A Fun December

Although I am not posting any pictures, I need to get back in the swing of adding to our family blog. Before we know it, our family will be bigger, since Beth and Luke will be parents around July 3rd.

This was a fun and busy month. My dad came for a visit the first weekend of December. His visit got our holiday season off to a great start. We went to his favorite seafood restaurant, Chowder Pot. We brought Dad over to see Beth and Luke's house. We also enjoyed watching a lot of football and basketball. Bill enjoys watching sports with Dad. We always enjoy his visits.

My sister Vickie came the next weekend, and we were busy the entire time. Our weekend started with dinner at Anthony Jacks on Friday evening with Vickie, Bill, Beth, Luke, Taylor and me. Then Vickie, Bill and I had a blast at our neighbor's annual Christmas party Saturday evening. On Sunday, I enjoyed having several girlfriends over for a Christmas Cookie Exchange. I am so glad Vickie got to be a part of the celebration. It wasn't fun letting Vickie leave on Monday because I always have such a great time when we are together.

Bill had to go to Sweden the week before Christmas. Although it wasn't good timing, he was back in time for our annual December 23rd party with Beth, Luke, Miley, Aaron, Taylor, Kyle, Rachel, Brennan and Pat. We enjoyed appetizers and desserts along with our traditional bottled sodas. We played some games, and this year Pat won the Lottery LCR game. He won $51!!! We enjoy the time spent with Kyle, Rachel and Brennan because every time we see Brennan he seems more and more grown up. Also, we just don't know how much time we will have with them. We never know when the Navy will move Kyle. This was a fun time...one that we look forward to every year.

Christmas Eve was time spent with Aaron and Taylor...a good time, I must say. We started our Christmas Eve by attending church. It was very crowded...more than usual. After church we went to Outback for dinner, and then we went to see the lights on Lovely Lane in Plantsville. We topped off the night with homemade hot chocolate, while Bill and I enjoyed watching the boys open a few presents.

Christmas Day was AWESOME! Bill and I got up and started preparing for the day. While Bill stuffed stockings and put gifts under the tree, I started preparing our traditional Christmas breakfast ~ bacon, scrambled eggs, Cracker Barrel's Hashbrown Casserole, sausage gravy, biscuits, cheese danish. After Beth, Luke and Miley arrived AND Aaron and Taylor got up, we enjoyed our big breakfast. Then we opened gifts. It is always a joy watching Miley open her presents. She gets so excited, and it makes her Mama Sherri and Papa Dukes so happy!!! We watched the NBA start the season by watching several games; we slept; we ate appetizers and desserts later. Aaron and Taylor went to celebrate with their friends Christmas night while Bill and Luke watched the Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears. Beth, Miley and I slept on the couch and loveseat. We just couldn't handle anymore excitement. Beth, Luke and Miley left around 11:00 P.M., thus ending our Christmas celebrations for this year. It was a great season!

We have been blessed far more than we deserve this year. We look forward to what God has in store for us in 2012.

Taylor is Tweny-One

Today is Taylor's 21st birthday! Just where has the time gone? It seems like it was just the other day when we found out we were going to have a third child. This was something God clearly planned because Bill and I thought we had completed our family. I am so glad God is smarter than us. He knew we needed Taylor to complete our family. I distinctly remember Mom telling me that Taylor would bring much joy to our lives. She was so right! Taylor brings joy to everyone he comes in touch with. He is a man of integrity...always puts others before himself...demonstrates passion in all he does...shows genuine interest in others...is responsible...works hard to achieve his goals...Even when the going gets tough, Taylor is optimistic, always focusing on the good no matter the situation. It has been a pleasure watching Taylor's life unfold...watching him grow into a man of God. Twenty-one years has come and gone since our precious baby was born, and I look forward to seeing the good things life has in store for Taylor in the future. We are proud to call him our son.

When you don't Understand the Purpose of HIS Plan...Bow the Knee

A friend from our Kentucky days shared this beautiful video on Facebook today. I hope you enjoy it as much as I. Thanks, Jennifer!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9z6l1PXsFE

New England Winters...UGH!!!

Well, we've been living in New England for almost eleven years, and I still DON'T LIKE the winters. We are usually in school regardless of the weather because the crews up here are just prepared for rough winters. However, we have had several snow days since returning to school after Christmas vacation. I would say that's just more snow than anyone could possibly want. Anyway...I hope you enjoy the pictures I took last week after a snowfall.

Our Family

Nice Weekend...

My dad came to visit this weekend. Bill took Friday and Monday off from work,so he could be with us. It's always good to spend time with Dad. We enjoyed eating out at some favorite restaurants, and I also made some of Dad's favorite meals. Beth and Miley were with us this weekend because Luke was working in Vermont with his dad and brother. All in all, the weekend was great!