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Happy, Wild and Free!

My Mom finally decided to retire after 46 years of working at Germania Insurance. The whole family was there to celebrate with her!


Mom,


I am so very proud of everything you have accomplished over the years. Your dedication to your career has taught me so much! I understand that your decision to stop working was long overdue but because of you and Dad, we (Marty, Kristy and I) were given so much our entire lives. I have always looked up to you and your work ethic and hope that I have taken on your traits to dedicate my time an effort to a company as long as you have. I love you Mom and I am so glad you are finally getting the chance to be happy, wild and free!

Love,
Julie

Here's to you, Mom....

Beautiful Poem written about My Mother....by my bestie, Tracy Matthies! I gave her some of my thoughts and she ran with it! Thank you Tracy! Reading it still makes me tear up....

A young and bright lady, only age nine-teen

Took on a job with a very small team.

Her dedication to the tasks began a career

For a company that has flourished year after year.

Forty-six years later, that would be today

Paths are changing, and it’s now time to play.

The number of customers she has helped is untold

But her dedication reveals a character of gold.

From 1946 to 2010, her decision to part

May come with a heavy heart

At the same time, we pause to cheer

For a woman who earned this, that is clear.

An end of an era, now is the day

We all come together, so that we can say:

Geneva, we applaud you, celebrate with you, and say hooray!

West Texas Birthday Party

On June 25th, we loaded up the car and headed to Midland. We decided to transistion Avery into her big girl car seat for the trip, so she would be facing us and not be crammed in her infant carrier. She was a week and a half shy of 1 year and just around 20 pounds so it was time for the change. The car seat was a big hit at first but had some getting used to. She slept for the majority of the trip since we could not get away until 7pm. By the time we got to Midland at 1 in the morning, Avery had slept for a good 4 hours and was ready to party. Needless to say Mimi, Papaw and Uncle Austin were excited to see her as well.

We had her "First" 1st birthday party planned for Saturday with lollipop decor. Vickie did a great job running with my theme and the set up was just as I had imagined. Grandma Ann made Avery's birthday cake and it was adorable! The party started at 3pm and at 1 o'clock Avery still had not taken a nap. At that point it was impossible to even keep trying. The party was a hit and she looked adorable in her birthday outfit from Mimi. (Thank you for everything you did to make it special!) By 4:30, Avery was completely worn out and ready for her nap...when I say READY, I mean READY! She fell fast asleep while realxing on top of the chair. It was so cute!

Great Grandma Love...

Baby....Avery's favorite word!

So many presents for such a little girl!

Avery's very own cake...made especially for her with love by her Great Grandmother

So, I am supposed to eat this all by myself while everyone just stares at me?

Messy girl!

"It's my party and I will sleep if I want to...sleep if I want to"

The party wore her out!

Happy Father's Day!

I want to start by saying Happy First Father's Day to Zach! You have been a great Daddy to Avery. She loves you very much.

Secondly, Happy Father's Day to my Dad! You have been the best Dad a girl could ask for. I am forever grateful for all the things you do for me! You have shown me nothing but unconditional love all of my life. I love you, Daddy!

Happy Birthday to the best Daddy & Hubby two girls could ask for!

Dearest Daddy,

Happy Birthday Daddy! Mommy told me that today you turned 30 years old. That is really old! Mommy also told me to say that! I love you Daddy and Mommy says that you are the best husband and I know that you are the best Daddy, too! I like to watch you make funny faces at me, make silly noises and play with me. I hope you have a good birthday! Mommy and I love you very much!

Love,

Avery

Reasons why I love you, Daddy!

1. You let me sleep on you from the very start!

2. You hug me every day!

3. You made me my very first halloween costume.

4. You take me to new heights!

5. You take me swimming and protect my eyes from the sun!

6. You hold me and Piglet when we are tired!

AND....the list goes on forever!

Happy 30th Birthday to a wonderful husband and father!

4 Wheeling with my BFF!

Avery: "Let's go, Garrett"

Garrett: "Hold on, hot stuff!"

Avery: "Whoa! Not that fast!"

Garrett: "Well, I told you to hold on!"

Avery: "My turn to drive!"

Garrett: "Well, alright!"

New Do

When I picked Avery up from daycare on Friday, she had a new hairdo. Her teacher Claudia is always braiding and styling the other girls hair but Avery's has always been too short or not enough there. I still can not figure out how she got her to sit still long enough to do this but she successfully made 4 tiny buns! Look at how cute she looks! I can't wait for her hair to get longer so we can braid it.

Avery loves to clap!

Took the buns out...wild hair!

On the move...