Abby

I don't know who told her she could grow up.... my beanie baby is five! Sassy, smart, and all girl. On top of that she's starting kindergarten in less then eight weeks.

All of these little miss to big diva....

Pops Birthday

I love this old man so much! He hasn't had the best year and frankly a cruddy birthday month. There has been a fair share of family issues and such. I'm glad Heidi and I were able to take mom and him to see Joseph and the Technicolor Dream coat. It was at the outdoor amphitheater in midway. The weather was gorgeous and we had front row seats!
 I made dinner and we had a nice meal before heading over. The show started at dusk so we didn't have to worry about heat or such. It was just nice to spend time with my parentals. I think we may have started a new tradition! We are going to do a birthday party for Abby and Papa Pete on Saturday night.

Grandma laid to Rest

the grandsons got to be the pallbearers
Sebastian Ivan, Phillip Scott, Christopher Marcelino,
David William, Austin David, Anthony Jay, Kevin Carter

Carter Men
Colin Carter, Peter Beverley, Stephen Beverley

Siblings
All though they are about 40 years apart and have different mothers
These two are indeed brother and sister. Evelyn Edna Carter "Edna" and Colin Carter

Joyce's Granddaughters
Cami Maria, Shannon Maria, Laura Anne, Kandis Marie

some of the grandsons

Grandma Joyce never wanted a big funeral. We had a beautiful graveside with a dedication on the grave and a small talk. Grandma left behind four children, thirteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren with two on the way.

Grandma Joyce

I got a rough phone call the evening of the fourth of July. My dear grandma had been put on hospice just two weeks earlier and had fallen that morning. By evening she'd slipped into a coma. I called my cousin frantically not knowing whether I should come say my goodbyes or wait until morning. My cousin told me she'd keep me posted and I reluctantly went to bed with my phone by my side.
 I made it down to her place by 9am. She was in bad shape. I held her hand and talked to her. Told her it was okay to go and that we loved her. Anyone who knows my grandmother knows that she was a short, sweet, stubborn British woman. There were many times when the Vail seemed thin. I knew that her family was there. I know they pleaded with her to go. But she wanted only one person in particular to take her home. Her mother.
We felt the presence of them a few times that beautiful wet morning as she'd take what seemed like her last breath. Only to gasp as if telling them no and continue on for a few more hours. We watched many beautiful miracles leading up to Grandma's passing. Finally after what seemed like a life time of watching her struggle to breath and refuse to leave a silence came over the room.
 This time the presence was different. I leaned over and squeezed Grandma's hand. She's here isn't she? We all replied as Grandma's face went calm. We told her we loved her and it was time to go home. She squeezed my hand and was gone.  Grandma we love you and your legacy will live on.