Deck the Halls!

Merry Christmas 2011!

2011-12-19T11:44:00.000-06:00

I'm going hit the highlights briefly...don't blink

2011-12-17T11:47:00.003-06:00

I'm going to put the year in review here in a few pictures. It's been an extremely eventful year, seems like more of it tough than good, but God has been faithful. He continues to provide ALL our needs.

December has brought lots of Christmas events and festive times.

In November, we celebrated Thanksgiving. This is by far my favorite holiday of the year ~ lots of family without all the shopping. I loved that so many people talked about their 30 days of Thanksgiving, and we had a time to reflect on all that we are VERY thankful for, especially family. I haven't gotten to see some important parts of my family this year, and we lost family this year. This will be Terry's first Christmas without his mom. I remember an old "Maude" episode when Maude lost her mother. I must have been a teenager when I saw the episode, but her statement was so profound. Maude was on the stairs and looked at her friend and said, "I don't care how old you are when you lose your parents, you still feel like an orphan."

October - A marching we will go!

2011-12-16T11:57:00.001-06:00

Hope entered high school, and our lives were devoted to marching at football games and weekend competitions. The band placed 12th at State, an all-time high in Bos's history. Hope marches with a mellophone. She plays French horn in the top band, second seat. She sits next to her section leader! She is enjoying it and has managed to stay on top of her studies as well. We are very proud of her, her dedication, and her perseverance.

Fighting machine!

2011-12-15T12:04:00.003-06:00

Casey, our son-in-law, is a fighter. Our other son-in-law Jesse and Casey's brother begins his fighting career in December. I don't know a lot about it, but I do know Casey wins! We are wearing our TEAM WILLIAMS shirts in our Christmas picture.

Frank Buck Zoo and the grandkids

2011-12-14T12:10:00.001-06:00

We had the opportunity to take the Ripkin, Kylie, Cassidy, and Hope to the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville, TX twice this year. It's a great zoo to spend the day with a park and train. Its history stems back to the World's Fair in New York in the 1930s.

July slowed me down

2011-12-13T12:15:00.000-06:00

I had foot surgery in July that put me out of commission for six weeks. I wasn't expecting that so our vacation plans for summer were over. We did get to go camping for part of the week of Thanksgiving before the weather turned cold and rainy. We were thankful!

Dorothy Remembered

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Cash's June

2011-12-11T23:43:00.001-06:00

While we were on watch with Dorothy, Cash was in China having miracles occur. You'll have to go to Morgan's blog to get all the details, but our sweet Cash continues to gain vision. He was quite the show stopper in China with that red hair.

Check out his blog: http://hopeforcash.blogspot.com

We went to a baby dedication and never left

2011-12-11T12:59:00.000-06:00

Terry and I were invited to a baby dedication in May at North Point Church. For most of the summer, we attended both churches. Went to our former church's early service and our new church's morning service. Our former church changed their service times, so the decision was easy after that to join North Point Church. I've already become their volunteer of social media. I Facebook for the church. Terry has joined up with Iron Faith, their men's ministry. Hope is making new friends with the youth. One of her new friends has a couple of classes with her at school while another is in band with her.
www.npc4me.com

May and June

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Hope turned 14 on May 22. Hope was president of National Junior Honor Society. She inducted the new president at the end of the school year. She was also "Chip" in the school musical "Beauty and the Beast".

On a sad note, the courts terminated Josh's marriage of a year in June. I did mention it had been a tough year.

Memorial Day weekend

2011-12-10T12:27:00.001-06:00

We got to go to San Antonio for what has been our only vacation of the year! We stayed on the River and had a great time!

Josh and The Norwood Twins

2011-12-09T12:40:00.000-06:00

Josh played in the Stockyards with The Norwood Twins. They all went to high school together, and they have always written their own songs, their own poetry books, and have even been on Jay Leno's crazy human tricks. Sweet girls, and it was a great diversion for us all!

Jamaica 'Mon

2011-12-08T12:47:00.001-06:00

Haley and Allan took a trip with a group of friends to Jamaica. Fun times had by all!

That's our year in review

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Although I know I've left things out, I think I did a pretty good job of hitting the highlights. The pictures let you see the family as we've progressed over the year. Enjoy! and Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2010

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We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Terry is teaching at Westwood College in Fort Worth this year. Kathy is still teaching in a discipline alternative education program. Hope is in 8th grade this year, band, NJHS, and Student Council. Josh will finish his degree at North Texas in August and is subbing in the area. Haley is with a major hotel in Grapevine and in college. Casey just won NAGA (North America Grappling Association) WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP in his weight class just today! Karah is busy with Ripkin. Morgan is REALLY busy with Kylie, Cassidy, and now our sweet baby Cash. Jesse and Morgan are back in the area away from San Antonio so we can see those babies more often. Bucky and Boowie are just hanging with their people.

Bucky and Boowie have been good boys

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Hope in the Stockyards

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Camping at Lake Texoma

2010-11-18T17:37:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-14T17:34:00.000-06:00

The swingset was a huge success for Thanksgiving!

First day of school

2010-08-23T17:29:00.000-05:00

Colorado Springs, CO

2010-08-01T17:00:00.009-05:00

After camping for a couple of days in 100+ weather, Kathy, Terry and Hope packed up and spent a week in Colorado Springs, CO. We did all the touristy things: Cave of the Winds Lantern Tour, Manitou Springs Cog Railway, Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, Focus on the Family, Air Force Academy, and Royal Gorge. In New Mexico on the way there, we did Capulin Volcano. Great temperatures and great times!

May 22, 2010

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Family Gathering

National Junior Honor Society

2010-05-20T16:32:00.000-05:00

Hope's grades and citizenship allowed her to be initiated into NJHS. She has since been voted as President of her chapter.

Easter!

2010-04-04T16:29:00.002-05:00

Easter Egg hunt at Mimi and Poppy's house!

Spring Break 2010

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Camping at Medina Lake in San Antonio, Texas

Cash Michael Williams

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To see a plethora of pictures of our grandson, go to this website:

http://hopeforcash.blogspot.com

Terry and I discovered we REALLY do not like snow...

2010-02-12T16:17:00.003-06:00

Snow, snow.....EVERYWHERE!!

Hope's Band Concert

2010-01-22T16:14:00.002-06:00

Hope and her French horn.....

Whiz Kids

2010-01-12T16:07:00.003-06:00

Hope made the Academic Team at her school. Her meets were like playing Trivia Pursuit!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-09T18:02:00.006-06:00

We wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May you find peace, health, and happiness at every turn of your year. God bless you!

We gathered together for Thanksgiving once again and took our Christmas card picture. Christmas with my family is at my house this year. I'm really looking forward to it, and I'm almost finished shopping, a first for me to be this far along at this time of year. We had such a great time over Thanksgiving break. Terry and I went camping from Friday to Tuesday at Lake Texoma. We had friends come in from Floresville, TX, who put us back on the Phase 10 kick. We also completed wood floors in our entire downstairs area. WHEW!

Please note our emails have changed. These are the most used of email addresses for Terry and Kathy: terryrexhall@gmail.com; adcteacher@gmail.com

I'm still teaching, but my venue changed last year. I'm teaching at the Alternative Discipline Center in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw School District, and I really enjoy it. It's been a great ministry. Terry passed his Life Science Teacher Certification test in the fall, and we're hoping to have him teaching by next fall. We are both taking ESL - English as a Second Language classes in January to add to our certifications. Haley is in the process of changing jobs, and she has tons of credits now from TCC. Karah runs an amazing household with Ripkin keeping her busy at every turn. Morgan has a baby boy on the way due in February to join Kylie and Cassidy. She and Jesse are living in San Antonio. Josh is a junior at UNT with a major in general studies. Hope is loving band, her French horn, and her facebook. Boowie and Bucky love camping. It's been a great year, once again. Love to each and every one of you!

San Antone!

2009-12-09T17:31:00.005-06:00

We took a trip down to San Antonio with Hope for a week. We did Sea World, Fiesta Texas, Natural Bridge Caverns, and Lake Medina. Hope was selected as the child in the Shamu Believe show, and I left my camera at the hotel. :-( We stopped in to visit Morgan, Jesse, Kylie and Cassidy - and of course their dog Brutus. We grabbed Kylie for an overnighter at Lake Medina. We stayed at the Hyatt Hill Country Spa Resort with Visa Reward Points and spent days in the Lazy River there. Super time in early August just before returning to school.

This is the sad part....

2009-09-01T17:55:00.003-05:00

My camera card crashed. I lost pictures of Terry, Kathy and Ripkin going on the Forest Park Train ride, I lost Hope in her Southern Belle costume for Halloween at Thousand Trails, and I lost pictures of the grandbabies at Karah's for a visit. I lost pictures of my nephew and his wife and child. I also lost pictures of Mom and Dad' s new miniature schnauzer: Max. I now have a new card. I hope it never happens again.

Bucky, Boowie, and the 7th grader

2009-08-30T17:52:00.000-05:00

7th grader

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This one time, at band camp....

2009-07-24T17:25:00.002-05:00

Hope had band camp as one of her summer activities and was awarded most improved in the French horn section. She received a scholarship to next year's camp. Mrs. Danforth, the lead director of the camp and Josh's middle school director, was kind enough to have her picture made with two former students. Jake came to see Hope, too. Amelia attended the camp as well. Here are some pictures!

Colorado once again!

2009-07-12T16:38:00.010-05:00

We vacationed with Birdi and Gary Blocker again this year in Breckenridge, CO, where we rented a house. It was an amazing house up on top of Ski Hill Road. We passed a fox on the road to the house who was eating Pringles in the middle of the road. We heard rumors of a bear, but we never saw him. We went to neighboring cities, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Colorado Springs. In case you decide to spend some time in Breckenridge, let me make this recommendation: Don't! You cannot breathe. They sell POD - personal oxygen devices - at the check out counters in the grocery store. This should have been our first clue. The house we stayed in had an oxygen machine that we used in the mornings and evenings just to get where we felt like doing something. Lest you think the vacation was not good, you are mistaken. The scenery and company was excellent, but I'm thinking Colorado Springs is as high as I truly want to get next year. Here are some of my favorite photos (can you tell I like the critters?) from the trip:

Terry turns 50!

2009-05-17T15:47:00.001-05:00

Here' s Terry with his brother and his twin. Funny how his twin is only 38 on this birthday!? Separated at birth??? LOL. ;-)

Sisters with cousin

Husband and wife with classmates.

Friends from Marble Falls and church!

Cousin with Hope and Kat (10 hours later, Hope was throwing her socks up)

Participants were encouraged to bring 50 of something to remind Terry of all 50 years. Here were 50 Centrum Senior Plus Vitamins!

Birthday Bubble Bath - showercap, loofah, back brush, and Rajun Cajun bean mix!

Dad and old friends....

Karen and Mike in the cool wind....

Cousins and children

Family

Long time friends

Karah and Ripkin

Abbott Lab long time friends

I surprised Terry with a party at the gazebo in Willow Creek Park. Terry's brother, sister, and half-brother's half brother were among the many guests. Here are some candid shots of the participants. Thanks to Haley, Karah, and Morgan who stashed the goodies for the party and cooked dogs like no other. Thanks to Kat and Josh who toted it all up there and held our place at the non-reservable gazebo for two hours. I believe all was a success!

Josh runs for EMS-ISD School Board

2009-05-09T15:43:00.002-05:00

It was a great experience for Josh. President Bush told the interns two things: Volunteer and Participate in your community. So, her ran for school board. He had 3 opponents, but only collected 6% of the vote. Election day was the day of two exams. Ouch! It's expensive to run a campaign, and for a poor college student, it was tough. Time and money played a big factor in his loss. It was a great experience and maybe next time!

Easter!

2009-04-12T16:44:00.003-05:00

Dorothy came and spent some time with her great-grandchildren.

Cassidy turned one on April 15. This contraption was a gift from Poppy & Mimi

Poppy & Mimi got monogrammed Easter baskets for all!

Yummy eggs!

All those eggs next to the Easter Tree!

We had The Williams, The Williams, and Haley over for Easter along with Josh, Hope, Kat and Mallory. I had an "egg tree" and over 200 plastic eggs filled with money and candy that the Easter Bunny dropped off;-). We had ham, three bean salad, and potato casserole with strawberry cake for dessert. Afterwards, they all surprised Kathy with a belated birthday party. What a glorious day!

Spring Break at Lake Medina near San Antonio

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A jack rabbit larger than Bucky and Boo!

I liked this picture due to the deer's tongue being out! Yummy corn!

Deer in headlights...look for their eyes...

Bucky's first camping trip.

We spent a week near San Antonio where we visited Sea World, Fiesta Texas, and the Love Orchard Apple Orchard where the apple pies have 5# of apples in each pie! One morning, we had 47 deer outside the camper after sprinkling deer corn. Terry had one eat out of his hand. Josh's friend Jake spent part of the week with us. Fun times had by all.

This is what LEGAL looks like!

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Two Birthday Babies! Both are 21 and HOLDING!

Bucky Roo Hall

2009-01-10T11:53:00.003-06:00

Boowie was lonely during the days, so we brought him a playmate. Bucky Roo Hall joined the household on January 10, 2009, from the same breeder at Second Trade Days in Bowie, Texas where we adopted Boowie. Amazingly, Josh likes this little guy. Bucky and Boo play and play and play and then curl up and sleep together. Boo has shown Bucky the ropes on ringing the bell to go outside, and he's been such a sweet boy. He's a little over 4 pounds now, and he was born on August 27, 2008. We can't wait to go camping in the spring with our camping boys.

Chopped

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Hair cut on January 2, 2009. Just learned to use the self-timer on my camera....don't laugh!

Christmas 2008!

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Thank you for visiting our blog! I've had my Christmas cards addressed since Thanksgiving break, but I didn't get a chance to update the blog until today, December 22, the same day I'm finally mailing out the cards. It's been a busy season. I've already opened more gifts than you can imagine. Family and friends sure do make the holiday times special, don't they? Our wish for you is health, wealth, and happiness for the New Year. May God pour out a special blessing on you and may the windows of heaven pour out blessings beyond measure.

Our love, Terry and Kathy

Children's Christmas Musical

2008-12-14T11:48:00.000-06:00

Hope sang "O Come All Ye Faithful" the first verse and was one of the narrators at Eagle's View Church's children's Christmas musical. We joined in September of this year to this inviting church where Josh has been playing guitar on the praise team for over a year. Come visit some time!

Watch our babies grow!

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Precious pictures.

Thanksgiving Break

2008-11-27T12:06:00.001-06:00

We camped during Thanksgiving week, having Thanksgiving the Sunday before we left with the girls and their families, then we drove back in for Thanksgiving with Karen, Mike, Mom and Dad on Thursday. After lunch, we drove back out to Texoma where we had left our camper. We put in over 30 nights of camping this year. It's still one of our favorite escapes.

Hope plays the French Horn

2008-11-04T11:38:00.001-06:00

Hope is learning to play the French Horn. Pix from her first concert.

Grandbabies and friends on the Tarantula Train in Fort Worth

2008-09-23T11:27:00.004-05:00

We took an afternoon to take Kylie, Ripkin, Kat, Mallory, Hope, Terry, and Kathy on a train ride. Everyone enjoyed!

Big Middle Schooler

2008-08-25T11:23:00.001-05:00

Here she is! The Middle-schooler!

Dinner in the country

2008-08-23T10:50:00.001-05:00

We had the privilege to see Matthew, Martha, and Maegan and my sister's new home in August. Lovely time had by all!

Branson, MO

2008-08-19T10:56:00.000-05:00

On our way to Branson, we stopped in at our cousins's home in Tulsa. Before we reached Branson where we stayed for a week, we visited Diamond, MO, where George Washington Carver once lived and where his museum stands. We also visited the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage, MO. We were treated to shows and attractions by long-time friends Kurt and Kathy Z. We had a terrific time! We trekked to the Ozarks in Eureka Springs, AR, one night to see the Great Passion Play. This was a fun, fun trip! What trip to escape and have fun ISN'T fun?!

Josh moves to D.C. for the semester

2008-08-18T10:38:00.000-05:00

Gotta love these pix. Josh lived in Maryland and commuted to D.C. daily for the semester. Here he is leaving on the morning of August 18. He visited his Aunt Sherri and her family on the way there and back and his cousins, Matt, Martha, and Maegan on the way home. He arrived back home on December 17.

Buena Vista, Colorado

2008-07-23T10:25:00.002-05:00

Capulin Volcano, Leadville, Breckenridge, Independence Pass, Turquoise Lake, Twin Lakes, Great Sand Dunes, Bishop Castle, and a great ten days with our friends Birdi and Gary!

Hope turns 11

2008-05-22T09:33:00.000-05:00

Hope turned the big one - one, and we created a "spa" party for her friends. Great time had by all. Then, as soon as school was out, she spent over a week travelling and visiting London, England.

Ripkin turns 1 in March & Kylie turned 2 in May

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Birthday babies!

Haley holds Cassidy

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Ok, well, self-indulgence here. I love this picture of Haley holding Cassidy. We were actually at the hospital having visited Kami, our niece's daughter, when Haley, Karah, and Morgan arrived with Cassidy. Here's one of the proud grandparents, too.

Associate's Degree - CHECK

2008-05-09T09:17:00.003-05:00

Josh completed his Associate's degree from the Cornerstone Program at TCC. We are very proud of his accomplishments. Josh is on to North Texas in the Spring of 09.

A New Grandbaby!

2008-04-15T09:10:00.001-05:00

Tax Day brought Kylie a baby sister. What a beautiful baby, and she looks so much like her father! (Strange, but it looks good on a girl! HA!) Morgan & Jesse were thrilled, and all went great! Proud Poppy and Mimi we are!

Snow? In March?

2008-03-06T08:56:00.003-06:00

March brought a snow smattering for a day, Boowie's first. Personally, I could live without snow for the rest of my life and never miss it, but the kiddos couldn't resist (notice Terry is in the pictures - ha!) I, on the other hand, took the pictures quickly and went back inside....with Boo.

New Year 2008

2008-01-01T08:52:00.004-06:00

Terry and I brought in the new year with a marriage for our friends Larry & Teri. Terry had the privilege of performing the ceremony for his friend of many years. It was a beautiful ceremony at a precious little chapel in Boyd, TX

Merry Christmas 2007!

2007-12-30T10:38:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to you and yours! I couldn't get a Christmas letter together to publish for my cards this year due to some recent surgery recovery, so I'm doing a blogspot for all to view our happenings and shenanigans! This seemed more fun, and I can include more pictures. Boy, do I have a year to review! I can't tell you how much FUN I've had this year. Our family has grown as you have seen by our Christmas card which gave you this address, and our joy is full! We are blessed beyond measure! Thank you for taking the time to view our site. Love, Kathy and all!

A-camping We Did Go!

2007-12-20T11:06:00.001-06:00

Lake Texoma from the fishing pier.

Stephen Pride, Charlie Pride's brother, performs at Lake Texoma

We purchased a new camper in February. It's 2007 Gulf Stream Kingsport 24 ' or 27' pull trailer (depending on which lable you read). We didn't take any long trips with it this year, but the trailer did see 27 days at Lake Texoma this year. We are as snug as a bug in a rug now with the hard shell vs. pop-up canvas, and no bears can get to us! (A concern when we camped last year in New Mexico.)

Sea World during Spring Break!

2007-12-20T11:00:00.000-06:00

During March, Terry, Hope, Amelia (Hope's first cousin), and I went to Sea World in San Antonio. We camped at Thousand Trails Lake Medina about 20 minutes from Sea World for the week. Every day we awoke to deer all over the place. The campground sells deer corn to scatter next to the campers or to feed the deer directly. They ate from our hands! The lake was extremely low, and little did we know the rains were to come. The park flooded later in the spring. We visited an apple orchard and just enjoyed the camping facilities including a St. Patrick's Day Parade in the park. Terry had to leave us mid-week. We dropped him at the airport for the early arrival of our grandson, but I'll save that for the next entry.

Easter pictures.

2007-12-20T10:30:00.000-06:00

Yeah, I know the picture is sideways. I can't get it turned, but it's so cute!

Gangsta Egg Hunters!

Posing people having found eggs!

Fun times had by all!

Ripkin Alexander Williams arrives!

2007-12-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

On March 15, 2007, Ripkin Alexander Williams made his debut to the world at 8:37 P.M. weighing 7 pounds even. Mother, Karah - daughter number two - did great as well as Casey - son-in-law addition number 1! I drove Terry to the airport in San Antonio to make it in time for the birth in DFW. Haley - daughter number 1 - drove Terry to the airport in time for Ripkin's birth with ten minutes to spare. Whew! Close call. Poppy was proud.

50th Wedding Anniversary!

2007-12-20T09:50:00.000-06:00

My parents, Charles and Robbie Womack, celebrated fifty years of wedded bliss. My sister Karen and I, along with our families, hosted a reception in their honor at Glenview Baptist Church on April 1. Over 100 people attended, and we all had a great time.

Kylie Madison Hall turns 1!

2007-12-20T09:49:00.000-06:00

Kylie's party - with Mimi, Poppy, and Ripkin

Kylie's new Dora chair.

We celebrated Kylie's 1st birthday. What a big girl! She calls or her Poppy calls and says, "Hi Poppy!" "I love you, Poppy!" and makes Poppy's day. She's precious!

Maegan Roberson arrives next!

2007-12-20T09:48:00.000-06:00

My nephew Matthew and his wife Martha brought a beautiful baby girl into the world on May 15, 2007. My sister Karen arrived in Florida within 24 hours for the occasion. Go catch Matthew and Martha's updates on their blogspot: http://mattandmartharoberson.blogspot.com/

picture on the left is Karen & Mike Shawn with Maegan

picture on the right is Matthew & Martha with Maegan

Hope turns 10!

2007-12-20T09:42:00.000-06:00

Hope earns straight A award. Her Aunt Karen is in the turquoise. Karen is the vice-principal at Hope's school.

I made Hope's dress for this occasion.

Hope is left of microphone playing Susanna Dickinson.

Hope and friends at CiCi's

Goofy Hope and goofy friends at Hope's party.

Hope the ballerina.

Hope the tap-dancer.

Hope turned 10 on May 22, 2007. She had a few friends to join her to see Spiderman 3 and then dinner at Ci Ci's. She performed at Jo Bonds Dance Ranch in the Spring Recital, and she played the part of Susanna Dickinson, the sole female survivor of the Alamo in a play named the same at her school. She had a beautiful solo that brought some in the crowd to tears. Hope received awards finishing up her 4th grade year with straight A's and highest average in all subjects except one.

Karah and Casey Tie the Knot!

2007-12-20T09:39:00.000-06:00

Terry had the honor of marrying Karah to Casey Williams on June 1st at the home of Casey's parents in Colleyville. Dorothy Hall, Terry's mom, was able to come in from Marble Falls for the occasion. It was a beautiful ceremony with a beautiful bride.

June & July

2007-12-20T09:38:00.000-06:00

In June, Terry and I attended his 30th, yes, his 30th high school reunion with L.D. Bell High School. Joel Odom and his wife RaeNell were our dinner companions for the evening (or should I say RaeNell was MY dinner companion as Joel and Terry were making the rounds). Joel went to school with Terry, and Joel had worked in the youth group when I was in youth at Glenview Baptist Church. Joel Odom now pastors at Oak Hills Community Church in Floresville, TX, outside of San Antonio, so July took us BACK to San Antonio (couldn't miss Sea World again) to celebrate with Joel in his 25 years in the ministry, a surprise event planned by RaeNell. It was an amazing day to be a part of, and obviously, Joel is loved by his congregation. We were so honored, glad, and thankful to be a part of a very special day. To see an interview with Joel, choose the link that follows: http://www.floresville.isd.tenet.edu/elementary/fes/leaders/cyberfairready/odom/odom.htm

Tennessee Vacation!

2007-12-20T09:37:00.000-06:00

See why they're called Blue Ridge Mountains?

The water is up to my thighs and you can still see my toenail polish. Brrrr. Cold water!

Terry didn't know his own strength!

It's a tunnel!

Pot people all over the park of Dollywood.

Steam train at Dollywood.

Dolly's kin show. All are related to Dolly Parton.

Jo Dee Messina at the Opry.

Afterwards at the Opry.

The Riverboat.

Ok. I'm out of order on my pix, but I can't figure out how to rearrange them. This is Little Jimmie Dickens aka Tater - long time member of the Opry. He was charming and funny.
Did you know that Trace Atkins is the tallest member of the Opry at 6'4"?
Kelly Pickler

Pat Green - Texas boy

Porter Wagner - one of his last performances. Glad I got to see him before his death.

Bellamy Brothers - Gimme a Redneck Girl

Whispering Bill Anderson

Costumes from Porter and Dolly back in the day.

The hills are alive with the sound of music.....an amphitheater at Bicentennial Park in Nashville.

Country Music Gold Records.

Minnie Pearl's home town - not Grinder's Switch as she reported.

The Mother Church of Country Music - Ryman Auditorium

Mill at Loretta Lynn's

Loretta's step to the mansion.

Terry on the steps of the Parthenon

Natchez Trace Log Cabin where we stayed - back porch

A boat in the same park with the Parthenon. Strange.

Log cabin in Cherokee Landing

Elvis's museum at Graceland

At the grave of Elvis.

Terry and I in front of Graceland.

In July, Terry and I headed out with our friends Birdi and Gary Blocker to Memphis, Nashville, and then Gatlinburg, Tennessee for eleven day driving tour. We had such a relaxing time. We first stopped at a Thousand Trails resort in Cherokee Landing http://www.1000trails.com/site/page/pg3487-as37.html in log cabins and spent eight hours at Graceland the next day. Next we headed to Nashville to the Country Music Hall of Fame and The Grand Old Opry with a tour of the original Ryman Auditorium. We stopped at Loretta Lynn's place as well as Minnie Pearl's birthplace, then off to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. We stopped at Natchez Trace Thousand Trails http://www.1000trails.com/site/page/pg3487-as38.html on the way back in another log cabin. It was an amazing trip and not one soon forgotten. Terry and I love country music and the history that follows.

Four Generations

2007-12-20T09:35:00.000-06:00

Karah, Dorothy with Ripkin, Terry with Kylie, and Morgan

Kylie wants the camera

Ripkin flies!

Dorothy Hall made another trip to Fort Worth in August. She stayed with us and with Sherry, Terry's twin sister. It made for a great picture.

Josh

2007-12-20T09:30:00.000-06:00

Josh on a non-horse

Josh as a gargoyle

Josh and Jezzy
I asked Josh for some pictures, and these are his choices. Very Josh.

Josh completed 34 college credits this year. He continues in the honors program at Tarrant County College - Northwest Campus, about 4 miles from our home. He is president of the German Club at the Northeast Campus and Vice-President of the honor society Phi Theta Kappa. He assisted with other Cornerstone students in constructing the Memorial Wall at TCC - NW this past fall that honors fallen soldiers in the current war in Iraq and Afghanistan. He imprinted the dog tags that are part of the memorial. Josh is a member at Eagle's View Church in Saginaw where he plays lead guitar on the Worship Team. Josh will turn 20 in January and graduate with his Associate's Degree in May. Josh is considering majoring in Biochemistry.

Kathy Teaches!

2007-12-20T09:27:00.000-06:00

I started my 17th year at W. E. Boswell High School this year, teaching 10th grade regular English. I took on Webmaster of our school's website. Check it out: http://www.emsisd.com/ and on the left side of the screen, select Boswell High School. I'm also the Computer Technology Integrator on our campus. I teach classes of computer competencies to teachers and answer some routine computer questions.

I started teaching a class at SuperKid Academy at Eagle Mountain International Church on Wednesday nights. The class is one of the electives that students can sign up for, and mine is called SKView. It's turned into a creative writing class for 4th and 5th graders. It was truly one of the highlights of my week as they were students who WANTED to write, who had a real love for story-telling and creative writing techniques. I had 6 girls on a regular basis who came to write and learn writing techniques. It was such a blessing in my life. I'll start the class again in February.

Brothers marry Sisters

2007-12-20T09:25:00.000-06:00

Morgan - daughter number 3 - married Jesse Williams - new son-in-law addition number 2 - and Casey's brother, on August 30 in a private ceremony in Fort Worth. They just moved into their new home in Bedford this week, two streets over from Karah and Casey. Karah and Casey's street connects to Haley's street. They all live in probably a one mile radius. How ironic is that?

Haley

2007-12-20T09:20:00.000-06:00

Haley finished classes at Tarrant County College - Northeast Campus this fall and joined the wait staff at the Glass Cactus at the Gaylord Hotel in Grapevine. She recently donned a flapper dress and waited TO's party with many celebrity faces. She lives just a few streets over from both of her sisters.

"Boo"wie Cash Radley Hall joins the family and others leave.

2007-12-20T09:15:00.000-06:00

Our toy poodle, also known as BOO, joined the family on September 9. We purchased him from Second Trade Days in Bowie, Texas. He was six months old and left over from the previous litter. He is not of show quality, although he is CKC pedigree. He has a phantom white stripe on his chest and is over six pounds, detrimental to showing a toy, but he is as sweet as can be. Hope came up with Cash because he is the "little man in black", and I chose Radley because of Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel I teach in the classroom. He likes camping, too! Annie, our pit bull, found a new home with Haley, Karah and Morgan's first cousin and appears very happy. Jamey and Jezzy, the outdoor cats, died this fall. Jamey on Oct 30. She was sixteen years six months to the day. Jezzy passed on Dec. 2. I think she just missed her sister too much.

Thanksgiving,the New Year, etc.

2007-12-20T09:00:00.000-06:00

Recognize that Santa? Boo was happy to be there!

Mr. & Mrs. Santa, Hope & Amelia

Santa and Mrs. Claus greet the Fort Worth Tour of Lights bus riders.

Hope and Amelia hand out candy canes to all EIGHTY-FIVE buses on two nights during the Fort Worth Tour of Lights that starts from the Stockyards.

We took our Christmas picture at our Thanksgiving gathering. We had our turkey dinner on November 11 because we knew I was having surgery on November 19 and would be recuperating. It was great getting all the family together. I missed Thanksgiving at Mom's, but she was sure to send a plate. Yum, YUM! I've been off school since November 19 and will return when school resumes on January 7. The second weekend in December, Terry donned his Santa suit, and Birdi donned her Mrs. Claus suit. They boarded 85 buses in two nights to greet the people on the Fort Worth Tour of Lights tour. Hope and Amelia passed out candy canes to the children, and I made sure that their baskets were full. Ordinarily, I would have been boarding buses and leading the groups in carols as I've done for the last couple of years, but this year I wasn't able to so. Our friend Gary took these great pictures.

We're looking to go camping the day after Christmas if the weather holds, but it's not looking very promising. Hope is going to Disneyworld with her dad and her cousin Amelia during the last part of Christmas break. Terry is performing a wedding ceremony on January 1 for his friend Larry and his fiance Terri. This is Terry's second ceremony to do in the last seven months. He performed the ceremony for Karah and Casey, too. We're considering a business! Terry had to turn one down for January 6th. My friend Dotty and her fiance Wayne are marrying in Galveston then. On January 3, I'll be released from the doctor to return to work. We're planning to go to Marble Falls sometime around January 4 to see Dorothy, Bill and Jackie, and Mike and Rhonda. I'll try to maintain this site throughout the year so you don't have to wait for the Christmas edition to find out our happenings. May your new year be every blessing that you never expected! Our love, Kathy and Terry