Gina Enjoys July 4th With Jolee

Gina flew back to New Jersey on July 2nd with Ashley, Parker and Jolee. It was an enjoyable and very busy weekend in Louisiana for Gina. I believe Gina started preparing Jolee for celebrating our Independence Day on Tuesday since I received this picture of them. 

 

 Since July 4th was a holiday I had the day off. My morning was spent inside relaxing since the day started off at 80 degrees and it only got hotter. I invited the guys that I work with over for grilled steaks and baked potatoes at five o’clock. Most of the guys I work with live somewhere else other than Houston just as I do. The steaks were great and we all had a good time. Gina on the other hand was enjoying grilled hamburgers and sausage. For dessert she enjoyed a big watermelon. What would Independence Day be without grilling and watermelon? I do not really know since we have always done that. Of course Gina took a few pictures of Jolee in her official Red, White and Blue outfit, complete with a fancy headpiece.

 

 

 I think she is saying what is this thing on my head? 

 Gina said they had a wonderful holiday and so did I. Of course it was back to work for me Thursday morning and I worked over the weekend too. Yesterday I made my reservation at Ransom Road RV Park in Aransas Pass, Texas beginning October 1st. I’ll be starting a new phase of the current project that I’m working on. Gina has done cross-stitching for a long time. She has been working on Jolee’s name and she finally finished yesterday. I’m so proud of her because she created the pattern for the first E since she didn’t want both E’s to look the same.

   

I think it looks beautiful 

 The big news is that Gina is flying into Houston on Thursday. She’ll be here for two weeks and then we are both flying out to California to celebrate Abigail’s first birthday on July 27th. It’s hard to believe it has already been a year. 

Nicole is 14 weeks pregnant today.  Those babies are growing for sure since she tells me she is hungry 24 hours a day. Well, I guess both babies alternate telling their mother when to eat.

   

Nicole at 14 weeks

That’s about all that happened this past week. It has been cooler here in Houston since we have been receiving some rain showers. It has been HOT in New Jersey. Gina said it has been in the upper 90’s for the past week. It’s been hotter up there then down here. That for sure is not normal. Of course Houston will be back in the upper 90’s while she is here. One thing I do know is that Southern California will be in the 60’s and 70’s. 

   

I just had to include one more picture of Jolee

 Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Gina's Big Surprise

Last week went by very fast. I have been planning a big surprise for Gina for the past week. However, before I go there. Nicole is now 13 weeks pregnant and doing great. She said that those babies are hungry like 24 hours a day. She said that she never fills full. I guess that is normal for twins.

   

Those babies are growing. 

Last Friday Parker, Ashley, Jolee and Gina were flying into New Orleans. They had rented a car but I had a big surprise for Gina. Parker and Ashley helped me pull it off. Since some of you don’t know I’ll give you a little background information on Gina and I. Back in 2008 when we decided to start traveling we sold all our cars. We always had a car that we could borrow whenever we came home to Louisiana for a few days. When I went back to work last year I needed transportation and bought a Toyota truck and it filled our need. It was great to have around the house. Then we bought Mike & Janna’s jeep to tow behind the trailer. For the most part we have enjoyed having a truck and the jeep. However, Gina has wanted a car. She just missed the luxury of her Lincoln she used to have. Even though she has not asked for a car I just decided it was time.

The search was on. It should be easy right I’m in Houston and there are a lot of dealerships. The problem was I didn’t know what type of vehicle she wanted. Did she want a car, SUV or one of those crossover vehicles? As you all know we have two grandchildren and two more on the way. Of course they all live from the east coast to the west coast. I decided that we needed a car and that on those rare times when they may all be in Louisiana we can rent a mini van so they can all fit. Well, that was the first decision. Now what car would she want and that I'm willing to buy? I had narrowed it down to either a Mercedes or BMW. I cannot tell you why but those are the two that I liked the most. I finally found the car after six weeks of looking and hundreds of miles driving all over Houston. Gina is the proud owner of a new to her Mercedes S430. For you baseball fans, Art Howe purchased this car new and his wife said it was time for a new car. He took excellent care of it.  For you non baseball fans.  He was the manager of the Oakland "A" and was depicted in the movie "Moneyball" The car looks brand new inside and out. I picked up the car last Monday and had it ready for Gina’s arrival on Friday.

Now the surprise part, Gina had no idea that I bought a car and for sure not a Mercedes. I asked Parker and Ashley to tell their mom that they decided to hire a Limo to take them to our house instead of renting a car. Gina thought I was at our house grilling burgers so they would have something to eat. Needless to say I was at the airport parked at the curb. I was texting back and forth with Parker so I knew where they were. Once they had their suitcases and were walking toward the back of the car I opened the trunk and as Gina walked past I got out of the car and walked to the rear. The opened trunk blocked her from seeing me. Gina tells Parker there is no driver in the car and then walks to the rear and sees me. I said surprise!!! Ashley captured the moment.

Look at that face!!!

Now look at that SMILE!!

Gina loves her car That was just the first highlight of the weekend. Jolee was here for the weekend. Okay, my daughter and SIL were too. I hadn’t seen Jolee since she was four days old. She is now over two months old. I had a great time with her.

Ashley, Me, Gina, Parker and Jolee at the airport

 

Jolee has big blue eyes

I'm playing with Jolee and she is just a smiling

She is a wonderful baby. She is sleeping through the night without waking up and always seems so happy. She smiles all the time.

I left Sunday afternoon and drove back to Houston and while I was driving Thomas called me and told me that he and Ashley just bought a new car too. They purchased a new Nissan Altima.

   

 Look how cute they look with their new car

Ashley, Abigail & Thomas

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!! I hope everyone enjoys the day doing whatever you enjoy.  We have the freedom to do whatever we want to.  Not just today but everyday.   

Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

It's Great to be Blogging Again

Gina and I enjoyed all the comments. It had seemed like forever since we had heard from everyone.  We are back for sure we only hope that we don't bore everyone with our grand children.  We thank everyone for all the kind words. Now let me tell everyone that we sure are loving our two grand daughters and we are looking forward to Nicole and Shane giving us two more grand children.

  

Nicole today as she is officially 12 weeks pregnant 

She has just about finished the baby room (times 2). She has the two beds and a changing table that are white. She also has the two dressers that are dark almost black.

   

The two beds with changing table

  

 Here is the bedding in one of the beds 

Parker, Ashley, Jolee and Gina are flying into New Orleans on Friday afternoon to spend the weekend in Louisiana. Gina has been in New Jersey since June 12th and I’m ready to see her along with Jolee. I haven’t seen her since she was five days old. Jolee went for her two-month checkup today and the doctor said she is doing Great!!

 

Plus she's looking pretty too

 

Abigail is out for a stroll

 

Ashley and Abigail having fun on a slide

 

Thomas and Abigail taking an afternoon nap

We are glad to hear that Mike the other half of Janna is recovering well from his surgery in Montana.  He should be heading back home on Wednesday.  He has the best nurse taking care of him so I know it will only be a matter of a few days and he'll be tacking some new projects.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.