Hot Time in Uncle Tim's Back Yard

Here you are all dressed up for the 4th of July picnic in Uncle Tim and Auntie Suzy's back yard.  Diva has been excited about this family reunion for months.  You have grown so big and have so many new things you can do.  I love seeing you clap your hands when you are excited. I love your smiles and your giggles make me turn into a big puddle of goo!

Your big boy Cousins Henry and Charlie thought you might like to go swimming so they jumped into the wading pool with you.  Charlie thought you might like to play with the colorful balls and Henry was afraid you might fall over so he has his big strong arms around you to keep you safe.  They are sweet boys who love you dearly.   The three of you were having such a good time together that the rest of the cousins decided to join the fun.   
  

That's a lot of cousins in one small pool.  I love that you love your cousins and that they love you.  Thank you for making me one happy Diva!

      I love you to the moon and back again and pray
       for you every single day.



             Your Diva

Family Reunion

Dearest Lyra,

    You have been blessed with a large family.  We were so excited to get our family together over the 4th of July to celebrate together and to also celebrate your very first birthday.  Auntie Becky, Danny and Emma came all the way from Canada, and you and your Mommy and Daddy came from Texas.  Diva and Poppa came from our home in Virginia to Auntie Suzy and Uncle Tim's house in Tennessee.

This is Poppa and I with our original family.  Auntie Becky is the oldest, followed by Auntie Suzy and believe it or not your tall big Daddy is the baby of the family.  Your Aunties used to tease your Daddy and make him mad.  I always told them that one day your Daddy would be bigger than they were so they should be nice to him.




Your Daddy doesn't get to see Emma very often but every time he does he brings her flowers.  She was very pleased and Daddy was excited that she remembers the flowers and makes her feel special.  Your daddy is a good man and I know he will always be there to make you laugh and smile and know how special you really are.





Your daddy and Auntie Suzy have a very special relationship.  Your daddy lived with Auntie Suzy and Uncle Tim for a while in New York.  Whenever they are together they laugh and tease about things that none of the rest of us know about.  





This is your cousin Emma.  She is so excited to hold you and play with you.  She is 9 years old and and is your oldest cousin and you are the youngest.  She is so glad you are a girl.  She will teach you all about the things she loves, like My Little Ponies.

This is one of My favorite pictures...did you know that Poppa and I have stair step grandchildren.  All of you are about 2 years apart.  Emma 9, Oz 7, Charlie 5, Henry 3 and YOU are 1.










Here are your crazy cousins dressed up in light up glasses, and red , white and blue clothing to celebrate 4th of July .  Uncle Tim usually set off fireworks in the back yard that are really really loud.

You did not like the loud noises they made.  We have had such a fun day with you, your Mommy, and Daddy and the rest of our family.

Thank you for making the big airplane ride to see all of us.

Your Diva and Poppa

Closeup and personal

 Dearest darling Lyra Jane,

    While looking over pictures to put in your special memories of Diva and Poppa, I was surprised to see how few pictures I have of you and me together.   I think that is because in each family someone is always the designated picture taker and with Poppa and Diva, I am the memory keeper, and the photographer.    
   
    I want you to know that you are a special blessing to us.  Your Daddy is my baby...and when your baby has their first baby it is a sweet blessing from the Lord.  I see so many characteristics in you that were in baby Daddy so many years ago.  When I get to love and hug on you I am reminded of him and it brings a big smile to Diva's face.



Auntie Suzy enjoys loving on you too.   She has three rowdy, rugged, little men and knows all about Legos, cars, and Star Wars.  I personally know that she can be and enjoys doing "girly things" like painting fingernails, playing with dollies, sculpting play dough, wins every board game and knows wonderful stories and adventures that will keep you entertained.  She also likes to play dress up and has all kinds of superhero costumes to play in.  She plans lots of great trips and knows all about special places that are magical, or fun, or have amazing pie.  She can do all that plus she's pretty!









I hope you will always enjoy being with your big cousins.  I love having all of you here together. I am hoping for lots of fun and adventures together at "Diva Camp".

Auntie Becky taught Emma and the boys how to make big pretzels.  There is a special way to twist them and turn them.  Some of them had salt on them, and some had sweet and yummy cinnamon and sugar.  It was so much fun.  I'm sure she will be glad to teach you too.  We decided that this should be a Bennetch family 4th of July tradition.  What fun and delicious!


Love you Lyra,

Poppa and Diva

Happy Birthday to our littlest firecracker!

Happy first birthday Lyra Jane

Dearest Love of my heart....

Today you are one year old.  How is it possible that a whole year has gone by when it seems like only yesterday my heart expanded to near breaking at the thought of your arrival?  It is amazing to me that one little person can have such a big impact on a family.

Today we are celebrating you.  Auntie Suzy and Auntie Becky help make your smash cake and your cousins decorated cupcakes in your honor ( and ate them for you too!)  I love this picture of you and Emmalee together....my first grandchild and my youngest grandchild together!  I love both of your big bows!

Your Auntie Suzy had decorated their porch with a huge red, white and blue flag that is in the background.  Auntie Becky bought balloons and found the awesome bow for you.  

You got a treasure box with your name on it that Poppa made for you.  It is a box that you can store all your special treasures.  I know your Poppa has already been thinking of some items for your box.  Auntie Suzy made you a special picture book with your picture on the front cover.  You are already a cover girl and you just turned one!  Auntie Becky and Emma bought you a book about dogs since you already have two of your very own.

Thank you for letting us be part of your very first birthday.  We love you so very much and pray for you every single day.

Your Darling Diva and Precious Poppa