March 29, 1926 - August 11, 2009

Daddy Robert was an amazing man! And, even at 83, it was a shock to lose him!But it's comforting to think of him, hand in hand with Nana Mae, in Beulah Land. She had been gone almost 16 months. He was heart-sick for her every one of those days.

He was the kind of man that could re-store this 1952 Catalina back to near perfection with his bare hands and willpower.

He was the type of grandpa that would show up on your door step with Pepsi and Nutty Buddies for your children, his great-grandchildren, just because he thought of them while he was in the grocery store. (I took this picture long ago with the intent of blogging about him. Wish I would have sooner...)
He was the type of great-grandpa that understood how excited a little boy could get over a new camera from Santa. And he willingly let that little boy practice using his new camera, again and again, and again

and again, and again. Thank heavens he was so patient with my little Wyatt! Otherwise we never would have gotten this sweet picture of him smiling. You see, he didn't like having his picture taken, but he loved us. And he knew the greater importance of what children remember about you, and the time you spend with them!

The type of grandpa that when Wyatt and I stopped by his shop to visit him one afternoon while he was re-building his A-Model, he stopped to sit and chat with us. Then, he got up out of his chair and called Wyatt to walk to the back of the car with him. He lifted up the tire and threaded it onto the back. Then, he handed Wyatt the bolts and the tool to tighten them. As they worked together I heard him say, "Son, one day you can look back and remember helping me work on my A-Model, and that you did this right here with your own hands."

Cameron's 11th

Our firstborn turned 11 today!

I can hardly believe that 11 years have passed since he entered this world with a mousy, little squeak at 4 lbs. 7 ozs.You would never know he was such a teeny, tiny little thing!

He'll be taller than me by Christmas!

He's a big boy!We went shoe shopping this weekend.

He now wears a men's 9 1/2!

Like I said, he's a big boy!He's also becoming more and more sure of just what he wants!

Case in point, he told me exactly what cake, icing, candles, and Lego he wanted on his cake.

It did not matter to him that none of it matched!

It was what he wanted!

(And when he asked for his cake to be served on Nana's cake plate from Christmas, I almost burst into happy tears!)He also requested salad for his birthday dinner.

I never thought my ears would hear my picky eater actually ASK for salad!

Thank you, Lord!He was quick to show brotherly affection to Wyatt.

Seems Wyatt knew just what present would make Cameron the happiest!

Brothers are good like that!We love you, Cameron!

Life has only gotten better since you came into our world!

Ft. Jackson Water Park

We're trying to finish up our list of things to do this summer, and next on the list was visiting a waterpark.

There is one about 20 minutes from our house, on the local Army base. It's a bit funny to be in your car in line for a waterpark, and having to show your license, registrations, and proof of insurance- surrounded by fences topped with barbed-wire... but so worth it!(Wyatt thought I was very strange for taking the picture above!)

As soon as we made it inside the park, Wyatt hit the medium slide...

And Cameron got in line for the biggest slide...I was tickled to get the next two pictures. It's their expressions as soon as they came up out of the water the first time they slid down. Their expressions were priceless- most definitely worth the price of admission.We had a great day! It was so nice to get together with some of the girls I used to teach with and their children.

There was lots of floating in the lazy river. Both the boys took a turn or two floating with me. It's amazing the things they talked about with me as we floated around and around. And when Cameron told me it was "the best day ever" I thought my heart would explode with happiness!These boys really are my joys!We packed picnic lunches.And stayed until the park closed!

I loved the colors in the sprinkler park. I convinced Wyatt to go with me, so I could snap some pictures. Our friends joined us in there, and I came home with lots of fun pictures...The next two are my favorite shots of the day:I loved catching the kids playing, and snapping pictures without them looking at the camera. I loved the droplets of water frozen mid-air.

And this little one was a monkey!

I came home telling Superman that we really NEED a little girl! If you're local and want info on the waterpark, go here.

Old-Timey Refrigerator Coconut Cake

This recipe was shared with my mom in the 1970's at a family reunion, by a sweet, silver-headed aunt. I'm so glad that my mom shared it with me! I've had the recipe since the first week of July, and have made 4 of these cakes already!The recipe calls for one Duncan Hines yellow cake, made following the box directions- except only using 2 eggs, and adding 2 teaspoons of vanilla to the batter. (The only oils I use for cooking are olive oil and coconut oil. So, when making this cake, I use coconut oil in the place of vegetable oil.)

While the cake is baking, simmer the following ingredients: 1 1/2 cups of milk (I use a can of coconut milk, which is actually 2 cups), 1 2/3 cups of sugar, and one 8oz. bag of frozen coconut.

After removing the cake from the oven, poke LOTS and LOTS of holes in the cake with a fork or toothpick. It's OK to not be neat about this! Once the cake is finished, no one will know you made a mess!

I promise...




Next, pour the simmering coconut, milk, and sugar mixture onto the cake, while it's still hot. Be sure to cover the cake evenly and thoroughly.

Then, allow the cake to cool. While you wait, mix one container of Cool-Whip with another 8 oz. bag of coconut. (I've started adding a little extra coconut! I don't think you can add too much!)

Once the cake has cooled, spread the Cool-Whip and coconut mixture onto the top of the cake.

Keep spreading...

and promising your children that soon they can lick the spatula.

Until, finally you're done!

Now, if you can just wait overnight before serving yourself a slice!

The longer you wait, the soggier it gets.
The soggier it gets, the better it tastes!

*Thank you to Wyatt for taking all the pictures! You're quite a helper!