Walking at 11 months

The B-Roll

These aren't brand new pics but some that didn't make the first cut a couple of weeks ago. I have to get the video camera out this weekend and get some "walking" video to post but so far I haven't had the time.

Riley is walking!

Well, at least she is taking several steps grouped together without falling. She can go from the coffee table to the tv and from the dining chairs to the coat rack. Usually it is about 5-6 steps in a group. If she thinks she's in a hurry she still opts to crawl but she seems to be picking it up pretty well. No pics today but I hope to get some walking video up soon.

More Farm Show Pics

Riley's aunt Julie took these pictures at the farm show last week on Wednesday. Riley loves to go with Grandpa Wilson.

National Farm Machinery Show

We've returned from this year's trip to the farm show. Riley was a good girl as usual. She attended her first tractor pull on Saturday afternoon and actually took a few steps unassisted for the first time to our knowledge.

She loves the camera!

Riley has learned that when the camera comes out she has to ham it up. We went to Ashley's baby shower over the weekend and Riley was less than happy. She wouldn't let go of me and fussed and whined most of the time until Ashley's aunt got out her camera. All of a sudden Riley was all smiles and proud to pose for photos. I think we are in BIG trouble!

Help from the North

Thanks to the generosity of many faithful Christians at Little Chapel Church (my home church) in Harrisburg, IL, we received several loads of supplies that we were able to share with the community and our church family. They brought food, water, gasoline and generators. Many families have been blessed by the wonderful supplies. We have even been able to take smaller loads to other counties that were hit harder than we were such as Graves, Hickman, Marshall and Crittenden Counties. In the last picture I've posted, Dale Broach from our church is holding his daughter Jamie and Riley. We have had lots going on recently and I can't say I've spent a lot of quality time with Riley but she hasn't lacked for attention. Almost anyone at the house has helped out with Riley. I'll look up and someone is changing her diaper or turning on Hee Haw for her. I really appreciated all the help.

Getting Back...

It seems like forever since I've made a post. We are finally getting back to some normal activities after the storm. We were very fortunate that mom and dad brought us a generator on Wednesday night (we lost power Tuesday night) so we had heat and lights as well as water in the house. Since the house and the church share the well, the church also had water and flushing toilets very early on. Because of that we were able to keep our fellowship hall open with a few heaters going from the generator to provide a warm place as well as water for people to drink and carry home with them. As the word got out several from the church showed up to help and by combining the contents of our kitchens we were able to offer two hot meals and a hot breakfast open to those passing by. We didn't feed huge crowds but it was a great time of fellowship and there was really a feeling of family among the group. We really got to know some of our neighbors. It is sad it takes a national disaster to force us to do that.