The Football Banquet

Well as you know, Big E is a Senior this year and we are finished with football forever. We recently attended our last football banquet. At least we went out with a bang!

Big E carried his sweetie pie with him....




There are only a handful of awards and trophies handed out at the banquet. With the exception of the academic award, all of the awards are team voted. Four Senior team captains are chosen. There is the Mr. Ram Award which is given to the Senior who is a leader, not only on the field but, in the classroom & community. Both of these awards are voted on by the whole team. There is also a Donald Smith Award that is in honor of a local business man. This award is based on leadership, academics and community service. The recipient of this award is chosen by Mr. Smith and his committee. Big E received all three of these awards. The Donald Smith award also came with a scholarship.

Here are the four senior captains.....





Here Big E is receiving the MR. Ram award.....





This is Mr. Smith and Big E.





The Seniors posed for one last picture together....



handsome bunch aren't they?

Big E and all of his awards and trophies!




I have always been proud of my children and all of their accomplishments. I know that they are great kids but, it is always nice when they are recognized for the things they have accomplished.

I was a very proud Mama on this night. Big E is a very good football player but, it meant so much more when his leadership was recognized by his peers. Being chosen for the Donald Smith Award was a major accomplishment and it validated all of the hard work he he has put into his high school years.

Good Job Big E! From your proud and very emotional Mama!

It All Comes In Threes?

I have always been told that everything bad comes in three's. Sooooo not true. The economy is hitting my household hard. First we found out that my husband will be laid off. We are not sure when but, it will happen. Then the electrical outlets in three rooms and a bathroom went out. Then the air conditioning unit died. Then the dryer started acting up and now the toilet in the front bathroom is messed up. Did you count? That is waaaay more than three.

Now, where in the world is all the money it is going to take to repair or replace these things, coming from? No answer? Yep....me either.

I don't want to wish anything bad on anyone but, is my turn over with yet?

My Big Family Revisited

I have told you before about the big family I have. At Christmas we go to a place called Echo and get together with my Mom's side of the family. This year there were about forty of us there. It was a lot of fun this year because we have so many little ones. All of the younger cousins are finally starting to reproduce.

This is my Aunt with two of her grandsons.




This is my cousin Wendy's little one. He was really tired of me pointing my camera at him.
cute isn't he?

These two belong to my cousin Lance.........

These two belong to my cousin Brandon.....who is brother to Lance.



This one belongs to my cousin Mandy.....who is the younger sister of Lance & Brandon.



This is my nephew.....Little Man.....I actually got a picture of him smiling!



And.....of course here are my two youngest......


Here are a few crowd pictures as everyone was "fixin" their plates.








Down here where I live......we call it "fixin your plate".....and boy do we fix it. This branch of my family is full of deer hunters......so we eat deer for Christmas. We also have the regular stuff like casseroles and dressing (not stuffing), dumplings, turnips, peas, and lot's of desserts, and of course sweet tea.

The food was good but, the visit with the family was better. Unfortunately I only get to see some of these relatives at Christmas. I know though, that if I needed any single one of them they would be there for me in a heart beat, just as I would be for them.

I love my great big ole family!

The Christmas Picture

Ok.....I totally lost my mind. I thought it would be a good idea to take a picture of the grandchildren for my in-laws, for Christmas. WHAT was I thinking?

Ok......this is the deal my children are 24,17, and 14. My sister-in-laws three are 12,7 & 5. First.....that is a big age difference. Then we made the pictures on the coldest windiest day we have had. And.....last her two youngest are wild!

This is the picture we got......
.....not one of my best at all, but you should see what we had to choose from.

First we had this.....



and then this....


and finally this.......

Then I actually thought we should get a picture of the boys together.....

yea right!


ended up with this.....


The girls were easier..........

In between taking pictures we had them to put their coats on so they would not be so cold. The princess wrapped up in a blanket instead.

This is what happened next......



and this...........

then this.....


and yes.....this...............

and no.....he is not dead.......

and finally we got this..........

The best picture I made all day was of the youngest three......




All I can say is I hope the grandparents enjoy and appreciate their new pictures because......this may never happen again. Well unless I get paid like at least $500.00.....well you better make that $800.00 cause I will have to pay my three to do this again.

To the two nephews and my niece......I truly do love you but, I don't want to take your pictures again until you are at least in your early twenties.

Thanksgiving Day

This year, instead of going out of town, we went to my Mother-in-laws house. T's sister and her family were there also. My oldest, the Fireman could not be there because.....once again.....he was working.

This is my Mother-in-laws backyard......




The kids decided to go outside after lunch. The princess and her cousin tried to have some girl time......



It did not last long....



The nephews can't stand girl time......it must be interrupted.



The little one got upset with his Mom because she would not kick the football to him right.



Big E was totally oblivious to all that was going on......he was busy texting...


The princess decided to give one of the cousins a ride....thank goodness she did not decide to launch him into outerspace!




All in all it was a peaceful day.......

Well..........not really but......it was an enjoyable day!