Happy New Year

Well, we have done it again - finished another year. I am not sad to see 2008 go. It is time to start a new year with new hopes and dreams. Hopefully, the stock market will be better to us in 2009. Hopefully, the wars will cease. Hopefully, family and friends will prosper in this new year.

This afternoon, I met Sandy Myrick for our annual New Year Eve movie. Sandy and I have a standing "date" for a movie to end the year. Today movie was "Marley and Me" - it was funny and sad. At the end Sandy said, "How come you always pick these movies that I think is going to be funny and I end up crying?" I guess next year it will have to be her pick. We did enjoy it but I really enjoyed her company and friendship more than the movie.

My wish for everyone - a peaceful and safe New Year's Eve and the start to 2009 to be a blessing for you.

Christmas Day 2008

Christmas Day Visit with Mother

Christmas Presents with the Grands

Presents

Opening the gifts

Alex and Julia are ready for Santa.

The grandchildren brought us cookies that they made.

What a great time we had opening the gifts with the grandchildren. We had a great meal and then moved to the best part - opening presents. Everyone took there turn and we went around the room each opening a presents. I must say that the little ones seemed to have been very good the pass year.

Alexandra sings Rudolph

Alex's Birthday at Mimi & Poppy Joe's

Alex was finally here to celebrate her 3rd birthday. We were a few weeks late but with Shawn getting sick and plans that Lisa had - we finally got to celebrate. Here are a few pictures of the girly:

























After we celebrated Alex's Birthday, Julia and Alex decorated the Christmas tree. Peter had gone with his Dad to the store and Catie was busy reading magazines. After we were finished, Poppy Joe and I were telling them what a great job they had done. Alex exclaimed," I am a Great Decorator." So this Christmas, we had our own personal decorator. Wish everyone had this opportunity.

First Week Of December

Well what a first week in December we have had. Thursday night December 4th was my office Christmas party, plus our friends Mayor Butch and Diane had their open house. It was rush to the open house – get to see our friends for a few minutes and then head to the Christmas party. The food was wonderful as usually with a crab, crawfish and wild rice casserole that was to die for.

Friday Night was the rehearsal party for Laurie and Chris’ wedding that was on Saturday evening. We had fun at the rehearsal. The church was beautifully decorated with white beech trees that lead to the altar. It looked like an outdoor wedding inside. The wedding went off without a hitch and the reception was held at a 1940’s house that was built like a plantation home. We had a great time but Sunday morning Joe and I realized that we can’t party like a rock star any longer.

We are looking forward to next weekend when the grandchildren come for the weekend. We have to have Alex’s birthday party at Mimi’s and Poppy Joe’s. It should be loads of fun.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was spent with Grandmother. Joe, Shawn and I went to have Thanksgiving lunch with her at the assisted living. We arrived that morning and then went to the art room to be brought up to date of her new paintings. I was fortunate that she gave me the one that is featured in the post. I really love the fall and she did such a wonderful job with this painting. I hope that you enjoy it.

Pretty good for a lady that is 92 years young.

Happy Birthday Joe

Happy Birthday Joe! I thought you might like to have this picture that was taken last summer with the grands at the zoo.

Shawn and I took Poppy Joe out to eat tonight for his birthday. We tried a new place called "Sweet Bones Alabama" at the Summit. It was great. Joe really enjoyed the cole slaw and he had brisket. It was really a good place.

Again - Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Happy Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday
Alexandra Jade Stahlkuppe
Today you are 3 years old. Poppy Joe and
I called and wished you a Happy Birthday.
We can't wait until you are here with us -
we will have a big birthday party.

This is a picture from your Birthday Party last
weekend.

Judgement House and Halloween

On Halloween night, Joe, Shawn and I went to Gadsden to see Catie in Judgement House. I really can't begin to describe what a wonderful job Catie did. Her part has alot of lines and she delivered them just like she has been acting forever. I was just so excited to see her as she went thru the different parts of the Judgement House. It is really a blessing to know that she knows her Savior and her place is in heaven.

Lisa met us at the church with a little kitty cat and scarecrow. Peter didn't dress up but it was okay because he came home with us. Peter and his Dad had a "boy" weekend. We had a great time with Peter while he visited with us.

The Girls come to Visit

This weekend we were delighted to have the grand- girls visit. Peter was busy with Boy Scouts, so Catie, Julia and Alex came to visit. In comes Alex - dressed like Elmo but not Julia and Catie. I went outside to look and they were hiding against the wall. After hugs and kisses, we settle down for some chili. I had picked up some oyster crackers that Alex dubbed Baby crackers. This week every time she asked for something it was "I need 1 baby cracker." Later we found some cheese doritos thus the coloration around the mouth of Alex and Julia.

Joe and I headed to Wetumpka to see Mother on Saturday and had a great visit with her. Shawn was taking the girls to the movies - High School Musical 3. On Sunday, they were still excited about seeing the movie. It was the best according to Catie and Julia add it was super. They could already sing one of the songs.

Catie is acting in Judgement House at their church, so they had to head back to Gadsden early. Shawn, Joe and I are going to see her next Friday night.

McWane Trip

Last weekend we took the grandchildren to the McWane Center. Alex was really excited she talked the whole way about seeing the dinosaurs. Of course first on the list was the mice size area that she calls the Mouse House. After that we went to do some other things, and she kept talking about the dinosaurs. Next we went to the basement to see the "fishes". She was looking for Meno translation "Nemo". Catie finally found Nemo and now it was time to see the dinosaurs. As we entered the display area a head is a large bony display of a dinosaur. As she and her Daddy got closer, I heard her tell her Daddy. "That dinosaur is really big and Naked." No skin on any of the dinosaurs she was just a tad bit disappointed.

We then found the WBRC Fox 6 weather station. You can stand in front of a green screen and give the weather. After a few times, Alex only wanted to be the weather girl. No one else allowed.

Cruising the Carribean

Here's part of the Cruising Crew - bottom row: Tammy, Joe, Gail, Rita, Uncle Jack,
second row: Cathie, Joel, Rhonda, Diane, Ann, Cindy
back row: Joel, Jime and Butch. Not pictured: Linda Collier & Linda Brown

We left on Thursday,October 2nd heading to Cozumel. Our little group headed to sunshine and a good time. Friday the day at sea was good. Those wanting sun were able to bask in it. Others hit the casino and had fun there. Saturday morning we awoke to be in Cozumel. After grouping together around 10 am, we headed to shore. Shopping up and down the area where the ship was docked - I got a pair of opal earrings. Around lunch time we all landed at Senor's Frog. After a yard of drinks, we had a little lunch, danced to the sixies music, and of course had balloon hats made by a clown. Around 5pm, we headed back out to sea. Sunday was another day at sea. More sun bathing, I even joined for a 30 minute bath. 3pm and I headed to bingo where I won the first in the progressive bingo - $100. The day at sea was bad - swells of 4- 6 feet. Several of the group spent the entire day - sea sick. They were miserable and we really hated it for them. The ship had to cancel the program - Shout due to the dancers not being able to dance due to the motion of the ship. Monday Morning and we are back in Mobile. By 10am we are heading back to Bham and reality.

Grandmother and the Gang

Here I am finally updating this blog. (I lost my password - go figure.) Last weekend the grandchildren were here so we load up and headed to Wetumpka to see Grandmother. She had not seen the children in over a year. I had not told her that they were coming so she was really surprised. To record the event - Shawn, Peter, Catie holding Alex, Mother and Julia.

Finally in like Flinn

Well, I have finally decided to join the world of blogging. Not that I have alot to say but here goes.

Not much has happened lately but the big news is that Julia - Our "Flag Day" granddaughter turned 7 on Saturday. After ice cream cake, we headed to the McWane Center our children science museum. Julia had a wonderful time and said it was the best birthday ever.