Happy New Year Everyone! 2009 was a phenomenal year for us especially concerning travel. Much of our travels were not planned. Bob received an award at work which took us to Puerto Vallarta Mexico in February. About a month after Easter Bob had to go to Romania for work and I he took me with him. Our planned vacation was a week in Branson Mo. then to Chicago to attend his nephew's graduation party and to visit the rest of our family and friends. All of Bob's family was there with the exception of his brother Ron. On our way home we stopped in Indiana and visited my siblings. In July another planned vacation was near Ft. Walton Beach, Fl. with our immediate family and extended family and to also have a 50th birthday celebration for my sister Beverley. We were also celebrating my daughter Joy's 40th birthday. In the fall Bob had business in Racine WI. and Chicago. I tagged along and visited with my sister Cece in Wis. and my daughter Jane and her family and my brother Sy and his family in Schaumburg. At Thanksgiving Bob and I drove to Show Low, AZ. to visit my son-in-law Rob's parents and their family. Returning home we stopped in Santa Fe New Mexico.

I know! We have had some great experiences and created many unforgetable memories. We have met some wonderful people along the way and have also been able to visit with friends and family that we don't often get to see. We feel very blessed and thankful.

Jane and Jake

One of the things we did when everyone was here was to go bowling. It seemed to have strange effect on some of us.

Jake

Jack and Austin

Joy, Jake and Jack

Angie

Joy

John

Casey

Bobio

Poor Bob, he had to work over the holidays.

Jack

A few days before Christmas Bob and I stopped by Jack's house. We asked him if Santa would be coming. He said that yes because he is on the nice list. Then he reached for his Mom's I-phone and pulled up a nice and naughty list from Santa. Jack was on the nice list along with all of his cousins. There were people on the naughty list but we didn't know any of them. I guess there is an app for everything.

Jake

My Grandson Jake was visiting from Chicago. It was very unusual for this part of Texas but we had a blizzard a couple of nights before Christmas. There was snow remaining on our balconies. When Jake woke up on Christmas morning he looked on the balcony and noticed foot prints and started shouting "Santa's reindeer's have been here." Another reason to love those neighborhood cats.

Austin with his new guitar

Jane

Peyton

Brooke and Joy

Jack with John and Peyton

Waiting for Jane, Ben and Jake to arrive for Christmas 2009.

Brooke, Joy, Austin in front of Rob

Bob and me

Me with my daughter Jane

Christmas Eve 2009

Brooke, Onyx and Ruby

Guess Who's been Naughty

Angie

Or Nice?

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

I am stealing a moment. After months of renovation on our house after a flood we are finished. It took a couple of weeks to put everything back together along with getting ready for Christmas. The coffee is perking and everyone sleeping. Here are photos of our dinning room ready to receive family and friends today.

Ben, Jane and Jake arrived safely the night before last at midnight after many flight delays due to storms in Chicago.

Joy had everyone for dinner last night after a very rare Texas blizzard. It took us a very long time to get home having to drive about 20 miles per hour. We do not have the equipment to clear the roads because these storms are so rare in our area. There is still snow on the ground which is also unusual.

I have to go. I hear the pitter patter of little feet upstairs!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Bonus Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday. This is a bonus birthday because a year and half ago I had open heart surgery. Thankfully to God and my surgeon I am still here.

My kids had a dinner party for me Saturday evening. They did everything. All I had to do was go there. They had a wonder pasta dinner and invited family and friends. They showered me with gifts. One of the gifts was a collapsible cart. I struggle with carrying in my groceries because of a weakness in my foot and leg due to having Polio when I was a girl. What a wonderful thing. It is going to simplify the grocery task and other chores immensely. It was a great party. Thanks kids and thank you Bob for always being there for me.

When ready to leave I filled the cart with the birthday gifts, picked up my cane, (which I use when I go out to keep from falling on non level surfaces) walked across the room and thought "I probably must seem really old to my Grand kids." But, I feel so young at heart and in spirit. In reality I'm not old. I am starting over again. It is only my second bonus birthday. Thanks to God who made it possible.

Me with my son John