New Caleb pix....

Here's Little Hanna taking care of baby brother for mom and dad!











Bill and I went out to Applebee's for dinner and had a few drinks and enjoyed a night out together. I was so happy to come home to new pictures of Caleb Phillips, my grandson, what a beautiful baby he is and what amazing eyes! Preston took his pictures on the army blanket I made for him......I just want to hug him so much, he is so purdy....

Preston....I stole all of your pictures....love them so much.

The Ramblin' Roses Express...Extra Edition!

The Headlines Read: Red Hatters Invade Salem Depot!
Pictured here are Shady Sheila and Wild Mary,
notorious Red Hat Ladies of Illinois. There's no
reward if you find them....!!!
The Red Hat Ramblin' Roses met at the Salem Depot Restaurant on April 20, 2006
The Red Hatters were a rowdy bunch and had to be subdued by the management.
The old train displayed out front was once used to haul small loads at mining camps and coal mining camps to deliver goods to that local area, using wood for fuel.
The Salem Depot was once a thriving place for passengers to depart the area and also was an active railway system. Today no passengers leave, but the trains still use the track on a daily basis. The Depot is now a place to eat and visit.
A delicious meal was enjoyed by "most" and a good time was had by all,...except the management! (I'm just kidding about the management, we were all ladies!

Happy Easter, Everyone!

Everyone arrived in the afternoon and we had a great time with everyone talking at once and laughing and holding baby Garret. I spent most of the time holding the baby, so wasn't sure what pictures actually got taken! I stole all of mom's too. Of course, I took many many more than what I posted here, but with the stupid dial-up it took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to upload one picture, so I tried to put represent everyone that was here. Garret was half-naked baby today, he had a really cute Easter outfit, which Shelley kept wanting to put on him for pictures, but here were our choices....screaming baby WITH easter outfit on (because he was very hot), or happy baby with clothing optional! We went for Happy baby or sleeping baby, always better than squawling baby, right Shelley? Cary? ...the world of parents???

I made a mexican fruitcake and everyone helped themselves because...did I mention, ...I was holding the baby? Mom came up for dinner at Dona's and then we migrated over here, she looked so purdy in her purple outfit! Darren and Mindy came too, which was a nice surprise because I thought he had to work! Kelly and her daughter, Ashley came by also. It's always nice to see Kelly, since she has been Shelley's best friend since kindergarten (or maybe before, they were our neighbors). She is considered a member of the family and was in many of our pictures we took through the years.

Garret has grown so much and Shelley and Cary are fine, if they could only get some sleep!

Preston and Amanda, I wish so much you and the family could have been here too, can't wait to hold baby Caleb...July seems so far away...............hope you had a Happy Easter, give all the little ones hugs for us all! Love you all!

That was our Easter here in Illinois, with the main focus on everyone taking turns holding Garret....he is so sweet!

My Bag's Bigger than Your bag......NOT

My MIL just dropped in with some easter presents for us, she is always so sweet like that. She used to always buy chocolate rabbits for Bill and his two brothers. Well, one year, not so long ago, she decided that they were plenty grown up and didn't need a chocolate bunny. So my Bill went to her house and demanded to know where his chocolate bunny was (of course, he was just kidding) and teased her about how she treats the dog better than her kids (he was kidding about that too), so ever since we ALL get chocolate bunnies and this year she brought a whole bag of stuff over for each of us. She got me a pretty plaque that hangs on the front door with flowers and chickens on it,as well as a big chocolate bunny and other candies.....so Bill was bragging that his bag was heavier than mine and bla bla bla...and so when I looked in there, there were two ceramic bunnies that looked like they were chocolate, and I about laughed myself silly and mocked him "Look at MY bag, Look at MY bag"....it was heavy all right, but because of the ceramic bunnies that you sit outside on the porch....

Chillin' Chickens

Today had been very hot, as storms are heading our way. In fact, it has been very hot for the last week, which has been good for ice cream sales, but not for the peoples and animals trying to adapt after the winter. So, as usual, Bill and I let the chickens out of their pen to run free and eat worms and grass. They are doing the usual things and Bill decides to go mushroom hunting and gets ready to leave. Before he can get in the car he hears scratching and other chicken noises, but he can't see them. He keeps listening and then he finds them under the concession trailer, just sitting down in the cool shade, takin' it easy on a hot day. Who say's chickens have brains as big as big as a pea???

More pictures of Caleb

Here are some more pix of my beautiful new grandson, Caleb. He looks pretty spiffy in his bibs. He is just so adorable. I can't tell you how I feel right now, so very happy, both babies healthy and so handsome......I am one lucky grandma to have two beautiful new baby grandsons....I won't get to see this one until July....:-(.....but, thanks for the pictures Amanda and Preston.......don't we need a family picture now with all 5 of you???? I just love you all so much. Hugs.

Baby Caleb....we are so glad you are here

My, things have been very exciting around here lately. Here is my new grandson, Caleb weighing in at 10 lbs. 2 ozs. Think maybe he might want some steak for dinner!!!!
Aw, he is just so cute and we already love him so much.

I talked to Preston and Amanda this morning,they were getting ready to leave the hospital and take Caleb to his new home, outside of mommy's body! I can't wait to hold him in my arms and give him many hugs...oh, and he definatley needs some ice cream.

Congratulations, Preston and Amanda, he is beautiful and will bring us all so much happiness

Hugs to everyone in the Phillips Clan. Give some special ones to little Hanna and Austin from their grandma far away!