Getting Ready for Christmas!!!!

December has been a busy month! We visited Santa and the lights in Westover, Rylie was "Mary" in her church pageant, Evan learned how to crawl under every church pew till he reached the front of the church, and we even visited two live nativites in town. It's been fun getting ready for Christmas!

Halloween Trick or Treat

 Elmo and Pumpkin Spice are ready to hit the streets for the candy and treats. Mamaw and Papaw gave out candy while the kids took off for the fun. The neighborhood had nearly 300 kids this year. So cute.

A Much Needed Vacation in Lancaster, PA

 
 
 This has been quite a stressful year for us. Bill and I decided to take a few days and rest in the Amish Country of Lancaster PA. The weather was great. We shopped at the Amish stores, Kitchen Kettle Village and rode the train in Strausburg. We really enjoyed the peaceful quiet town of Lititz. I discovered the best chocolate in the world called Wilbur Buds made right in Lititz. Bill and I really needed some rest time and Lancaster County filled the bill.

Taking Pops home to Metuchen, NJ

 
 
 Pop's has long wanted to return to his hometown of Metuchen, NJ. An old classmate was located and offered to show us around town. Pop's graduated High School from Metuchen and immediately went into service during World War II. His brother Richard also went into service and was killed in Germany. Pop's was able to see for the first time, Richard's memorial marker that honors his brother. Metuchen is a beautiful town. Very peaceful and friendly. Pop's friend, Don Wernick was a former mayor of this town. It was a great trip.

Goodbye Granny! We will miss you!

 

 

 

My grandmother known by all who met her as simply "Granny" has passed away just 2 weeks before her 92nd birthday. I have so many memories of her that make me smile. Granny made the best fried chicken and chocolate pie in the world. She always found blackberries for me to eat when I came to visit because she knew I loved them so. I look back now and realized that they didn't have much money and that was such a gift. Granny let me play dress up with her high heels often when I was little. She never once had a cross word for me and many times she would say how she loved those babies. I learned from Granny a few tricks on how to be a good grandmother. I also learned many old time stories, recipes, and traditions that were never written down. The best thing I remember about Granny is how she would get tickled and laugh so hard at something. She was a hoot to play Canasta with. We always joked about her intense playing of the game. She would talk to the cards...."be there" and cuss when they weren't there. For Granny to cuss, she started the word and ended the word but would leave out the middle of the word. "Sh......t" was her favorite cuss word. The funniest memory I have of her is when a truck carrying cows overturned on the highway and scattered the animals everywhere. Our car had broken down and we were parked at the side of the road when a small cow ran toward Granny. Granny screams "buuuulllll" and dives into the car. Granny always liked to come and help me when my kids were little. She cleaned house, helped cook meals, and it was so appreciated. Trying to raise two young kids and work was really hard and I really needed the help. These are just a few of the great memories I had of my grandmother. My only regret is that I didn't share these memories at her funeral. I have always been too emotional to do such things and I missed an opportunity to share with her friends and family what wonderful things she did for her grandkids. I will remember her always and am happy to share these memories with the world through my blog. Goodbye Granny!!!!!I loved you very much. I will miss you. Please enjoy these pictures of our last visit in April with Granny. She was so happy to see the kids. Sneak a peek at the scrolling pictures on the left of Bill and I when we were young. You will see a picture of Granny standing next to Bill in the wedding picture with the grandparents. She would have been about 62 in that picture.

A Wonderful Gift! It's "America!!!!!"

 

Bill and I, along with Steve and Kristina, were treated to backstage passes at the America concert. We were allowed to go backstage and meet the band members before the show. We had front row seats!!!! America is Bill's all time favorite band, and to meet them and be able to see them perform live was a true gift. We also came away with a signed backstage pass card, and a signed T shirt for Bill. (You can see him holding it in the picture.) A night we will never forget! These guys are so down to earth and talented. And so genuinely nice.

Saving Herbie the Grasshopper

 
 
 
 Rylie found a beautiful lime green grasshopper while swimming in the pool. She proudly brought it up to the deck to show him off. Unfortunatly, Herbie has passed into grasshopper heaven while swimming. Rylie accidently dropped him and he fell between the deck boards. Papaw to the rescue.....again....... All is now well and Herbie is now at peace in the flower pot.

Steve and Kristina on the Rapids

Steve and Kristina at Ohio Pyle having fun in the rapids. Contrary to what the picture shows, Kristina said she really did most of the work. :) Steve of course disagrees and has the sore muscles to prove it. I think they both got quite a workout and really had fun.

Kid's Day in Morgantown!

    The temperature was in the high 80's hot and humid. Perfect day to play in the fire engine's water supply and chase the bubbles floating in the air. Rylie and Evan spent the day with us and we had so much fun. There were all kinds of games, prizes, and even a jumping trampoline. Afterwards, we all hit the pool to cool off after ice cream of course!

Click on the pics to enlarge and see details. Also, enjoy this short video of Evan and Rylie chasing the bubbles!

We will miss our Mimi!!! June 19, 2008

During our vacation this year on June 19, 2008, Bill's mother passed away unexpectedly. She was very soft spoken and gentle and we will miss her every day. On the day she left us, there was such a beautful rainbow in the sky that gave us much comfort. Mimi and Pop's had just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversay last month. Her grandkids remember the special Easter Egg hunts every year when they were little. Rylie would often visit to have Mimi's special spaghetti that she said was the best in the world. She was a very kind and loving mother, grandmother, and mother in law. We will miss you, Mimi! Madeline Ruth Davis 1936 - 2008

My Youngest Daughter is 30! May 5, 2008

 
 
 Stacy has made that big milestone of 30. We celebrated at Texas Roadhouse with dinner and of course Stacy being sung to while sitting on their saddle. Isn't she beautiful? I'm so proud of her and the women she has become.

Evan's First Haircut (April) 08

 In April, Evan had his first professional haircut. The video is posted on "You Tube" and is so cute. I am having trouble linking the video in this post so just copy and paste this link into your browser until I get it working. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUrmIpc5Ad0

Visiting Granny April 28, 2008

 Granny is now 92 and doing well. We visited her and she seemed happy we were there. Rylie and Evan are the 5th generation for Granny. She is their great great grandmother.

Evan's First Birthday! Dec 31 2007

 

 

 

Born on New Year's Eve, Evan's Birthday will be a party every year! Family and friends gathered at Stacy and Brad's house for the special event. Evan really liked his rocking horse. He was almost walking on this birthday and has since taken his first steps. He is growing so fast.

Homemade Play Dough

 
 
 
 
Martin Luther King Day and a day off from school. Rylie spent the day with me and for fun we made homemade Play Dough and made some cute thingies. The recipe is easy. 1 cup flour, 1 cup salt, 1 tbsp alum, 1 tsp vegetable oil, food coloring, vanilla flavoring (for nice smell) . Mix and add warm water until the right consistency. Knead it like crazy until smooth and voila! Something to have fun with that smells great. I used to do this with my own kids when they were little. The play dough can be air dried or stored in airtight container for another day.