Christmas Parade

Saturday was the Annual Christmas parade. As usual we had a car in the parade with people walking along handing out Frisbees and little gift bags with odds and ends in it. We have done some advertising with Chick Fil-A and so the Santa cow came along with us and rode in the car. We passed out coupons to Chick-Fil-A with our names on it as a form of advertisement and a way for people to get something free at Chick- Fil-A also. I think the cow was a hit! Anyhow, while Everyone endured the long walk and the waiting I stayed behind to take pictures. Below is a little bit of the parade in a nutshell.

After the parade was over, they all came back to the office. It's nice because the office is right on the parade route, so we get front row seats, the convenience of a fridge with cold drinks and a bathroom if needed. Everyone wanted a photo-op with the cow. So we took a bunch of pictures with the cow! Below are a select few for your viewing pleasure.

Happy Birthday!

One of our employess had a birthday today. We got her a cake to celebrate. Happy Birthday Robyn! Hope it was great.

Thanksgiving Day!

We had a relaxing day of eating till our hearts were content, no extra rush of having to get things done on a schedule, we ate when the food was done. Kinda nice for once. We usually have a house full, but I have been sick for about 4 weeks with this lovely sinus drainage and chesty cough that acts like it's getting better, then decides to hit hard again. I can't smell or taste a thing.Wish that would help me to not want to eat as much. Anyhow, we had good food and some family time. This was Grandma Brown's first adventure out since she got home from the rehab place. She's doing pretty good at getting around most days. Below are a few pictures of our tasty food!




3 of the girls helping inject the Turkey so he can go in the oven



Meagan doing it all by herself



Our yummy deserts- pecan pie, chocolate chip pie and pumpkin roll




Our yummy meal consisted of Turkey, Green bean casserole, Real mashed potatoes and Gravy, Rolls and stuffing



And a picture of a few of the family

DARE Graduation

Tuesday at Jessica's school they had a Graduation for the 5th graders who participated in the DARE(Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program. This program teaches them how to stay away from drugs and alcohol. The local Sherrifs office puts these programs on in the schools and I think they do a very good job. The kids learn to be respectful to the officers and they learn that they are there to help them. The are very compassionate in what they do.
Below are a few pictures from the graduation. My camera seemed to have an issue on a few pictures. Don't know what it's problem is.





Lining up to march in



They had to march in by 2's to their teacher before taking their seats



DARE Officer Stripling



Overview of the five 5th grade classes



Principal Joan Gibbons speaking to the student



Jessica receiving her DARE certificate



Jessica waiting for the other classmates to return to their seats so they all can sit down together

Zach's birthday

We didn't have much for a party. We went to dinner and came home and had cupcakes and ice cream and he opened our gifts. Nothing too extravagent, but a little celebration. Below are a couple of pictures.




Zach with his chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing(his favorite) Not sure why the picture looks so horrible



He got a new Wii game




He also got new Heeley's since his old ones were being held together by tape

Happy Birthday Zach!

Ten Years ago today our ONLY little boy came to join our family. We feel truly blessed to have at least one boy in the bunch. Zach loves to draw and is quite the artist(at least I think so) and he loves to fish, and ride 4 wheelers and loves the outdoors. Although Zach has alot to compete with all girls in the family(especially bathroom time)he does quite well mixing in with this family. We look forward to seeing how Zach grows up to be the man in his family and take care of all his girls. We love you Zachary and hope you have a wonderful Birthday!

Space shuttle!

Friday evening the space shuttle was sent up in space. It's always so neat to watch one take off. We have never actually been to Cape Canaveral to watch one get set off live, but we have watched it many times from right here at home. It's so neat to be able to actually be able to see it when you think of how far away from us it really is. It's about 2 hours north of us, so when it's a clear day or night it's truly awesome to see.






it was a beautiful night, just the right temperature and a full moon!




Right after it took off, the sky just lit up




as it was going up



another shot goin into space



and another shot