Shannonogans: Alto & Lufkin

The second half of our Spring Break was in shared between Alto and Lukfin. My cousin has lived in Alto for years, but we have never officially stopped at her place to hang out. She lives in the middle of nowhere, which I say because it is a paradise for little kids! She has so much land, which plenty of room for kids and dogs alike to run free.

Justin hadn't seen his older cousins in over a year. Even though it was raining outside, they had the best time finding stuff to do inside. Livia is the oldest great-grandchild on my dad's side of the family. Justin is one of 10 great grandkids - just wish they all lived closer to us!

Connor and Livia were so sweet with Justin.

They were cracking me up with the photos. They were asking if they could pose in different ways, which I always am game for.

One of their new puppies was a hound dog named Copper. Justin has both the book and the movie (which we only watch parts of because he thinks it is "scary") of the Fox and the Hound. We laughed saying we call our dog Foxy Roxy because she looks like a fox. So here's your made-for-movie of the two stars of the show, Todd and Copper.

Papaw got to meet us at Jennifer's house. He loved seeing the great-grandkids, as well as eat a fine feast that Jennifer had prepared for us.

I say this every time, but I am so thankful that Justin can have a relationship with his great-grandparents, all 3 of them.

Bryan got home early from work and took the kids out on the four-wheeler. Not only was it raining, but he let Justin think he was driving all of them. When I was out watching and laughing, I noticed a small brown object in the fields behind Bryan in this photo. I realized it was Roxy, running at full speed, at the cows in the pasture. I guess she wants to be a cow-herding dog, but after being yelled at by her momma, she decided to come back away from the dairy machines.

Justin and I then drove to Lufkin to see Papaw's new apartment. He is always trying to invent something, so here is Papaw showing us his latest thought on how to improve the oil pump. I am so proud of my grandfather for keeping his mind alert and for being so creative. His just a memoir of his life after my Mamaw passed away. I never have had so much respect for this man until after reading about the hardships of growing up in a bare bones life and becoming successful in spite of it. And then giving the Lord all the glory for it!