Fun With Family!

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to express my gratitude for everything that I have been blessed with, especially our family.  What a great time we had with our children, their spouses, and grandchildren during the past week.  In addition my Dad and Shirley came for a visit and stayed with us for several days.   It's amazing to realize that in the past year we have added 3 new babies to the family, Marlie, Hudson, and Drew.  Marlon also brought his beautiful girlfriend, Daniella and her darling daughter Dalene.  Needless to say we had a "full house" but we made so many fun memories.  It was so hard to say good-bye and many tears were shed.  Below are just a few special moments.  I tried to find pictures that haven't been posted on my children's blogs.  

Tim, Kim, and Daniella around the "card table".

Marlon teaching is namesake, Marlie Rae, how to play the piano!

Grandma Shirley getting to know baby Drew.

Poppa Charlie and Mason sharing a "teaching moment".

Mason, Madison, amd McKayla all want to hold their new cousin Hudson.

Mason and Addie playing trucks!

Kerry, Cam, and Mary playing cards.

Marlon, Daniella, Dalene, Mason and Madison working on a craft project.

Mom's with all the kids at the mall!  Thank goodness for double strollers.

Recent Memories With The Grandkids!

I often say that being a grandparent is God's way of compensating one for growing old.  We have been so blessed with seven beautiful grandchildren and love them all so much!  This next week we are going to have the opportunity to have them all together for a day and we are so excited.

Life doesn't get much better than this!

Marlie loves her Grandpa!

Hudson plays "Patty Cake" with Grandma.

Addie and her "Papa".

An evening with Grandma!

Baby Drew on her Blessing Day!

NBC and the Paralympics

The above picture is Marlon with the doctor for the 2008 Paralympic team the night that he was injured running in the 100 meter event in Beijing.  He didn't really want me to take his picture, but being the persuasive mother that I am,  I was able to convince him that he would want a picture someday for posterity sake.  We are excited that NBC will air a 2 hour special about the Paralympics this Sunday, November 9th at 2:30 p.m. EST.  It will feature Marlon along with many other amazing Paralympians.  Hope if your schedule allows you will be able to view this program.  We have had the pleasure of meeting several of the athletes and are so touched by their stories.  We hope someday the Paralympics can get the live coverage that they are so deserving of.  Marlon seems to be doing well with his rehab and says he planning on London in 4 years!  Way to go Marlon, we are so proud of you!!!

Halloween Fun!

In our community, we do Trunk or Treat in the church parking lot as it is hard to do the traditional Trick or Treat in such a rural area.  As usual the kids couldn't wait to get all decked out in their costumes.  

When I was young I remember how excited I would be for Halloween, but as an adult IT IS NOT my favorite holiday and I REALLY DON'T enjoy dressing up.  I decided not to be a fuddy duddy however, and did my best to go along with the fun.  Kerry and I were going to be Beauty and the Beast but he couldn't find the head piece to his costume and decided to be an Army sniper instead!  Didn't quite have the same effect.  Oh well, the kids had a great time and that's good enough for me.