where we live

We really live in a beautiful place. We rented bikes (and one of those fun trailors for the kiddos) on Jekyll Island last weekend. We packed a picnic and had a great time. Eating lunch by the water and watching the boats go by and all the birds was fun. We need to slow down more often and enjoy what is around us. When we moved here two years ago we said we were going to make a point to do more things around here that are geared to the tourists to enjoy our area. We've done OK but life gets in the way. We'll definately do the bike ride again...we're a little sore but nobody was sunburned and that is ALWAYS my goal! This weekend we are off to the beach...

pretty sam

Mimi actually made this for RK but Sam loves it, too!

last day of school

Its already been a week since school ended but I realized that I never posted anything about it. RK LOVES school! She especially loves her best friend Emma from school. They are so cute together. They color pictures for each other and send them home in their bag. In the Fall RK will be going to a new school...its a long story...but the point right now is that Emma won't be there. I know there will surely be lots of best friends through out her life but this was the first. Who knows? Maybe they will be friends for many years to come. We'll see...
They did a program for all the parents entitled "Its a Small World". They sang songs in spanish, japanese, french and one with an african beat. It was great and I can't believe how old she is already. RK waved to us and said hi to Sam very loudly and at one point she was turned around looking at something behind her. We asked her later what she was looking at and she looked at us funny and said "The carpet was red." Like, duh, why wouldn't you look at that?

summer fun begins...

RK finished her first year of school last week. I know, I can't believe it either.

Well, I have been so excited about summer coming. No getting up early and driving to and from school...it seems no one has told Sam that there is no need to get up early. But alas, summer is here and we've been having fun!

Today included...

...bowling! Its been raining for a week and we just aren't used to that down here! RK and Sam LOVE bowling. Sam is so funny running to get the "BALL!" and rolling it and then we do it again.

After a yummy dinner at Nana and Pop's...Sam is snoozing in bed and RK gets to stay up late and watch Tinkerbell. Because we don't have the movie on DVD and she has seen it 100 times?! Ah, who cares?! Its Summertime!!
Tomorrow---if the weather allows---picnic and bikeride on Jekyll!

choo choo truck

Our day continued in Savannah at the Train Museum.

Pop passed on his knowledge of the trains and little Sam was an eager learner...all except he kept calling all the trains "trucks." Oh well, we knew what he meant.

As we were waiting for our train ride, RK walked out into the yard, turned around and said, "Don't you want to take my picture?"

Who wouldn't?

we love elmo!

On Sunday, we headed up to Savannah to see Elmo! I know...you're excited just thinking about it. This is actually our second time seeing the little red monster live. Last year, we surprised RK and this year Sam just loves "Mo Mo"!

A good time was had by all!

seeds are planted

Since Great Grandpa loved gardening so much and Dave spent lots of time asking his advice on planting when he would come to visit, we were inspired to to start our own vegetable garden...on a very small scale.

Hey, you gotta start somewhere, right?

RK loved getting the dirt and compost mixed up and planting the seeds.

Supervisor Sam

If you can't get the job done right, you have to do it yourself.

Of course, we had to end the day with a little playing in the hose.

We'll keep you updated on the crops!

come out, come out

Why wouldn't you want her to come out when she looks like this?

This is a girl who knows how to have a good time!

Mothers Day

The Henry Clan started many years ago with these two.

First born was Sean and Ginny will join the crew officially in October.
(of course, she's been part of us since she 1st came on the scene
and it doesn't seem that she has been scared off yet...)


A couple years after Sean came Meghan and Dave was added later.

Reilly-Kate and Sam continue the family.

Don't they look thrilled?

We had a great Mothers Day! I am lucky enough to spend nearly everyday with both my mom and kids...Mom, thanks for making me who I am and to my short people, thanks for making me who I am!

The Greatest Grandpa

Well, its time...my Grandpa passed away this morning. Tomorrow, Dave and I will travel to Orlando to say good-bye. I've really been saying good-bye for a couple weeks now. Of course, I've been so busy with the store on my own since mom has been with him that I'm not sure I've truly thought about the world without my Grandpa.

I've always seen him as this really strong man that has lived through unbelievable times, crazy joys, fun adventures, and heart wrenching sadness. He was born in 1927 and at the age of 16, lied about his age and served in the Merchant Marines. "We were on the ship once and it was so cold I peed on the deck, it froze solid and I kicked it overboard." Really, Grandpa? Impressive. But did you have to tell that story at the dinner table with a new boyfriend there? Yes, he did. He was Grandpa.

He always had a story for everything. He also always had a food for you to try. Whether it was a twist on his world famous Mickey Mouse waffles, a new flavor of yummy cheesecake, or his straight from his garden pickled beats...hey, they can't all be winners...he wanted you just to try and most of the time I was pleasantly surprised, especially by that onion soup!...OK not by the beats but I tried.

If you sat by him on the couch at night it was a pretty safe bet that he would offer you some ice cream--even at age 30. But it was also a pretty safe bet that he would squeeze your knee or rub your knuckles together in that annoying way---even at age 30. To me, it was worth the risk.

Yes, he worked with the great Mickey Mouse. I really don't know what his favorite color was. All I do know is that when he would take us to the parks (when most families talk about parks there are slides and grass---not us---Disney World is our park) we would make him wear red. You were in for a marathon when you went with Grandpa. He wanted to show everyone everything so when we walked in the gate, we were off...

His last trip to the Magic Kingdom was with us in February. Sam's 1st visit. I am so thankful that Reilly-Kate and all of us got to spend that afternoon together. I drove to his house that morning to pick him up and we chatted and ate Dunkin Donut munchkins all the way back to the hotel, "Maybe I'll just have one more..."

The 1st time he met Sam (his 7th great grandchild) he leaned down and told him, "I'm gonna dance at your wedding." Unfortunately, we won't be able to see him dancing there but I know he'll be there. I am so thankful that he danced at mine and that my husband loved him as much as I did and would sit as long as he needed to help Grandpa download pictures and funny videos from the internet, with a happy face. I am thankful beyond words that my kids got to know him, even for a short time. He will always be the greastest Grandpa in the whole world and they will never forget him, I'll make sure of that.

I love you, Grandpa. I am honored to be called your granddaughter and I am honored that you loved my kids so much. Yes, you did have something to do with how smart, good lookin', and well-behaved they are. You raised pretty great kids who I, in turn, was raised by. And I know for a fact that you took full credit for how great they are...thats OK. You're pretty great yourself.

just because

I'm at the store by myself...no, I mean ALL by myself. No mom, no kids. The first is still in Orlando with Grandpa. The other two are with daddy today. We've been steady with customers all day and we have Ladies Night tonight so I will be here late. I always think that my job would be easier without the kids here but I have realized lately that while a day here and there are good,

I MISS THEM!

So, I'm posting these pics just because...

the girl

the boy

the boy's cute little hands. Don't worry, I give equal time. RK has handprints at home that are made into a crab. I am going to hang them in their bathroom. I know, I'm a genius putting fish and crabs in a bathroom!

This is just a random picture for Ben and Tara. They came to visit for Easter and I put them to work, of course. Ben, with minimal help from Tara, painted this vase for me to give to the church. I've been put in charge of decorating the coffee nook area. Sorry Tara, your cup and saucer are great but already went to the church! I promise to take a pic next time I bring my camera.