Cleveland and The Pink Palace

Trey loves a getaway.  I prefer those getaways to happen when I don't have to miss school.  I can relax much better knowing I'm not missing work.  So last weekend we headed to Cleveland, stayed at The Cotton House, and hung out with our friends Seth and Julie.  Friends are good for the soul.

Last weekend we met the cousins at Joe's Fried Chicken in Memphis for lunch.


Then we headed to The Pink Palace for the annual trip to The Enchanted Forest.











Then I loaded the cousins up in my bus and they came to spend the night!

December happenings....

The other morning I was getting ready and Ford came to talk in the bathroom.  The child can DO SOME TALKING!!!!  I told him while he was "talking" he could dry my hair.  That only lasted about 1 minute before he decided that wasn't fun.

It's always good to have fellow teachers to wear ugly Christmas sweaters with you.


Annie's class got to go to the Christmas village in town.  Thankfully, a teacher sent me these pictures!



My jam.... spreading a little Christmas cheer around Mayberry.

Bitty's class had a present swap.  He got a foosball table.

Ford's baseball team decided to start a basketball team.  It cracks me up that they get out there and play basketball, yet have never practiced.  And they're decent!

Bitty was a wiseman at breakfast in Bethlehem the other day.  He HATES dressing up. 

Trey took Bitty hunting.  He shot at a deer.  He swore he hit the deer but it was nowhere to be found.  The next day Uncle Vance found Bitty's buck!  The buzzards started snacking a little first though.




Daddy picked Annie up at school one day and took her to eat lunch and ice cream.

Wednesday night church activities....

Attempting a Christmas card picture and a little gobbling....

I'm just going to be up front and honest....taking Christmas card pictures of my children ticks me right off.  There, I said it.  It does.  It's not joyous or happy.  They don't cooperate.  They fight.  They cry.  They blink.  They complain.  It's the complete package of a nightmare.  I tried three separate days, three separate outfits, and locations.  Day 3 I said, "We will stand out here and freeze before I give up."  I don't like my card, but I had about 500 pictures to choose from!!!!





Thanksgiving 2020 was at my house with my family of 5, my brother's family of 5, my dad, and Ashley's dad.









Not only was it Thanksgiving, but it was also Uncle Ken's birthday!!!!




Kid Table....



Trey took the city boys out for some redneck gun shooting fun!

Then we watched Dr. Pimple Popper.  It's so nasty, but you just have to watch!

How many people can fit on one couch?

Annie loves Uncle Ken


Ford's deer head

More attempts at a Christmas card picture...




Glad that's over with!

Thankful 2020

I love love LOVE traditions and this is one of my favorites.  Every November since my children have been able to talk I will ask them to tell me something or someone they are thankful for everyday leading up until Thanksgiving Day.  I must say that Annie's day 1 got me!

2020 Thankful Lists….

Ford

1. Mom
2. Dad
3. Bit
4. Annie
5. BoomPa, Patty, and Gran
6.  Puh and Pops
7.  Cousins
8.  Uncle Ken and Aunt Ashley
9.  Dillie
10.  Uncle Vance and Aunt Emily
11. Bobba
12. Jesus
13. God
14. Church
15. Bible
16. Home
17. Friends
18. Family
19. Sports
20. Hunting
21. Bed
22. Sleep
23. Bosco
24. Beach
25. Grandmother and Granddaddy
26. Holidays 

Bit

1. sack
2. Mommy
3. Daddy
4. BoomPa
5. Annie
6. Patty
7. Puh
8. Food
9. Uncle Ken and Aunt Ashley
10. Dillie
11. Ford
12. Uncle Vance
13. Aunt Emily
14. Molly Cate
15. Caroline
16. Jack
17. Gray (the cat)
18. Ox (the fish)
19. House
20. Church
21. Food
22. Clothes
23. Bed
24. Pillow
25. Friends
26. Bosco

Annie

1. That Gran is in Heaven with God
2. That you’re here and all of our family is here
3. I am thankful for all the teachers in the world
4. Our states
5. Our land
6. Momma and Annie
7. Bitty
8. Ford
9. Being star student
10. Puh and Pops
11. Dillie
12. Daddy
13. Aunt Emily
14. BoomPa and Patty
15. Molly Cate, Caroline, and Jack
16. Gray (the cat)
17. Otis
18. Uncle Vance
19. Uncle Ken and Aunt Ashley
20. Bobba
21. Oliver
22. Maggie
23. Anne Walker
24. The beach
25. Dove
26. Christmas and Halloween