It's Christmas!!

Our official Christmas picture with the Grands. Trust me, this was the best shot!!!

This is actually very controlled pan-da-leer-ium. Eight kids taking turns opening presents.

B-10 and CW checking out a gift from their cousins.

There was never a lack of cameras catching loads of memories.

Our favorite Marine....he ran out to the car to get his daughter's Biddy Babies because they got new outfits for them and couldn't wait to try them on .....sure looks like they needed some clothes!

Note the little hand reaching for her doll.

Last night we celebrated Christmas with our sons and their families. Our oldest son and his wife hosted the event. It was the first time in a long time that we have all have an opportunity to be together. Here are a few pictures to show a little of the wonderful time we had. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!!

A Visit to the Park

We're getting ready today to head back south to home. It's been good to spend some time with our son and his family. We worshiped with them at their Church on Sunday. We've played games and enjoyed being with the children and their Mom. Buddy took care of some business a little further north yesterday.

The weather hasn't been great but we were able to get out a little late yesterday afternoon. I made these pictures of Butterfly, Dragonfly and Ladybug when I took them to the neighbor park. Princess Flower was enjoying some computer time and didn't want to join us.

Graduation and Commissioning at Quantico

Graduation ceremony....front row, second from right.

After graduation we went into a building to get out of the cold and warm up. Look who we ran into!!

He's getting ready to change clothes for the commissioning ceremony.

Why is my mouth ALWAYS open??

Dragonfly slept through the commissioning.

A proud wife pinning on the Lieutenant bars.

A family happy to be together again!

The silver dollar tradition calls to be given to the person who gives him his first salute.

Receiving the first salute.

The Marine Museum outside the base at Quantico.

It's been a long time since I've had a chance to blog anything....not that I didn't have anything to say but getting ready for Christmas has taken first place lately.

Today though, we experienced a special family time that I just couldn't wait to post some of the pictures.

Enjoy our son's special day of accomplishment as he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marines.

Pictures from the Lake Weekend

The weather was perfect for a cruise in the paddle boat.

Gigi catching a "fish".

Gigi keeping track of all the kids on the boat.

Papa with his only granddaughter. Who looks the happiest??

Papa and Dabby Do watching football together. When I came to bed they were both snuggled up sound asleep.

Have you EVER seen such a pot of grits!!? LG evidently forgot his glasses and couldn't read the directions or he thought he was helping out cooking for the brotherhood at Church. Needless to say, we didn't eat them all.

Fishing off the boardwalk was a hit with the kids. Everyone wore their life jackets and no one fell in.....and no fish were actually caught or hurt while making these pictures. These were really kiddy fishing poles with little plastic fish tied on the ends. You'd have thought they'd hooked Moby Dick the kids got so excited every time they reeled one in.

Gigi and Mino Twin 2

Dabby Do casting out her line.

What could be more fun than fishing off the dock??

The weather on Sunday made for a great end of the season boatride.

LG giving Tadpole a hug.

Buddy giving driving lessons. She looks like a natural!!

Dabby Do wasn't interested in driving the boat this time.......in fact

she was just about to fall asleep. Boats make for good naps.

Buddy giving Tadpole a driving lesson. He was serious about it too.

Buddy's nephew came by on his motorcycle. That was a BIG hit will the little fry.

Tadpole was determined to reach the handle bars!!

I can't believe that I forgot that I had more pictures from our lake visit. We had such a good time together as friends and enjoying our grandchildren together. So, here's the rest of the best from last weekend.

Lake House-Closed for the Winter

The house has a big open floorplan with three bedrooms and three baths downstairs. The upstairs right window is the "dorm" where the overflow crowd bunks together.

The boathouse and covered porch. In the summer we have two hammocks, tables and chairs and a kids playhouse. There's always a great breeze and a good view of lake from the top.

The outside kitchen, bath and boathouse.

This lake house has been in my husband's family for about eight years. We have certainly enjoyed it over the years. The closing up of the house for the winter is always kind of sad. Aren't the sunset pictures beautiful for the last boat ride of the season. Hurry up spring!!