November 2010

Kennedy helped her dad bring in the big fish! They caught a 6 1/2 lb bass! Way to go guys.

Kennedy tells us how big the fish was!

My First Turkey...it actually turned out delicious. That is blueberry sause on top of it.

On November 20th, we braved participating in the Warrior Dash, a 5k obstacle run-running over cars, jumping barriers, treading through a creek, climbing a muddy hill, running tires, climbing haystacks, rolling over nets, jumping fire, and rolling through a mud pit. We had such a blast! Thanks Sarah K , Sarah and James, Rhonda, Chris, and Mel & Kirk for being warriors….can’t wait till next year~

August has expanded her vocabulary to include “Hi, bye, ball, and nana”. She has also started to clap this month. She still loves to wave goodbye, bounces up and down to music or when she gets excited, and still very inquisitive on how anything works. She also has her first tooth coming in. At the end of November she took one step!

I received a phone call in the middle of the month from my old boss and friend, Lynn Hulse. I worked with Lynn and her husband, Ed, at Poston Feed Mill while working on my Masters at Tarleton. Lynn had ran across my number in a card I had sent a while back. She called to inform me that Ed has passed away on November 5. When I shut my eyes to envision him I see him standing at the entrance of his office, with a big smile, handle bar mustache, wearing Wranglers and a tucked in shirt. Ed, Lynn, and the others at Poston became my family. They cared for me, listenened, on occasion had to ask “what did you do?”. Still to this day, Poston’s has to be my favorite job I’ve had. This city girl learned more about fertilizer, livestock food, how to weigh trucks, doing accounting by hand, and the amazing warmth and acceptance from the farmers and rancher s that frequented the store(even if it was to just come in for a cup of coffee and a smoke).

My heart also goes out to Erica Uplinger and her family who lost their father on November 20 to cancer. Erica has always been a big advocate of men getting their prostate checked due to the late diagnosis of her father’s cancer.


This also marks the first Holiday for Trey and I to be without our grandmothers. How I miss them both. One of my favorite dishes made this time of year from them are: Nanny’s squash casserole and Granny’s parker house rolls. Even though they are gone, they are still in our hearts. The last couple of times I’ve been to church we have sung “How Great Thou Art”, one of Nanny’s favorite songs. I can’t help but get teary eyed when I sing it, but then remember I can feel her presences telling me she’s still with me and what a lucky gal to be with our Lord.


Trey and I celebrated 6 years together on the 20th. Leah watched August for us so that we could go eat lunch at Foco de Chao. Yes, Trey tried all 16 cuts of meat. Trey- thanks for six marvelous years of marital bliss. You are more than I could ever dream of or asked for from God. I am constantly marveled by your amazing love and playful interaction with our children. As I say every year, the best is yet to come, because every year it seems to get better and better.

October 2010

Tonight, Kennedy came home and told me she really wanted to fly. So, she put on her butterfly wings, one dance shoe, and preceded to tell me to come outside so I could throw her up in the air. I tried explain to her that humans don't fly..but she was still adamant that she could fly. I picked her up and twirled her around, but that didn't suffice her either. I then said "Kennedy, airplanes fly, insects fly, but humans don't". She said "Well, call an airplane so I can fly." I thought it was so cute and I remember at one time in my life trying to fly by jumping off the roof with pillowcases on my arms. To this day....I still can't not fly.


Other funny things she says: She loves telling Joseph to say "Yes,ma'am" to her. One night Mel and I got such a chuckle from her saying to him " You say...yes, ma'am to me". Joseph followed directions as instructed. She likes to play "bridge". This is basically when she walks along the curb and I hold her hand.

Here we spot a caterpillar outside.





















































August at 8 months....before we know it she will be a year old. I'm having to put everything in the garage that could tumble over on her. She pulls up on anything she can find and the house is starting to be a lot cleaner because everything goes in her mouth.
She is saying "momma" and waves and says "bye-bye". She still wakes up early in the morning ready to see what the day will bring.
























Trey was watching August and sat her down outside our shed. He heard her cry for a second so he rushed outside. Well, she had found a lizard in a bucket and was playing with it. The lizard had bit her finger, which I'm glad for otherwise she might of tried to put it in her mouth.














Kylie helped Kennedy with our Jackolantern for our house. I didn't realize how quickly they wrought and the bugs get to them.


















John turned two this month. The cousins had a great time playing with each other.


























We had our first cool weather, so Trey set up the tent outside. The girls loved playing in. I really think Trey wanted to stay the night in it, but Kennedy preferred staying in her bed.


















Kennedy had her first day of gymnastics. She really enjoyed herself and looked so adorable in her little gym tart. They practice front and back rolls, cartwheels, and doing some bunny hop thing. In May she has a year end performance that I can't wait to see.













October, 19, 2010 the family lost a very special lady. Nettie Bernice Dodson....aka "Granny" went to be with the Lord. Granny was the best apricot jelly maker, sausage stuffer, salomn canner, listener, always had a smile on her face, had a soft spoken voice, loved her children, husband, Jake(the dog), and grandkids. Trey and I plan on planting a tree in her honor.

Her obiturary follows:

Nettie Bernice Dodson September 21, 1927 - October 19, 2010

NETTIE BERNICE DODSON born Sept. 21, 1927 in Sabinal died Tuesday, October 19, 2010.
She was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Thelma Felts, brother James Edward Felts, grandson Timothy Popiden, and son-in-law John Popiden.
She is survived by her husband of 63years Frank Dodson, Sr., son Frank Dodson, Jr and wife Joy of Taylor, TX, daughter Janis Popiden of Los Angeles, CA, and grandchildren: Aimee Dodson Casper and husband Craig, Frank Dodson, III (Trey) and wife Kim, John Michael Popiden and wife Sandra, James Popiden, Kenneth Dodson and wife Laura.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Devine, a 50year member of Devine Chapter #43 Order of the Eastern Star and a Past Worthy Matron, and retired from Devine ISD.
A Private Family service will be held at a later date.Family has requested memorials may be made to the Charity of your choice in her memory. (Preferably to the Eastern Star chapter in Devine or the Devine public library)


Kennedy's school had their first field trip of the year to Zach Scott Theater. This performance was Mariposa, a Monarch butterfly, whose life is perfect until one day she wakes up and finds her family gone! She tries to convince herself that she can get along without them until she meets a preying mantis who explains migration to her. Mariposa’s instinct is awakened and she beings the journey south to join her family. Along the way, she meets butterflies from Canada and Texas who point her in the right direction. Finally in Mexico, she meets a butterfly who teaches her about el Dia de los Muertos and reunites Mariposa with her family in the Oyamel fir trees where they stay until the Spring migration back to Canada.

We had the family over to the house to gather to celebrate granny's life.























We went to Academy to help celebrate daddo's birthday. He wanted to go eat at The Sportsman club on Lake Belton so we all went. The kids all behaved despite the numerous deserts
eaten.


































Kennedy trying on her Strawberry Shortcake outfit that Nana made. She wanted to wear the wig to bed and slept with her new pink shoes.











Kennedy gave Trey this hat to put on while he mowed. She told him it was his Strawberry Shortcake hat.


Kennedy loves to check the mail when she gets home from school.



























I've come to discover that August(and most kids) loves to play with boxes, get in the bottom cabinet to play with all the tuberware, and loves to take her clothes out of the drawers. She just giggles. We also have to keep a close eye on her because she loves to go to the bathroom and tries to lift the toilet seat up to play in the toilet. She also enjoys getting on her tipy toes to try to reach for any item in the bathtub. Lately, when she takes a bath she dips her face right in the water. She keeps us on our toes.







Happy Halloween...and Trey's 35th birthday! BOO.....

Another practice run at the house of the Halloween costume.