The Woody Family

Field of Dreams

2010-07-29T15:16:00.007-05:00

Don is such a wonderful Grandpa. A title that he loves dearly. He keeps a recording of Addie's voice on his cell phone month's ago when she left him a message. Every time he listens to his messages he comes across Addie's and he gets this smile on his face.
He suffers from empty nest syndrome and talks of when Beth and Katie were little girls and we were at the beach. I was in the room with baby Scott and he took his two "girly worlies" with him to go across the street to the brightly painted shops. We were staying at Emerald Beach Hotel. The place we stayed was new at the time and now it is already torn down with a newer place , but the memory, that is forever. He tells that story often. He had each daughter by the hand and he wanted them to have bright pretty floats. They danced with delight at going and he smiles as he remembers their joy. He held their hands tightly and told them he had to hold tight to his 'girlie worlies'.
We were so delighted when Addie was born and now we wait anxiously for little Livy... Once again Don will have two little 'girlie worlies' to buy floats for. . .

He likes taking Addie places and just being with her. We have a swing that is hanging between two old pecan trees in our back yard. When his mother was a little girl, her dad put the bar between the two trees, in the Y of the branches. That was long ago and the bar for as long as I remember has been a part of the tree . Tuesday when Addie came over she saw Grandpa drive up, when he came in she ask "Grandpa, let's swing". He will go up and swing with her for as long as she likes. She is our princess, the apple of our eyes.

We will save the wishes for our sweet Addie and for our up and coming new grand daughter.
We count our blessings as the best wishes we could have and at the top are our sweet Addie and soon to be Livy!!!!

Field of dreams :)

ON and On....

2010-07-29T15:05:00.007-05:00

I love this picture of this Sunset, every day is a gift. I get up every morning and thank Father for another day on this earth. Every breath we take is a gift also. So if you wake up feeling stressed set back and think of all the things right in your life. My list goes on and on....

2010-07-28T19:56:00.016-05:00

Our beautiful flower child and her proud grandpa!

Church and family Cuties!

Desna with her adorable baby

Pretty ballerina!

Hey Cutie Pie!

Angel Doll!

Beautiful Addie!

Aww isn't he adorable!

Angel Face...

Vanessa and her Handsome boy!

5 Ideas for Leftover Bread

2010-01-14T22:08:00.003-06:00

When Scott (or was it Katie?) was in middle school he had a project to bring a dish from another country. His was Italy. I called Mara A. and she told me several wonderful ideas. The one I am about to share was not the one we used but it was a great idea. She said that her mother would take their stale left over bread and soak it in water, then she would squeeze it out and crumble it up on a baking dish. She would sprinkle the bread with olive oil and sprinkle spices over the bread and toast it in the over. (Mara if I am murdering this recipe it is because it is from memory). I remember she said it was 'delicious' and did the Italian thing where you kiss your finger tips. I am going to have to get with Mara to get the exact recipe but I saw something in my GH Magazine that made me think of her and her mother's wonderful idea, Here it is;

That half-loaf of Italian or those rejected ends of sandwich slices needn't be bird food, Instead, use them - or almost any variety in your bread box = to make these five fast, tasty recipes.

1. Italian Tomato-Bread Soup in 5-qt. saucepot, combine 2 Tbsp. olive oil and 2 cloves garlic, chopped. Cook on medium-low 2 to 3 minutes or until golden. Add one 28 oz can whole tomatoes in juice, 2 c. water, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper. Simmer on medium-high 15 minutes, uncovered, breaking up tomatoes. Mash in 2 c. toasted bread cubes. Stir in 1/2 c. basil leaves, sliced. Drizzle with olive oil to serve. Makes 4 c.

2. Croque Monsieur Spread 8 slices bread with 2 Tbs. Dijon mustard; layer 4 slices with 8 oz. sliced ham and 4 oz. shredded Gruyere cheese, then top with remaining bread. In pie plate, mix 2 lg. eggs and 2 Tbs. water. Dip sandwiches in egg to coat well. Cook in preheated 12 -in. nonstick skillet on medium 8 - 10 minutes or until golden on both sides. Serves 4.

3. Red Pepper Spread In food processor, coarsely grind 2 slices toasted bread and 1/3 c. toasted walnuts. Add one 12 - oz jar roasted red peppers, drained; 1 Tbsp. olive oil; 1 1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar; and 1/8 tsp. each salt and black pepper. Pulse until blended. Serve with additional toast. Makes 1 c.

4. Parmesan Toasts Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F. Cut 4 slices bread into thirds; arrange on cookie sheet. Brush bread with 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle with 1/8 tsp. each salt, black pepper, and cayenne, then with 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese, Bake 17 minutes or until crisp and cheese is melted. Makes 12 toasts.

5. Sweet Banana Treats Spread 4 slices toasted bread with 1/2 c. chocolate-hazelnut spread; cut each in half. In 10 - in. nonstick skillet, cook 2 Tbsp. butter, 1/4 c. brown sugar, and pinch salt on medium 5 minutes or until thick and bubbling, stirring. Stir in 2 lg. ripe bananas, sliced; cook 1 minute or until well coated and softened. Soon over toast; serve immediately. Serves 4

The Most Happiest Feeling of All.....

2009-12-06T22:30:00.015-06:00

Katie and Scott on Ski lift. (I can not get the stupid picture to go to the bottom so I am leaving it here) LOL!!!!

This is a picture below I took while we were driving away from Gatlinburg on our way home... Since I am not the photographer that Beth, or Alisha, or all of the other young talents we have been blessed with, I thought it didn't turn out half bad, especially since mine is a cheap little digital camera. This trip was one of those kodak moments where every moment was sweet and every memory is one to be cherised. I will post today and tomorrow and share some of these wonderful times!

This is Scott on our way to Gatlinburg, he was fast asleep since we got up at 4 to leave. I took this picture as the dawn was breaking. Yall know how Thomas Kincaid always has a bird somewhere up in the sky of all his pictures....well look out the window. :)

This fellow is the famous Captain Jack Sparrow...he did an amazing job imitating Johnny Depp. He was part of the Christmas parade that we went to see. They also had Forrest Gump and Michael Jackson. Even though this parade was excellent the woman at the hotel says the 4th of July one is better. It starts one minute past midnight on July 3rd and last for at least 2 hours and that starts their day of festivities.

Jarom and Addie during the parade....it was coooolllllddddd!!!!

Don, Jarom, Scott and Katie rode the Zip line. There were 9 lines they went down. Brave Katie for going.

Don

On Saturday we woke up to snow like Huntsville did. Everyone was taking way to long to get up and our so Scott and I went on ahead. He found someone to take our picture.

It is getting late and I am getting frustrated with this blogging so I will post now and do another page tomorrow. Sigh! how do all you professionals do this all the time.....

2009-11-01T22:48:00.005-06:00

The End of October
October was a very busy month around here. We have lots of family birthday's this month. Happy birthday to Cindy, Pam, Joan, Jacob and Jarred. My sister Pam moved back to Huntsville this month. Welcome back home Sissy! I love having you here even though you are keeping me humble with the Rook games. I did a Halloween meal for my family/friends/missionaries and had a lot of fun decorating. Our ward did trunk or treating this past week. Last but not least Don, Beth, Jarom , Bob and I took Addie trick or treating. LOL !!! Five Adults and one itty, bitty, precious fairy! Honestly, I do not know how all the grandma's handles all the happiness mutilple grandchildren brings. :) My camera I got for Christmas last year (I picked it out) Stinks!, so I asked Beth to take a few pictures and I am posting them above. One of my 3 favorite months is already behind us but I am looking forward to Turkey month. We have Katie, Scott's, Veronica's, Sam's birthday this month and Miss Addie turns 2. (Sorry I didn't get those birthday's in order) Also my nephew Matt graduate's from basic training! Yeah Matt, we are all so very proud of you hon!And of course this is the month that the long awaited movie New Moon is coming out! Yahoo! Well this is a short post but since I haven't blogged very much, short is better than nothing. Have a Happy Thanksgiving Month!

Weighty Matters

2009-10-16T08:15:00.004-05:00

I am having some success in my ongoing saga of weight loss. It is amazing how much time and effort I have put into it since I was in my early thirties. Lose, gain, lose, gain, lose, gain, gain, gain..... I even did a biggest looser marathon for about three months with friends and had huge success. I worked hard every day two four mile walks on tread mill and journal what I eat. This was great the weight melted off, almost like it does in the biggest looser except once the "fun" was over on came the weight. So now I am doing something different. I am not beating my self up over every time I "blow it". So this is what I am doing that recently in the past couple of weeks netted 5 pounds off. I wear my pedometer and try to log in at least 10 thousands steps a day. I journal. I know that is one of the most important steps. You don't realize how much you are eating until you right it down. If you lick it bic it. If your bite it write it. (The first phrase I made up, catchy huh?) Drink water. Use common sense. But what has helped me with the bloating, and so forth is food combining. Oh and lay low on your sweets. Honestly they are horrible for you. Even though they taste great they will age as fast if not faster than the sun. This is something simple I do....( my sissy Joan sent this to me).

It is long but very informative:

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths....It is not as easy as you think. It is important to know how and when to eat. So what is the correct way of eating fruits?

It means not eating fruits after your meals! Fruits should be eaten on an empty stomach.
If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

Fruit is the most important food. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.

In the mean time the whole meal rots and ferments and turns into acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.....

So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! ( I googled how long it takes to digest fruit and it says some fruit as fast as 15 min other a little longer) You have heard people complaining - every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat during my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc. - actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you bloat! Ewww...

This stated that graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will not happen if your take fruit on an empty stomach. (That I don't know about but the other stuff I have tried for over a week and my 'basketball' stomach is deflating.)

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice (This is kinda hard to do unless you have a juicer). Not from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

Okay there is more wisdom from this stuff sent to me but I won't bore you. I do not know about all that it claims I do know that for me it is working on my weight and my stomach. Just thought yall might enjoy this. :)

I'm Sorry

2009-02-14T08:03:00.002-06:00

Okay, I just read Beth's post and was laughing my head off! Good idea! So here goes:
Beth: I am sorry that time in kindergarten when it came time for pictures, and I wanted you to have curly hair so that the night before I washed your hair, gelled it, rolled it in sponge rollers, sprayed it and let you sleep on it that night. The next morning for good measure I sprayed it again. You ended up with a huge 'fro' (your hair was really long). Your teacher Mrs. Wolk, said that she broke her brush trying to get the kink out....

Katie: I am sorry I decided to cut your hair myself. I kept 'trimming' the side to make them even. At one point I knew I couldn't go any further and you had one side obviously longer so I parted your hair over from the longer side. That didn't help much so I told you to keep your head tilted to the short side.....

Scott: I'm sorry I butchered your hair one day trying to give you a hair cut but heck all the other Molly Mormons were cutting their kid's hair and I thought I could too....

Beth, Katie, and Scott: I am sorry your dad and I took you to the cheap Santa Clause, You know the one that had bad teeth.... bad breath.... Scruungie beard.... the picture is priceless. Your all straining away from him...... I have to post that picture and the one of Beth's do.

Don: I am sorry that YOU insisted that I keep your hair trimmed to make your hair cuts last longer. I finally got good at it but boy did I do some butcher jobs, One time I paid Beth and her friend Elizabeth Eva a buck a piece to tell you how good the back looked......

Scott: I am sorry that when I sub for P.E. I did the funky chicken dance in front of the whole class and worse yet had all of yall do it too!

Joe Ikard: I know your in heaven Joe but I'm sorry that when you came the family would run and hide when you knocked on the door. Especially the time all five of our family hid in the little closet and you walked on in our house and found us..... I don't remember what we told you we were doing but you got us back....next Testimony meeting you told the whole ward about it....

Danny: I am sorry when we were little I would slap my arm over and over again and then run and tell Mom you did it..... I was trying to get you back for stringing up my doll by the neck..... or the time you and Jeff woke me up yelling, "GET UP, GET UP AND GO SEE WHAT SANTA BROUGHT YOU!" I was groggy but I jumped up and ran into the living room and nothing was their....it was Christmas Eve.....Hmmmm, You two might want to do a post.

Pam: I am sorry everything you did I had to do it too... but I must say you got me back when you went and got the London shag......

Joan: I am sorry you got stuck being the oldest sister, it must of been rough, especially when you were dating and you brought W.T home to just sit and visit in the living room and I made myself your personal watchdog.....

Beth, Katie, and Scott: I am sorry that I would scare the heck out of yall and your friends when you were little with my stories....especially Beth the time you had a sleep over and yall wanted me to tell you a scary story and your friend Elizabeth told me when I finished that that wasn't scary. I'm sorry I took that as a personal challenge and fifteen minutes later when the rest of the house was suppose to be asleep. (Yall were talking in the dark in the sun room on the hide a bed). I snuck down stairs ever so quietly and went into the closet and put on Don's jacket with the thick shoulder pad and put on the mask from one those creepy shows and slowly made my way into the laundry room, and then slowly got under the open window that was right over your hide a bed and sprung up..... I was sweating like a dog underneath that heavy jacket and mask but the way yall were screaming and one of the girls was trying to crawl under the sheet was hilarious, I was laughing so hard I almost wet my pants. Admit it yall enjoyed it too....except for the one girl whose mom would never talk to me after that.....

Okay, that does make one feel a little better, even though my list could go on and on..... Thanks for the idea....

2008-12-09T12:32:00.001-06:00

"Yesterday is already a dream and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope." Sanskrit Proverb

Merry Christmas :)

2008-12-08T20:07:00.004-06:00

Monday, December 8, 2008

25 Christmas Questions
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, I agree Beth it is more fun to open, plus it is sooooo fun shaking the box trying to guess what the gift it is.
2. Real tree or artificial? Real, really I love the real ones. I have both though. The artificial one in the living room and the real one in the sun room
3. When do you put up the tree? The Artificial one goes up the first or second week in November. Yes, I know that is early but Christmas goes by so fast. and the second one goes up the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. It is a hoot looking for the tree. This year as we all got out of the car and Scott started to run and yelling, "There it is I found it, I found the perfect one!" Jarom was running behind him yelling ,"Trip him, Trip him,"....ha, ha, ha, I like the way he thinks.
4. When do you take the tree down?Between Christmas and the day after New Years. If the tree is really dead, it goes down day after Christmas.
5. Do you like eggnog? LOVE IT, but it loves my bottom better, have you ever looked at the fat grams in that stuff.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Cheerful Tearful Doll. Santa brought me and my sister Pam the doll and a cradle a piece and tons of clothes. I found out later that Mrs. Santa sewed a long time while we was at school making the clothes. That was a fun year... of course they all were.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yeppers I do. My dear brother Jeff made me the stable and I bought the rest. Love my brothers... and my sisters too.
8. Hardest person to buy for? What about the hardest gender...Men, women love everything, men are tricky.
9. Easiest person to buy for? My girls, especially Katie bug. Sorry Bethie, you don't like my taste in a lot of stuff.
10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? One hundred percent Mail. It's fun to go through the old ones from year to year.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Beth I hear ya about the school gifts, for two years in a row Angela C. got my name. She received elaborate stuffed animals and I got a ten cent pack of crayons and a twenty five cent coloring book....I never was crazy about A.C.
.12. Favorite Christmas Movies? Santa Clause and Christmas with the Kranks...I think I like anything that Tim Allen is in.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?Black Friday
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?....Every year... that is part of the fun.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Piling up on the couch with my loved ones and eating popcorn and Christmas fruit and the eggnog.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored, for me whites are pretty but colored is beautiful.
17.Favorite Christmas song? Mary Did You Know and O Holy Night.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home Sweet Home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph...?
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The time, it races by.
22. Favorite ornament theme or color?I love green and red...
23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I agree Beth, The whole spill... ham, deviled eggs, casseroles, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, greens, rolls, j. p. salad, dessert.
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? A camera, mine is broke and really I don't care, whatever the kids and Don comes up with, I am easy to please.
25. A favorite Christmas Tradition?Finding and cutting the tree. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. This year we are starting new traditions with Addie, one night while Beth and Jarom go out Gramps and Grandma is going to take Addie shopping for her parents gift at the dollar tree, (that is an old tradition when my kids were little) and out to eat. Yeah for being a grandparents! For all of you grandparents out their with lots of grandchildren, I envy you.

Happy Birthday ADDIE!

2008-11-30T10:08:00.003-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ADDIE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Happy 1st Birthday our precious Addie! It seemed like it was yesterday that we were anxiously awaiting your arrival. We knew we would love you angel but we had no idea that our lives would be turned up side down with the joy and happiness you bring to all of our lives. What can I say but thank you sweet baby for making me a Grandma!

(P.S. I would have published more pictures but my computer is not cooperating. )

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!!

2008-10-23T08:48:00.006-05:00

Happy Birthday To My Sweet Sisters!

If we got to choose our family than I get an A+ for mine! I am so lucky to have the two sister's that I have. Remember: Joan, 1105 E. Clinton St..... "If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning, I'd hammer in the evening, all over this world....." . You taught me the power of unity in rough times. Or maybe getting rid of my uni brow, or letting me borrow tons of your clothes. Maybe it is the fact that I was spoiled rotten and I had all my brother's and sister's mad at me...(mom and dad was gone somewhere) and I went out side and sat on the front porch. You told, I think It was one of the brother's that is enough and came out and sat beside me and put your arm around me. Sis, I didn't deserve that hug but it sure was appreciated. You taught me, compassion. Possibly it is for the fact that you have always been there to listen, to laugh, to sympathize to encourage me, and all the rest of your siblings. You are a fantastic Sister, and I love ya tons, so Happy Birthday Sis, I hope it is one of your best. Love you, Sherry

Joan

Pam

Hey Pam, You can not believe what a hard time I had posting, so I didn't get to blog on your birthday a couple of weeks ago. Even though I miss that chance to blog I don't want to miss this one: Remember Pam: "A sailor went to sea, sea, sea, to see what he could see, see, see, but the only thing he could see, see, see was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea.... ,Or the long hot summer nights setting up eating cucumbers and watching old movies like "Seven brides for seven brother's. You shared with me the joys of being young and carefree. I remember one time setting something on fire when I was a little girl in the bathroom and dad was mad, when he asked who did this you looked at my frightened face and said you did. I know dad knew better because I remember the look he gave me. When I tell you my dreams and my inner thoughts you believe in me and bought me my beautiful necklace that has believe engrave on it. It has come to symbolize so much to me. And I also remember the laughter, tears and confidence we always share. I miss you tons sis, the light in this tunnel is that I know that it will be soon that you are going to move back to Huntsville, Yeah!!!

Pam

Joan with our brother's Danny and Jeff

Pam

Sherry

I am glad I have You two for my sisters!

My sister's are the wind beneath my wings, love ya sissies. I hope we have many, many, more years of laughter, long talks and sharing. HAPPY, HAPPY, BIRTHDAY'S

Fall, At last!

2008-10-13T09:17:00.004-05:00

These last few weeks have been stressful to me until my husband brought me back into focus when he ask me to read Alma 10:22 -23. At that point I decided to put my trust in the Lord and enjoy this world we have been given. We have a tree that is always the first to change every fall, and the first to loose it's leaves. This tree has always brought us alot of joy. It's old but never fails to delight everyone with it's beautiful leaves. Here are some pictures I took:

Boggie

2008-10-04T12:40:00.003-05:00

This is pictures of either Boggie or one of her brothers or sisters as a pup. The two bigger dogs are Boggie parent's. Aren't they gorgeous?! The next picture is of the Dad. Boggie has been with us for a week and she is a sweet, frisky, adorable pup! Scott thinks she is his but honestly she loves everyone she comes in contact with. :)

Good ol' days

2008-09-30T16:33:00.003-05:00

Okay, Look at that adorable face, what is not to love. So, I was thinking the other day at church, "hmm, Addie is now ten months old, pretty soon she will be in her twenties. " With that thought I looked around and realized what a lucky girl Addie is... there sure are some cute, adorable little boys out there. One may laugh and think, "gees mom, don't rush it,"
but it was just the other day (or so it seems) that my two little girls were just babies. Hold on to these hectic days girls, they are wonderful, packed, and exhausting, but they will be something you will smile at as you get older.

"And we headed off into the sunset"....

2008-09-28T21:43:00.008-05:00

Saturday was a fun filled day. We, (Don, Katie, Scott and I) were going horseback riding but first we met Beth, Jarom and Addie and had breakfast at IHOP. Happily, with our pancake filled tummies we headed off to the horse ranch. When we got there, the place was full of people so we were not going to make our appointed time..... No problem, Don felt the call of nature and so had I, so Don ask the cowboy where the public bath room was. The guy looks at us with a smirk and pointed up into the woods at the....outhouse.

You have got to be kidding!

Now listen folks, I am not a snob and I actually have used an outhouse when I was a little girl visiting my relatives in Illinois but this place was a dump. IN outhouse ratings on a score from 1 -10 it was a sub zero. But ya gotta go, ya gotta go, if you know what I mean so my hero goes trudging off while I do the two step waiting to see what the Out come was. Hee, hee.

Don comes back out in a few minutes and he isn't grinning, as he walks past me and heads to our suburban. I watch him perplexed as he comes back and hands me a butt load of napkins from Subway. "Your going to need it", he tells me as he rubs disinfectant on his hands. In the meanwhile, back at the ranch, there are two people, (Husband and Wife) waiting in the dump pile for their time at the horses. The guy is looking at the ground with a grin on his face but heck if Don can do it, so can I. When I walk past him I smell the place before I get to it and this is what was waiting on the other side.

Now, the place must have been visited from a lot of unsuspecting, happy campers, with pancake filled tummies just waiting to come out. Puts a whole new meaning on PROJECTILE if you know what I mean. I look over thinking I am going to see Sears and Roebucks, nope,..... BEll South. Don, I love ya man, for giving me all those napkins. Has anybody read the experience of the woman going to the bathroom and didn't line the toilet, as her fat thighs trembled with the exertion of staying away from the toilet. Yep, I was there..... Finished, I go past the husband and wife, who are both now grinning looking at the interesting trash on the ground.

At last they are ready to start saddling everyone up on the horses. A whole bunch of people get saddled up and then Katie, Scott and Don...... but there was no horse for Sherry :( I was going to have to wait. But heck, I am an adult and so I paste a smile on my face and smile as everyone heads off into the sunset... there they go....

First I walk around with my camera swinging on my arm but I notice that the man and woman that was sitting in the dump pile had left so I go and find a place and sit down waiting for my turn at the horses. ( I was supposed to get an hour but instead got only thirty minutes). In the meanwhile this party of very classy women come up with about 7 little debutantes for a party and they ask the same cowboy if there is a table they can set up for the cake and gifts. (I wish I had taken pictures but didn't). I look where I am sitting at, ( a bunch of logs circling a dump site) and realize I am in the only area with a place to sit up. So I mosey on up and walk away while the woman starts kicking cans and trash into a circle. ( I really wanted to sit there and watch all the women's reaction to the place and when the little girls needed to go to the bathroom, but didn't). There is an old card table to the side and they spread a plastic table cloth over it and bring out this adorable cake with all kinds of plastic horses on it. I leave them to their problem and I decide to take pictures and this is what I took.

A Picture of this friendly horse.

Here is another picture of the friendly horse.

Okay, now I am getting bored.

I take one last picture of the friendly horse and see Don, Katie, Scott and rest of group heading back. I finally get to saddle up and take my ride which I had to admit was a lot of fun. I had a sweet horse named Lace and she was an angel. Needless to say, this is one of those trips that you look back on later on and laugh about. I grin as we walk off and I see a woman with a grim look on her face headed back from the outhouse.

the horse.... after a whiff of the breeze from the outhouse

WELCOME!

2008-09-26T23:14:00.004-05:00

Scott and Boggie, they both look pretty pleased with each other, don't they!

Today we added a new member to our family. Jordan, Scott's girlfriend, gave Scott a beautiful, white, German Shepherd! Her name is Boggie and she is quite the little charmer. Already we have fallen in love with this smart puppy. Of course if her ears, paws and tail are any indication she won't be small forever.

Addie fell in love with the newest member of the family, she stretched her arms towards Boggie and said "dag":)

UAH

2008-09-25T20:29:00.003-05:00

Okay, sometimes I think if you voice a wish out loud their must be angels around listening. Every time my children start a semester at college I am so proud of them but also I would give my eye teeth if I could be going. Years ago I went directly from school to work, but when I started to work at Motorola I was able to go to college with the company paying for it. I loved it, and unlike school I was totally devoted and made A's until I met Don.... My A's went down to a B and I did finish the quarter but went after and received my MRS degree. The next 25 years, as all stay at home mom's know, were devoted to Husband, children, family and church. Don't get me wrong I love doing that also but now..... Now I get to start doing a little something for me. My sister Joan told me that mom was telling her about a program that is called Con't. Education at UAH. The teacher's are retired teachers, professors, etc who donate their time and talents. They offer a whole range of classes: French, Spanish, German, Economics, etc. My sister Joan could not go, she has a lot going on and already takes art classes, but I called my friend Sandy, who I must say is adventurous and did not hesitate to say YES, she would take the class with me. Of course, at the moment she thought I meant like the next year or so, but in less than four days we were going to our first class which is the 7 habits of Highly Effective People by S. Covey. I love that Class and Sandy did too so she called Diane another great friend and told her about it now we all three go. Sandy and I are only taking two classes, and Diane one, but we love it a lot. We laugh a lot and it is just fun being me without a title for one day. Just learning and hanging with the girls.... Oh, and Sandy and I also signed up to volunteer at the Republican Headquarters. That's an exciting place to be. So my busy schedule just got a lot busier but I couldn't be happier. I ask my World Lit. teacher if she would teach a class on creative writing and she said she would seriously think about it. I can't wait till the next quarter. The fact is life is what we make it, how we perceive it, and what dreams we let catch flight. :)

From the time that Beth entered Kindergarten I would take a picture of their first day of school, so here is mine and Sandy's.

CHICKEN SCRATCH

2008-08-29T08:35:00.007-05:00

CHICKEN SCRATCH!

My sissy Pam came down from Oklahoma, which was really exciting since it has been two years since the last visit. A llllloooooonnnnngggg time ago Pam showed us how to play chicken scratch. Your using Dominions but instead of getting as many points as possible the trick is to get as few. We usually have a present for the winner and the looser but this time we had so many gifts that each time we played a round the person that won got to select a gift. I won the first hand, (A big wooo hoooo!), so I got to pick from the gifts first. Pam donated fantastic gifts, and so I pick a spice rack which I will show at the end of this blog. Next round I won again and picked a floor lamp. (Now I wasn't being greedy, I was joking as each time I brought in one of the big gifts, and planned on swapping at the end but everyone said keep them and now I feel silly.) After that my streak of luck went East and Pam won three times. Katie won once, Beth once, mom twice and my mind is such a fog I can't remember if Margaret or Joan won one. Nevertheless everyone came away with a gift. :)

Pam was the over all winner of the day! Of course that wasn't a surprise she is one smart cookie when it comes to that chicken scratch.

Addie woke up from her nap and wanted to get in on the game. She is looking to see which domino she wants to lay down.

Don't look at my domino's!

Hmmmm, which one should I lay down next.....say these taste pretty good. :P

The matriarch of the family!

Joan and Margaret didn't win a round but heavens knows they were good sports about it. Seriously, it seems sometimes as in games like Rook that the luck will go to one side of the table or the other.

Pam, it was great having you back home sis. Can't wait for you to come back to fun, drama, and thrills of being part of this wacky family. Positive thoughts about the houses. :)

2008-08-28T16:58:00.006-05:00

Last Friday night Beth and Jarom went on a date without Addie, which doesn't happen a lot. WE were thrilled to get her for the evening so Addie, Aunt Katie, Grandma and Gramps went to Cracker Barrel and afterwards shopping. Addie made the evening fun with her sweet antics.

Here is a video from Addie's Aunt Katie, needless to say we, (Katie, Gramps and Grandma) are new. LOL, for one thing we couldn't get the dog gone thing to stop recording. Either way around Addie was way excited to 'rock' the rocker all by herself.

This is a picture of my beautiful daughters Katie, Beth and granddaughter Addie. They are some of my best buddies. That is the beauty of when your children grow up, You may feel empty nest until you realize that they are some of the best confidantes you can have around. One thing for sure they can sure make you laugh and laugh at yourself. It's funny to go over the years and see it from their perspective. Young mother's beware! Daughters love to bring up old stories. Grin, oh well, Crazy works in this family. Ha, Ha.

Ooops, I forgot!

2008-08-23T00:09:00.002-05:00

These are two pictures I forgot to put in my last blog. Addie looks disgruntled here, were eating and she gets bread crumbs and water.

Maybe if she gives her mama a big, wet kiss she will get whatever she is eating....:)

I have more pictures and will post, I hope, in a couple of days.

2008-08-22T19:22:00.005-05:00

Just Having Fun!

Okay, I love my kids! Beth told me she downloaded Picasa to my computer and for me to play with it and I did! Yes, I know I don't know what I am doing but I am having a heck of a time experimenting. Look yall no wrinkles :p

Soooo, what's not to love about this face?! I know I didn't do anything to it. I just cropped it. I think I'll wait and see what Beth would do with the colors and effects.

This is my nephew and his sweet family. If you look you will see how perfect Matt and Veronica plan these children. Two children, the oldest, Jacob, looks like Veronica and Carter looks like his dad. This was taken the day before Jacob went to his first day in first grade. He is one smart cookie, but then again so is Carter. Also, this was Carter's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARTER!

Does this get you in the mood for Fall or what! I love going to Scott's apple orchard. We had a wonderful day. Next time we are going to take the green machine and take as many (up to 8) people that would like to go. After we picked up peaches, apples, watermelons, and honey we went to Ardmore and got barbecue at Whitt's. After that we went to all the local cemeteries looking for ancestors. We didn't have all the time we wanted so that means another trip.......

Oh, the only apples they had were ones for frying, but they were delicious and Scott's apples will be in soon.

Another smaller reunion. :)

2008-07-16T21:10:00.003-05:00

Time waits for no one......

Last Friday I had Morgan over for half a day. Nearly seven years ago when Margaret (Jeff's wife), was pregnant with Jarred I found out I was going to have a baby also. Well, maybe not literally but about four months before Morgan was born I got a call from Steve and Tammy asking me to babysit their new born child. I was delighted to and five days before Jarred was born Morgan made her entrance into this world. Needless to say, Morgan and Jarred did a lot of things together. A year ago I stopped taking care of Morgan due to the fact she was going to Kindergarten. The thing is even though circumstances change you never forget a baby that you have had for six years of their life and so we had a mini reunion. We had a picnic on the mountain and then went by for ice cream. After we dropped Margaret and Jarred off, Morgan and I had our alone time. It's funny how you can fall back into a routine, which we did. Morgan then got to visit with Addie my new granddaughter. It was funny seeing Addie in Morgan's arms because it was just the other day that she was in mine. :)

2008-07-15T20:38:00.005-05:00

Okay, I have had a sick daughter these last two days and I spent last night at her house watching over her and tending to Addie. Here is some picture from Mom's (Aunt Thelmas's) family. I ended up missing some in our family too, (sorry Margaret) but this first picture is of Jeff and Margaret son, Cody. Beside him is a picture of Margaret so I did get a picture of her if being in the background counts.

Cousins, but then again aren't we all! This is Jeff's daughter Kellee and my daughter Katie, hamming it for the camera. :)

This is another set of cousins, My son Scott and Jeff's daughter Hannah.

Cousins again, yes, our kids are close. This is my daughter Katie and Jeff's son Ryan.

This is my daughter Beth, with my sweet, adorable first grandchild. Sorry Beth, caught you with your eyes close. You and your Aunt Joan are going to kill me.

This is Joan's husband W.T.

Here's a picture of Joan with her eyes close... sorry to you too Joan, I didn't have another one to replace it....

This is my brother Jeff, Danny, Barbara and family are missing, and so is Pam. Hopefully they will be at the next reunion.

Jared, Jeff's son.

Ryan, Jeff's oldest.

I have a few picture's I left out on accident and will put them in the next blog. The only picture I have of mom is the one with her and Uncle Bobby and Aunt Betty. It may be a day or two but I will finish the last of the blogging.

Marsh Reunion V

2008-07-13T20:18:00.006-05:00

One more time, thank you sooooo much Uncle Bobby and Aunt Dean for letting every one gather at your place. I know it was expensive and I am sure y'all are still exhausted. Thank you again! This is Uncle Bobby's family. The younger boys are his grand sons. Bobby II is setting beside Ricky on the right beneath the umbrella and that is his sweet, gracious wife beneath him. Last is Aunt Dean :)

Marsh Reunion IV

2008-07-13T20:06:00.003-05:00

Okay everyone here is Uncle Paul's and Aunt Maggie's family. Here is Avis and beneath is her two son's. I think Pete and John. After them is Tim and last is Aunt Inez. Aunt Inez gave me my first 'job'. They hired Pam for the summer and where ever Pam went I wanted to go so I got to work. I got to eat all my mistakes. (I think I took advantage of that) and then I only got a small sum a week. Pam made more but it didn't bother me. 1. I got to be with Pam. 2. Free Food 3. Cute fellows and did I say Free Food?!

Marsh Reunion V coming up.

Marsh Reunion III

2008-07-13T19:53:00.003-05:00

Here is Aunt Velma's family. I swear Gwen hasn't changed one bit. That is Chris beneath his picture followed by Judy and Uncle Carl. Chris I must be having a brain burp because I couldn't place you. It was only as I was going through the picture that it came to me. Sorry, it is heck sometimes being 51.

If any of the family wasn't their, don't be fooled by what seems like sunshine. The only sunshine we had was liquid. :)

Marsh Reunion II (I hope)

2008-07-13T10:51:00.005-05:00

This morning I am going to do Aunt Jean's Family. My first picture is of Kathy. Kathy is Aunt Jean's oldest daughter. I loved seeing you Kathy. You have so much of Aunt Jean in you. I wish we had longer time to set and talk. Melva, I owe you my apology. I was so excited about seeing you and talking with you that once again I forgot to take a photo. I searched and searched through my pictures but couldn't find one. Nevertheless I got your beautiful daughters. Forgive me, Next time I will take two of you.. . :)

Yall cannot believe what a hard time I am getting this blog out. Twice I downloaded pictures which takes my computer forever and each time the thing erases it before I finish. So I am going to take each family one at a time.

When you go to reunion's they can be bitter sweet. It is so much fun to see your cousin and aunt and uncle and seeing the ever growing family but then you look around and see those that are missing. There was no Aunt Maggie or Uncle Perrin. Uncle Perrin used to tease me about the 'wiggly things' in the water. (when I was a little girl I saw what water looked like under a microscope and didn't want to take a bath after that.)....(Mom told Uncle Perrin). No Uncle Paul with his sweet, kind Manner. No Aunt Jean, whom everyone loved being around, she always had a way of making you feel good about yourself. No Uncle Jerry and Uncle Junior, who were some of the youngest of the group. Also there was No Aunt Velma who did so many kind things for me. I miss my cousin Pat who walks the streets of my memories. Sandra who always looked so pretty with bright blue eyes. I know there are others too, each is missed and loved. One thing for sure they would be proud of their children and family. My kids remarked on how nice everyone was and how much fun they had. I didn't expect for them to feel anything less.

Marsh Family Reunion

2008-07-12T17:35:00.024-05:00

Aunt Dean and Uncle Bobby

First let me say a big thank you to Uncle Bobby and Aunt Dean for letting the whole family use their home. You were gracious and kind and we appreciate you two tons and your children with their help too . :)

Mom, Uncle Bobby and Aunt Betty

Even though their were only three of the nine children left at this reunion, just about every family was represented. We missed Aunt Via and her children, Uncle Jerry' children, Lana, Anthony, (Anthony I missed you a lot, I wanted to laugh with you about the old day :), my sister Pam and my brother Danny, his wife Barbara and all their children, any anyone else that was MIA.

First in posting of the cousin I am going to show Brenda. Why Brenda? Because she and me and Pat used to run around together as children, and being with her today was a refreshing step back into the past!

Brenda, her son Jon and two pretty granddaughters.

This next three pictures are my cousins Connie, Carol and Cheryl.

And here is the youngest brother Ricky!

Brenda's Willie

Willie, I took two pictures of you and in one your eyes were completely closed so I chose this one.

Connie's Ronnie
Ronnie, Here's the picture of you laughing after saying great grandma!

Right now I want to apologize to Wayne. I thought I got your picture, but I didn't. I didn't get one of me either.... So, If I left anyone out it was without ill intent I just missed you in the crowd.

Aunt Betty with husband Louise

This is All of Aunt Betty family. Sorry for not putting names with everyone, I am just a slow blogger and it would take me forever.

Okay, this is the end of part I of the blog. I am going to do part II when I get back from Wally World tonight, and we will get the rest of our ever growing family blogged.

Hey Sissy, Where Are You!?

2008-06-27T09:43:00.009-05:00

We went out to lunch yesterday, (Thank you Joanie, it was delicious, unexpected, and lots of fun!), and I decided to take the digital camera along.

I wanted to get pictures for you Pam, but we had the hardest time getting Joan to keep her eyes open....Hee, hee, hee. I even said "okay, on the count of three!" But the joke ended up on me as Joan took two wonderful photo's outside. ( WE were drawing to much attention inside.)

Geeze Joan you look like your doing a photo shoot with the wind blowing through your hair!

Here is Mom cheesing it for the camera!

Okay I cheated, this is a picture of me at Beth's B'day meal, but dog gone it, I take lousy pictures. Beth, you would of smiled as Joan tried to get me to smile different. When I started posing for the camera, I get this big fake grin going. Look yall, I am not photogenic ..... but there were three of us there so a picture is a picture. Just imagine I am standing by Joan's car with the wind blowing through my hair. I did take that picture but after looking at Joan's I looked like the before picture and she looked like the after. Ha, ha, ha. ;p .... Or Ten Years Younger... Or Extreme Makeover... You get the picture!

Either way we had a wonderful couple of hours and can't wait for the third sister to come down so we can complete the sister triangle! Love my sisters and my mom, ....okay and my daughters, Addie, Husband, Sons....

HAPPY BELATED B'DAY BETHIE!

2008-06-26T20:39:00.012-05:00

HAPPY BELATED B'DAY BETHIE! I had a hard time getting these picture's downloaded so pardon the delay. The adorable pictures of Addi and You will more then make up for the wait!

I fixed Beth her her B'day dinner, which happen to be a home cooked Southern meal. The fun thing was I fixed a chair for Addie and here she is joining everyone at the table for the first time. She is checking her baby fork out, I think her spoon has already gone south. :p

Jarom's two girl's cheesing it for the camera!

I have not a clue what Beth is doing but doesn't Addi look adorable!

Beth's cookie cake was near Beth and Addi, we looked away for a second and Addi reached out real quick scooped up the icing and crammed it in her mouth. She sure is a fast little booger!

Here is Beth looking at one of her favorite gifts! :)

Addi wearing a hat "fashioned" by her proud daddy. :)

In this last picture Beth pushed her cake away from Addi because she lunged for it twice. Addi looks disgusted as if to say, "I'm over this!"

Happy belated Birthday Bethie, I love ya dearly. For twenty three years you have never ceased to amaze me. You were an excellent student during school and college. You did them both with honors and now that you are a young mother and wife once more you do it with excellence!

Smokies

2008-06-19T20:47:00.010-05:00

Our trip to the Smokies this year could not have been better! The weather was perfect and so was the time we were able to be together. Here is a picture of our growing family. Two years ago we took a picture here that had Jarom as our latest member of the family and now we've added Addi. Geeze a growing family is a lot of fun. I saw a t-shirt that said "I am the big sister" and showed it to Beth and she just rolled her eyes and said "Mooommmm". You know that you annoy your children when they make your name 5 syllables. :) Sigh. Okay, Addi is perfect for now but maybe in a year or so.......

Gatlinburg has many attractions but one of the kids favorites was right there at the hotel. You will notice I am not in the picture. Someone had to hold Addi and there was no way I was getting in that picture.

This is a picture of the Pancake Pantry. Why do we have a picture of this place? Because this is Jarom's absolute favorite place in the Smokies. No Kidding. And if you have ever eaten there you would agree. The pancakes are amazing!

This is a picture of my three girls at the Village. I love that shopping center. It is like stepping back into time. You will notice the men are not in the picture that is because they have found a place to set down and wait. Katie loves to shop and I do some but Beth...... I could safely say that I could put Beth up against anyone else that loves to shop and Beth could more then hold her on. Good grief that kid is tireless! We went to the outlet stores in Pigeon Forge and Katie, Addi and I were setting in the car waiting for her (We were well over it by that time). I notice the lady come and lock the door, five minutes past and here she comes back with the keys to let Beth out. Grin. That 's my girl. Poor Jarom.

This is a picture of Don, Scott and Katie waiting for Beth to get ready.... It takes her a loooonnnngggg time. Jarom opted that evening to stay and watch a Cubs game.

This is one of Don's favorite attractions! This guy looked so real and everything about him was detailed. There were more character's around him I just don't want to take up my blog space.

Don, Katie, Scott and I rode the ski lift up to the top. (A tradition, a bit scary, but a tradition:) This is Katie looking down on the main streets of Gatlinburg.

Okay, this is Scott acting crazy. (This is normal for him) That rock is suppose to weight ten tons and it glides on water. Here Scott is "stopping" it by sheer strength. Hee, hee.

There are lots more pictures, we took 122 but that is it for now. We had fun and I can't wait till we go again!

Clair De Lune

2008-06-12T19:21:00.005-05:00

We had the Missionaries over for supper tonight, Elder Bruff and Elder Wiler. Elder Bruff is a fantastic pianist and Elder Wiler is a fantastic companion. I asked Elder Bruff to play a piece for us and he did. So click on the video and listen to Clair De Lune. I think you will be quite pleased.

Prom Night

2008-05-13T21:07:00.005-05:00

I am really late on this blog, but this is pictures taken of Jazel and Scott on Prom Night. Aren't they a cute couple:)

Scott looking all spiffy in his tux, he is such a clown.

Pretty Jazel!

Smooch!

part iv ashley and mandy's shower

2008-05-12T20:55:00.002-05:00

There are more pictures but this is all for now folks......

Part III Ashley and Mandy's shower

2008-05-12T20:48:00.000-05:00

Okay, more pictures still coming...

Part II Ashley and Mandy Shower

2008-05-12T20:39:00.001-05:00

More Pictures coming........

Mandy and Ashley's Baby Shower

2008-05-12T20:28:00.003-05:00

OK Family, here's the pictures. I had to take alot out because we all have the same failing of closing our eyes.

Part two coming up on the next blog.

Random pictures

2008-04-13T00:28:00.002-05:00

I am really backed up on my blogs lately so I actually did three post this evening, which is a record for me. This is just some random pictures. :)

Sleeping Beauties....

Good friends sharing a happy moment...

"Oooohhh, what flavor do I want, grape, blueberry, cherry or maybe..."

"Yummy Orange!"

Angel

2008-04-12T23:59:00.001-05:00

"Who are these children coming down...."

Addie was asleep so I took advantage of the quiet time and took a couple of photo's.

Watching Addie sleep and looking at the differences between her precious little hands and my worn ones I smile and think how kind our Father is to let me have this moment in time to share a moment of magic that this sweet angel brings....

Finally

2008-03-27T13:10:00.002-05:00

Addie is slipping down in the chair as her mommy goes through her basket!

Hurry Up Mom!

Another fan, another day....

You think Katie is giving her basket her undivided attention until you look at her hand...

Gotcha!

Mommy and Addie having a little down time...

These are a few pictures I had left from Easter. No Scott has not been adopted out, he left after lunch to go to Jazel's house.

Happy Easter

2008-03-24T22:08:00.004-05:00

This Easter Blog will be in two parts ( I am having a hard time adding more pictures...:). Easter was little colder from what we were wanting. We had great plans for the day with lots of games to play outside. Due to the cold weather the only game being played was horse shoes. Don and his brother Bob were fearless and spent the afternoon playing one game after the other. Jarom and Scott played a couple but gave it up for Halo.

Don getting ready to ring one!

I don't know if anyone noticed but Don shaved his beard off which to me knocked off ten years. The big surprise was when he shaved his mustache off. He has had one for the whole time we were married minus the time he was going through the police academy. I used to be the one that looked younger but now he is!

Katie and Jazel cheesing it for the camera!

Scott and Jazel with their Easter Basket...

Addie being a cutie as usual.

Beth and Jarom going through their basket.

I have more pictures from yesterday and will add them tomorrow. Beth and I took a fast hard four mile walk and I am tired. (Okay, I came home from the walk and blew it, and now I am going into a carb coma! ) Tomorrow is another day, and I will do better.

Oh Baby!

2008-03-13T19:55:00.004-05:00

Okay, Gramps got his sweet grandbaby an activity center, and she loves it!

If you look above you can see when she spots her favorite toy on the activity center...

She works around and sits back to take a good look at it...

And decided it is a keeper!

Love that sweet Addie, look at the lashes on that baby girl! Okay today is another short post due to the fact that some of my pictures were accidentally deleted... oh well, better luck next time.

Okay, Third time charm....I hope

2008-03-07T21:24:00.007-06:00

Here's pictures of my daughters Katie and Beth and my mom and sister Joan. Notice they are smiling but Addie has clearly had enough!

I had a fun day playing chicken scratch but I forgot to bring my camera. Thank heavens Beth brought hers. I ask her to let me have the pictures of Joan and Mom for my blog. Beth did use a few, (Thank you dear!) but saved the ones I wanted for mine.

Here I am grinning with a few of my favorite people. I love my whole family even though the ones here didn't let me win. :)

Joan, Me, Addie and Mom

I am ending this blog now and praying I can get this thing to post without disappearing. I am so darn computer illiterate. One thing is for sure there is nothing wrong with my patience. :)

"Good ol' Days"

2008-02-25T21:04:00.007-06:00

I was looking through some pictures and saw some that I thought were sweet. On the top left is a picture of my friend Connie and I. Connie is holding Beth and I am holding Katie. In this particular picture I think Katie looks a lot like Addie. In the top right is another adorable picture. This is a picture of Beth, (notice the band aids on both her knees). She is hugging her baby doll and at the same time watching over baby brother Scott, making sure he doesn't fall off the table. Katie is riding her tricycle in the back ground. The one on the bottom left was taken soon after Christmas. Yep, both the girls got these rocking guitars for Christmas and boy do they feel good about themselves!

The picture on the bottom right is my brother Jeff's truck. Seated from left to right is Scott, Kellee, Beth, Katie and Ryan. Ryan always watched over Katie.

Here is a picture of me in lst grade.

Last but not least is a picture of my dad. Yep! he is the one standing in the chair. Isn't he a cutie pie. He looks mad as a wet hen but no wonder, he has a dress on. :) It looks as if it wont get any better for awhile, that is his older brothers standing to the left of him. Yesterday was dad's birthday. He would be 94 if he were still alive. Love Ya Dad, miss you tons...

Dog Days

2008-02-19T18:41:00.003-06:00

I am use to walking by myself but since B. is now at home I go over and walk with her. She pushes A. and I walk my grandpuppies. At the beginning they walk me but after about thirty minutes they slow down.

Yesterday was super cold but A. doesn't feel the effects since her Mommie keeps her bundled up. She has her favorite blanket over her and even though she starts off the walk wide awake within a block she is usually snoozing. Reminds me alot of her Aunt K. when she was a baby.

I have become these sweet granddogs best friend. They get so excited when I drive up because they know that Grandma has come to take them for a walk.

I really enjoy the time I have with them and of course with my daughter and granddaughter. Today K. joined us and the dogs really was excited because she would take time running with them. Well this is a short post, I just wanted my sisters to see my sweet doggies.

Belated Valentine's Day

2008-02-17T18:44:00.002-06:00

Okay, I am really late with this post. First I want to show this culprit that caused me to regain four of my pounds back. It was a chocolate cake from Costco and I think I was trying to finish it off all by myself. The trick was I was trying to do it and not get caught by Don who thought I was being diligent by not eating sweets.

I have an annual Valentine's meal and this year Lavor joined us since he was in town. I love this picture because you can tell they are taking each other's measure. Addie looks like she thinking "Hmm, so that's where I got the dimple in my chin from."
Great Grandmother's Mimmie and Mawmaw were here also but Mawmaw didn't like her pictures. Also, I did take pictures of Katie and Scott but they both would of shot me if I had put the picture on my blog without them editing them.Awww, okay, this child is just too adorable. She's tired and now she has taken to rubbing her eyes. I am going to have to indulge myself and tell an Addie story. The other day Beth and I went for an hour walk and when we got back Beth asked if I would hold Addie while she took a shower. Well geeze, of course. I love spending time with my sweet grandchild. I took her into her nursery and was rocking her when Beth came out of the shower. As I commented on the previous blog Beth talks to this child constantly, even so I was shocked when Beth came around the corner. Addie looked up at her Mom and went "mmmma". Don has laughed at me when I tell this story. Today at church he leaned over and whispered that Addie was telling him that she was concerned about Global Warming. But the fact is Beth was there too and she heard it also. So, ha ha Don.
Grandma's little Genius

Babies Rock

2008-02-04T21:16:00.000-06:00

First I want to say congratulations to the newest grandma on the block! Sandy just welcomed a grandson into her family. Mark Hayden Fredrickson was born on February the 3rd and he is a beauty. Beth, Addie and I went to see him and the proud parents this evening. It wasn't long before Sandy showed up which wasn't a surprise to me. Sandy and I agree that being a grandma is the best feeling alive!

Addie came to visit Sunday, okay, Beth and Jarom did also and once again our little angel was the center of attention. She is getting so attentive and loves to interact with everyone.

I had to post this picture, this is Beth gooing over Addie. She talks to Addie all the time. Addie is getting where she goo's back.

Jarom broke away from the Super Bowl to have some one one one time with one of his favorite girls. Guess what he is teaching Addie to do.

By the end of the Super Bowl Sunday Addie was fast asleep. It is exhausting keeping everyone entertained! Love ya Addie!

Catching Up

2008-01-27T21:33:00.000-06:00

Our camera cord has been mia for awhile so I haven't been able to update on my blog. Beth has the same camera so she let us borrow hers, so here is a picture of Addie when she was first born. Needless to say she wowed everyone at the hospital. As you can see she is just getting prettier and prettier.

It is amazing how wonderful it is having a grandchild. If I have this much joy from one sweet, adorable baby girl, I can't imagine what it would be like to have several. The day of her birth was a roller coaster but one thing I will never forget is the joy that Addie's mom and dad showed when they first met there little angel.

Jarom's a wonderful dad, he loves Addie to pieces and has already nicknamed her Boogie boo. You don't want to know how he came up with that name.

Beth has settled into Motherhood as if she has done it forever. She and Jarom make me so proud! Since I am so late posting I won't put the tons of other picture I have of Addie's "birth" day. Suffice it to say, Addie has turned our world upside down, and we couldn't be happier.

My children

2008-01-27T20:25:00.000-06:00

My daughter Katie is proud to a first time Aunt and Addie gave her a first time smile this evening. Addie is smiling and cooing now, does it get any better then this?

Scott and Jazel went to her homecoming dance. They had lots of fun despite the fact Jazel has a bum leg for right now.

Okay, this is the last of the picture for this posting. I had to get Jarom to pose for one more picture. They look like two peas in a pod, don't they?

2007-11-13T17:08:00.000-06:00

Ok, I am going to attempt keeping a blog up to date. For the last four months Don and I have been very busy. We went in on a 'flip' house with Beth and Jarom and most days found me there, painting, cleaning, loading the dumpster and hauling dirt to the back, etc. One would think that with all the manual labor I would of dropped a few pounds but, alas I did drop about five but that was it. The house thing was fun.... for the first two months then it was laaabbboooor. The week before we had open house on Sunday I was also getting ready for Beth's shower on Saturday. One minutes I was at Home Depot and the next at Costco. Don does not know how to act to come home in the afternoon and get to read the paper. I know Beth and Jarom feel the same way. Beth is really ready for our first grandchild. WE are sooooo excited about Addie. Beth went to the Doctor today and he said it looks like this is going to be a November child instead of a December one. Katie and Scott are going to be first time Aunt and Uncle. Maybe Addies' birthday will fall on one of there's which will be coming up soon. WEll, as soon as we charge the camera I will add some pictures.