The Cottage Gets A New Look!

 I have wanted to redecorate the Cottage for a while. With a granddaughter on the way and a new nursery to decorate it was time to "repurpose" some of the precious pink items from the cottage; the time to start my project seemed perfect. About the time I had the entire cottage torn apart I received a phone call from someone wanting to rent the cottage in 10 days! I tried to explain that I didn’t feel I could have it ready that quickly but the caller truly desired to experience our B & B.  I reluctantly agreed and began to work like a crazy woman. I painted and sewed and created and with only a few hours to spare had the cottage ready for my guests to check in. I’ll admit that I had to “borrow” a few items from my house to complete the décor but knowing the huge Round Top antique show was only a few weeks away I decided to wait to see what treasures I would be able to find to complete the new look. (Who knows??? I may find things for the house and leave the “borrowed” items in the cottage!) Regardless, I am pleased with the new look and anxious to find those last little finishing touches. Let me know what you think!

Forgive Me!

Ok...I confess I am the world's worst blogger!

I will give a quick update and then move forward to see if I can improve my blogging skills!

Our grandson, Luke Gardner Bryan, arrived on October 6, 2010. He is the most precious boy in the world!!!

Troy & I LOVE being grandparents!

Our middle daughter, Haley, got married on November 5, 2011.

We have a wonderful new son-in-law, Kyle.

Another beautiful wedding at the farm!

Luke is going to be a big brother in June! We are getting a granddaughter!!!!

Our family is our greatest blessing!

I totally redecorated The Cottage over the past couple of weeks. So excited about the results and will write about that in my next post.

I know many other things have happened in our lives in the past 18 months but I will spare you an entire play by play.

Here’s hoping I can do a better job keeping this blog current….

Lake Travis!

We were able to fit one long weekend in for our “family vacation” this year. We spent our first ever weekend at Lake Travis. Thanks to the recommendation of a friend (thanks Sharon) we rented a house at The Hollows. We had a great time! Tori and I spent most of our time at the pool, while the rest of the crew was more adventurous with wave runners and water skiing. (Well except for Memie—her preference was reading and napping at the house :)

Carlee before....

Carlee after she said Uncle Troy tried to kill her...

Nathan being Nathan....

Nathan learning humility...

G-pa still has it!

We even had Memie's feet in the water...once

What great kids!

Our crew minus the photographer...Haley

The next family getaway will include a new addition ---
can’t wait!

The Count Down!

Last weekend we went to help Tori & Colin finish preparing the nursery for Luke. G-pa put the stroller and swing together while Haley and I helped Tori wash tons of baby clothes (that boy is going to be well dressed!) and organize all of the other baby necessities. How can one small person need so much stuff?! We got the new clock hung and the cute letters to fill the frame over the bed. Colin got home in time to hang another rod in the closet. We even added a handy little gate to keep Hannah out of Luke’s room—sorry, no puppy hair allowed. The nursery is precious! The pictures really don't do it justice.

Tori & Colin have finished their childbirth classes and after a comical diapering lesson with a sock monkey—I do believe the Bryan house is ready for Luke to make his appearance.

I heard from Tori today after her doctor’s appointment—nope, no progress yet. Three weeks to go until his due date and we are all anxious.Be praying with us for a healthy little boy and a safe and smooth delivery
for the new mommy (& daddy!)

Aren't they a good looking couple?! This is going to be one cute little boy!!!!

And Now We Wait.....

God has blessed us greatly!

Tori has had two beautiful showers given and attended by loving friends and family. I think she and Colin now have everything they need for little Luke…so now we wait! The preparation has been so much fun and has gone by so quickly. The shower this past weekend was the last trip Tori will make to Brenham until after Luke arrives. It was amazing to realize that the next time she comes home, she will have a baby! She is radiant as a pregnant mommy and has handled this miraculous journey with grace and true joy. She is going to be a wonderful mother. Our prayers now are for a smooth labor and delivery and a very healthy baby Luke.

"Little Boys Are A Hoot!"

The food was amazing as you can see!

Hostesses: Natalie, Aunt Paige, Aunt Haley, Debbie & Traci

Carlee, Traci, Haley & Rachel

Tami & Rhonda

Classic Haley!!!!!

Brenham Shower #2
Beautiful Mommy to Be


Hostesses: Nancy, Angela, Daphne, Jane, Sunni,
Cathy & Johanna (There in spirit--Meredith)

Too cute!

Luke's Memie, Mommy & Mia

Great Grandmother Lee

Anxiously waiting.... :)

Tori's 1st Baby Shower

Yesterday was Tori's first baby shower. Colin's sweet aunt hosted the shower for Tori and her sister in law, Courtney, who is also expecting. Reality is beginning to set in---only 2 months to go and we will all meet Mr. Luke! We took a couple of pictures before we headed to the shower.

Tori is a beautiful expectant mother!

Aunt Haley & Aunt Paige

Can't wait to be Mia!!!

Tori and her Memie

More fun next weekend with another shower! We are all so very blessed!!!

His Name Will Be LUKE!

It has been a while since I have posted and the days are quickly passing as we await the birth of our grandson. Several weeks ago Tori & Colin sent us a fun text message that caused a bit of a stir! Teresa, Haley, Paige & I were just finishing ladies Bible study when the text came.

As you can see--our grandson has a name. We can't wait to meet Mr. Luke Gardner Bryan!

Yesterday we spent the day with Tori & Colin helping get some things done around the house. Our favorite task was working on the nursery. It is turning out so precious! It is still a work in progress but I am posting what we have completed so far.

We found these old lockers at the Antique Show in the Spring. Colin & Tori did a great job restoring and painting these!

Great grandmother, Memie, painted this old dresser for Luke. All that is missing is the changing pad and this will become his changing table.


We still have some more old frames to add to this wall. We are also on a mission to find some old letters to spell Luke's name to fill the existing frame.

Troy and Nathan worked on a fence in the backyard for the dog and several other little projects. Poor Colin had to work, but came home and grilled some amazing steaks for the "work crew." It was a special day, made perfect because the entire family was able to share the experience together. Little Luke has an entire family that is already in love with him and anxious for his arrival!

Tori will have her first shower in a couple of weeks, Paige & Nathan will be graduating from college....many busy weekends are going to make the days pass quickly until September.