Friday, December 31, 2010

Pioneer Tournament in Boone




Today we traveled to Boone to watch the finals of the Pioneer Christmas Tournament.....WCHS basketball team were playing against Nation Hill HS from Fort Mill, SC. It was a good game, especially given that WCHS won 63-51.


We went up early and had dinner at a place called Galileo's......it was a cool place and the food was very good. We had to wait a while for our food as our waitress was also the cook, but we enjoyed the time chatting----great family time.



We were a little late for the game but found the Barrett family to hang out with during the second half. We got to meet Megan---Joe and Dawn's oldest and her hubby and children (Cora & Kade)....they are adorable!!!









Saturday, December 25, 2010

Feliz Navidad!




Today we had a WONDERFUL Christmas Day.....When we woke up....it was snowing....Matheus was SO excited! When he first came here and we asked him what he wanted for Christmas...he said, he wanted a White Christmas!....and God gave it to him....:) He kept going outside to take 'progressive pictures' so he could see the snow building up in the yard. Then he wanted to go out and play football in the snow. We decided to stay at home today even though we had planned to go to Shirley's house to have dinner in the afternoon. We called and told Shirley we would not be coming....she said it wasn't that bad there but we explained that it was it was over an hour drive for us and it was an exciting time for us to spend with Matheus. She said she understood. Sometimes you have to do what is best for your family.....and I am glad we stayed at home....It was an AWESOME day! We took our time and opened gifts and we talked to Claudia and family via the computer. We also talked to Johnny, Boyd and family......and we made snowcream! Feliz Navidad!

Our beautiful tree!
Waterproof flashlight....it has a secret compartment and it floats!
The birdfeeder is empty:(
Winter Wonderland


Gotta go....I'm glad we got to stay at home....:)










Progression pics begin......
Snowcream....yummy!
Matheus presents....part 2
Matheus presents......
I LOVE this author......she has a great blog!
new beach towel for Tommy!
gift from Claudia.....box is too pretty to open...lol
new ASU shirt....I have one to match.....
new Yosef ornament!
the pillow boys!
Life IS good!!
ASU throw for my man!
Life IS good for Matheus too!
He has many fine points!
He has a BIG foot!
Beautiful Goblets from Brazil!
American Express always makes a teen smile!
Gift from Claudia!
Silly boy....barefoot in the snow.....
Great catch!


Christmas Eve @ Annie & JD's House

I love this kid!

This evening we traveled to Hays, NC to Annie & JD's house for Christmas Eve Celebration.....this is a gathering I used to attend with my folks many years ago.....and in an effort to reconnect with my family....I sent an email to Annie and David....asking if they still all got together and if it would be ok if we came.....they wrote back saying 'of course' and that their numbers had grown....and boy they were not kidding.....I tried to take notes on which kids belonged to who....they were all adoreable....I sure missed Teresa....she could have been so helpful in remembering names & ages. Annie invited us to stay for Secret Santa.....we didn't have gifts but she said they had enough for everyone so we decided to stay....and it was a BLAST!

There were more than 30 people playing....more than I have ever played with before. Matheus got some cool binoculars....I got cheetos and Tommy got a magnetic picture frame with $5 in it. They had mason jars with candy in it for everyone and little gifts for the kids.....someone was there dressed up like Santa and the kids sat on his lap and he gave them something out of his big red sack....it was so cute....Matheus and I made up treat bags on the way there and gave them out to all the kids there....he seemed to really enjoy it.....and all the kids said thank you.....they were so adoreable! I took notes and took pics of the families together with Santa so I think I know who goes with you.....It was REALLY great seeing everyone!

Ok...Tina has 2 children....Janessa and John

John has been married twice...his first wife's name is Vickie and he had 2 kids with her....I think....Aaron...16 and Ashley...18....and I think there are a couple of half children there too...he also has a boy named Jacob who is 17....I am not sure if Vickie is his mom or not....he is not listed as her child on her facebook page....the source of all information....ha...Christian and Caleb (6th grade)...but they both have different last names so I am assuming they have different fathers...John is currently married to Julie and they have twins who are 3 years old.

Janessa is married to Nathan and they also have twins Parker and Paige who are 6 years old.

Wanda has two daughters....Sherry and Lisa.....Sherry is shorter but older....is the only way I can keep them straight...they are both beautiful

Lisa has 2 children....Blake who is 17 and Courtney who is 11

Sherry has two children as well....Grace who is 11 and Emily who is 6

Tommy had two children....Shelby & TC

Shelby has two children...Zack....the little guy in the Panther jersey who is 6 and baby Ryan who is 3 months

Jerry's children include Karen & Allen

Karen has Haley who is 4 and Alex who is 6

Allen is married to Jessica and his kids include Jarod who is 10, Dylan who is 7 and Madison who is 3

And of course there is David and Teresa....Annie and JD's kids....David is married to Jennifer and has only one child....Elizabeth...she is the cutie with the curly hair...she is a little too shy to sit on Santa's lap. Teresa didn't have children and she was divorced from her hubby, Jim.


This is Aaron & Ashley...John Billings oldest children with their half sister, Christian....she is not John's daughter....none of these kids were present at Annie's tonight....I found their pic on the internet....ha.
Here is Tommy and Matheus at Pop's house prior to heading to Annie's
The Shadow.....
Dad and Shirley
Matheus carrying the treat bags....heading into Annie's house....check out Santa on the Harley..
We were all wondering why everyone was fighting over this gift.....ha
Annie is a sweetie
Mother and Son....passing out treats!
Father and son....Tommy is trying to tell me something....ha
Uncle Chris holding little Ryan....holding Matheus' hand.....
Lisa holding Ryan....holding Courtney's hand....
Grace & Courtney


Matheus checks out his lottery ticket
Jarod opens his gift
spreading good cheer!
Madison relaxes
Dylan LOVES his present!
Wanda shakes her piggy!
John helps john or jackson open his gift
the gifts for secret santa
uncle JD likes his gift
the boys are ready
pretty girls
reminiscing
tina sits on santa's knee
now it's shirley's turn
jennifer & elizabeth

grandpa jerry
beautiful tree
Karen with her beautiful children haley (4) and alex (6)
sherry and her hubby and kids Grace (11) & Emily (6)
Us with Santa and TC
Allen & Jessica, Jarod (10), Dylan (7) & Madison (3)
TC & Shelby
Pop & Shirley