Poker/potluck party

We started with a potluck dinner and white elephant gift exchange. The quesadilla maker made yet another appearance. Somehow we ended up with it because it also came with a Pirates of Caribbean DVD, so Brian stole that gift from Lisa and gave up the candles he opened.
Julia and Miles hanging out together with Jessica while the rest of us played poker. Cute couple, don't ya think? Julia even gave Miles a hug before she left that night.

Newly engaged... Kristi and Jason. Congratulations you guys!!!!

Kelly and Tony

Lisa and Carl

John, Jessica and Julia. So glad you guys could join us!!!

Sarah with her invisible husband. Dustin became very ill and had to leave before we even got the party started. We all missed him that night.

Henry and Traci

I know, I know...

It's been a long time since I have blogged. Here's a quick over view of some photos that were on our camera.

We took the kids (and Madi's friend) to Pepsi on Saturday for our annual breakfast with Santa and tour of the Pepsi plant. Here are the kids writing their lists to Santa.




Picture with Santa.

These huge containers in front of the pepsi plant hold sugar.

Cousins together on Thanksgiving weekend.

Me and Grandma.

Halloween 08

Shy Miles dressed up as an adorable Mickey Mouse!
We had a cute clown and a scary werewolf.

Madi didn't wear her clown shoes trick or treating because they were too tough to walk in for long. Her red nose even lit up when it got dark out that night.

Of course we carved pumpkins and roasted the seeds.

Ewww! Pumpkin guts!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween this year!

More Florida Fun

Cousins!
Still gives me chills to see this picture... There was a plane sky writing Sunday morning.
I wish I could just close my eyes, click my heels together and be back here in an instant.
Pete, Carolyn and the kids on the ferry to Magic Kingdom.
Love this picture!

14 hours at the Greatest Place on Earth

Madison and Kylee crashed on the sleeper sofa together after a long night of dancing together at the reception.
That's right, the title says that we spent 14 hours at all 4 Disney parks. We all had a fantastic time and just wanted to get the most out of our park hopper passes. (thanks again Karen) We started the day at The Animal Kingdom and headed straight to the safari adventure. We were so excited to be lucky enough to see the baby giraffe in the road. It was only 6 feet tall.
Everything was SO BEAUTIFUL at this particular park. I could have taken pics all day of the scenery.
Behind us is the ride "Everest" Austin wasn't very fond of this ride, but I must say it was one of my favorite rides because it was so unpredictable.
The kids meeting Chip and Dale. I don't know how they can stand being in the hot 90 degree weather down there.
Next we were off to Epcot. Tons of cool rides and attractions to visit there.
After a few hours at Epcot we headed off to Hollywood Studios.
Madison was wearing down about 12 hours into our day at Disney. Just a quick nap on dad's shoulder while waiting in line for the Toy story ride was all she needed to get her through the rest of the day.

Karen is so lucky she gets to visit the parks whenever she wants. Thanks for helping us plan out what to do at all the parks so we can squeeze them all into one day, Karen!
We finally met Mickey and Minnie at nearly 11pm.
One last pic of the castle before we leave.
The kids with their 3D glasses before getting on a ride.
This Mr. Potato head would move around and sing songs while you were waiting in line for a ride. At one point his eyes looked straight at Madison and he said "hey you in the white mickey mouse shirt" She looked down at her white mickey shirt, looked up at Mr. Potato head and then looked over at me and Karen with a freaked out look on her face. It was so funny I couldn't stop laughing. Then she hid behind Austin and Mr. Potato Head said "don't hide behind your brother" Austin thought there were cameras somewhere but Madi figured it was just part of the magic of Disney.

There really is something magical about that place to get me to stay there for 14 hours after dancing all night in high heels and only getting about 5 hours of sleep.

Cassandra and Christopher Bradley

Family and friends loaded on to the bus to ride to the chapel.
Cassandra was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen.
Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Bradley
The wedding was beautiful... the reception was a blast!
Welcome to the family, Chris. We are so happy for both of you. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Missouri 2008

I love my grandma!
Katie the dog is the new addition to the farm. She was so cute and lovable.
Here is my uncle Jimmy trying to amuse me by pretending like he is shorter than me.
Grandma and the kids in front of the barn. Even Bubba came over to the fence to be in the picture.
All the cousins climbing all over Uncle Gaylord's truck when he took us all out to the field. (shhh, aunt Pam don't tell Gaylord)
All the kids visiting their Aunt Sarah's grave. She is buried in the same row as my grandpa. Such a peaceful and beautiful cemetery.
It was funny to my kids, Sheila's kids and my cousins' kids together in Missouri. It use to be us running around together on the farm playing ghosts in the graveyard, picking apples, fishing, taking long walks, playing with the animals and whatever else we could find to explore. Now it's their turn to sit at the kiddie table when we all get together for dinner.
Feeding Bubba an apple. His tongue was really long.
Sheila, Jennifer, me and Jason. (can you tell I missed the tall gene somewhere along the way?)
Me with my VERY favorite Aunt Pam.

Grandpa 1930~2008

We went to the funeral home, the church, the cemetery, the farm and even the field where the tree had fallen on him...yet it still doesn't seem real. It was so sad sitting there in their family room looking at his empty chair. I love him and miss him so much! I suppose the hardest part is now when you need to get back to your normal routine but you feel like your world is flipped upside down. I'll always cherish the many memories I have of my grandpa.

September 17, 2008

Just going through some old photos and thought I'd post a couple of my favorites. I love the picture of my grandpa with the kids on his farm because I have the same picture of me with him in that same spot when I was a kid.

This picture of my grandma and grandpa is the last photograph I have of them together (everything else is digital since this one was taken) They are standing in front of their church which is next to the cemetery where we will bury him on Saturday.

None of this seems real yet...