Scanning pictures

Here is a picture of Nana that I just love. She had the prettiest teeth!

This is one of my faves of before Papa left for WWII.

This picture is how I always remember Nana. She and Papa were going on one of their bus tours.

Papa today with Sophia. There are more pictures of him to come...

Scanning fun...

Rick - Metro Way

Us at Grandmama's. Check out my jelly shoes. And, both Casey and I had perms...

Casey holding Garfield. Me holding Blackie.

Blackie as a kitten. He was the first cat that I just adored.

The coolest present!

Mom got a hand held scanner from QVC, and I spent the morning scanning pictures of our family. How wonderful to have them saved this way!

These are of my Papa. He came to Thanksgiving this year to be able to see Casey and her family.

Sitting in a bowl! Love it!

Papa with his mother, Alma

Making cookies

Aunt Casey is the best at making cookies. She always has been!

She suggested making cookies and the girls were all to glad to join in. They were good, too, Mimi! The lower left Sophia's masterpiece that she made for her Mama. Bet it was nice and crunchy! My type A self made the reindeer on the top right.

What a great Thanksgiving we had

All the cousins are old enough to really have fun playing with each other (except Will, that is). They had a ball, as did we watching them!

Busby funnies

Brooks told us this morning (after waking up at the crack of dawn): "Mama, my big ol' watch says it's time to get up."

Brooks told me tonight that his watch said "for me to pull up his underware", and made sure that I saw it say that on his watch.

Kate's new mix up word is: menember (remember)

The other day, Kate got mad at Brooks for talking. Actually, Brooks was just stuttering, and couldn't get his thought out. I felt badly for both.

The other day, Uncle Tommy remarked (after seeing Brooks wear a jogging suit) that "he'd never seen him dressed like a boy before"... Pu'lese - I've dressed him like a boy twice before... :)

Scott is returning to driving next week! We are thankful!

S-T-I-N-K-Y

This week stinks for several reasons:

1. I had to reschedule my dentist appointment THREE TIMES, and still never made it there.

2. The kids started the week sick with fevers - but are thankfully fine now...

3. Our hot water heater has been out since Monday. So, let me list the stinky items:

1. the piled up clothes
2. the dishes in dishwasher
3. the kids
4. the parents
5. anything involved with bathing and cold water

Same tree, different year

November, 2005

November, 2009

OOhhhh!!!

So I totally forgot to tell you this one:

Client comes in with her cat that is paralyzed in the back legs from a broken back. Before putting it to sleep, the client asks my boss: "If she could cut the cat's tail off (after it's dead) so that she can save it, sort of like a raccoon".

My boss said no.

Pictures, pictures pictures

This is a lookout on the way up to Cades Cove. Gatlinburg is below.

Playing with my camera... (remember, Mom? Action! Night!)

This is in the valley of Cades Cove.

Just playing around.

Keep scrolling!

More faves

What a beautiful girl.

This was a stream on the way up the mountain to Cades Cove.

Isn't this the prettiest leaf ever?

Steeples

I had an idea to start photographing steeples that I saw on our trip. They are really pretty!

Our trip to the Mountains 2009

This year, our trip was overall fantastic. Last year, it was too, until the plague of death took over the final night there. But, we all managed to avoid disaster this year, and we are all better for it!

Before I get to heavy in pictures (which you know are coming), I wanted to share a sweet moment with Brooks. I am not a writer, but have recently come across some great books by author Francine Rivers, and can't get this scene out of my mind without writing it as a novel...

"It had been a great day.

Everyone knows that when you are on vacation, you are - but you are not. The night came, with it promises of sweet dreams and rest for tired bodies. Our children were ready to dream, with the exception of Brooks. His sweet smile and tired voice beckoned me to stay with him a little longer. 'Mama, can you sleep with me for a while?' If only Mama could sleep with him forever. So, I snuggled down beside him, while he rested on his blanket of blue and contentedly sucked on his thumb.

After a few minutes, I placed my hand across his back. A smile crossed his lips. He was content and happy. Ever so gently, he touched my cheek with his hand. This hand that was his constant companion. It was warm and soft from drool. A smile crossed my lips.

It had indeed been a great day."