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