as a lark during the year's Chinese New Year Celebration. She loved going from room to room doing the different crafts and trying all the different dishes. She tore up the lo mein! Though she is still too young to understand the importance of Chinese New Year yet, we hope she enjoys being around all the children from China with their forever families also. Jesse, however, learned alot and had lots of questions about it. We want him to learn a bit of Claire's native culture also!

Mommy & Claire enjoying the festivities.

Daddy feeding Claire all the sugar she desired!

Instead of just smiling for the camera, she decided to constantly blow kisses, until the camera was put down, then she decided to cooperate!

Chinese New Year continued...

Claire posing with a child a bit younger than she...they enjoyed throwing the balloons back and forth!

All the kids with their siblings! Jesse and Claire are on the 2nd row almost all the way to the right.

Promise to post soon!

Love,Gretchen

Happy New Year!

Well, sorry not many photos to post today, but I promise many more soon! We have still been getting over our sicknesses and enjoying Lance's siblings and their families, who have been in town all week! Here is Claire playing with her cousin Keri, from Jackson. Claire looks like she's ready to roll....

Claire, when asked to smile now, scrunches her face as tight as possible until she knows the picture has been taken! Oh well.....hopefully this phase will pass!

Will post again soon! Love, Gretchen

Merry Christmas!!!!

Merry Christmas to everyone! We had a delightful holiday, despite the fact that we are all ill. The kids went to The Peabody to see the ducks and wonderful decorations with mommy & Aunt Cathie a few days before Christmas. They loved every minute of it!!

Look what Santa brought Jesse!!!!

and Claire.....

Jesse upon discoving all his loot!

Unfortunately, Claire wouldn't cooperate for a single picture, but could always be found close to her new kitchen! We plan to stay put the next few days playing with toys, and getting better!

Merry Christmas to everyone! We post again very soon! Love,Gretchen

Exchanging Gifts.....

Well today, Claire's great friend Lily Grace came over to exchange gifts...before things get a little hectic next week! Hot cocoa and cookies were enjoyed, along with a little rock & roll. Great times!!

Lily Grace is a future rock star! Claire in the background in her tutu dancing!

Let the unwrapping begin!

Lily Grace thoroughly enjoyed her princess bling and Claire is smitten with her new Asian doll. Thank you Lily Grace and Barb! Lots of events coming soon, so please check in......Merry Christmas! I would've posted pics of Claire and her new doll, but I had battery issues today...will post some doll pics soon!

Love,Gretchen

Let's Get Ready for Christmas!!

Well, today started out with a fantastic Breakfast With Santa at our Church....however, Claire was frightened of Santa...this was as close as she would get to him.....maybe next year!

After naptime, we dove into the assembling of our Gingerbread House. I decided to chill this year, and let the kids make it look like they want. OH Well.....They had a great time eating and adding the candy. They especially loved the hot apple cider they got to enjoy during the fun!

Hard at work......

At this point, the gingerbread house had passed the tacky stage.......

And here's the finished product!! Lance & I call it the "Gingerbread FEMA Trailer ".....still the prettiest Gingerbread House I've ever seen!!

Merry Christmas!Love,Gretchen

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!!

Well, we've just been super slammed around here lately, but here are some pics of the kids on Thanksgiving! We spend a few lovely days in Jackson, MS with Lance's side of the family. We had a great time, and the kids as well. They love seeing their cousins as much as they possibly can!!

Jesse with his cousin, Keri after Thanksgiving dinner!

This is the Hollingsworth Clan..Mr. & Mrs. Hollingsworth wit all their kids and Grandkids!

Claire is smitten with her cousins. Here she is sitting on Patrick's lap.

All the Hollingsworth grankids!