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!

Thanksgiving

It was wonderful to have all our family together at our home. The 4 grandkids came up on Monday courtesy of a special elf, Nate flew in on Tuesday, and Eliz/Chris drove up later in the day. The weather cooperated some days and we were able to enjoy being outdoors, checking out the creek and the swingset, cleaning out culverts, breaking down beaver dams, roasting marshmallows, playing nighttime games especially with Caleb's new night goggles, watching the movie UP, putting up the new Christmas tree inside while lighting a tree outside, having pictures made with Santa and LIVE reindeer, getting to ride in a school bus driven by Elf Roger, shopping, eating and then eating again -- FUN!!!!! Did I forget to mention the BIG GAME??!! And then taking Nate back to the airport and seeing him leave, then packing up and sending Eliz and family back home on Saturday, and spending a quiet evening just the two of us on Saturday night!! God is so good and has blessed us so much!!!!!! Hope you had a great holiday too!! For pictures, click over to Elizabeth's blog at www.maymemos.blogspot.com!!

Family Ties

We lost Uncle Jim (Wilkins) yesterday after a valiant struggle following several heart surgeries. The best news is we know he is with his Lord and Savior in a much better place where there is no sadness and no pain, and reunited with those family members who have gone before! That can put a big smile on your face, just thinking of that wonderful reunion, and we get to join them soon. (I do believe our time here is getting shorter!)

One of the best traditions of the Wilkins' family was their annual reunion. I remember the first one I attended after Barron and I married. The reunion locations alternated between Georgia and Alabama each year and this particular time the event was near Lake Jackson, GA. The strange thing was that Barron, having been away in Vietnam for several years, didn't recognize some of his distant kin so I didn't feel quite the stranger, and years later I still remember some just from that event, and got to know some much better over the years.

One thing you knew you would enjoy at the reunion was the meal. Those ladies (and sometimes men, as my husband is one of the best cooks around these parts) knew how to cook downhome southern style, and there was always a very large assortment - from fried okra to sweet corn to fried chicken to wonderful desserts - sometimes even homemade ice cream.

My leap into family genealogy came out of the family reunions. My mother-in-law had particularly asked me to trace her family tree, so I would come prepared to these gatherings with notebook and pen, and strive to get as much info as I could from people I was just beginning to know. I continue to pursue genealogy and especially learning more about our families, where they came from, how they worked, raised their families, worshipped.

Uncle Jim -- you were loved by your wife and children, your extended family, your church fellowship. You will be lovingly missed!!

Holiday, Birthday, Vacation

The big day is almost here ... we leave for Phenix City Friday night and on to Disney World on Saturday!!!! Much preparation has gone into this event -- mostly by Elizabeth!! I anticipate this will be one of those "not to be forgotten" family times!!

As I noted on Facebook, we spent yesterday (Labor Day holiday and Barron's #62 birthday) quietly. His sister, Sandy, came over with a dozen of homemade yeast rolls right out of the oven - yummy!! I am really glad he shared!! Barron showed off his Yanmar tractor and the swingset he has rebuilt (it was an old one from the church). Friends and family called to wish him a Happy Birthday!!

Next week will be fun, fast, tiring, and probably over too soon so it was very nice to just spend a slow-paced day at home together!!!!