Mardi Gras 2011

Mardi Gras officially began tonight with the Conde Cavalier Parade. The weather was beautiful and a perfect evening to be in Downtown Mobile.
Below is a link to the Mardi Gras 2011 Parade Schedule.
http://www.mobile.org/pdf/MardiGras2011.pdf
Did you know that Mobile is home to the very first Mardi Gras celebration? That's right, Mardi Gras began in Mobile, not New Orleans, in the year 1703. Thousands of people come to Mobile each year to enjoy the sights and sounds of Mardi Gras. There are magnificent floats, live marching bands, and lots of trinkets, beads and treats thrown by the riders who are dressed in satin, sequins and glitter. Enjoyed by all ages, it's a funfilled two week celebration. Over 60,000 folks crowded the streets of downtown tonight

Playing Ball

I am having so much fun with my grandbabies these days. All three are growing so fast and doing so many cute things. Nathan called me today to report that he, Jay and Nathan were playing their first game together! Nathan would throw the ball to William, William would catch the ball, everyone would clap including Jay, William would give the ball to Jay, Jay would give the ball to Nathan, and then they would do it all over again. Considering that William has Autism and Jay is not quite 12 months, this is a huge deal! All three were having such fun, and I can't wait to see it with my own eyes. I can tell you that everything that Jay and Rose are doing is so exciting to all of us. Once Autism hits a family, little things are never taken for granted again. Watching a baby grow and learn is so much more appreciated and each milestone reached is such a gift. Jill called yesterday to tell me about Rose flirting with everyone she saw while out grocery shopping. She said it took 2 hours to finish her shopping because everyone was stopping to talk to precious Rose. It makes my day when I get these calls, and I know how much they are enjoying their children.
Below are are few recent pics of Jay and Rose. If you haven't been to Jill's Blog lately, please check it out at www.thelyonfam.blogspot.com She has great pictures of all the children!

Time To Start Blogging Again

Life is good and it's time to start blogging again.
Today was a really fun day. Most of it was spent at the Art Museum where I was involved with a project in which local artists and several Nutcracker Ball Debs volunteered their time to work with children who are affected by Autism. These wonderful and patient volunteers assisted about 15 very special children in producing original pieces of art that will be sold during the silent auction at the Nutcracker Charity Ball in December. You would not believe the talent and artistic ability that was discovered in many of the children. It was such a rewarding experience for all who were involved. The children had a great time, the parents were thrilled and so appreciative that their children were given this opportunity, and the volunteer artists and Debs truly enjoyed working with these precious children. I already have picked out a few art pieces that I will be bidding on at the Ball!

REBECCA ROSE LYON

Rebecca Rose Lyon was born this afternoon, January 12, 2009 around 1:30 pm.
She weighs 7 lbs. 3 oz. and is 20 inches long.

Jill, Clark and Rose are doing great!

I will post pictures soon, but for now you can see pics that I posted on Jill's blog.

http://www.thelyonfam.blogspot.com/

Jay's Six Week Old Pictures

These pictures were taken of Jay at six weeks old. I could just eat him up! I can't even begin to tell you how much I love being with him. He is such a sweet and happy baby. He is starting to watch William and William is beginning to pay attention to him. Hopefully they will be best buds one day.

Ya'll know these are the kind of legs I love on babies!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

On October 25, the American Cancer
Society will hold one of their premier
events in the public battle against
breast cancer.  Making Strides Against
Breast Cancer is a non-competitive 5K
walk, to be held at Cooper Riverside Park
in Mobile.  The walk begins at 8:00 AM.
Mobile Ballet's Nutcracker Charity Ball
is proud to be a sponsor, and the name
of our team is "Ballet Pink".

If you would like to join our team
and walk with us in this important
effort, please let me know.
Though there is no fee to walk, each
walker is requested to purchase a $10
t-shirt with our team name and logo.
Tax-deductible donations are certainly
welcome should you wish to support
the fight against breast cancer with your
dollars, as well as your participation.
Registration for the walk can be made
online by going to www.cancer.org and
clicking on the "Participate in Events"
link under "Join the Fight." Then, click
on "Making Strides" and follow the links;
Let me know if you have any problem
finding our team, "Ballet Pink."

If you would like to join our team, but
would prefer not to join online, send an
email to me with your name, address,
phone number and email, and I will
register you. If you don't have my email,
just leave a comment.  Once you have
registered, let me know and I will get a
t-shirt form to you.

Please tell your family and friends about
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. 
Anyone is welcome to join our team,
"Ballet Pink."

The Mobile Symphony

Last night was "opening night" for the 2008-2009 season of the Mobile Symphony. The performance was phenomenal, and had to be one of Mobile Symphony's best, if not THE best.
The featured artist was pianist Alain Lefevre. All I can say is "it was fabulous" and a wonderful evening for anyone who attended. I can't wait to read the review in the Mobile newspaper.

Are you sure he weighs THAT much?

Dana took Jay to the Doctor on Wednesday for his one month check up. She called from the Doctor's office to report that he weighed 11 lbs 12 oz. Wow! We knew that he was growing fast, but not that fast. He is a chubby and happy baby and I am totally obsessed with him. He is so sweet and so precious.

Happy Birthday Jay! One Month Old...

This post is dated Thursday, August 28th, because I started and didn't finish except for adding a few pictures. The post should really be dated today:

Labor Day
Monday, September 1, 2008

This picture was taken Saturday Night

Can you believe how much this baby has grown? Every single day he gets more and more chubby and his looks have changed so much. He has gotten very fair skinned. He is pink and rosy and has lost his olive complexion . He is a beautiful baby, and my favorite thing to do in the whole world right now is hold him and play with him. I'm sure that's no surprise to anyone who knows me well. It really is fun to have a grandbaby right here in Mobile who I can see everyday or almost everyday. My gosh, how will I ever get anything done when Rebecca Rose arrives?

In case you are wondering, the hurricane has fortunately been a non-event for Mobile. Just a rainy day, and a ruined beach weekend. We had plans to go to the the beach, and Dana, Nathan William and Jay were coming. We decided Friday morning not to go because we didn't want to get settled and possibly have to turn around and come home, which is exactly what would have happened. Jill and Clark went to Dauphin Island with Clark's family, and they did have to come home. They were scheduled to fly to Tulsa this morning but the airport is closed. They are going for ten days of training at Camille's Corporate Headquarters. Hopefully, they will get out tomorrow. Peter is in Chicago. He will be very surprised when he gets home to see how much Jay has grown, and to see Jill's expanding belly!

The following pictures were taken last week, Jay's 4th week of life. If.....you would like to see even more pics, click here.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=tw39ck3.9apaml4r&x=0&y=-hmrcpw&localeid=en_US

Swaddled up and ready for a nap.

Three Weeks Old Today!!!

Baby Jay, as we all call him, has been the sweetest baby. He is happy and content and we are all enjoying him so much. It's wonderful to get to see him almost everyday! I have only missed seeing him 3 days of his 3 weeks and that's just because I was out of town. William has adjusted very well to a baby in the house, is doing well at school, and Dana is getting to spend lots of one on one time with Jay. He is growing so fast and his face gets fuller everyday. Can't wait to see how much he weighs next week at his one month check up.

Jill is so excited about Rebecca Rose Lyon , that she can't sleep at night. She's just beginning to feel her, and she is showing more and more each day. She also sees Baby Jay almost everyday, so she should be a real pro with babies by the time Rebecca Rose arrives.

Two Week Old Pics Of Baby Jay

Jay's Bris and Baby Naming

Jay's Bris and Baby Naming was on August 8th, his eight day of life. It was a wonderful day of celebration shared with about 70 family members and friends.
Click on the link to see pictures from this very special occasion.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=tw39ck3.4cff4jtf&x=0&y=-b5u83z&localeid=en_US

A Few Pics From Jay's First Week