Friends + Food + Football = Fun

We joined Marnetta and Tim at Becky and Larry's to watch Alabama roll this weekend.  The Jone's have a large field right out there back door that is the home for lots of wildlife.  So before, during, and even after the game, the guys enjoyed a little looking and a little hunting.

Reed and Tim are actually looking at several gobblers that were

 in the field before the game.

Enjoying the game.

Becky-I was told that it was rude to take pictures during the game, even if I was blogging, so I put my camera down......................Can't have my friends mad.

During halftime, the guys decided to go out the back door and get in a little dove hunting.  They slipped their camo shirts over their gameday shirts and off they went.........

    Tim and Reed head off to their spots.

 Larry does the same.  I love that he's hunting in his crocs!

 Here they are cleaning their birds.  Lots of fun was had by all,

 and we came home with our limit of birds.

While the guys were hunting, we were cooking. 

                    Our very on Paula Deen

Here she is after putting a lid on a bowl.........

We give her a very hard time about her cooking (or lack of), but she really can cook and does (sometimes).  And it's always good (really).

Thanks to Larry and Becky for having us.  We had a great time and hope to do it again soon!

Ain't Nothin' Like 'Em Nowhere

Reed and I met Aunt Di, Caleb, and Brooke at the Original Dreamland's to celebrate Reed's birthday.  If you haven't had the experience of eating there, please try it sometime.  Reed was a little worried how Di would like it there, but I think she enjoyed it. There is truly nothing like the original restaurant.  The food is great (as in bread, ribs & sauce), the atmosphere is unique, and it's just simply a fun experience.   It also doesn't hurt if you're an Alabama fan.....Reed and I have eaten there quite a few times.  On a big game weekend, you'd be amazed at the people that pack in there.  Also, I decided that instead of buying him things I wasn't sure he'd like, I'd take him on a little shopping trip.  I think he enjoyed that.  Among his gifts is a new game camera.  It seems we are developing a wild hog problem, and his goal is now to get rid of them before they do too much damage.
However, his best gift by far was a phone conversation with Maddie.  At seventeen months, she is developing quite the personality.  She actually "talked" to him for a good while.  He loved it!!

Excuse the quality of the pictures. The lighting wasn't the best.......

The Birthday Boy

Reed, Caleb & Brooke

Aunt Di

Simply Delicious!

Thanks to Caleb and Brooke for the Cookie!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!  Enjoy this year - Next year is a BIG one!! 

I Believe In Miracles

 Small towns don't usually generate alot of excitement. However, two weeks ago we got way more than we wanted. I received a call from a friend that she was ok, but a car had crashed through the front window of Virginia's accounting office. Let me focus on the part that said she was ok. I immediately went down the hall and told Lauri (who had also received a call by that time). We laughed and said we'd go check it out as soon as school was out. Well, upon seeing it, it didn't matter that she was ok. There was NOTHING funny about it. It is truly a miracle that she and Janet are alive.


Now, a little more about the accident. For those of you that may not know, Virginia's desk was directly in front of the window where the car  is sitting. Her back was toward the window. Yes, she was sitting at her desk. Janet was standing in the door of her office talking to Virginia. Virginia said Janet had a very strange look on her face, and she caught the reflection in a frame on the wall of the car coming through the window. She literally had seconds to move. She slid her chair to the side in less than 12 inches of space. ( I told her it's a good thing she's so small.) Janet was able to step backwards into the hallway.


There are so many "what ifs" that could have happened. And you truly had to see this to believe it. Looking through the window on the side of the office and seeing how close the car was to Virginia was amazing. The bottom line is that God isn't through with these special ladies yet......



Notice the computer screen on the side of the car.  This is where Virginia ended up. Isn't it amazing that she reacted quick enough to get out of the way? Isn't it amazing that the computer was still working?

Wow!!  Brian is checking it out.

The lamp is still sitting on the desk unbroken.  That is the desk that Virginia was sitting behind.  It was directly in front of the window where the car came into the building.  The car slid it to the other side of the room.

A happy mom and husband!

Virginia and Janet received lots of hugs and also had to give lots of details.

Out she comes.  The sweet little lady had been stopping by to say hello.  She hit the gas instead of the brakes though.........

A little comfort from Cousin Lauri

I saw lots of people standing with their hands like this.  It was truly hard to believe or explain.

Now this hole has been covered up with plyboard.  Many people who didn't know about the accident have said they thought it was a strange time to be remodeling............I suggested that she move her office to the back.  She asked me if I wanted her to put Kelly up there.  To that I say absolutely not.  So, how about a concrete barricade in front of the office?  I think she is going to move her desk so that it will be facing the window.  I for one hope we don't have this much excitement again anytime soon.  Life is precious and short, and I am so thankful my friends were ok.  This is a story we will be telling for years to come.........

I'll Go to Your House and Play, and then You Come to Mine

We traveled to Alexander City for Grandparent's Day.  Yes, we traveled six hours round trip to spend 10 minutes eating cookies.  It was however worth every mile we traveled. Reed and Josh were also able to work on his tractor and get it running.Maddie and I were also able to get in a little play time while they were working.  We spent the night before and brought her back with us right after Grandparent's Day.  Josh and Lindsey came the next day for the weekend.  Lots of fun was had by all.

Sand Box Fun

Pop took Maddie some super fine gravel for her sand box.  Her sand would get wet, so Pop thought this would be a little better for her.  She loved it.  And as always, Cody is never far away.

Grandparent's Day

Maddie loves her daycare.  There are actually several children there.  Reed and I were also quite proud that we were among the youngest of the grandparents.  At one time, Reed actually said, "Man there are some really old people here."  I think several were probably great grandparents.  Anyway, we were thrilled to be there.

Pop, Maddie, and Nana.  Friday is also the day the kids usually wear your team colors to daycare.  Maddie is living in a sea of Auburn fans at daycare.  Only one other child and worker is an Alabama fan.......... 

"Miss"  Shannon loves Maddie! 
And she's an Alabama fan!

Some of her daycare buddies!



Maddie is looking around at all the people. 
I am sure she is wondering why
everyone is invading their space! 



"Miss" Shannon said Maddie is usually the last one up from snack time!



Maddie's First River Trip

I know you guys are probably getting tired of river posts.  But, Lindsey and Josh came over Saturday, and Lindsey had not been since the summer before Maddie was born.  So, we wanted to see how Maddie would enjoy the boat, and if her mom could still hang behind the boat.  Both turned out great!!

This pacifier didn't last long.  Maddie opened her mouth while the boat was going down the river, and it flew into the water.  We worried that we might have problems, but she did fine without it! 

Playing on the Sandbar

She had a great time. We are so glad that she loved both

riding in the boat and playing in the water and sand.

Lindsey Got Up On Her First Try!!!

Above is a "trick" that she use to do for miles....She could still get her leg up there,

she just didn't go quite as far. 

This picture was taken right before she fell.  Hilarious!!!

Maddie loved the boat.  Here I think she is telling her mom what a good job she did.

Josh had not skied since he was in the seventh grade.  He is quite athletic, so he picked it up pretty quickly after a couple of falls.  Next summer, he should have it down pat!

Sweet Dreams

These next two pictures may not look like much, but they are so special.  When Maddie is sleepy, she does not like to be rocked or held.  You simply put her in her bed, and she will go to sleep.  Now that she is older, she gets her super special, can't do with out it green blanket and pacifier, and heads to the bed.  However, she will climb in her Pop's lap and go to sleep. She has done this on more than one occasion recently.  I am not sure how he got so lucky, and yes I am a little jealous. 


We ended the weekend by watching Alabama win big over Penn State.  Marnetta, Tim, Grandmother, Papa, Caleb, & Brooke joined us for this.  For some reason, I have very few pictures during the game.  And the ones I have are blurry!  Anyway, it was a great night!!