"And that's when I know it's over. As soon as you start thinking about the beginning, it's the end." ~Junot Diaz

December 1 ~ a soggy beginning to this month (and end as it turned out)

December 2 ~ grandson Knox celebrated his 7th birthday with a Harry Potter themed party

December 2 ~ my sweet grandpeeps Shelby, Elijah, and Knox

December 3 ~ RIP #41

"Be bold in your caring, be bold in your dreaming and above all else, always do your best."

~George H.W. Bush 

December 12 ~ Ella the elf

December 13 ~ Merry & Bright

December 16 ~ Some of the thickest fog I think I've ever seen

December 16 ~ daughter Holly celebrated her 40th birthday

December 16 ~ celebrating Holly's 40th at Red Lobster ~ with Knox, Elijah, and Shelby ~ the wait staff sang The Birthday Song to her and served up ice cream and chocolate with some extra spoons to share

December 19 ~ Ella the candy cane

December 21 ~ Ella the reindeer

December 22 ~ late afternoon on Broad Street

December 22 ~ Knox and Grandpa at Poet's playing a video game online together

December 22 ~ I sneaky snapped a pic of my niece Julia with her friend at Poet's ~ nice smile, Julia

December 23 ~ Sunday lunch at El Tapatio with granddaughter Shelby, grandson Elijah, and daughter Holly

December 23 ~ daughter Kelly, grandson Knox, and granddaughter Ella ~ I borrowed this selfie from Kelly

December 24 ~ my Christmas grandpeeps in reindeer gear ~ Ella, Shelby, Knox, and Elijah

December 26 ~ watched the Christmas tree light/music show in Dogwood Park ~ borrowed this pic from Kelly's Snapchat

December 26 ~ Not sure if Ella got to see much of the light show ... the music was really loud so she couldn't get too close ~ she was snug as a bug in her stroller on this chilly night

December 26 ~ some local businesses sponsored this carousel in the park near the big Christmas tree ~ free for all the kiddos who wanted to hop on and ride as many times as they wanted 

December 26 ~ the day after Christmas at Wal-Mart ~ when we walked into the store, I told Neil that I'd bet the Valentine candy would already be on the shelves

December 27 ~ nine foot fake Christmas tree back in the box

December 27 ~ the struggle is real wrangling that tree back into the box ~ that thing bites me every year, same hand, same scratch

December 29 ~ another late afternoon on Broad Street

December 29 ~ this kid loves her bouncy chair and the fun mobile her Aunt Holly gave her for Christmas

December 31 ~ saying so long to 2018 and wishing everyone a very

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” 
― Roy L. Smith

The best presents under the tree ~ Grandpeeps Shelby, Ella, Knox, and Elijah

The Kimbrough Family ~ Kerry, Kelly, Knox, and Ella

The Myers Family ~ Holly, Jerry, Shelby, and Elijah

Merry Christmas!

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” 
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 2018

The Foys (Jane, Don, Sarah, and Julia) hosted Thanksgiving this year. Bro-in-law Don made some seriously yummy gravy.

Julia's side work ~ made the forks, knives, and napkins look elegant

Sarah crafted beautiful centerpieces ~ fresh flowers in mason jars all wrapped up in patterned cloth and twine. She also made clay votives, painted white with gold stars. She gifted these to us to take home and enjoy. Thanks, Sarah!

The food. Oh, the food! The delicious food!! 

Don cooked a turkey that was fall-off-the-bone tender. Ann made the dressing using our mom's recipe, the best on the planet. Holly made deviled eggs, always yummy. Jane's sweet potato casserole is to die for.

Ann made her delicious broccoli casserole, Holly's green beans were awesome, I made garlic cheese grits--so glad y'all enjoy them--and Jane made sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, just like our mom used to make. 

Kelly's fruit salad was so good and one of my faves. Two kinds of cranberry sauce--I like the one with the whole berries the best.

Jane ~ the hostess with the mostest ~ everything was perfect ~ thanks again for hosting this year!

Let the feasting begin! From left: Holly, Ann, Sarah, Elijah, Terry, Kelly, Julia, and Shelby

Everything was so good! Neil and I both agreed that this feast was the best one ever.

The old folks' table ~ from left: Jane, moi, Ann, Terry, and Don (Neil took this pic)

The ladies' table ~ from left: Julia, Sarah, Holly with Ella Rose (her first Thanksgiving), Shelby, and Kelly

The guys' table ~ from left: Elijah, Jerry, Kerry, and Knox

Ella Rose's first Thanksgiving

So cute in her pink sweater

She didn't get to enjoy the turkey feast this year, but she loved being held by all her aunts and cousins.

Sister love!

Perfect day to be outside ~ blue sky and sunshine, not too chilly

Terry and Jerry soaking up some rays

This is what Don was up against trying to take a family group shot.

Give thanks and eat pie ... and cake ~ my sampler platter ~ Jane made pumpkin pie and pecan pie, Kelly made chocolate pie (Knox helped), Kerry made chess cake (Knox helped), and the rum cake was from a sweet friend ~ and yes, I ate the whole thing. And it was good.

Enjoyed sitting around the fire later

We have so much to be thankful for, especially family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"I ate too much turkey,

I ate too much corn,

I ate too much pudding and pie,

I'm stuffed up with muffins

and much too much stuffin',

I'm probably going to die.

I piled up my plate

and I ate and I ate,

but I wish I had known when to stop,

for I'm so crammed with yams,

sauces, gravies, and jams

that my buttons are starting to pop.

I'm full of tomatoes

and french fried potatoes,

my stomach is swollen and sore,

but there's still some dessert,

so I guess it won't hurt

if I eat just a little bit more."

-    Jack Prelutsky, I Ate Too Much