Not Yet Mr. Hoppy Toad

What's going on Grandma?
Oh, no!  Mr. Hoppy Toad must think it is spring already!  Not yet Mr. Hoppy Toad!  Go back under your house!  It is going to get real cold this week!
I think Mr. Hoppy Toad misses us!  Or maybe he wanted to see his new roof that Grandpa made him!
Or maybe he smelled a juicy bug!  Or maybe he wanted Hector and Kevin to be more quiet!
Or maybe he wanted me to take his picture so you wouldn't forget about him! Or maybe- I guess that's enough maybes!
Hector and Kevin have been real loud the past few days! They like the warm weather!  It has been really warm here!  Almost like spring!  The weather man says it is going to get very cold this week!  Grandpa has been chopping wood for the fireplace because he believes the weather man.  Mr. Hoppy Toad does not have a TV in his house.  No computer, no radio and no newspaper! He couldn't find out what the weather is doing! Hope he listens to Grandma!   God made toads to go underground until spring comes and they like to do that!  They are so busy catching bugs all spring and summer that they need lots of rest so they can do it all again!   I like to see Mr. Hoppy Toad stick out his long tongue and get those mosquito's that hurt when they bite us!  Good Mr. Hoppy Toad!
All of the animals have been having lots of fun in the nice warm weather!  I will tell you more about it in another story!
Uncle Jesse and Uncle Jake are playing basketball.  They are really good!  Uncle Jesse made 10 points last night!  Uncle Jake wants to make a lot of points too!  He will!  He made 2 points in his last game! 
That is good!  They both wish that you could see them play.  I know God has a good plan for us to see each other soon! ;)
Grandpa is selling furniture and Grandma is writing you!  Now Grandma needs to go do chores!
I like to do chores, do you?  Makes me feel good to have a clean house and good food cooked!
I don't really like to dust!  Mommy used to dust for me when she was a little girl.  I don't think she liked it but I gave her a reward for helping me!  Your Aunts helped me too!  Uncle Jesse feeds the animals and Uncle Jake waters them.  They bag up trash and do things I ask them to do.  But girls are real good at house work and boys like outside work!  That might not be true for all boys and all girls!  Grandma likes to do outside work too!
And Grandpa likes to help do dishes and clean up after supper.
Your daddy likes that too!     :)  
Grandma loves you sooooooo much my adorable grandchildren!!!
Love 4ever, Grandma xo

Hector's Big Smile

What's going on Grandma?
What is Hector smiling about?  He is smiling for a snack!  Good boy, Hector!
He has a funny smile!  So sweet!
Kevin doesn't want to smile because he is upset with Hector right now!  Hector stepped on his tail when he was laying down.  I think that is really why Hector is smiling!  Kevin bit Hector this morning and even though Hector didn't mean to step on Kevin's tail I still think he wanted to smile about it!  Just Grandma's thought!
Baby wants me to take her picture doing something cute- OK, Baby, I will real soon!
Hunter doesn't want to smile because he is too tired!  Lady will smile and she has a beautiful smile too!
Whooey Who smiled a long time ago when Uncle Jake drew a smile on his picture!  Remember?
Bossy thinks if he smiles then no one will mind him when he bosses!  He thinks you have to look bossy to get someone to do what you say!  Sometimes that is right!  Does mommy look bossy when she says - to do something?   Not when she tells you the first time!  But if you don't mind her then she needs her Bossy face!   I know that you mind Mommy when she has her smiling face!  Good job!
Joe Joe got in the bird bath with the ice!  He took a cold bath!  He must of been stinky to try that!
He wasn't smiling!  
Wonder if Mr. Hoppy Toad is smiling in his sleep!  I bet he is!
Goldie is smiling all the time!   Tabby the cat is hiding under the bushes so I can't see if  he is smiling!
I think he is!  
Grandpa says he will smile when he sees supper on the table!  Funny Grandpa!  Uncle Jesse saves his smiles for special things!  Uncle Jake smiles all day and all night!  Grandma does too!  
I better fix supper so Grandpa will smile like Hector!
Love 4ever, Grandma xo

Grandma Wants This Bunny

What's going on Grandma?
Grandma wants this bunny!  I would name her Ginger!  Isn't she soooooo cute?
I remember when mommy and your Aunts had bunnies when they were little like you!  I know I told you that already but I like to tell it!  
Maybe they were a little older. They loved bunnies!  Do you?
Doesn't Ginger look so soft and fuzzy?  I bet she smells good!
I thought you might like to see this picture too!  Mommy will like it!  She will tell you about her bunnies that she had.  Ask her what their names were!  I think they let them go free- maybe they still live down by the river!  We can hope! 
Hector and Kevin are eating hay and being real good today!  Hunter, Lady and Baby are running around the house and chasing each other!  Hunter isn't winning today, Baby is!!!  Go Baby, go!!
Whooey Who is still in the barn and Bossy is being still today- not feeling bossy I guess!
Goldie got a bath and he feels so good!  I saw him do a flip today!  He is getting big and I will need to get him a bigger fish bowl!  Maybe we feed him too much!  Oh, well- he is so happy!  Think he misses you - we sure do!
Mr. Hoppy toad is getting his new roof tomorrow but he won't see it until spring!
Joe Joe came to the bird bath this morning with his wife!  She is so shiny !
Well hope I didn't forget any one!  Uncle Jesse and Uncle Jake are hungry!  Grandpa too!
I better go feed them!  We are having chicken, potatoes and corn! yum!
What did you have?
Love 4ever, Grandma xo  Miss u!

We Named Him Tabby

What's going on Grandma?
We found a cat in our front yard!  Uncle Jesse and Grandpa says they have seen him here for a while!
How fun!  He is so handsome!  Don't you think so too?
I saw him licking the steps where we toss the scrapes to Hunter, Lady and Baby!  He is not skinny so I guess he is getting lots of things to eat in the barn!  Cats and owls like things that are in barns to eat!
Seems like they can always find a snack in there!  Sure would be hard for me to find a snack in a barn!
Maybe some sweet oats that we give Hector and Kevin.  I really did taste it one day!  Pretty yummy!  Mommy wouldn't want you to eat that!  
Do you think Tabby is a good name for our new cat?  I like that name.  Maybe someday I can pet Tabby.  He runs off when I open the door- guess he is scared because he doesn't know us yet!
He runs right to Hector and Kevin!  I think they are friends already.  
Hunter usually chases cats but one time there was a big yellow cat here that turned around and scratched Hunter on the nose and he didn't bother that cat again!   I will tell Tabby to do that!  
Bossy and Whooey Who are asleep!  Hunter, Lady, and Baby are curled up in the blankets on the back porch.  I put a box out there and they are taking turns in it!  So cute!
Joe Joe is getting fat!  Did he find the dog food?   Maybe so!
Mr. Hoppy Toad needs a new roof on his house!  Why do things keep falling on his roof!  I will ask Grandpa to fix it for him before he gets up in the spring!
Hector and Kevin have been real good!  They are so fuzzy!  They get lots of hair in the winter to keep warm with!  God made everything sooooooo good!
Goldie needs another bath but he will have to wait until tomorrow- Grandma is tired!
Did I forget anyone?  
Uncle Jake had a great ball practice!  Your uncles are really good ball players!  Did I tell you that already?  I bet I did!  
Hey!  Guess what Grandpa is doing!  You guessed it!  Watching ballgames on TV!  Funny Grandpa!  Does Daddy do that?
Guess what Grandma is doing!  You guessed it again!  I am writing you this story!  
Uncle Jesse and Uncle Jake are eating a snack before bed.  They are eating cereal!  You like cereal too-
I remember!  
Thank you for the pictures of Snow, your owl and Tripper your cardinal!  I will see them some day when I come to your house!  That will be sooooo fun!
Oh, no!  Lady is wanting a snack too!  Shhh, Lady! Don't wake Hunter and Baby up!  I will get you a snack but be real quiet!  Good girl!
Grandma better go to bed now!  I love you soooooo much!
 Love 4ever, Grandma xo

Bossy Thinks It's Cold

What's going on Grandma?
Did you know that Bossy is a tufted headed titmouse?  Here is a real good picture!
So handsome!
See how the hair is spiked up on top of his head!  He really does look good like that!
Uncle Jake doesn't wear his like that, very much, any more!  I think Bossy was too bossy with him and Uncle Jake wanted his own style!  Uncle Jake just read this and says, he does too like his hair spiky like Bossy!  Good!  I like their hair like that!
It is sooooooo cold right now so we don't see Bossy much!  I will be so happy to see him a lot in the spring!   I miss Mr. Hoppy Toad too!  He was getting so fat right before he went under his house!
He will probably lose weight over the winter!  He is a very nice toad and he has been with us for a few years!  I miss him in the winter!   He eats lots of bugs for me!  That is so nice of him!  He enjoys it!
Joe Joe is out in the field with Hector and Kevin!  The sun is shinning and they are happy about that!  Me too!
Hunter, Lady and Baby are running around and sniffing everything!  So funny to see them do that everyday!  They are such good guard dogs!
Whooey Who is staying in the barn- guess he thinks it is cold too!  He is right!
Goldie is a house pet so he is very warm!  He thinks he is so special!  I hope all of our animals and pets think that they are special!  They are!  But not as special as you are to me!!
Grandma needs to go and fix some food for your Grandpa and Uncles!  They are always hungry!
Now the animals are looking at the door to see if I will give them a snack!  Ok!  I will give them a snack and then fix food for the guys!
Wish you were here!  Or I was there!  Soon we will be together again!  That is the Blessing!
Love 4ever, Grandma xo    Stay warm and say hello to Trippy the Cardinal at your house!  xo

Who's In Our Yard

What's going on Grandma?

Who is in our yard?  Hunter, Lady and Baby have been barking and barking!  A raccoon!

He is real handsome!  We need to help him get away!  Hunter thinks he needs to get the raccoon out of our yard but he is making him afraid!   Look!  The raccoon is way on top of the club house!

Hunter, Lady and Baby had to go to the back fence while we talk to the raccoon and tell him to go to back to his home!  Raccoons come to our house a lot!  They get the pecans in the yard and eat them!

Sometimes they eat the dog food too!  That makes Hunter upset!  Baby gets upset at everything Hunter gets upset about!  Lady just barks and stays close to the house!  

Run, little raccoon!  Run!  Oh, he is!  Wish I could pet him but he is a wild raccoon.  Some are real tame but this one was ready to get back to his family and get away from Hunter!  All safe now! 

Hunter runs out of the fence and can't find the little raccoon!  He looks at me like I did something with him!  No, Hunter, he just went home!  Now, Hunter, you go lay down and take a long winter sleep!

Have you ever seen a raccoon?  I like them!   Great Grandma Zip and Great Grandpa Chuck used to feed a lot of raccoons!  They fed them dog food!  Maybe Great Grandma Zip will send us some pictures of old Mama Raccoon!  That would be fun!

All the animals are laying down now and Hector and Kevin are in the barn- they like to sleep standing up!  Remember, I told you that already?

Grandpa, Uncle Jesse and Uncle Jake are watching ball games!  Uncle Jake is playing with a video camera and trying to bug Uncle Jesse!  It works!  

Grandma is writing you this story!  Hope you like the raccoon!  I named him Ringo!  Because he has rings on his tail!  

Oh, no!  Hunter is barking again!  Is Ringo back?   I better go look!  

Love 4ever, Grandma! xo

Kevin Likes Snow

What's going on, Grandma?
Kevin likes snow!  Hector wants him to get in the barn but Kevin likes snow!  I told them that you had hot chocolate after you played in the snow- now they want something too!  What should I give them?  Maybe Whooey Who has an idea!  Lady thinks cookie!  Baby thinks chicken nugget and Hunter thinks meatballs!   Bossy thinks they just need to go to bed early - that's because he is staying under the covers today to stay warm!  
 Mr Hoppy Toad would probably think- give them a bug!
Joe Joe thinks dog food!  What do you think?
Uncle Jake has basketball practice- Uncle Jesse will have practice tomorrow!  They are really good ball players!  Maybe someday we will watch them on TV!  
Goldie thinks I should have asked him what to give Kevin and Hector after they play in the cold!
I'm sorry, Goldie!  OK, Goldie, what should I give them?  
Gold fish crackers!  
Why that's a great idea!
I have some in the cupboard!  I'll be right back...
Wow! it is soooooo cold out there!  Hector and Kevin like goldfish crackers but they still want another snack!  What should it be?
Grandpa just called and said he is on his way home.  We are having chili  and he wants grilled cheese sandwiches too!  Why is everyone so hungry?   Are you hungry too?
I better get busy- Grandpa might be grouchy like daddy when he gets hungry!   That's funny!  :)  
I better feed everyone!   
Love 4ever, Grandma xo  I miss you sooooo much xo

Baby Shows Off Her Hat

What's going on, Grandma?
Baby wants to show off her new hat!  She is a funny doggie!  She can do a little dance on her back feet if we hold up a chicken nugget!  She sure does like chicken nuggets!  Maybe she learned to like them by all the chicken nuggets you didn't eat!   
Lady wants a hat too!  What kind should I get her?  Maybe a hat like Woody and Jessie wear on Toy Story!  Hunter will not wear a hat because he is very proud of his looks!  He likes to look like a free lion!
He does look like a lion, a little!  A very nice lion!  
Bossy will not wear a hat because it would smash his spiked up hair!  Whooey Who might come home with a new hat- Whoooooooo knows! 
Mr. Hoppy Toad might wear a hat in the spring!  And Joe Joe might eat it if I gave him a hat!  He is always hungry!  Kevin and Hector won't be still for Grandma to try a hat on them.  Maybe in the spring when I can stay outside longer!
Goldie would like a hat but it would get all wet and fall in his eyes!  Oh, well- Baby has a hat and she  likes hers so much!  
Uncle Jesse and Uncle Jake are eating popsicle and  guess what Grandpa is doing!  Yep! That is right!
Watching a ball game in his chair!  
Grandma is writing you and missing you so much!  
Grandpa did help me clean the kitchen after supper!  We had sausage and gravy over biscuits  and plum jelly on a biscuit for dessert!
Now it is time to fold some clothes and sneak to bed early!  Do you like to go to bed early?  I didn't like to go to bed early when I was younger either!  Now I do!  It is fun!  I think about you!
Love 4ever, Grandma xo

Grandma Finds Some Babies

What's going on Grandma?
Look at the baby owls Grandma found!  Aren't they so cute!  So fuzzy and soft!
I thought you'd like this picture of the baby owls.  Maybe you could name them!
Do you think they are boys or girls!  They look so sweet!
Baby is barking and barking tonight.  Grandpa is getting upset at her but she just keeps barking anyway!
We go outside to see what it is but there is nothing we can see!  I think she is calling Hunter to come home.  He goes off and hunts at night and sometimes Lady barks and other times Baby barks!  I think tomorrow night we will lock Hunter, Lady and Baby in the back fence and then we will all get a quiet sleep!   That's a great idea!
Hector stayed in his fence today and Kevin was so happy!  Grandpa too!
Bossy is snuggled up in his nest.  Whooey Who would like to see the picture of the baby owls!  Wish I could find him!  He will come home soon!
Mr Hoppy Toad is sleeping really good and will stay that way for a long sleep!
Goldie is getting a bath tomorrow!  Remember when we gave him one while you were here?   That was so fun!  I will have to do it without you this time!  He is getting stinky!  
Joe Joe is sneaking around the back yard!  I think he found the dog food!
Uncle Jesse and Uncle Jake are eating candy and Grandpa is in his chair watching a ball game.  Grandma is writing you this story!
Now it is time for Grandma to go to bed!  Oh, Baby!  Be quiet!!   Maybe I will take her a cookie! 
I will say to her- If you will stop barking I will give you a cookie!  She doesn't like cookies that much so she will want a chicken nugget!  Where will I get a chicken nugget?  I have a thought!  Mommy left some or your chicken nuggets in my freezer!  I will give her one of yours!  Is that ok with you?
Good night my grandchildren, Grandma loves you sooooooo much and miss you soooooo much too!
Sweet dreams, Love 4ever, Grandma xo

Hector Is Sorry

What's going on Grandma?
Hector is sorry!  He got out of the fence today and Kevin got real upset with him!  Kevin kept hee hawing and trying to get Grandpa to come outside and see the bad thing Hector did!
Finally we all went outside to see what Kevin wanted!  He told on Hector!  Hector really was sorry and wanted back in the fence with Kevin but he didn't know how to get back in!  Grandpa and Uncle Jesse helped him!  Grandpa pulled real hard on his front and Uncle Jesse pushed his hinny!  
Looks like Hector is trying to pick some old flowers to say he is sorry!  That's ok, Hector- we forgive you and Kevin does too!


We sure miss you all!  We had soooooo much fun!  We will do it again soon!  All of us!


Whooey Who is being with his owl family and Bossy is being with his bird family!  We know where Mr. Hoppy Toad is!  Under his house all cozy and warm!   Hunter, Lady and Baby are snuggled on the back porch with all the old blankets!  They have been so good lately!  I think they miss you too!
Joe Joe is still waiting for the dog food to be on the front porch!  Grandpa says, Joe Joe has too many friends!  They will eat too much!
Hector wants a cookie!  Guess he got hungry outside of the fence!  
Love you soooo much!  4ever, Grandma xo   Goldie misses you too!  He needs a bath! :)