Back to Dallas

After being home for only six days, I was off again for Dallas.  George joined me a week later.  

 Babysitting

The first reason for the trip back to Dallas was to tend Craig and Cassie's children for six days while they went on a cruise.  

While they were having a great time on the cruise . . .

I was having a wonderful time getting to know Riley and Kennedy better.  Believe me, after watching those two little ones for six days, I appreciated how tiring it can be with a four-year-old and an 18-monther!  However, I really had a great time and enjoyed all we did together. 

 Sorry about the quality of the next few pictures.  My camera got clicked on in my suitcase and the battery was totally run down by the time I tried to use it, so these pictures were taken just with my cell phone until George came a week later with my charger.
 Every day, Cassie had a little gift for the kids to open, so they really looked forward to that when they woke up. 

Today's gift told Kennedy to do her happy dance for Grandma, which she promptly did!

 Riley's two biggest loves right now are Angry Birds and Mario Brothers, so most of the gifts were associated with those items.

Yes, that is one happy little face!

We put together this kitty puzzle that I brought Riley so many times I stopped counting!

The only trouble was when Mia wanted to get right where we were putting the puzzle together.  She's not agreeable to being moved either!

 Riley's favorite food is either from Pei Wei or Panda Express.  So, one night we went with Anne and the kids to Panda Express.  Riley ate every bit of this double sweet fire chicken, plus a single portion.  I soon learned the "double" meant double portion, not double sweet.  I had the little man so confused, neither of us knew what we were talking about after five minutes!  Hah!

 One night we went to watch Jaxon play basketball.  The kids were so good and cheered very loudly for their cousin.  Except for my purse leaking milk and making a huge puddle underneath the bleachers from the tipped over bottle inside, everything went very well!  Oh, how I've forgotten all the joys of motherhood!

I love to watch our grandchildren in all of their activities.  Jaxon played so well, his team won, and it's always fun to see our sons as they coach their sons like their dad did to them.

I had seen little Kennedy copy everything she saw someone else do.  Those little minds are just always thinking and learning!  She did the same while I was there.  Whatever I was doing, she had to be right there doing it with me.  She even climbed up on the counter and wanted to dangle her feet in the water while I was washing dishes!

George came after I had been there a week, and we were packing up our suitcases to go and stay at Amy's house, but I couldn't find my watch anywhere and figured it had slid down between the bed someplace.  When George got down on the floor, there was little Kennedy looking, too.  She didn't know what for, but just figured it looked like fun to help her Grandpa!

And, no, we never did find the watch!

Soon, Riley came in to help his Papa up!

Such cute little helpers!

The weather wasn't the greatest for the first few days I was there, but started getting better after that so the kids could play outside more.

I count it as a real accomplishment that I taught Riley how to pump while his parents were gone!  He was so proud of himself, too!

It was looking like so much fun, Papa had to join in!

One morning we went shopping and, of course, had to ride on the little rides.  I remember when I was taking Kevin and Alison at this age over a couple of blocks when we lived in Glendale, California, to help pass the time until their Dad came home.  With not having a car, I wore out lots of strollers in those first few years!

George and his Dental Work.  

The second reason we went back to Dallas was for George to get some crowns put on his teeth that Kent had prepped a couple of weeks earlier.  This time, Kent's assistant put on the crowns.  No pictures yet of the finished product, because Kent still has a few more teeth to go.  It is going to look so great!

Isaac's Baptism.  

And the final reason for going to Dallas was to attend Isaac's baptism.  We were so thrilled for Isaac's desire to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Issac with his mother and father, sister Lola, and brother Garrett

It has been revealed that children do not need baptism until they understand the difference between right and wrong. The Lord has revealed that children should be baptized at eight years of age. (See Book of Mormon, Moroni 8:8-24; Doctrine and Covenants 29:46-47, 68:27)  Isaac had just turned eight in March and was now able to choose to be baptized.

He was so excited for his father who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood to baptize him.

His mother fixed up a darling table with items about Isaac and his baptism.  (CTR stands for "Choose the Right.")

At the baptism, I spoke about baptism, and George spoke about receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  In addition, Isaac's Primary President spoke, as well as his Bishop.  I, also, played a piano solo of "My Heavenly Father Loves Me."

After the beautiful meeting, Amy had planned a wonderful buffet for everyone in the serving area of the church.

Isaac looked so happy and had such a wonderful time with so many friends and family there for his special day.

Garrett with his Grandpa George.

Isaac with his Primary teacher.

Riley and Mason, two of Isaac's cousins, with Isaac

Garrett, with his cousin Zach Barlow, and a friend, Scott

Cousin Hailie Barlow, a friend Spencer, and Lola

Sydney with her friend Abbey

Cassie with Riley and Kennedy.  Since they had just gotten back from their cruise, Craig had to work and wasn't able to come.

Amy with Isaac's primary teacher who helped us so much in getting the buffet set up.

Kellie, a very good friend of Amy's; plus Anne and her sister (also named Amy), and Cassie.  By this time, Cameron had to run Jaxon to a practice, so I didn't get a picture of the two of them before they had to leave.

Mike (Jeff's brother) and Amy (Jeff's sister; another Amy!  There were three there that day!); Issac and his dad. 

 So here are the three Barlow siblings who live in Dallas and all were able to attend this special day for Isaac:  Craig and Amy, Mike and Elaine, and Jeff and Amy.  You can see that Jeff and Amy have lots of relatives living in Dallas on both sides!

 So many beautiful women:  Elaine (Barlow sister-in-law to Amy); Cassie (Copeland sister-in-law); Anne (Copeland sister-in-law); Heather (bff of Amy's); Jenn (another bff of Amy's); Amy, and Kellie (another bff of Amy's).

Mike and Elaine and their three darling children, Zach, Hailie, and Macie

 Either my kids are getting taller or I'm shrinking! 

 What a special day for Grandpa George and me to be at our grandson's baptism!  We're so proud of you, Isaac!

 Lola had gotten a new dress for the baptism, so I just had to take a picture of her and how beautiful she looked.
 
 Lola with their little dog, Frisco.  Such a nice little dog, but he chews on everything.  If you didn't put things up off the floor, you knew he would go after it!

 The next day, on Sunday after church, Amy had a wonderful dinner for everyone at their home.  The kids always have such a great time together!

 Their basketball standard was well-used that day!

 Craig decided to take on Jaxon and Isaac.

 Even though he had them on height, those guys were great defenders and it was fun to watch!

 We stayed two nights at Jeff and Amy's and except for coming in to eat once in awhile, Issac was out practicing!  He absolutely loves playing basketball!  Amy is counting on him for their retirement!

Right before we left to then move over to Cameron and Anne's for the night, I snapped the picture of George with two of his sons, Craig and Cameron.  He loves watching them interact with their sons in sports just like he did with them.

After spending the night at Cameron and Anne's, Anne took us to the airport the next morning, and we were off for home after me being gone for 11 days and George for 4 1/2 days.  We had such a fantastic time and want to thank all three families for their generosity in putting us up in their beautiful homes, providing transportation for us while we were there, and for all the fun times!  THANKS to all of you!