A Legacy

My mom, aka Gigi, certainly knows how to be a wonderful grandmother!  However, she admits she did not learn this by watching her own mother (Bless her heart, we love her dearly and miss her) with myself and my brother, but she learned from my dear, sweet and absolutely amazing Ninny. It was about this time one year ago that Ninny had her final fall.  She had fallen plenty of times before since she was stubborn and would not use her walker, but this time, it was the beginning of the end which continually spiraled in a downward direction. She has been on my mind lately and I am slowly realizing now the great legacy and influence she left behind on so many people.

I came across this picture the past week while putting together some projects. I do not know if I ever posted it before, but either way, it is worth posting again.  I love the way Natalee is looking up at Ninny.  I am certain she can feel and see the love that Ninny had for her.  Ninny was a gem. She loved us with all her heart, but above all  and most importantly Ninny was a woman of God. I think back now and realize what a wonderful Christian influence she was for me. I think she wanted to make sure she would be seeing me in Heaven someday and was called by God to help plant seeds in me.  I have become and am still emerging into the Godly woman God wants me to be partially thanks to her answering God's call and for the grace and love she constantly showed me.  Thank you Ninny.  I love you so incredibly much; think of you every. single. day.  And I miss you terribly.....cue tears.  

Gigi has become the "new Ninny," not to replace my Ninny, because no one could, but instead to pass on the exceptional essence of being a wonderful grandma and role model.

Fall Beach Day

While Gigi was here visiting we couldn't resist heading to get some want-to-be Mexican food, then walk around the boardwalk and pier and finally let the kids play some on and around the pirate ship on the beach. It was not a cold day, just slightly cool, but perfect for playing around outside.  The seagulls and ducks (yes, a strange combination) were there enjoying the weather as well the water looked beautiful and the sand, so clean and white.

 After the beach I needed to run to the store, so we went to the local tiny, but way-over-priced grocery store.  We hardly ever go in here because of that reason, but when we do, it is fun because they have the little carts for little people!  Natalee certainly has learned how to shop by watching me every week at the store!  Somewhere down the line, she also decided she was a fan of Oreos?!

Nico's Birthday Party...What?!

I know, it is not even Nico's birthday yet, but we had his party already 2 weeks ago!  Why, you ask?  Well, because this terribly sweet Gigi that Nico has and looks up to with every once of his being, promised him she would be here for his party.  So what did that mean to me....that I needed to have his party when she would be in town, a month before the little man's actual birthday.   This worked out surprisingly well because ti has spaced out his birthday from Christmas a bit more.

So the theme of Nico's birthday party this year?  Yep, Angry Birds.  Not my favorite, but he was super excited about this, so I became excited too. We had the party here at the house, which we have not done since he turned 2. A handful of Nico's new friends came to the party to celebrate and have some fun, and I am pretty by the crazy look of the house after the party was over that everyone had a blast! 

The kiddos played pin-the-tail-on-the-angry-bird, played angry bird on the big screen in Wii-like fashion, beat up an Queen Pig pinata, ripped out lots of fun presents and enjoyed some yummy ice-cream cake!  Overall, Nico had a blast and said his party was the best ever...so you gotta take the little man at his word!!!

Of course you gotta love that my all purpose lens' auto focus decided to break on the day of Nico's party!  So this is why there are many pictures out of focus.  It was not a good picture day.