You Handsome Devil

Hello Mama and Papa!

I tried calling you on FaceTime tonight with the kids but we didn't get an answer. I wanted to call you back once they went down but Bradley came over for dinner and said you were having trouble talking last night. I am so sad to hear that and didn't want to put you in any pain. 

Talked to mom today and she told me about your appointment. I know it's been a long, tiring week. And I know that treatment is probably sounding less and less attractive. But hang in there, Papa! You're a fighter!!! And you have a huge support system around you for anything you need.

I wanted to lift your spirits with some fun old photos. Mom gave me these last time I was in town and I just adore them so much!!! You were such a handsome thing -- still are! 

I had the best time with you both last week. I am so happy we could share that special time together. Papa, I so wish I could hop on that golf cart with you right now and take a spin. Or grab some Ruby's for lunch or another milkshake at Watson's.

Looking forward to more dates in a few weeks. 

Love you!

Brittany

Pizza and Jell-O

Good morning!

Hope your first couple days of testing haven't been too rough. The kids and I will FaceTime tonight to catch up.

My hands have been very full this week with no daddy in town -- plus, on Tuesday, Cristina had to cancel so I had Barrett all day at work. Each evening we have swim class and then come home to bath time, dinner, art activities and a movie before bed. I will be pooped by Friday!

One night the kids and I went to the grocery store and bought homemade pizza kits. They had so much fun making their own pepperoni pizzas for dinner. Afterward we made Jell-O for the first time. We added strawberries and bananas. They loved it! I told them Mama makes the best Jell-O salad.

While daddy's away, the kiddos and mommy will play! One night we dyed our hair pink and blue with a fun temporary dye kit. They thought it was the coolest! The color is almost all gone now but they loved their short-lived unicorn summer hair.

Never a dull moment with these two!

We love you!

Brittany, Landry and Barrett

California Recap

Good morning Mama and Papa!

I had the best time with you both the past few days. It was such a special time for me and I truly enjoyed every minute -- even when I played tech geek (you're welcome!).

Papa, you are such a rock star and your energy is infectious and delightful. I had so much fun with you from our golf cart ride to wood shop tour and Garden Grove field trip. It was so fun to see my mom's childhood home and your old gas station! 

I hope your week of appointments goes well and am counting down the days for you to start treatment. I know it will be a tough time but I'm happy you are giving it a whirl and am hoping we see wonderful results and can start planning a 90th birthday already!

I love you both so much and can't wait to visit again soon in a few weeks. 

Love you!

Brittany

Man I wish I had your garden in Dallas!

Best meal with the best grandparents!

Touring the garden relics at The Groves

Your cute neighbor

Summertime Blues

Morning Mama and Papa,

It is a rainy start to summer here in Chattanooga. Though things will shortly improve. We had a little send-off dinner for Natalia before she left to Ithaca.

I will meet up with her in a week and will catch up with Ray and Cynthia while I am in Ithaca. You may remember these photos from my graduation around this time last year. I am very excited to head back!

Then, of course, it is on to California! See you both on July 11th.

Love,
Ryan

Tacky Tuesday

Hi Mama and Gray Papa!

It's Landry and Barrett again. We've had a very busy last few days. 

On Sunday, we took Daddy to brunch for Father's Day and then mommy took us to the movies to see Cars. 

Monday was our first day of summer school and we had a blast! We loved seeing our school friends and playing on our play ground again. Today was Tacky Tuesday and we got to dress crazy for class. We went all out!

Mommy let us pick out wacky clothes and then added some funky accessories to make our outfits really outrageous. Our teachers both said we won for craziest outfits in our classrooms. 

After school today Cristina picked us up and took us to swim class. We got home and mommy made us grilled cheese sandwiches (our favorite food in the world these days) with watermelon. Afterward we colored and played with stickers. Barrett was really silly and covered his face and body with tiny insect stickers.

Mommy told us she leaves in two days to go visit you both. We're so jealous but excited to visit you next month.

Hope you're feeling good and we'll talk soon!

Love you,

Landry and Barrett

Hi Mama and Papa,

I got back from Nashville yesterday afternoon. It was a great time and we had perfect weather to go out and celebrate. We had some really good food, heard some fun bands, and had some tasty drinks. It is a small downtown but lots of cool places to visit. Every bar is three stories with a live band playing on each one. We also went to the Jack Daniels distillery where we had the best tour guide (an old guy in overalls, long white beard, and a thick Tennessee accent!). I hope you had a great Father's Day, Papa!

Love,

Bradley

Some oldies but goodies

Good morning! I found some fun old photos from last year on my computer this morning. Thought you would enjoy these.

Yesterday, the kids and I treated Michael to brunch and then sent him off to the spa for a massage and some steam room relaxation. While he was there, I took the kids to the mall to buy some shoes for summer school, which started today.

After we bought some new clothes and shoes I took them to the new Cars movie. Barrett slept through half but Landry loved the entire thing. Barrett enjoyed the second half!

I was so busy with the kiddos that I didn't get a quiet break to call but look forward to catching up tonight. Hope you had a nice day with the family at Aunt Sandie's and can't wait to see you in a few days!

This morning the kids started their first day of summer school. I was nervous that Barrett would be reluctant but he did great. Of course having Mickey by his side didn't hurt. They are so excited about school and to see their friends and playground again.

They start up their second swim class session today for two more weeks. Hopefully by the end of this session Landry will be officially swimming! We also hope the school/swim class combo tuckers them out and they start to go to bed a little earlier than normal so we can all relax a little bit a night!

Love,

Brittany

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, Papa!

We hope you have a wonderful day and look forward to talking to you soon.

Sending you lots of love!!!

Love,

Michael, Brittany, Landry and Barrett

Cops and Cupcakes

Good morning! We had quite the day yesterday. I took a half day off work to spend the morning and lunch with Landry and Barrett.

The Highland Park city hall hosted a fun community event where the policemen, firemen, paramedics and detectives got together to meet and greet kids and teach them about their jobs. Landry and Barrett had a ball!

They got to tour a firetruck, pet the fire station's dogs, get their fingerprints made, have their faces painted, get police badge temporary tattoos, color, craft and so much more.

Afterward Landry wanted to go to her new favorite restaurant, Bird Bakery. She loves the cupcakes, mini kids' televisions playing Peppa Pig cartoons and the gooey grilled cheese sandwiches. We topped off the day with visiting our YMCA to sign up for another two weeks of swim classes. When we got home they told me it was the best day ever!

Cristina relieved me post lunch and I went to work for the rest of they day. Michael and I had an early date night with friends and got home just in time to put the kids to bed.

It was a great day for all. Today we plan to do some things around the house and then play in the pool. 

We will call you later today to catch up. Hope Zoe is being a good girl and that you're feeling good Papa!

Love you!

Brittany