The Silver Linings

Even though our trip home was not under the best circumstances, there were some silver linings. Conor & Jude turned 3 on July 8th and Chapel was 7 on July 18th and because all of our family was near, we were able to celebrate with them.

Here are Conor and Jude the day they turned 3 - they love playing at Aunt Crystal's house because she has cool toys, like this wagon...

We were supposed to travel to FL to see the shuttle launch on C & J's bday, so we watched it on the tele and were just as excited as if we had been there in person!

Then for Chapel's birthday, my wonderful mom and dad hosted a full on 36 people plus party at their home - cooking up some delicious hot dogs, hamburgers, blueberry cobbler, baked beans, potato salad..... and on and on. Perfect birthday party.

Our present to Chap was this enormous slide, which also provided hours of entertainment for all the kids.

Of course she received lots of other gifts as well.

Even Cousin Caroline enjoyed the Harry Potter festivities...

Seating was incredibly limited, so GiGi improvised.

Yummmm. Cake.....

So happy that my dear friend from Charleston came to the party with her sweet kids. It was nice to see someone from home....

And, of course, a party just isn't a party without a pinata.

And here is the oldest and youngest members of our family. Granny and sweet little John Redden.

As if you haven't seen enough.... The next day I took Chapel to the new Skywheel Ferris Wheel. It was amazing!

And then we wrapped up her birthday celebration with a trip to Ripley's Believe It or Not....

Where Eli was a little frightened....

So there are always silver linings - even in the darkest moments....Believe it or not.

The Passing of A Great Man

Edward "Ed" Barker, age 66, of Timber Ridge Road, died Monday, July 11, 2011 at Conway Medical Center. Mr. Barker was born in Geneva, AL, a son of the late Lamar Barker and Verlie Mae Walker Barker. He was a graduate of Bay County High School and attended Gulf Coast College in Panama City, FL. Mr. Barker was the owner and operator of B&R Painting Contracting Inc. in Myrtle Beach. He enjoyed playing golf and was an avid fisherman. Mr. Barker was a member of the Conway Bassmasters. He was a US Army Veteran of Vietnam. Mr. Barker attended University Baptist Church.  Surviving are his wife of 44 years, Anne Benton Barker of Conway; two sons, Eddie Barker and wife Crystal of Conway and Brett Barker and wife Jodi of Folly Beach, SC; seven grandchildren, the love of his life, Caroline, Bren, and Cross of Conway, Chapel, Eli, Conor and Jude of Folly Beach; two brothers, Robert Barker and wife Debbie of Marianna, FL and Richard Barker and wife Barbara of Panama City, FL; and one sister, Frances Burchill and husband David of Madisonville, TN. Funeral services were held at 3:00 PM Thursday at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel with Rev. Douglas Newton and Rev. Jason Hoglund officiating. Burial followed in Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216, or the University Baptist Church, 1740 Hwy. 501 E., Conway, SC 29526.

Papa Ed -  you will be greatly missed by your family, especially your seven grandchildren who thought you hung the moon. Your unexpected passing has made all of us realize how precious life is and that we should make the most of each day - just as you always did. You loved life and you lived your life with zest and candor. We have many great memories of you and we hold those memories close to our hearts..... One of the cards we received from a family friend held a quote from Dr. Suess that, as simple as it may sound, was touching and rang true.... "Don't cry because it is over, smile becuase it happened..." We will all smile a little bigger when we think of you and the fun times we had at the beach house, the lake, the arcade, trips to Disney, family reuntions, Atlanta and Asheville. And every other moment we spent together making memories. 

Like A Good Neighbor....

I am so thankful for Ms. Pam. She has been so sweet to me and the kids during our stay in Conway. Because we needed to stick close by the hospital & Anne's house over the past two weeks we have had to find activities close to home. Pam is Eddie (Brett's brother) & Crystal's neighbor and lives down the street from Brett's parents home and she has an awesome pool in her backyard. Pam has been so kind to let me & the kids invade her home & backyard for some much needed swim time. She even has a super cool slide that I haven't seen at a pool in years.....

Cousins in the Country

When you grow up in the country, you learn that you have to be resourceful to entertain yourself. My sister & I channeled our inner child yesterday & put together a backyard waterpark at papa & gigi's. The kids loved it - from their big smiles, you would assume they were at Wild Water & Wheels. Got to love resourceful moms!

You're A Grand Old Flag....

It seems everyone was in a festive mood for July 4th this year. Every store you perused offered red, white and blue food or clothing or some type of color appropriate accessory. Finding myself getting in the spirit of the day, I purchased (and persuaded my sister to purchase) patriotic clothing, flags and a few other items to make our holiday a success. We even decorated our golf cart and drove all over the island feeling prouder than peacocks. It didn't hurt that we overheard lots of ooohh's and ahhhhh's for both our matching outfits and mode of transportation. Hope your holiday was as patriotic as ours.

Summer Loving - It Has Happened So Fast!

Is it just me or does the summer with the kids seem to be flying by at lightening speed? Here we are into July and I can hardly remember where June has gone.... This past week was spent with family, including my sister and Reese. It's so nice to have my whole family together and it so weird to see how my childhood family of four has expanded to the size it is today.

The week of fun was kicked off with PaPa and GiGi's visit to Folly. Where we took the kids to the playground.....

Then treated them all to snow cones....

We golf carted to the beach and relaxed....

And Reese, well, she was really relaxed....

Chapel and Eli packed their bags and went to Camp Grandparents for a couple of days....

And were joined by the rest of us mid-week......

Mom and dad kept the kids so Meredith and I could have a girls night out for pedicures and shopping.

And when we got home, the kids were worn out!

We ended the week by heading over to the beach house and meeting up with PaPa Ed and MaMa Anne. We celebrated the twins 3rd birthday a few days early with a Scooby Doo party!