Christmas 2011

It's now Tuesday, December 27, weather is cold outside and the gas logs are putting out some heat. We left Alabama on Dec. 9 and headed to Texas. We began at our son's apartment with him and his fiance, Megan, and new puppy, Slugger. We did a little shopping, went to a football autograph signing, but mostly just enjoyed time together. Had a big surprise when Kevin and Melinda Cook and their grandson showed up at Chicken Express for dinner. Melinda cut my hair for several years while we lived in Willow Park.

On December 11, we headed south, worshipping at Westland Heights Baptist Church in Fort Worth, which was the site of our BFC mission project this past June, then stopping off in Weatherford to visit Scott and Sheila Haines, who have just moved back to the area from California. Enjoyed lunch with them and seeing their new home.

Traveling on south and west, we showed up at the Soldier's Hospitality House in Killeen that evening - and the grandkids were waiting to give us hugs and kisses. We enjoyed our time with them, and meeting members of the military community at Fort Hood. Nate and Megan came down the next Sunday and we had "Christmas" with the kids ... gifts from Daddy Barron and Grandmama Jan, Family gifts, and also from the Benton clan. On Wednesday, we had a wonderful time watching the kids open gifts from each other and their parents.

On Thursday, Santa came through and left the grandkids quite a few goodies. During the time with them, we took the gang out to see "Arthur Christmas", then took the kids out for dinner one night. The granddaughters decided they needed a "separate time with grandparents" so we enjoyed lunch at Cracker Barrel, ice cream and playground at McDonalds, followed by a mini-shopping trip to Barnes and Noble bookstore.

Enroute to Phenix City on Friday to have a few days with Jan's family, we met up with Nate and Megan in Shreveport, enjoyed breakfast at McDonald's, and got introduced to Megan's Dad. Arrived in Phenix City in time to see the family at Brent and Christina's home - newly married in October. Nate and Megan arrived not much later. Saturday was spent preparing goodies for the Sunday gathering, and having fun with the Pelletier family. We are always so thankful for them hosting us when we are in town.

Sunday was breakfast and lunch with the entire Benton clan that were able to gather at Mom and Dad's house. With the parents being 90 and 84, this was a very sweet time and we made sure to get family group pictures.

Monday was a quick shopping trip with Julie and a friend, and then we headed home to Cullman.

 
Cathy, Billy, Scott, Patti and Hunter

Karen, Steve, Amy, Derryl, Ashlyn, Derek, Devin

 

Jan, Barron, Nate and Megan







Julie, Mark, Brent, Christina, Kyle

 

Jay and Josh






Kevin, Cheryl and Sarah

2011 Scott Ancestry meeting

Gene Loyd hosts an ancestry meeting for those Scott relatives who are doing genealogy. This is an annual event held at Kyuka Baptist Church in Duck Springs, AL (near Snead/Boaz). We enjoyed seeing these folks again, great food and fellowship, and then a most interesting demonstration of grave dousing.  Civil War stories and letters were shared as well.

Scott Relatives Visit from Ohio

We were so excited to have Aunt Betty, Cindy Scherer, and Engrid Perry come visit from Ohio and attend the Scott Reunion. They also helped the Cullman economy as they bought items every place we visited. From the Farmer's Market to Steele Orchard, dinner at the Old Cookstove Mennonite Restaurant, Phillip and Nancy Garrison's Gold Vine Honey Barn, and Dollar General. We also made a trip over to Snead to the Old Clear Creek Cemetery where many of the Scotts are buried, and Ebenezer Cemetery in West Point/Vinemont.

 Barron and Aunt Betty at Old Clear Creek Cemetery

 Betty's daughter, Cindy

 Aunt Betty with Granddaughter, Engrid

 Aunt Betty, Jan, Cindy, and Engrid playing Phase 10!

 Aunt Betty and Barron visiting Aunt Martha Nell

Love the Oktoberfest banners

2011 Annual Scott Reunion

 Sandy with granddaughter Savannah

Betty (Clyde's widow) with Doug Williams

 Aunt Fannie with Sandy's husband, Larry, Barron, and Chris' wife, Jenn.

 Barron and Donald's widow, Beckie

Glenda Troutman with Doris and Van, and Martha Nell

What a great time we had this year and what a great attendance! Here are a sample of the pics I took ... go to Facebook to see the album. It was so good to have Scott Williams come by for a short visit. Betty Scott (Clyde's widow) made the trip south so she could attend the reunion. We lost Clyde last year. Sandy's son Chris, wife Jenn, and daughter Savannah, joined us this year. Aunt Fannie and Aunt Martha  Nell came this year, and bittersweet, Beckie Judkins. We lost Donald Ma week ago to cancer. Glenda was very excited to see Van and Doris Scott join us this year. In my opinion, the BEST Scott reunion I have attended.

Staying Busy

My parents invited their children and grandchildren on a Memory Vacation to the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. We had a MARVELOUS time. Unfortunately our children could not make it from Texas. Enjoyed spending time with parents and siblings and a couple of nephews. I will add a few pictures. Barron's favorite thing was touring the USS Yorktown at Patriot's Point. I enjoyed playing cards, swimming, the spa, and just talking!

Barron, who had been our cook for the first week of the vacation, returned home to make sure the garden was tended and the grass cut. I headed to Phenix City to be the "legs" for the sisters who gave Christian, nephew Brent's fiance, a kitchen shower. It turned out very well, but I must admit to being very tired.

It was so good to get back home and see our Spring Arbor church family, but sad on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11.

Barron standing by the flag bdfore touring the USS Yorktown

                                              Fun in the pool. Caught Karen in the pic too!

 Our adventure for the week was getting stuck in the house elevator with Barron's cousin, Lori, and her husband, JR, who had come over to visit us.

                                            The Sea Palace was our home for 10 days!

 The beach on the ocean is so different from the Gulf beach we enjoy at Panama City, FL.

Just relaxin!

Recent Events

Nate proposed Sunday night to Megan while vacationing in Panama City Beach. Uncle Steve was kind enough to take them out on the Gulf and they enjoyed seeing a school of dolphins! Several of Nate's friends showed up to celebrate the big event.

I drove out to Fort Worth and picked up Elizabeth and the girls and made the trek to Killeen. Several church groups have come in to get the residence cleaned up, painted and ready for occupation. Other groups have come in and are painting the house side which is so exciting. These youth groups have helped with VBS, Backyard Bible Clubs, etc on Post. Hoping that the occupation of the residence happens real soon and that the May family can finally get settled in!

I have enjoyed meeting some of the soldiers here at Fort Hood.Some are back from Iraq and Afghanistan and others will be deploying soon.

Barron stayed home to  care for garden and yard, and enjoyed a visit with his brother Jonathan who is working in the Georgia province of Russia. Hoping he will be back at Christmas with a stateside job!

Have especially enjoyed spending time with the grandkids as they have kept busy with friends or helping paint, clean, etc. Will post pictures later.

What a Winter!!

Sitting near the fire tonight watching quite another snowfall. Church was called off due to the approaching snow/sleet. Don't think we really will get much, but the thought of snow always draws excitement. The kids are playing with Legos and horses and computers. Chris got my laptop to work better and longer - at least for tonight. Know that in just a couple of weeks Barron and I will have quiet again in our house, but I know that withdrawal from grandkids will set in pretty quickly too!!

This has been a bittersweet time, knowing that they are with us for a limited time. Have enjoyed helping with the homeschooling - even was substitute teacher one day - and seeing how quickly the kids are learning and expanding their horizons. Was there the day the girls realized they could put sounds together and READ! Caleb is a sponge and reads quite well, and David is typing 20 wpm with no errors! I was impressed with them all!!

Barron has been an excellent chef, and even allowed Chris to try out some recipes. Their presentation at Spring Arbor was excellent, the first time we had actually heard Chris preach. Now looking forward to their next step in ministry as they return to Texas and prepare to take over the Soldier's Hospitality House in September.

Really miss having Nate nearby ... looking forward to seeing him at least in June at our BFC Mission Project in Fort Worth! He is branching out to a new Chicken Express in Corinth, Texas which will probably mean a move for him and Megan to a place closer to his work.

And I mention all the work at the creek having to do with beavers and their dams --- and putting out traps for armadillos that are determined to tear up our yard!!

Snow Storm of 2011

We have been housebound for 3 days and really enjoying going out in the snow, making a snowman, and loved watching Auburn win the National Championship!!