Anniversary and a Hurricane

Reed planned a trip to the beach for our anniversary.  Little did he know that in less than 24 hours into our trip the govenor would issue a mandatory evacuation from Gulf Shores.  The weather was beautiful - sunny skies, gentle breeze, not to hot, etc!!  We left early Sunday morning and were on the beach by 10:00 in the morning.  So, we did get one glorious, complete day on the beach!  We ate a wonderful supper, sat by the beach after supper , watched the dolphins put on quite a show right in front of us before loading up the next morning, and all in all had a perfect but short trip!!

This was our view when we arrived!  It could not have been more beautiful!

This was in our hotel parking lot when we were loading up to go home!  This is never a good sign!

That's Mr. Fred Hunter and his camera man.  Little did they know that dolphins were putting on a jumping exebition right behind them!! I tried to get a picture of them, but they were just too quick!

Although it was still an overcast but beautiful day, Mr. Govenor insisted we leave......

And in his defense, this is what it looked like the next morning....(I stole this from James Spann.)



Reed has promised we will go back in a few weeks.  But, dove season comes in soon.......I've learned a lot in 30 years of marriage, and my money says the doves are going to win this one!!

Thirty

Time certainly flies when you are having fun!  Lindsey and Caleb recently pulled off quite a surprise for our upcoming 30th anniversary.  I am pretty quick to pick up on clues, and usually I am hard to surprise.  Caleb told us he was taking us and Grandmother and Papa out to eat for our anniversary.  I was quite surprised when we arrived and found quite a few more people there!!  Reed and I had a great night with great friends and family!!  Thanks so much for the surprise!

Beauiful cake!!!

Love, Love, Love my sweet family!!

It looks like another one of our girls is under Tim's spell!!

Great food, friends and family!

It's really great being married to your very best friend.  I can't wait for the next 30 years!

Next up, our 24 hour trip to Gulf Shores thanks to Hurricane Isaac.

Twenty Nine

I have just begun my twenty-ninth year of teaching.  I am amazed at how quickly time flies!  It was a little harder to go back this year, but once I got there things all fell into place!  I still love the smiling faces of both our students and my coworkers.  I truly love the people I work with.  Each day is different and for the most part, we have a great time together!  I am not sure how much longer before the retirement bug will hit me, but until then I am so thankful to have such a wonderful job!

Below are just a few of the people who make my work life so much fun! 

Mrs. Minor had to give up her summer job in construction to return to school!

I can't wait to see what's in store for us this year!!

Girl Time

I got a text the other day from Stacy asking if I wanted to go to Uptown Art (formely Sips and Strokes) to paint a school banner.  Well Duh!  Of course I wanted to go!!  I have been several times, but this was by far my favorite.  They let you paint anything you wanted and offered lots of assistance.  I usually do
 better when I have something definite to do, but this time I loved getting to choose!

Concentrating!

That silly grin is proof of the fun I was having!

Is this not precious?

I know this is not for everyone- but, I love it!!  The first people that saw it were two of my special Auburn friends, Phyllis and Melanie.  Needless to say, they were not impressed!

I think we did great!!!!  So much fun!!

Family, Friends, and Babies

We recently had a very  special night with family and friends!  Lindsey and her family were here for the weekend, and many of them had not met Lillian yet, so it was lots of fun showing her off.  Even more special was getting to see Lindsey with two of her lifelong friends and their children!  We have so much history with all of these fantastic people, and it is such a joy to still be a part of each other's lives!  Marnetta, Stacy and I have been friends for over 30 years, and my history with Gloria and her family goes back even further!  Our grandparents and parents grew up together! There was lots of laughter, lots of passing around babies, lots of reminiscing, and hopefully lots of new memories were made! Uncle C was at the beach, so he missed the fun.  I can't wait until we are able to get together again.

First, a little early morning snuggle time with Pop!

 Meeting two very special ladies for the first time - Marnetta and Aunt Di
She already thinks Marnetta is funny!

Charli and Alanna soon arrive with their cuties!  Addie Grace was born in January, and Jim and Lillian were both born in May.  Look closely - they may or may not be holding their own bundle of joy!

 Here are the mommies with their babies! (I am so sorry that Maddie is not in this picture!)
 Just a few random shots!

Lots of snuggling!

Hands down - the best big sister in the world!!

 

 Jonathan and these ladies go way back!!

I had to rewrite this post a couple of times, because I found myself getting a little "sappy".  Make no mistake though, I feel blessed to have such wonderful family and friends!  This circle of life thing is a pretty amazing thing to witness and be a part of!

Everybody Say Cheese

After eating out one night, we hit the beach for some family photos.  A nice young lady was gracious enough to take our group picture for us!

I think we clean up pretty good!!

Sun, Sand and Waves

I simply love everything about the beach - sun, floating in the ocean, watching the parasails, dolphins, ocean breeze, eating out- I love it all!  However, what I loved the most this year was having all of my family together under one roof!  I like to get up early and be at the beach by 7 or 7:30, and I stay all day!!  This year was a little different.  We took turns staying in the house with Lillian.  Those times were my favorite this year.  There is nothing quite like snuggling with a precious newborn!! 

Beautiful - even on a cloudy day!

 Can you tell how much this one loved the beach?

Playing in the sand!

Little Slugger!

 Burying Lindsey!!

I am ready to go back!!

Next up, beach family photos!!

I

Twenty Six

Twenty six years ago (after 39 loooong hours of labor), we welcomed a beautiful baby girl into our lives.  We could never have imagined what a blessing she would become.  I also am not sure I can express the joy we feel now when we see her with her two beautiful little girls.  Wow - time really does fly!

Happy Birthday!!

Uncle C surprised her with this birthday cookie!

Our birthday girl and the original Princess of the family!

Peach Park

Maddie spent a few days here with us recently.  When it was time for her to go home, Papa and Grandmother rode with us to meet Lindsey and Lillian at Peach Park.  This was the first time Grandmother and Papa had meet our new little one.  We had a wonderful time watching them get acquainted!

Not only can you get great food and ice cream here, you can also ride horses and cows!!

Lillian and her great-grandparents!