Lunch in Foley

After riding the trains and playing at the playground, we decided to drive another 15 or so miles to Foley, Alabama.

There we ate at one of our favorite restaurants, Lambert's Cafe.

We LOVE their apple butter and rolls.

Grace caught a roll all by herself!

After eating Grace rode the "too too tane" outside.

Then we went to the outlet mall where we found this shirt for her at Children's Place.  

All Grace wanted to do was ride the toys.

She found a new friend, too.  His name is "ping-one."  That's how Grace says "penguin."

Ping-one and Grace went everywhere together.

They rode several rides together.

And explored

And explored.  They were inseparable for the remainder of the day.

Christmas train ride

Today we decided to go on a Christmas train ride.

So we drove 15 minutes to Silverhill, Alabama.

There they have the neatest mini train that we were able to ride.

Here's Grace with her Daddy all ready to go!

And we're off!

Toot!  Toot!

We had so much fun that we decided to ride it again!  This time Grace rode with me.

David was able to take better pictures during the train ride than me - probably because he has such long arms.  I kept cutting his head off.

It was a lot of fun.

Grace would have ridden that train all day long if we let her.

We finally convinced her to take a walk and explore.

And we stumbled upon a playground!

So we went inside and played for the next hour or so.

 There were swings to play on.

Even David could play on them.

And Grace hung from these ring things while David pushed her.

And there was a big playhouse with a slide.  Grace really enjoyed it.

Peekaboo!  I see you!

There was even an airplane to play on!

Vroom!!!  Vroom!!!

Soon we were tired and hungry so we decided to go get something to eat.  As we were leaving the playground we saw the little train chug by.

Bye bye "too too tane"  (choo choo train in Toddler Talk).

We'll see you again real soon.  We really enjoyed spending the morning with you! 

The Christmas train is a tradition we plan to continue each year.  Grace has so much fun riding the trains that we can hardly wait to do it again!.

Hope finally graduated!

Hope finally got her Bachelor's degree from Troy University.

We arrived early to make sure we had a decent seat. 

Actually, we arrived very early.

So we just sat in the bleachers and waited.  I, of course, took photos to commemorate the event.

Here's the program.

Showing the date and time of the ceremony.

And there's her name:  Ashley Hope Lindsey!

Grace showed me Hope's name, too.

There it is, see?

Eventually the graduates came in.  Do you see Hope?

Grace, here comes Hope!

Do you see her?  She's right there.

"Wh-air?  Wh-airs Hope?"  (Where?  Where's Hope?)

"Eye cant fine her!"  (I can't find her.)

I don't see her any more either.  She's somewhere out there in all those caps and gowns.

Ah, there she is. 

She's walking up to get her diploma.

And she got it!  HOORAY!

Here's the graduate with Dad.

Here she is with Mom and Dad.

And here she is with her big sister, me. 

Hope, I am so proud of the person you have become.  You are exceptionally talented. You are incredibly smart, outrageously funny and absolutely beautiful both inside and out. 

There are three more things to tell you:  1.)  I love you with all my heart.  2.)  I will always be there for you.  3.)  There is nothing you could ever do that will ever change numbers 1 and 2.

I love you baby Sis and CONGRATULATIONS!