Parade with the family

Every year on thanksgiving I look forward to watching Macy's Thanksgiving parade. I always get teary-eyed when the grand finale of Santa appears. Every. Single. Time. I used to hide it but now just let the tears flow---one of my sappy quirks I've just learned to accept.

But this year was my favorite parade viewing. It is the first year I remember having all of my family together and laughing and actually talking about the parade.

The kids at first grumbled that they had to watch it and not a cartoon but they soon danced to all the songs and got so excited about all the balloons.

I also enjoyed getting my picture made with my quiet, laid back "baby" brother while we giggled and made fun of mom's photo taking---I must say she finally figured out how to take a good shot.

But my favorite moment was when I snapped a picture of them all on the couch---when they didn't know it. The smiles, the play, the being together...that is the true meaning of Thanksgiving. And for that, today, I am most grateful.

first fishing trip

Although I've never been known to be the "outdoorsy" type, I have always loved fishing. Fishing with my Dad. We would always bundle up and race down the lake in the boat to find the perfect spot (located above broken tree branches) to fish for crappie and bluegill. It is one of my favorite things in the world to do and it has been way too long since I've had that peaceful activity in my life.

So today, when my Dad wanted to know if it was too cold to take the kids fishing for the first time, I was thrilled. Now for most, it would have been too cold....but not for my Dad. He's not just the leisure fisherman, he is serious business fisherman. And he always took me when it was cold and I wanted my kids to have the real taste of fishing.

So we froze driving down the lake. The best part about freezing however is when you stop. Then the sun hits the lake's reflection and warms you up..........inside and out.

I love the quiet. The calm. The patience required to catch a fish.

And when you feel that first tug....it is exhilarating!

But the first catch is even more so!!!!

I'm so glad that my son loves my all-time favorite "fishing snack", Armour Vienna Sausage. Dad and I would have them every time I went fishing with him as a little (and not so little) girl.

We could several today. Zander was even pulling in some himself!!! Out of the 20 or so we caught though we only had 2 keepers. The kids were thrilled when we measured this one and it was 13 inches!

This week vacation to Kentucky is just what I've needed. After being sick I have felt better but this seems to be the rejuvenation I need to truly be me again. Going to the lake to go fishing today just made it even more perfect.

There is just something about fishing. It is a spiritual, soul-awakening, sense-refreshing experience for me. I can't wait to go next time.

a date with thomas and his friends

We took the kids today for their first "live" show.  It was at the fabulous Fox Theater here in Georgia.  It was so much fun to be going to a show in the city of Atlanta in the middle of summer with the entire city atmosphere.  Just watching the diversity of people,  the people playing instruments on the corner for money,  the firetrucks at stop-lights honking and waving at the kids was great fun.  I told Matt "Isn't it neat that we live so close to a big city to expose our kids to neat things like this."  And then I said,  "Of course or kids are so spoiled they will probably never know this is a special treat....they think it is the norm."

Anyway,  here are the kids and Matt in front of the theater.  We went to watch Thomas and Friends-Live!  I'd love to say it was the best show ever.  It was for them.  For us....well, come on,  it is Thomas.  The show both Matt & I think is the most boring one on earth.  The live show was much more entertaining than the tv program, thank goodness.  We had a great time!

Here are a few pics......some are blurry and dark......no flash photography, of course!

Here is Zan clapping during one of  the songs.  I don't think his eyes every left the stage during the entire show.

family ties

I always remember as a little girl going to Grandma & Grandpa Dick's house with all of my cousins. We would always go after church for dinner ( which in my mind is fried chicken, potatoes, side, and a ton of desserts). I'm not sure if we went every Sunday......but that was what it seemed like in my mind.

I always remember playing with my cousins. We would either go into the attic upstairs or go roam around outside. Now, I could go on with this like it was a picture-perfect story where we all got along....
We all loved each other, but the picture-perfect story isn't what I remembered. I remember being made fun of because I was the "prissy, scaredy-cat cousin". The cousin that couldn't ride a bike, spoke in "too big" words, and always dressed fancy.

Don't worry dear cousins that read this.....I'm not bitter, I actually find it funny now. I laugh so hard now when I tell the "cousins making fun of me" stories now because they are so true. I think I owe that to my mom and dad who always made me think I was "the most beautiful and smart girl in the world".....which is probably why you guys made fun of me!

I do remember, regardless of how I was made fun of (thanks mom and dad, again), that it was a pretty fun time when we would go out and explore.....

Back to REAL TIME......this was the first Memorial Day that all of us were together. We were talking that the last time we had a picture made together Felisha & Michael were about 10 years old.......now they are around 27 (I think) and like Lora said, "Felisha was frowning in the background." Now Felisha is about the happiest gal on the block!

I think fondly of all of my cousins in different ways.....
Jeff---the oldest......I don't know a person that wouldn't love him.  I always feel like he loves me and is happy to see me at anytime.

John--the risktaker....I always remember him with the nail in his foot,  then catching on fire.  He used to live on the edge......the crazy cousin!  I'm not sure if he lives on the edge now but he always has a funny remark.

Angela--Well, Angela,  I could write a whole paragraph about.  My cousin I used to fight with endlessly.......but also the cousin I relate to the most.  She is silly, outspoken,  never lets anyone else get the final word.  We used to have our disagreements but now when I see her there isn't a person that makes me laugh louder.  I love her honesty and zest for life!

(If I was putting myself in the order of cousins......this is where I fit)

Amy--My first best friend.  And she is still a person I could tell anything and trust her forever.  Most of my favorite childhood memories include her.  She taught me to ride a bike (finally, at age 12),  she was there for my first crush,  there for the stories of my first kiss,  she was there for all of my good stories.  A best friend I will always hold dear to my heart.

Kim-One of the purest souls ever.  I used to be protective of her.....now I find her a true confidant and friend.  She is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen and one of the purest hearts in the world.  Matt and I both agree that she is a special person that is rare in this world.

Michael--Actually, he is my brother, not my cousin.  But he is one of the most loved people I've known.  People that know me ( and not him) say, "I can't wait to meet your brother."  I always say,  "Think of me and then think of the total opposite.  That is my brother."  I'm so talkative and outgoing.  He isn't.  But I don't know of anyone that doesn't love him.  Everyone loves Michael.  He is the BEST.

Felisha--Such a sweet, smart, outgoing gal.  I often think Felisha is like me...Outspoken,  opinionated,  crafty,  self-confident.  I am very proud of her and all she has accomplished.  
Lora--Lora makes everyone smile.  Everyone likes her.  I remember when she was born and a toddler.  I loved being with her ( I think I was 8 or 9) because I thought she was the funniest girl!  I loved babysitting her when I was a teenager because she always agreed that anything I thought of was fun!  

Evan--I spent a lot of time with Evan when I was growing up.  I remember he got stitches more than any child I've ever known!!! Life was never boring when he was around!!  He was always so sweet though,  almost like a 2nd little brother.

Rebecca-I loved holding Rebecca when she was little girl.  She was always so friendly and such sweet thing!  She has grown up to be a very smart, friendly, sweet woman.

Erin--She is quite a bit younger than all of us but still part of the first generation of cousins.  I remember thinking she was the prettiest baby I had ever seen........until I saw my own babies (sorry Erin).....you'll understand in a few years......but she was so beautiful.  I took pictures of her all the time when she was a baby and toddler.  She could be a handful but was so cute...

When I saw her this weekend it almost took my breath away to see what a beautiful teenager she has become...how time flies....

Now you've heard about the cousin generation........here is the next generation.  I can't believe we all have kids this age!

And look at my lovely daughter mooning the camera......ok, so now my cousins can make fun of me once again.  
The kids finally stand semi-still.
I'm not sure why Great-Grandpa is laughing......who knows?  Looks like something my kids are doing, again.
And here are the first generation of kids.  My mom with here brothers.  By the way,  my mom isn't very short...she is probably 5'6'' or 5'7'' but my uncles are really tall. (Matt's hoping Zan takes the tall genes to play basketball for U of L.

And my kids LOVED playing and being with all of their cousins.....can't you tell?

welcome, brady brody

Here he is.....the new light of our life!

You can see that I'm not the only one enamored with him.  He is such a sweet, perfect, little boy.  Every time we ask Zander what his favorite part of the visit was he says, "Seeing Baby Brody."  My brother and sister-in-law did a great job creating such a precious little boy (of course, I'm not surprised.

I'm truly loving this new title of aunt---well, being an aunt to Brody that is.  (To all of my other "nieces and nephews" out there,  you know I'll still always be your aunt too!  )

Welcome to the family.......we look so forward to loving you and spoiling you endlessly!!!

chilly tractor ride

Zander has been begging for snow all Winter.  Unfortunately, we don't get it much down here in Georgia.  Fortunately, we are from Kentucky so we do get chances to see the good white stuff on occasions when we visit.

This past weekend we were all excited to see the snow. 

It was actually too wet to go out and play in it but not too wet to go for a tractor ride with Grandy.