A Few More of Chad and Aubrey

Tired of FB

When Tyler first convinced me to get FB, I was leary. However, it didn't take long for me to be completely hooked. That was February and now it's December. The new has worn off and I'm missing my blogging. FB is more of a quick fix, while blogging fills a deeper need. I suppose that need is to ramble on and hope someone is listening (reading).

So here I am . . . back to blogging. It feels like I've come home.

Pumpkin Carving

Aubrey and Chad showed up to help with the pumpking carving this year. It's never my favorite thing to do, but Katy was so excited.

I'm not so sure about this bunch . . . They seemed a little too excited to play with knives.

I remember when Kyle was too little to carve his own, now look at him. And yes, he always has that ipod plugged in at least one ear.  I think it has attached itself.

Aubrey was the only one not playing with a knife. It's a good thing there will be someone to keep an eye on Chad.

Cade was not happy at all when Katy put his hand down in the pumpkin. Even when his had was out he cried until she wiped him clean. So much for Cade helping this year.

Corey's second pumpkin of the evening. Hmmmm, what should I carve now????

One of our beauuutifulll jack o'laterns. Holidays really are so much more fun with kids and grandkids!!!!!

Chad and Aubrey

Just in case you missed the news . . . Chad asked Aubrey to marry him. She tearfully said yes. Katy and I were there to video the whole thing. I'll try to post it here. We took some engagement pictures last week. I was told I couldn't post them on FB, at least not the ones they were going to use. So . . . here's one I don't think they are using. We're going to take some more once it stops snowing!!!!

Tyler's on his own!!

I don't have a picture to share of Tyler's new place, but we are all excited for Tyler. He moved out about 4-5 weeks ago and has now found his own apartment. He has one roommate to help share all the glorious bills with. He's still working at FYE, but has moved up to head cashier. He's really good at this since he knows all the movies and music that comes out.

I'm proud that Tyler is out on his own. I know he's proud of himself. I think he was really getting tired of living at home, or maybe he was tired of living with me?? hmmmm?? Either way, I love you Tyler. Don't forget to call your mother.

More Trip Pics

When Cade was little he would pick up his head and he looked just like a turtle. Since then Cade has been my little turtle. He has turtle shirts, turtle hats, turtle stickers, turtle magnets, and now a turtle yard art. We picked this up in Boulder City as a house warming gift. It really is cute, almost as cute as turtle. Oh well, it makes grandma happy.

Sam, on the other hand, has a thing about visiting colleges and universities along our travels. If so, we get him a T-shirt from the school. Here we are at a local college near Katy and Corey.

Werewolf Cade

and Frankenstein Katy

On our last night there we went for dinner (chinese), it was very good. Cade was not hungry at all. Instead he bounced, jumped, squealed, laughed, pulled, tugged, and all in all had a fabulous time.

Daddy and Cade making eyes at Mom.

Corey found a deal on this car bed. Katy thinks it's too big for Cade, but Cade was loving it. It took him about 2 minutes to become a pro at getting up and down without any help. He'd go get more toys and put them up on the bed to play with. He's not a baby anymore.

Then he rolled and bounced and laughed and squealed and . . .  well, you get the idea. I don't envy Katy at trying to get him down to bed tonight.

Visit with Katy and Corey

We made it here safely and now we are reaping the rewards, Cade. After some unpacking in their new home, we went for a swim. At first the wind was a little too much so we just sat and enjoyed the sun. Cade enjoyed the rocks. He loved putting them down his shirt, through the table bench, on dad's back, in the bush, you guess it and he probably did it.

Why is it Katy always needs a little help getting in the water?? Good thing Corey is here to lend a helping hand. He he he. Katy protests, but I think she really does like it. What do you think??

 Cade was a little polar bear. He loves the water and doesn't seem to get cold. Katy and Corey tossed him back and forth, and he loved it!!!!

.

Sam took him out and was going to help in jump in to Katy, but Cade just walked right in, no jumping, just stepped off the edge and in he was. Good thing Katy notices when his lips turn purple and takes him out anyway. This boy loves to swim.Then Katy and Corey treated us to dinner. They grilled steaks. Life is so good!!!

Welcome Home Corey

We are all so happy to have Corey home from Iraq. Katy, Cade, and Corey are together and very happy to be together again. We thank Corey for his service and continue to pray for the servicemen and women who honorably serve our country.

Corey and Cade at the park, what a good sight.

Kyle's First Game of the Season

 Kyle was so excited about his first football game this year. He has some really good coaches this year. They teach them the skills and the positions. They have really been working hard at practice. Unfortunately, the other team practiced just as hard. We lost our first game. However, Kyle played awesome, and he looked dang cute in his uniform (don't tell him I said that). Don't worry, Kyle, you'll get'em next week. Go Vikings!!!

 In case you couldn't figure it out . . . Kyle's #16.

Welcome Home Chad

I'm so glad to have Chad home. He arrived Tuesday night. I thought he would never come down that escalator. We sent Kyle up to get the first picture of Chad coming through the gate, then Kyle was suppose to run down ahead of him and get more pictures. We kept watching for Kyle to come flying around the corner, leaping down the stairs, but . . .  no Kyle, and . . . no Kyle.

Finally someone says, "There he is." (They'd been saying that the whole time just to see my reaction, it was getting old. Although I did tighten up and look each time.) I looked and my brain just didn't register who I was seeing. Then it hit me. . . there was Kyle riding down the escalator with Chad next to him. So much for the pictures.

I'll finish the story later as I have time.

Cade's Surgery

Cade went into the hospital today for surgery. He was to have his adenoids removed and maybe his tonsils. He was doing pretty good before.  Here he is getting ready to leave. Cade was fine, but mom was a little nervous.

The pre-surgery room was filled with toys and other children waiting for their turn. Sam put him in a little wagon and pushed him back and forth. Anytime Sam would stop, Cade would let him know about it. 

Doesn't he look absolutely adorable in his little scrubs???

Mom and Cade having a playful moment before they take him in.

The doctor was going to wait until Cade was under before making a final decision about the tonsils. About 20 minutes into the surgery, Katy got a call. Cade's tonsils absolutely had to come out. We were told his tonsils were almost the size of a walnut each. 

       

He's been drinking apple juice and Grandpa got him some gummi worms. Unfortunately, he's not been holding anything down. The nurse brought him something that will help with the nausea. I hope he gets some sleep soon.

HS Reunion Report

I already admitted that I was a little nervous heading into my 25th HS Reunion. Now I can say I had such a  good time. I was able to visit with friends I had not seen since graduation. It was funny how we all looked the same, but . . .  just older.  I won the "Traveled the Farthest" Award, unofficially. Many of my HS comrades still live in Tennessee and many still in or close to Jackson. My best friend in HS and her husband, also a North Side graduate, came from Ohio.

Candy and Marty - It was GREAT!!! Hope to see you soon. How about Arches or Zions????

We took a moment to remember those from our graduating class who have already passed away, including my cousin, Lee Nelson. They were all too young.

Thank you to our host and hostess, Sandy and Randy, for  all their work, and for opening their home to us all. I look forward to #30!!

From Grandma

I just wanted my sweet grandbabies to know, Grandma misses them and can't wait to see them when I get home.

Grandma loves you Aida, Ariah, Ellie, Abbey, Ashton, Brayden, and Cade.

25th HS Reunion

Did I really say that? 25 years? Where did the time go?

Tonight I go to my 25th reunion. I haven't seen some of these people since graduation. I'm excited and a little nervous. My mind keeps asking

• What if I don't remember anyone?
• What if no one remembers me?
• Will we have anything in common (other than HS)?
• Will we have anything to talk about?
• Will I be the only one who doesn't look the same?
• Am I the only one who's asking these questions??

Okay, I'm sure it will be fine. I'll make sure to take some pics and let you know when I get back. Wish me luck!!

Shiloh National Military Park

Jerry, Kathy, Kyle and I went to Shiloh today. All those years I live here I never went to Shiloh. Why is it you seldom tour what's in your own state? Here's a short summary on the Battle of Shiloh.

Has any one else noticed the older you get the more interesting history is?? Why is that??? 

"The Battle of Shiloh was one of the first major battles in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. The two-day battle, April 6 and April 7, 1862, involved about 65,000 Union troops under Ulysses S. Grant and Don Carlos Buell and 44,000 Confederates under Albert Sidney Johnston (killed in the battle) and P.G.T. Beauregard. The battle resulted in nearly 24,000 killed, wounded, and missing. The two days of fighting did not end in a decisive tactical victory for either side—the Union held the battlefield but failed to pursue the withdrawing Confederate forces. Strategically, however, it was a decisive defeat for the Confederate forces that had concentrated to oppose Grant's and Buell's invasion through Tennessee. The battlefield is named after Shiloh Methodist Church, a small log church near Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee."

Kyle's New Shoes . . . by the way, Kyle took this picture.