HOW COOL IS THIS?

WOO HOO, I got a camera in my stocking!! I'm so excited! Now I can take pictures again. Is this not the hottest camera you've ever seen? Love, love, love it!! My intent is to carry it around with me in my purse so that I'll always be prepared.

Thanks Santa Baby!!

CHRISTMAS EVE

When our children were little , every Christmas eve Michael would read the Christmas story from the scriptures and the children would dress up and act out the parts. Some years we even videoed the play. It was such fun! I really wanted the grandchildren to carry on the tradition for us and they came through for me!! Big Daddy read and all the grandchildren did a wonderful job of acting out their parts.

Mary Beth had to be Mary so she could hold baby Jesus (Maizeigh). Of course, Olivia gave me a hard time about it because she said Maizeigh was a girl. I explained that we were "pretending" and that seemed okay with her! Was Joseph really this handsome?? Jackson played his role well.
We had to have shepherds, Hagin, Peyton and Christi. What good are shepherds without sheep?? That is definitely the cutest little sheep I've ever seen! Good job, Owen!

Oh, my, what a beautiful Angel! Olivia made a perfect angel!

Here's the sheep again. He just crawled around the manger. That's what sheep do, isn't it??

One of the wise men (Hunter) brought gifts. His gold was actually chocolate wrapped in gold!

Making memories is so much fun. Let's do it again next year gang!!

DANG IT - NO CAMERA!

Just when I was getting excited to start blogging, my camera breaks! That really stinks.

Mary Beth and Christi have been generous in letting me share some of their pictures.

Saturday all of us, except Jessica who was working, went to the USC basketball game, to the Zoo for the lights and then on to IHOP for a great late supper. So late that poor little Olivia was falling asleep in her chair! Sixteen people and all that excitement and here is the only picture I have to show for it!! Check out Mary Beth's blog for more pictures!

Me, Mary Beth, Maizeigh and Olivia riding the carousel at the Zoo

I love my babies SO much. The little ones AND the big ones!!!

YOU'RE STILL THE ONE

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

Thirty-four years ago I made the most important and wonderful decision of my entire life. I married the man of my dreams

Love the bowtie and the beard!
Now y'all know I had to show this hair-do!! Yep, it was the 70's!

I don't have any room to talk--hairspray was very tabu in the 70's. I sure could have used some of my Kenra back then!

AHHHHH! Now you see what made me first fall in love with him! Quite the hunk!

Beneath this handsome exterior is a heart of gold.

They don't come any better.

You're my hero, babe!

You're still the one I run to

The one that I belong to

You're the one I want for life

You're still the one that I love

The only one I dream of

You're still the one I kiss good night

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE

Joseph Michael Whetstone was born on December 19, 1984 at 8:23pm

Piedmont Medical Center, Rock Hill, South Carolina

He weighed in at 7 pounds 11 ounces

He was an absolutely beautiful baby! He still is!

Joe was always easy going and layed back. Hum, some things they never outgrow! Joe was always fun to have around. When he was little, I didn't have to punish him very often because all I would have to do was fuss at him and it would hurt his feelings and he would stop doing whatever it was that he was doing wrong. He loved his momma and would want to sit in my lap or right up beside me all the time. I think it was because I would rub his arms or play with his hair. He still likes that! Joe has grown into a wonderful man and I know that one day he will be a great father.

Granny holding Joe

What a cutie

So handsome

Joe was such a sweet boy and this picture shows it

He just couldn't wait to shave

(note: this is NOT a real razor!)

His baptismal day

The Blues Brothers

(Joe is the tall one!)

REAL Brothers

My Eagle Scout

We went through all the sports...

Baseball

Basketball

Football

Soccer

High School Graduation

(College in May 2009- woo hoo!!)

Then off on a mission

Of course, you can see from the very first picture, Joe went on to marry Chelsea two years ago. What a blessing it is to have her in our family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!! WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!

Piano Recital

Last night Mary Beth had her annual Christmas piano recital for her students. This year, with the birth of Maizeigh, she decided she would only teach a few select students. The recital was small and at her home. She's such a great teacher and just loves her little students. I wish I had pictures of them but I'm sure she will post some to her blog.

Now is Owen not the cutest little thing? His big blue eyes and crooked little smile! And Maizeigh, oh my goodness, I wish you could really see her outfit. Pink sparkles and fur! She is definitely her mothers' daughter!

OH, SANTA BABY!

I found this picture today and thought what a scary looking Santa! I am surprised Michael and Gayle had smiles on their faces! Kids will do anything for a new toy!

Michael and his sister, Gayle

Kiawah Island Marathon

Kiawah Island

(Our view from the home we rented)

What better way for a runner to celebrate his birthday than to run a marathon! And to have half his family run with him. Well, let me clarify that. We didn't actually run WITH him. Michael ran the marathon and Christi, Tim, Mary Beth, Kevin and I ran the half marathon. Now, let me clarify that. I ran / walked, with a heavy emphasis on the walk!! Michael had several other friends there as well. Jodi, Amy and Ward all run with Michael during the week as part of the Lexington Running Club. Trina, Ward's wife, was there and graciously posed as our photographer. The race started at 8am with temperatures around 40 degrees. Isn't this what normal families do on Saturday mornings?? The scenery was absolutely beautiful and made the running more enjoyable. At least for the first 7 miles. After that I really didn't care what anything looked like! I just wanted to be able to stop!!

Before the race: Me, Michael, Christi, Tim, Mary Beth, Kevin, Ward, Jodi and Amy

My gang before the race

Michael getting ready (Actually, I'm not sure what he is doing!)

Ward and his wife, Trina

Michael and Ward

Waiting for the start

Here goes Michael

And here we go!

We survived!! We deserved those metals!! And we are still smiling!! That just shows how crazy we are!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETHEART!

Michael was born on December 6, 19?? Should I tell? I don't think he would mind. Hum, better not!

First Haircut - He's not too happy! (If you look close you can see the date on the picture! Hee, hee!)

Afterwards - What a handsome boy!

My Eagle Scout

Getting even more handsome

Those were the days - Do you remember them, Phil? - Go, Sky Hawks!

Senior Picture - What a stud!

My Ironman! Still looking good, babe!

Happy Birthday to the love of my life!

BLACK FRIDAY

Instead of shopping on "Black Friday", us girls always decorate our houses. We can hardly wait to put up Christmas decorations but Michael insists that we wait until after Thanksgiving. Usually, Thanksgiving night we are getting things out and starting to set up. By Friday morning we are ready to go! Christmas decorations just make me happy!

It was raining by the time we got to Christi's house

Mary Beth's windows were a four woman job because of the bushes

Grandma brought Jackson a reindeer pez for being a good boy

Only three women this time!

We got to decorate my house first this year! Yeah!

Owen being an angel while we work. Hey, he deserves a reindeer pez too!

I was grateful for extra hands this year. Thanks Chelsea!

Mary Beth didn't mean to put the garland on backwards!

I just love my new wreath!

The tree is done! See Mary Beth, it doesn't hide your picture!

All lit up!

Even though Christi is not in a single picture (duh, she's the family photographer) she worked really hard to make things beautiful!