Christmas 2010

What a great time with family! First we enjoyed Santa and family exchange of gifts at our home. Then traveled to Phenix City to spend Christmas Day with my parents/siblings/children. Snow on Christmas Day in Phenix City -- almost unbelievable??!! Then staying several days with my parents just to have time with them. Brought the video camera so I could tape my Dad sharing about his childhood days in South Carolina. Can't wait to share it with others. So glad Nate gave me a laptop so I can keep up with everyone and work on my genealogy research too.

Nate and Megan were able to travel to Shreveport to see Ga Tech in the Independence Bowl - but unfortunately Air Force won that one!

Enjoying quiet time with parents playing Spades and now watching Jeopardy (my mom's fav). Tomorrow Mom, sister Julie and myself will drive to the new Fort Benning Infantry Museum to see the IMAX movie, "Lewis and Clark Expedition".

Thanksgiving 2010

A great time - and delicious food - with family and friends. Thanks to sister Julie for hosting the gathering of the Benton clan this year, and the Cox family as special guests. So glad Cheryl's brother, David, was able to be with us, and friend Mike Minor and son, Chad. Nate's girlfriend, Megan, was able to make the trip with him. Elizabeth, Chris and the grandkids caravaned with them, and so we got to visit with both our kids in Phenix City. I think our final count was approx 35 folks.

Nate and Megan traveled on up to Cullman with us on Friday night and we spent time showing off Cullman on Saturday and shopping - had to buy some new #1 Auburn stuff - and then they had to return to Fort Worth on Sunday.

Elizabeth and family stayed over in Phenix City to visit others, and will arrive later today (Weds, Dec 1) for a few weeks at least. Counting on the grandkids to add ornaments to the Christmas tree that Barron and I set up yesterday.

Posting some pictures. You can find a video clip on Facebook, and hope to upload a few more. Nate had a flip camcorder with him that we just had to try out. Also took time to make new family pictures.



Nate and Megan

 



Lots of football to watch: Charles, Charlie, Jonathan, Megan and David;
Billy sitting in the background

Elizabeth sharing about Cadence with Carol, Julie and Barron



Cathy with Barron and Nate








Billy, Cathy, Cheryl, Elizabeth & Megan, Chris

 

David and Kevin



Barron, Jan, Mom and Dad



Kevin with Mom, Mark in back



Retirement and Travel -- Woo Hoo!!!!!!

The month of October was my first retirement month so we traveled to Texas to visit kids. Eliz/family were staying at Gayle Wells, and then were able to stay at the Soldier's Hospitality House at Fort Hood. Then Barron and I visited with railroad friends, Wilson and Judy Underwood, in Houston area while enroute from Texas to Florida. We were able to spend a few minutes visiting my Aunt Jac and Uncle Frank in Baton Rouge as well.

Then a week in Florida as guests of my sister, Karen and hubby Steve, while my parents, brother Jay and sister Cathy were at Ocean Towers for a timeshare week. Had a great time and ate very well -- love that seafood!!!

Barron headed on home to Cullman to take care of the garden and yard, while I returned with my parents to their home on Friday. I was able to help chauffeur my Mom to her compression therapy for several days. My home church celebrated its 125th birthday and I was glad to be able to participate in that!

Panama City Beach, FL

 FBC Willow Park -- our former Sunday School class had a gathering at Willie and Donna Sutherland's home -- what fun!!

 Took the kids to a local Fort Worth park for a little playground fun!!

 Panama City Beach, FL -- sunset from Sharkey's Restaurant

 Dad, Mom, and Jan

 Steve, Cathy, and Karen's hubby, Steve

Most fun event: We all went to the Flower Mound (TX) Pumpkin Patch and enjoyed inflatables, haybale mazes, having pics made with various (wooden) children television characters. Here is Nate having his picture made with the nieces and nephews!! His girlfriend, Megan, was able to go with us too.

Harvest Festival at Spring Arbor

Barron made a ring toss game for the kids to enjoy, and we had a bale of hay with a wooden scarecrow -- and did I mention the Beware Spooky organ music gadget that Barron loved to show the kids??!! We were delighted to have Travis and Allegra (The Travis Lee Band) as our guests over the weekend. They performed at the Harvest Fest and on Sunday morning as well.

Recipe for Quick Recovery

Barron came up with a recipe for a quick recovery, which seems to be working well for him as he recuperates from hernia surgery on Tuesday, August 10. See if you agree ...

Snake -- act first, ask questions later!!!

More Yard Work

Barron found a guy who came and chipped up the ole cedar tree stump. We took all that new mulch and finally got a few new flower beds in place -- YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the ole chip pile

          

Supposedly a miniature azalea but we wonder if it's not a miniature crepe myrtle??

Althea blooming -- beautiful!!

Tomatoes and more tomatoes!!

Wilkins Reunion 2010

I wanted to post pictures on GeorgeWilkinsFamily blog but having Blogger problems. Pictures are posted on my Facebook page and names are listed for each picture.

Barron showing Wilkins House/Spring Arbor Kids Kottage to Donna, Ronnie and Terry after a car tour of other family homes in the area.

Tiny (Kinard) Latham with school buddy Jim Boyd (former Cullman County School Supt and our neighbor) at the Festhalle Farmer's Market