A new family member

Isabella Joy Mackey. Age aprox. 2 1/2 mo.

Isabella's beautiful blue eyes. Got those from Chris

big brother Tekoa and Isabella at bus station

The whole Mackey family riding the bus to their new location.

It has been a long time since my last blog. Facebook has spoiled me, but I will try to do better.

I really wanted to show my news grandchild. Isabella Joy Mackey was born Nov. 6, 2009. Eddie and I got to visit them in Brazil before the birth, and be with them until Nov. 15th. Isabella is now 3mo. old, and bundle of Joy (as her name would indicate.)

Ian in pastel

I haven't gotten to paint a lot since we started work on the lake house 5 years ago, but I took some time this past month and did a pastel of my grandson Ian O'Donnell. I wish the bright colors of chalk could show up as well on here as on the original. I hope to have time to do all of the grand kids soon.

Summer with friends and Family

This summer has flown by so fast. I wanted to spend more time in the water, but we had work to do, and I can't seem to get Eddie interested in swimming with me anymore.
We started to do a little work on the front, but not enough that you can see a big difference.

I did have a couple of my best friends Brenda and Phillis down for a day or two, and my sister Iris came down with me this past week. It is always fun with friends to share your time with, and my sister and I have enjoyed our time together after so many years.

Brinda

I lost a kind and loving cousin this past week. Brinda Thompson will be remembered by us all. The days we ran and played outside Grandma Harvey's house. The little troubles we got into. As we grow older she married, and became a great cook, and very artistic. When I got married, she made my wedding cake. It was beautiful, and a gift out of her on heart. She also decorated my reception table, then went back home to get ready for the wedding she had worked all day to make special. It snowed, and snowed and snowed. The most any had seen in years, so much so that she was unable to drive back to Woodruff to attend the ceremony that evening. I so wish she could have been there. We barely made it there ourselves.

Brinda moved away shortly there after, and we didn't see each other for many years. Now she is with her Mom and Dad, and my Mom and Dad. I know they have so much to catch up on. God bless a beautiful lady.

Tekoa meets his Grandpa

Look at me, I can ride a board just like my Daddy!

Grandpa don't let my fish get away.

Are we at Grandma's house?

I like it when Grandpa feeds me.

To our delight, the Mackeys were able to make a visit home from Brazil. Tekoa is 10 months old now, and he had never met his family. I am the only one who has seen him at age 6 to 10 weeks, when I went down to Brazil for a 4 week visit. I was so happy to see him again, and my daughter Ginger and her husband Christopher. I miss them every day. I don't know what I would do if it weren't for Skype. Soon however, they may not be able to have internet access where they will be living (deep in the heart of the jungle).

Here are a few of the pictures we took while they were here June 11 thru 18.

Guitar recital '09

from the O'Donnell photo shoot.

It's time again for Ian and Mia's guitar recital. We all were there, both sets of grandparents. Watch the short video ( 2 minutes). There are only 3 students in that class. Mia is wearing blue, and Ian is the only boy.

The week with the boys

"Camouflage" Can you see Ian?
Remember to click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Eddie and Ian found a turtle. Eddie's camera flash wasn't on, so this is the best I had.

Where's the turkeys?

Eddie and Ian in front of the camper at the hunt club.

Aidan's ranch

playing in the sand

The last week in April, Tisha, Mia, and some other ladies from her church went to a wedding at the beach. Eddie and I kept the boys. Eddie had planned to do some work at the hunt club also, so he took Ian with him for 3 days. Aidan and I had the place here all to ourselves. We played hitting the baseball. He is a really good hitter. To much running for me. We went down in the woods behind the house to the creek and brought back some wet sand for him to play in. That was quite a chore, as it is all uphill coming back. He likes to build with the old Lincon log set. See his ranch. Eddie and Ian got home on Saturday, and the boys went to church with us on Sunday. They are great kids!