Christian's 25th Injury Anniversary

My Uncle Christian has been a quadriplegic for 25 years today- he is such an amazing person who has supported us, consoled us, listened to us, cared for us, laughed with (and at) us, enjoyed us, and loved us.

I was so young when his accident happened (a freak accident in a softball game while in the Navy- I think he was 19?  20?)  that I only have a handful of memories of him before he was paralyzed- all of which involve coloring at Grandma and BawBaw's coffee table.

I think I'm about 5 in this picture?  My timeline is all fuzzy.   

Oh, my Alf doll!!!

I adored spending the night with Christian and Andrea my entire childhood.  I loved wheelchair rides. I loved to ask him to speed full force ahead in his chair and "stop at a jerk"- which he would ALWAYS just slowly roll my way and stop right at my feet (since I was the jerk, lol!).  He bought me my first cell phone and paid for my service all through college so I would feel safe.  

I don't slumber party with them anymore- I don't even spend much time over there these days- but I still love him more than anything.  I am amazed at what he's survived, been through, and come out even more kick-ass on the other side.  

Love you, Christian!!!

Christmas 2011

We had an amazing Christmas this year- we are so blessed with so many wonderful family members  that we love so very much- and they even love us in return!  I will post a separate post about our little Dowell Christmas, but these are photos (and hopefully a few videos, if they upload!) from our Christmases with The Dowell Fam, The Purdy (& Anderson) Gang, and The Mobley Clan.  They kind of go in reverse order than the actual events.

I didn't get any pictures from my mom's house because I had a near-migraine headache, and operating a camera might have pushed me over the edge.  I also didn't get any from MorMor's house, so I pirated all of hers off of Facebook!!! :)  I managed to get a few with Grams and Papa.  

Uncle Christian is fighting some esophagus issues (stupidest organ of the body), so he wasn't able to make Christmas this year.  :(  But, we still received his lottery tickets, and I *almost* won $500!!  

This "Elephant Sweater" was actually hand- knitted by MorMor for our family Christmas in 1987!!!  That means I had just turned 5- I *think* this is my cousin Ricky's sweater, instead of mine (he'd have been 2).  I need to scrape up some pictures from that Christmas- the ENTIRE family wore one.  And I mean EVERYONE!

Dax in his annual "money hat!"  MorMor hand knitted everyone's.

This is when I realized after shouting "I WON $500!!", I had, in fact, NOT won $500.  Bahahahahahaa!  

Daxy

Me and the babes

Ada's money hat

The entire Mobley clan!
Back (left to right): Donny, Colleen, Andrew, Rick, Mary, Steve, James
Front Row: Ricky, Ada, Casey, MorMor, Alicia, Dax, Eric, Audrey, Andi
Not pictured in the center: Christian.  :(  Or Stacy. 

Murm got his own tree and lights for his house!

Uncle Luis!

With Grandpa and his decorated gift box wrapped box.

Murphy's lights at night.

Daddy and Daxy

And these videos are mostly from Grams and Papa's night- I'm sorry everyone else for being lazy!  I was just enjoying your company too much to worry about filming! :)

Turnin' Three by the Sea!

Well, one heck of a day was had by all today at Ada's 3rd birthday party!!!  For a quick look back at her other birthdays; click here for the day she was born, click here for her 1st Birthday Party, and click here for her 2nd Birthday Party. 
Today was absolutely AmAzInG, and I highly recommend holding your next birthday party at Moody Gardens Galveston!  (The only downside is that it IS a far drive for your guests- and let me tell you, our friends and family that made that trek are so amazing!  We also had several friends get sick last minute, and we missed them dearly!!!!)

Here are the million pictures from the day- thankfully Andi brought her camera and took over the photography when my camera died 20 minutes into the party (d'oh!)... so many of these are stolen from her!!!  :)

Babe the penguin!!!!!!!!!  She is honking for us here.

Birthday girl, about to blow out her candle.

Happy birthday to my favorite sister!

Fun was had by all- even the baby!

Uncle Rick and Donny.

There was a glass window to the actual aquarium in our party room!  This was what the girls did much of the time.

Beautiful Bella Boswell.

Sweet Roxy and me- She and Bella drove all the way from College Station.  Love them to death.

Present time!!!!  Ada's girlfriends were SO sweet and patient, and such good friends to help her out so nicely!  (Seriously- how much restraint should a 3 year old have to exercise!?  We will be spoiling them on their birthdays with AWESOME gifts because they were such sweeties!)

It was feeding time (and repair time) during the party- the girls were fascinated.

Ada got a stuffed octopus to kick her day off this morning- she's showing it off.

Thank you so much for coming to my party, Bella!

Ada and Olivia in the shark cage.

Mom and Steve!

James, Andi, Dax, and MorMor!

There was a little aquarium photobooth set up in the party room.  The girls were obsessed.

There was a sand-art fish necklace making station- one of many adorable "stations" at the party.  These people did an amazing job- I didn't have to lift a finger!

Headed to Palm Beach water park!!!!!!!!

Caitlin and Olivia comin' down the slide.

LoVe this picture that Andi snapped- and I love that you can see Caitlin, Olivia, and Daddy standing at the top laughing!

Please, don't do this on Spring Break in 15 years.

BFFs lounging on the beach together.  Love.

And here is everyone that made the long trip down to celebrate sweet Ada's 3rd birthday- several were there only in spirit, due to extentuating circumstances (Christian, The Schilhabs, and The Moebeses)- we love you ALL, and can't thank you enough for spending such a special day with Ada!!!!!!!! 

Unforgettable day, for an unforgettable girl.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ADA GRACE DOWELL!  I love you more than you'll ever know!

How 'Bout a Happy Post, Now?

Ok, I've taken some cute pictures lately, and need to post them!

Julie, Hanna, and Rylan came down for a visit!

At Christian's for his 46th birthday- devouring cupcakes.

Devouring cupcakes with Uncle Rick.

Swimming at Christian's!

The rest of these are just some silly shots I snapped while the three of us were snuggling in bed one morning- but I just think they are so precious!  I couldn't even narrow them down to just a few.

Look at my monster feet, Dax!

He loves to grab her hair whenever she's loving on him.

Gimme dat camera.

"Take my picture, Momma!  Cheese!"