Shelly's Family

Warmest wishes on your birthday Grandpa!~

In their own words, each of the kids share things they love about Grandpa.

Ryan...

As your oldest grandson, I would just like to say, who could ask for a better grandpa!? You are so awesome. It is easy to love you because...

1. You are always filled with humor and make us feel happy. Remember when I came home from a dance and we were just laughing and laughing about how teenagers act during a dance? That was so funny.

2. You and Grandma flew clear to Texas to see me get my Eagle Scout Award. You motivated me when you told me that you didn't have someone who encouraged you to get yours and so you really wanted me to get mine! It gave me the stamina to get to the finish line!

3. You and Grandma have travelled long distances just to be with us. Like when you came to Thailand! Remember the elephant ride and the funny monkey that nearly ate Malia's braided hair? And getting stung by those tiny jellyfish when they dumped us off the longboat to snorkel? How about listening to the outdoor band? And huge omelets in the mornings and the coconut drinks every night. Having you and Grandma there made it even more fun!

Grandpa, you are a player! JK. Actually you are! You are good at playing anything--Chinese checkers, tennis, basketball, football and even throwing your pills up and catching them in your mouth.

Thank you for helping my tennis game so much, I know I could not have possibly come so far without your week long "tennis clinics" here in The Woodlands.

That parks and recreation coach has asked me "when are you flying in your pro again?" Hopefully you will come again soon! I love it every time.

5. I love you because you love mom's coconut cream pie as much as I do! Just look at our faces in this picture. Are those the faces of happiness or what? HOW many pieces of pie did we sneak this last Christmastime without Grandma knowing? I guess that is our little secret.

6. I really enjoy when you talk and teach me. When you shared that lesson about how movies like Somewhere in Time, Tuck Everlasting, etc. wish for a "happily ever after", I really learned a lot. And I want to live worthily so I can live with my family forever.

7. Thank you for coming to my baptism in Mississippi. It was a really special Christmas Eve day. The water was pretty cold in that Escatawpa River where Grandma's family was baptized. I remember feeling a special spirit there. I am glad you are interested in Grandma's heritage in Mississippi.

8. I love you because you can relate to me when we talk about what its like to be the oldest boy of lots of little brothers and sisters. It takes a lot of patience and you have to be a good example, both of which you do really well. Thanks for being a great example to me as a priesthood holder and for being patient with me and taking time to talk with me, listen to me and be interested in my life. You are really great! I love you!

~~ Ryan

Malia...

I love you because because you are my Grandpa. I cannot imagine any other person to fill the role and name better than you!

1. I love you for all the little things you do to make my family and me happy. For example, when you gave us a tour of all the things in your backyard and the history behind them and giving us treasures to take home like the bell.

2. I love you because you want to spend time with me. I know how much you love watching sports, so I'm glad that you give up that time to do things with me.

3. I love you so much because you play tennis with me! Even though its getting harder to do a lot of sports, I'm so thankful that you're willing to play even though you k

now you are going to need a few hours of down time afterwards.

All of your tennis instruction has really helped me think more on the court. I like it when we sit down at the end of a practice and talk while we drink water and then sneak

to chick-fil-et for ice cream.

4. I love the old songs you always sing, like the one you sing when we're leaving to go somewhere-- "Roll 'em in, roll 'em out, Ra-hide!" (not sure how to spell that one!)

5. I loved it when you took Ryan, Gavin and me around your house to look at all the antiques and told us all the stories behind them.

6. I know everyone in my family loves it when you take us out in your little car! Its so special for me, I just love going on drives. I feel so lucky to be able to do the stick shift!

7. I love you because you are my mom's dad. I'm so thankful that you spent time with her in sports and everyday things. Without you, I wouldn't be as interested in tennis, college sports and wouldn't have as strong of a testimony as I do.

8. I love you because you take time to talk to me about spiritual things. Love how you share your wisdom to make my life easier and more spiritual.

I love you so much! Happy birthday!

~ Malia

Gavin...

~8 Awesome Things I Love about Grandpa~

1. I love Grandpa because he comes to visit us down in The Woodlands, Texas. Nobody else from either side of our families come and visit us. Whenever he comes, he brings lots of fun.

2. I love it when Grandpa tries to fix my crooked nose. His shaky hand always puts it in the wrong place. You are so funny and always make me laugh.

I love Grandpa because he teaches us tennis lessons. He is always understanding even when I am feeling low. he never gives up and that inspires me.

Sometimes Grandpa goes to our closet or our garage and finds a football, soccer ball or any ball and starts a game with us. Sometimes he makes up the game like the one where we throw balls up and down from the balconies upstairs to the people below.

I love Grandpa because he lets us drive in his awesome car. The stick-shift is so fun to work with putting it in gear. It's also fun because a lot of people start waving at us!

I love Grandpa because he and Grandma always call me on my birthday--even if I'm not home, they leave a message singing to me--they always remember!

I love Grandpa because he is always teasing us.

He always sits on top of us trying to find a soft seat.

I love Grandpa because he is hilarious. When you are staying at our house, I always look forward to watching you throw your pills and catch them in your mouth.

I love Grandpa because you always come with us to fun places--like Thailand, Disney World, the Mayan Restaurant, all sorts of movie theaters and many others.

I love you so much Grandpa!

~ Gavin

P.S. I am very proud to be named after you.

When I grow up, I hope to be just like you.

Derek...

1. Remember that time last year when we were in your TR6 and you said we were going into another city and we all started freaking out? That was funny how you tricked us!

2. I love you because I get my natural athletic ability from you. You have really good aim and are great at tennis and basketball.

3. I like it when you play tennis with me and improve my backhand and forehand.

4. I like it when we say, "one...two...threeeeee!" and you catch the pill in your mouth.

5. I like seeing your guns and animal skins in your movie room.

6. I like it when you call me "Bub" or your "Little Bub!"

7. I love it when you take us to Chick-Fil-et and get ice cream.

8. I like how you just sit on the couch on top of us and say, "Oh! This is bumpy!" and do funny tricks to us and make us laugh really hard.

I love you Grandpa!

~ Derek

Spencer...

8 Things I love about Gramps~

1. I love Grampa because he letted all of us ride in his TR6.

2. And I think Grampa is really funny!

3. And I love when Grampa sat on us!

4. Grampa, I love when you call me Little Bub.

5. And I love when you take us to the Coles' house to play with Justin.

6. And And I love riding with you in the spinning cups at Disney World.

And I love it when you take us out to eat on trips.

8. And I love when you take us to the park and play with us.

P.S. When are you going to take us shooting deer and rabbit in the forest?

I love you 1000%

Love your great grandson,

~Spencer

Annalee...

1. I love when you came to my birthday party at my house!

And it was funny when you had that balloon on your wrist.

2. I love when you tickle me.

3. You are funny when I write words on the little typing thing.

4. I like when Grandpa shows me the old phone and the soft bird at his house.

5. I love Grandpa when he took us to the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory. It was yummy!

6. I love when you go "bzzzzz" with your shaver.

7. He plays tennis with me and tells me good job bub!

8. Grandpa, I loved when you snuggled in a blanket with me.

I love you Grandpa!

~Annalee

Well Dad, I am not really sure what I can add to what our kids have already said--it is interesting to see what they reveal as "important" to them, you have certainly left an impression and lasting friendship and love on each of their hearts.

As for me, I have enjoyed going through photos and journals and have come to realize life really hinges on pivotal moments. How I wish I had photos of all of them! Fortunately, you and mom have been, and continue to be, present and involved in all of those critical times--so thank you! The love and support you offer continues to bless my life and I think I am beginning to understand the commandment, "honor thy father and mother that thy days may be long upon the earth". With your counsel, love and listening ear, I really believe that my life has been protected, lengthened and blessed immeasurably. So better plan on hanging around for another 30 years!

I love you~

Shelly

Celebrating our birthdays together always made me feel special! We were the Gemini twins--I still like to have strawberry shortcake for my birthday and now my kids give me cans of tennis balls!

The morning I took out my endowments before my mission was so special. Remember we were all just crying together?! Tears of joy!

Who could love BYU more than Dad? Well, I do think I came pretty close! What a blessing it was for me to attend there!! Thanks for sacrificing so much so I could "enter to learn, and go forth to serve."

Remember when you first met Doran for the first time? What a great weekend that was when surprised you at 3 a.m. Thank you for hosting us then and countless times since then. We always feel welcome and loved when we come home.

How did you ever hold it together when you sent me on my mission? You had such calm composure! I was really thankful for your support, financially, emotionally and spiritually during my time in England. I could feel the prayers of my family. The compressed life lessons I learned during those quick months away continue to strengthen and bless my life.

The three B's day--burglary, bishop and baby blessing...whew, what a day that was. I was grateful that you and mom made the long journey out for Derek's blessing and Doran's calling as our ward's bishop. It was a time when we really needed all four of our parents for support, and you came!