Catch up

So this picture is actually a good-by picture but I couldn't think of a better way to start this blog. The only thing wrong here is that Hallie is missing. Well, she isn't missing - she is in Cincinnati - but she is not in this picture. I have a copy of this picture in my purse along with a pic of Hallie - just in case someone asks about my grandchildren. But this really isn't catching up is it?

So after Thanksgiving - the snow melted. Hip hip hurray!!! Then it came back. :( Then it melted. :) Then it came back. :( Now it is melted again :) Till next week. It has been a winter and a half. As far as records go it doesn't come close to two years ago but with all the melting and coming back we have had more ice than normal. I have been driving bus for 19 years and in all that time I have only chained up once. This past month I have been stuck twice and put on my chains twice. No fun. The kids on the bus think it is a blast but my back doesn't like it at all.

The first part of December was rotten because Mom went into the hospital. She had a very bad infection that just drained her of all energy. She couldn't stand on her own let alone walk. She was in the hospital for 4 days. She has been on antibiotics on and off since. We have had social services come into the house with physical therapy and other help. It has been great to see Mom get stronger and her Alzheimer's is even better. She still has her moments but they are moments and not days.

Next is Christmas - most of the kids came home for Christmas and it was great to see everyone.
This is Kevin. The newest member of the family. I finally got to meet him. What a cute little boy and so well behaved. He never cries. Just lays there looking around and smiling. Oh, he eats his hands too.
This is Maddie and Jack in their new Christmas cloths for church. I don't know where Sadie is but Jack had to have his picture taken with Maddie. It was great to have them at the house for the first week they were in town. I had to work the first couple of days they were here but after that I got to spend lots of time with the Campbell kids. It is always great to get to know your grandchildren again. They have grown so much.

After Damon and Nikki left to go stay at Cindy's (Nikki's Mother) Darren showed up with his girlfriend Brittany.
This is the only picture I took of the two of them. Bad Me!!! We have all met Brittany before but this time we had a chance to get to know her better. A good match for Darren - I must say.

Then on Christmas Eve - Cristy, Nathaniel and Troy flew in. We had a full house on Christmas Day.
Good Morning - what a great Christmas morning. Cristy talking to...?...
Damon and Sadie waiting for presents. Lets here it for Darren and his baking of the goodies. Thanks D for filling in for me.
Cristy played Santa in passing out the presents. All the kids opening up the same thing from Me.
Have any of them used theirs at church?

Little Gibson had on his Santa suit. This is just a living room shot. Still more to open.

It was a fun day. We all had dinner around 5 and took food over to Mom and Dad. With everyone here it was too crazy and loud for Mom. We took turns going over to see them and forgot to bring the tape recorder to record Dad's stories. Turns out I didn't take that many pictures and hope that I get more from everyone else.

A few miscellaneous pictures. Here is Troy standing - and attacking Lucy.

Gibson and Kevin. Two very handsome boys.

Maddie on Christmas day.

One more of Troy because this was taken on News years day. He crawled under the table and then he had trouble getting out. This is a triumphant face of finally figuring out how to get out.

Nathaniel flew home new years and Cristy stayed with me till Sunday night. Then she went to stay at Mandy's because I had to go back to work.

I guess the next thing that happened is that I got old again. I really hate the 4 and 9 years. Yes, that is different but I get used to being old in those years so the 5 and 0 years are not bad but I do hate admitting that time is going by very fast.

I have no pictures of my aging but there were a couple of parties and lots of angle food cake. Yum!!!! Mandy and Cristy and those associated with them made me dinner and cake on the 7Th. Matt and Mom&Dad helped me eat another cake on the 8Th. My girls gave me a shopping spree at Christopher & Banks and Mandy helped me pick out new skinnier cloths. I still have a hard time getting smaller clothing. Mandy found me a size small shirt. It fit. I bought it. I wore it to church. I never took off my coat. Baby steps!!!

Well, that catches me up to today - it was a nice day - up to 42 degrees - tomorrow - it is suppose to snow. Figures!!!!