My favorite little guy turns 1!

This Sunday, with about 30 close family and friends, we celebrated our precious son's first birthday! What a wonderful time it was! With a ball theme, we had balls everywhere! On the floor, in a mini pool, on tables,... you name it. His favorite - the pool of little balls and his new slide! What a special day. All the grandparents came and even his two living great grandparents came.

(Templates for ball design: Paper and Cake; Pinwheels - http://www.pinwhirls.com/; Invite: http://www.zazzle.com/; Luke's outfit: Belle and Beaux)

An Elvis siting in Sugarland!

This is my Dad... normally. Fairly serious. "Conservative." (I put quotes b/c I am not referring to politics.) Mostly reserved. Very intellectual. Dedicated to being a doctor and serving children. This past weekend he stepped down as President of TX Pediatric Society after an extremely successful year.

This is my Dad... as Elvis! Who says pediatricians don't know how to party!?! Rock on Pops!

Avery H.

Don't let this picture fool you... The love is there with Luke and Avery H.

Lil Avs just had a beautiful Baptism surrounded with close family and friends. It was a special weekend - we were honored to be a part of it.

What a precious little Avery H.

Luke has a thing for Averys

Luke is betrothed to Avery Hilton (okay - well we, best friend parents, hope they are even friends when they get older... with dreams of marriage). Apparently Avery Hilton is not the only Avery in Luke's life. Luke has spent some time with Avery Spalten this past year and, not until a few weeks ago, did we realize there might be a crush there... Avery H. may have some competition...

Avery S. turned two a few weeks ago and Luke was invited to her party. Ben and I consistently found our son in the back of the country club lawn eating plants and chewing on berries and twigs... by himself. After many tries to socialize him, we just let him do his thing.

Soon enough, sweet birthday girl Avery made her way to Luke and gave him a big, sweet kiss. At first Luke did not know what to think... but soon he was out for more. Little Avery S. had melted his heart and there was no turning back.

Now, how to break the news to Avery H...

The Tanner Family enlarges to 4!

That's right! Luke is going to be a big brother. I am currently 17 weeks pregnant with baby Tanner #2 due March 1, 2012! We are all so excited!

Looking for a unique, creative bridal shower gift? Call Ging!

So, many of us call my mother, Ging. Her nickname growing up was Ginger (real name is Virginia). Ging is quite the artist - her work is phenomenal - watercolor is remarkable! She is consistently asked to teach courses and display her work but she is extremely reticent to do any of those things. She painted a mural at the Children's hospital in town that is adorable. She is about to do one for Luke's room which I am excited about!

Periodically Ging comes up with these new creative outlets...

Meet "Rosie."

The inspiration for Rosie came from Rosie the robot off the Jetson's. My mom takes items that the bride has registered for - kitchen items - and constructs them into a "Rosie." Most things the bride has registered for, but some things Ging has to buy just to complete Rosie so they are the more generic items...

She starts off with items such as strainers for the head and grater for the body. She uses measuring cups as feet and large spoons for arms. She adds kitchen towels and linens for clothes. She added the dishwashing cubes for eyes (but considered using plastic ice cubes also) and then cut eyelashes from paper. She adds measuring spoons for her "work" tools like duster... She uses wire to tie things together. And adds a few fun extras here and there...

The "Rosie's" she has constructed thus far have all been a hit and the brides love the personal, creative touch my Mom puts into the gift.

Isn't Rosie the cutest?! Go Ging!

The Latest...

So, I realized I did not give the most recent update to the Tanner car issues... Amazingly - and I am even scared to write this - everything is fixed and working in all cars! That is right. Hell has frozen over. All A/C units working. No secret off levers to push down. No pushing a car down a hill and starting it while in neutral! Nope - Everything pretty much works as it should. Hallelujah!