The Party's Over :(

We have thoroughly enjoyed our 2-week Christmas vacation! We have spent time with many members of our family (looking forward to seeing the Geneva Smiths in a couple of weeks!), gone to the movies, stayed up late, watched football, played games, enjoyed some one-on-one mom/daughter time, and slept in!!!! But.....tomorrow it's back to school! We are thankful for each one of you and pray that 2008 is a wonderful year for all of you! Enjoy some pictures of our precious time with family.....

Long-Overdue Update

Well, I know it's been awhile since I've blogged, so I thought I'd send some highlights of what's been going on in recent weeks:



Thanksgiving weekend...We enjoyed having both grandmas and Mom & Dad here to celebrate with us. We even got Grandma to shoot some pool!




We enjoyed watching football games in our new basement. Notice....the grandmas look pretty comfortable. If it weren't for the fact that we have no bathroom down there, I don't think they would have left those seats!



It was Anna's turn to put the angel on the tree this year.



...after the tree is all decorated...



Anna wanted to have some friends over to just "hang out" after we got the basement done. They danced to music downstairs, watched a movie, and decorated Christmas cookies. (above)



Jon's Christmas party at work: The girls thought the ice sculpture was cool, but were especially impressed by the chocolate fountain!



Anna graduated from the school's DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program last Monday night. A deputy from Franklin County comes to their class each week to educate them on drug awareness and resistance. At the end of that period they have a ceremony and receive diplomas. They are also required to write an essay on what they learned. They had to present those essays in class, then classmates voted on the ones they wanted read at the ceremony. Anna was privileged to be one of four to read her essay that night. She is pictured below with Franklin County Sheriff Jim Karnes, and her friend, Emily.






Last night we were treated to a concert by the jr. high and high school choirs, bell choirs, and band. Abby is in the choir. MaMa and PaPa joined us. Below: Abby & Lauren





We hope this finds you all doing well. Just in case you're wondering why you haven't received a Christmas card from us yet, well, I'm taking this year off. So... consider this our "Merry Christmas" to you, and we pray that 2008 will be a wonderful year of blessings for you!

Upland Fun

We all had a great time in Upland this weekend. As always, it was fun, but too short. The cousins enjoyed hanging out at Aunt Brittany's alumni volleyball game, the Taylor football game, and just playing at Mike & Traci's house. We enjoyed catching up with our good friends, the Wallaces, too. Many thanks to our three host families: the Falders, the Smiths, and the Wallaces. Let's do it again soon!

Memaw

Jon's grandmother, Memaw, passed away this morning at the age of 93 after suffering a broken wrist and hip a few weeks ago. These pictures were taken in June when we were privileged to spend some time with her on our way home from the beach. We will miss her sense of humor, her forthright way of saying what was on her mind, and the way she could always put a smile on our faces. You were a blessing to us, Memaw!

A Memorable 18 Hours

Picture this...

Abby was being diligent and doing her conditioning exercises for volleyball, Anna was playing her DS in the family room, I was outside picking bagworms off our pine trees, and Jon was at a meeting at church when I hear very loudly, "MOM, ABBY'S HURT!" Needless to say, I dropped my bag of bagworms and ran into the house. Abby had scraped her shin bone pretty badly on the edge of a chair and was visibly upset. It was one of those tough calls: stitches or no stitches? After consulting a couple of people, I followed my motherly gut instinct and headed to Children's Hospital, where we spent the next four hours. Sure enough, Abby had to get 5 stitches in her leg. (I guess we made the right call.) Finally, at 1:30 AM we pulled into the driveway. Here's a lovely picture of her cut:

THEN....as if that wasn't enough of an ordeal (the shots of anesthesia were quite painful!), she had her braces put on this afternoon. She's being a trooper through it all. I'm sure she'd appreciate your prayers!

Birthday Fun

It was a fun-filled day of Mexican food, birthday cake, and great fellowship!

The July Birthday Gang

Anna and PaPa enjoying a moment together

Lydia digging in

Cake time!

Miscellaneous

Hanging out with friends Devon & Lauren











Jon's 40th Birthday

Kid's Day at "Super Suppers", where Anna and her friends made a Ratatouille-shaped pizza.























Enjoying Columbus's fireworks show, "Red, White, & Boom" with our friends, Brian, Julie, & Brandon.