Ava's 90th Birthday Party

Dale's mom, Ava Taylor, turned ninety this weekend and we threw a party. Saturday afternoon found us at the Old Mountville Schoolhouse welcoming friends and family to celebrate with us. I was busy, busy most of the time making sure the food, drink, and mementos were in ready supply that I snapped very few pictures. (I didn't even get one of the birthday girl.) But, there were others taking up the slack.
We used a winter theme with evergreens, snow covered branches, snowflakes and birds. We served homemade desserts, fruit, coffee and tea. The weather cooperated with chilly temperatures, sunshine and no snow. Lots of family from Virginia and North Carolina were in attendance, plus her local friends and churchmates. She was thrilled with it all.
Ava is a wonderful lady and does many kind deeds. I am happy that so many honored her on this special day.

Kathy Lowman made this gorgeous cake!

Thanksgiving Week

Gray and the boys arrived in Mountville on Monday to enjoy the whole week of Thanksgiving with us. Other family members are drifting in as their schedules permit. We've had such fun with the children especially since the weather has been mild and we've gotten to be outside a lot.

Hamilton's new front end loader and his old favorite, the schoolbus, see a lot of action in the dirt and in the leaves.

Aunt Linda and Uncle Billy get reaquainted with Collier.

Pops and Hamilton roll and cut gingerbread cookies.

The best part's the eating.

Fresh Photos

A trip to Hanahan to keep the boys for the Morgans while they attended a church retreat, plus a visit from Gray and the boys in Mountville soon afterwards, afforded an opportunity for me to snap some cute pics of Hamilton and Collier.

Collier is becoming very mobile these days and scoots off his quilt regularly.

 

Sometimes he gets stuck.

Hamilton continues to be fascinated with trains and trucks. He plays really well for long stretches of time with his railroad--long for a 2 year old--that is.

Fall is Definitely In the Air

What is more fallish to do than visiting a pumpkin patch? With the cooler temperatures and beautiful sunshiny days, we couldn't wait to take the grandboys to a pumpkin patch while they were visiting this weekend.  Gray was away at a retreat so we shooed Seth off for a bicycle ride in Greenwood while we packed up Collier and Hamilton to enjoy an outside adventure. An old friend from our Christmas tree/pumpkin selling days has a farm in Pelzer called May-Lan Tree Plantation and it has a "full service" pumpkin patch, complete with hayride, hot dogs, farm animals and scarecrows, not to mention lots of gourds and pumpkins from which to pick. We enjoyed our two and a half hours outside on someone else's farm.



Hamilton loved peeking through each opening in the photo signs.



Baby's Growing

Last week Gray brought the boys to Mountville for a couple of days and we got to enjoy their antics. Collier is growing and changing so fast that I feel that I just have to see him every two weeks or so to keep up. He's such a happy baby with a ready smile for anyone who'll pay him some attention. Hamilton continues to delight us with his perky personality and ever increasing vocabulary.

With a pillow or two Collier was high chair ready. 

Grandma gets in on the action.

The cool snap surprised us but Hamilton is still ready for a golf car ride equipped with Mimi's jacket.

Fun at the Beach!

Our family convened at Edisto Island last week for some recreation, relaxation and lots of togetherness. We bicycled, kayaked, swam, sunned and ate tons of food. Too bad I'm not an astute photographer who always captures the exciting action. It seems that most of the time my camera is somewhere I am not. I did manage to make some cute pics, nonetheless.

We bartered for the house we used at Edisto, which was not rental property. It had a lovely marsh view with a 300 yard dock out to the inlet. The house, itself, was filled with beautiful antiques, which was a little scary with a two year old, a spitting 3 month old, and an active eleven year old, but we grew very comfortable as the week wore on.

Not our typical beach rental

Adventures in Morgan-ville

The last two weeks plus have been a whirlwind of travel to and from Hanahan to help Gray and Seth with the children. Gray had an apendectomy which subsequently developed an abscess and put her under the weather for days after the surgery. The upside was that I got to spend lots of time with my grandboys! It's always fun at the Morgans even when one of them is not feeling up to par. Collier changes with every visit and he's such a delight with all his cooing and smiling.  Hamilton talks a blue streak and loves to go for a neighborhood walk with Mimi or Pops. He's sweet to Collier,for the most part, but has to be watched constantly or you might discover him pulling the baby around by his feet.

Gray's much better now and I'm home again dealing with garden produce, sewing, and trying to keep flowers alive in this 100 degree heat.
We're looking forward to seeing the Morgans again soon for our vacation at Edisto.

Mountville Parade for the Red, White and Blue

The Mountville parade to honor America's birthday never happens on the fourth of July and this year was no exception--it was on July 1. It all happens in accord with the cooking of the hash and barbecue, a community event to benefit the volunteer fire department. Our family participated, as usual, and I snapped some cute pics of our entry.

Claire, Collier and Seth

Travis and Hamilton bring up the rear.

Even Grandma Ava gets in on the fun.

Collier Is Here

Collier Welch Morgan arrived with appropriate fanfare on Thursday, April 28 at 5:02pm. He weighed in at 9 pounds, twenty and one-half inches long. Dale and I went to Hanahan the day before his birth so that we could tend to Hamilton and Claire while Momma and Daddy Morgan met their appointment with the hospital.

We're so excited about this new addition to our family and I couldn't wait to see Hamilton's reaction to his little brother. Claire, Hamilton and I made several visits to the hospital during the three days Gray and Seth were confined. The highlight for Hamilton was getting to push the elevator button. Now he seems to be taking the new 'bebe' in stride as the Morgan household settles into a more familiar routine. Dale has been in and out as his schedule permits. I'll be staying a few more days. How thankful to God we all are that Collier is here, healthy, and beloved.  

You've Got Skills!

It's always a joy to bring Hamilton home with me for a few days and I'm constantly amazed at how he changes from time to time. At 20 months old he's exhibiting all kinds of new skills and he feels quite proud of himself for his accomplishments. While visiting with the Morgans on Thursday, he showed me how well he can put together multiple piece puzzles--I'm talking two to four piece large puzzles not the thousand piece variety. (He's brilliant, of course, but not quite that advanced. He gives himself a hand when the pieces fit in.

He's also a book lover and stops, every now and then, to look at a book or have you read one to him. Right now The Little Engine That Could and The Cat in the Hat are his two favorites.

Can you tell we think he's just the cutest thing ever!

The Morgans Visit

We always enjoy having our grandchildren visit--and if they must bring their parents-- then so be it. Just kidding, of course. We love our time with Gray and Seth, as well, and this weekend was no exception.

The weather was conducive enough for Pops to rally the forces for some work in the garden and Hamilton couldn't wait to get "ouside". Claire's always a good sport about helping around the farm and she and Pops staked some new grapevines he had planted last week. Hamilton rambled around within the confines of the fence, stumbling over dirt clods, picking himself up, and generally exploring the wild outdoors.

 Hamilton's outdoor pursuits are not his only interest. He loves any electonic gadget he happens upon--and actively seeks out the TV remote and telephones. Pops feeds this compulsion by calling our number and talking with him even though they're in the same room.

This may be the last Mountville visit until grandson #2 is born.

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