Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve with the Smith's and Mama Donna!

Mama Donna Handed out the $2 bills that Mama Lou sent from Charlotte!

Skip Captain America and I

SPIDER MAN and Umble Chris Showing off their moves.

Catherine, Abby, Maddie, Baylee and Riley
waiting to open their gifts!

Cory got his very own iPad!
Except it was not the right thing...the darn thing had wings.

What a beautiful time of the year!  We went to the 4:00 PM candlelit service at the church.  We took up an entire pew.  Afterwards we ate dinner and opened presents.  I tried to cook a HUGE roast, but I overcooked it.  Everyone said it was good, but I was disappointed.  The children made homemade pizzas and had Christmas tree shaped jello.  I also made green beans like Mama Sene used to make and Tabbouleh.  It was great!

Christmas at The Patton's

Every year we go over the Patton's the Saturday before Christmas.  It works for the family since everyone has extended family and we also go to Cheryl's on Christmas day.  This year Uncle Jerry came without Aunt Martha.  She is now in a nursing home.  Jerry has been ill this year and was not able to drive, so they sent someone up to get him.

David and his new girlfriend, Lauren were there as well as Rebecca Cramer, Jerry's granddaughter.  We gathered, ate and opened presents.  Then we ate some more... and some more....

Jean, Catherine, Nathan, Maddie, Caroline.
Wade, Andy, Luke and Ann Thomas.
Bo and Mike in the middle.

Happy July Fourth

We are gearing up for the Fourth!

I hope you have a great weekend!


We will be wearing stars and stripes in Atlanta this weekend for the Peachtree Road Race! I will not be running but my Father-in-law and a brother-in-law usually run. The kids love watching out the hotel window for them! Everybody "saw them." There is only thousands of people running by... It is always a blast!



We will be stopping by Home Depot for the free Kids-Build-It Clinic! My children love doing that! We need another room in our house for all the things they have built! Last summer I set them up in the garage and they painted all of their masterpieces! We will have to do that again soon!



All of these photos are from years past! I will post current Forth pictures over the weekend!
Have a safe Fourth!

Thank You Mama Lou

Sister and I want to thank Mama Lou

for taking us to the beach!

She mentioned she loved a pie my

Mother-in-Law sent her last Christmas.

Get ready Mama Lou, your great-grand babies

are sending you some Yam Good Pie!

If anyone else wants a Yam Good Pie check this out!



Yam Good Pie is an all-natural dessert using the freshest ingredients with no preservatives added. It has a freezer life of 12 months and a refridgerator life of ten days. The pies arrive to your home frozen and fully baked. They may go directly to the freezer, or to the oven to warm. Try topping your Yam Good Pie with; marshmallows, pecans and brown sugar, cinnamon, whipped cream, toasted hazelnuts, vanilla ice cream, chocolate drizzle, or any of your favorite toppings!

I Made It!

I survived buffalo chicken dip, Barbara Jeans pumpkin bread and ice cream pie!
Boy, my cousins sure know how to eat!!! That's all we did over the weekend was plan the next meal. Of course they are tiny! One just gave birth four months ago and looks great and I called the another "Yoga-Butt" all weekend. My other cousins and Aunts are also just as fit... :)


We did go down to the beach and let the children get their feet wet. It was about 50 degrees and yes, we had lost our minds, but "it was their idea!"


My Aunt from Oregon came and brought a huge box of dress up clothes that all seven of the girl cousins went crazy over! And of course they played outside on their scooters and bikes.

My sister and I go to FL quite often, even though it is FAR away. "Are we there yet?" No trip would be complete if we did not go to the FUDGE shop for ice cream!! This is a favorite for the children. big and small!!!

Thanks for a FUN weekend! I can't wait for the wedding in May! I got my "save the date" card yesterday!! I love our family!!!!