
On October 31st, my cousin Mel went to be with the Lord after a battle with cancer. I was sad about his passing, but I know that he is standing beside Jesus, right where he wants to be. Hannah and I went home for the funeral. Now this wasn't a trip for fun, and yet my family really hadn't met Hannah, and whenever we get together we have fun. I have a great family and it was really nice to spend time with them. Dad is playing "Who is in Grandpa's chair?" All of the grandkids love to run and get in Dad's chair and then yell for him to come see who is there. Hannah fit right in. And she let Grandpa get close. She was belly laughing with him. What a joyful sound that was!!!









I love this picture too, because it really captures personalities. I sure do love you guys!!!!

See that cheesy grin on Hannah's face? She loves to have her picture taken. And that happened alot while we were there.

Eating at Rosa's. She ate chips and salsa and a taco and rice and beans. It was Taco Tuesday....yummy!!! We love Rosa's!!!

Before we went to the viewing in Gun Barrel City, we stopped at Whataburger and had lunch. It was all we could find.

My Uncle Gene and Cousin Pam. Pam took such good care of Mel through his cancer. I can't tell her how much we all appreciated the way she loved him through the end. I didn't have much of an opportunity to visit with Uncle Gene, but it was good to see him and hopefully we will have a happier occasion to get back together.

Dad and Barry. It was a little windy!

Hannah playing hide and seek with my leg.






Hannah on my cell phone. She would play with it on the long car ride to and from the viewing and funeral(about a 2 hour drive?). She even fell asleep holding it to her ear. And the ear she is holding it to is the ear she can't hear out of.. Doesn't she look precious?


My siblings...Kelly Rowell Cooke, me, Barry Rowell, and Ellen Rowell. It has been more than 20 years since we have been just us (without spouses and children...except for Hannah) and we had so much fun. We are all very different and yet God put us together as family. We love each other and I wouldn't trade any one of them for anything in the world!!!!!!

More Rosa's.


Aunt Kelly bribing Hannah with food to come see her.


Happy Birthday from Aunt Kelly and the Cookes. A tiara, fine jewelry, a tutu, ballet slippers, a purse. She is all set. What a pretty princess!!!!!!






Now, I don't have a picture of my nephew Will, but I am proud of him and I love him too!!Just so you know!!!!
This year has been a big year for me. Hannah has completed our family so completely-immediate family and extended family. I have a great family and being home with mom and dad and my brother and sisters was a wonderful experience. How great it is to be loved, especially by the people who know you longer than anyone else, people who have shared your unique experience of growing up in the same household and loving you anyone. I love you, each and everyone of you and I'm glad to know that we will always be there for each other. Because that's what families do.