Nephews...almost, and turtles.

In August, I will gain a new title that I'm quite proud of - "aunt".

I'll be proud of the other new title I gain, too.

These two little dudes are something else. Thanks to Byron's older sister, and now younger sister, I will eagerly answer to their children as "Aunt Winsey".

Tate is the oldest of the two little dudos. He's three.

("Dudo" is his name for other people. Before I came along he called himself "Mano". I've now incorporated these terms into my everyday vocabulary.)


His favorite song is Survivor's 'Eye of the Tiger'. The kid can sing every word and play it on the drums in Rockband. I think the Prairie Grove Tiger Band could use his help.


Some might say he's a miniature version of his Uncle B. Both are handy with a baseball, both have infectious personalities, and both require a little food to calm them down.

(Whether Tate decides to be Barbara Bush for Halloween during his youth like his Uncle B is still unknown. I guess sometimes you've just got to be the First Lady.)

During our last trip to Houston where Tate and his parents live, we were treated to a crawfish feed. To make sure there was no confusion that these were Texas crawfish (as opposed to Louisiana crawfish) Roy added a rack of ribs to the spicy pile.



Almost two weeks ago, little Tucker came into this world.



Other women (you know who you are) have always tried to scare me with terrible horror stories of labor and pregnancy and children. They think it's funny. It's sounds rather stressful. But, Lauren seemed to have flown through it like a champ. She looks as cheerful and bright as the morning. (Thanks Lauren, I stole these pictures from your Facebook.)


Now we have this little guy to ooo and ahhh at and talk funny to - it's always made me laugh how we instinctively talk like morons when we talk to babies or puppies. This is little Tucker McWilliams. I think he's destined to be a state senator with a name like that.

We flew back to Lubbock from Houston just a few hours after Tucker was born. I'm ready to start spoiling him like an aunt is supposed to do. I guess I'll have to wait until August to do that. I want it to be official spoiling.

Everyone was anxiously awaiting Tate's first response to his new cousin. I think he sensed our anticipation and got nervous.

His response was, "Whatever. B, let's go play baseball."

The weekend after little Tucker arrived, so did a painted turtle in our backyard. I don't know how he got there, and I also don't know how he got out of there so fast. I know this has nothing to do with nephews, but I was amused and wanted to share it with you.