2009 In Review

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Christmas Shoes Revisited

Just when I had the happy thought that the Christmas Shoes song had made it's final rounds, I heard it on the radio yesterday. Please make it STOP!!!!! Today while doing my morning Facebook surf I ran across a fan club group to ban this very song. It makes me feel good to know I'm not the only one reaching for the Pepto when I hear it. I joined the group of course, I may even try to become the president of the group if they'll let me. Below is a post I wrote about two years ago. I may use it as my campaign speech in my run for the presidency.

Here's hoping your day is Christmas Shoes free!

What I want for Christmas is for every radio station to stop playing that syrupy "Christmas Shoes" song! UGH!! I apologize ahead of time if you happen to like the song, somebody out there must like it because they are playing the dog out of it around here. Out of all the wonderful options for Christmas music available, they choose to play Christmas Shoes?!! Go figure.
I mean come on, think this through logically with me for a moment.
First, what kid goes to a shoe store on Christmas Eve or any day for that matter, all by himself?
Second, what kid is running off to the store while his mom is on her death bed?
Third, who worries about what shoes they have on while they lay dying? I mean if I'm sick and about to die the last thing I'm thinking about is whether or not I'm wearing my red pumps.
Fourth, do they REALLY believe Jesus cares about what shoes we die in? Even if by chance we end up in heaven with the clothes on that we died in (think of all those hospital gowns gone missing, no wonder health care costs so much!) would we stand before Jesus for the first time and say "do you like my shoes? I got them just for this occasion" I mean come on, be for real! OK Lastly and probably most importantly, What does this song have to do with Christmas?! Almost nothing! As if it's not pitiful enough, they have to make it ultra syrupy by throwing in the bit about it being Christmas Eve when the mom is dying. I know everyone appreciates a sappy touchy feely story every now and then but this is just too much.
Here's my suggestion, call your local radio station and ask them for the love of all that's sane and rational to PLEASE stop playing that song. If they ask why, you have permission to read them this blog post.
Seriously, lets remember what Christmas truly represents, the entrance of the Savior of the world into the world He gave His life for. Here's a better song:

O little town of Bethlehem
how still we see thee lie
above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the Everlasting Light
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.

Shades

Hard work = New Ray-Bans

Happy Birthday Hobbes!

Hobbes is now a year old. When we got him last Christmas he was 5 weeks old and weighed about 5 pounds. Today he weighs about 110 pounds.

A hundred pounds in a year! Talk about growing up quickly!

Remember when he was this size? Me either. It did not last long.

At this stage Caitlin was still rocking him to sleep at night.

Now we've reached the toddler phase. Oh my!

Growing growing growing.

Here's the birthday boy today, all 110 goofy pounds. I've been told that Danes don't finish growing until they are about 18 months old. Heaven help us!

Thanksgiving 09

Thanksgiving week has been a whirlwind of activity for us. We were so blessed to be able to celebrate with family and friends. Stan and Kayti hosted all 44 of us on Thanksgiving Day. What a crazy, fun, delicious time that was! Aunt Jen and Uncle Danny made the trek down from NC along with Jamie, Ambre, Christopher, Gabby, Haley, Annabelle, James and Cameron (the matched set). My girls were thrilled to pieces at having their little (and big) cousins here and all to themselves.

On Friday, 22 of us ventured out into the maddening crowds at the outlet mall in St Augustine. Have you ever tried to keep track of a crowd that size on Black Friday?! Our mall stamina was tested to the limit. Thankfully Theresa had the great idea of taking the group to Cracker Barrel for supper. It was the perfect end to a crazy day.

Saturday we gathered again, this time at my our house to celebrate Papaws 80th Birthday. We surprised him with a wonderful family tree cake made by Christopher and Ambre who had a little help from Mimi and myself. It was a group effort. Kayti dragged us all out into the yard to take family pictures. Meanwhile a "roll in the grass down the hill" party broke out among the younger set. We dined on delicious Country Style Spaghetti (an old family recipe made by Aunt Jen) salad and garlic bread. Afterwards we all sat around the TV and cried while watching a beautiful slideshow of Papaw with all of his kiddos through the years.

What a wonderful way to spend a weekend. I'm exhausted, but given the chance to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.

Turkey Girls

All the girl cousins at the Thanksgiving Day feast.

Haley and Gracie

Samantha and Abbie

Gabby and Gracie

Annabelle, Holly and Haley

Gabby, Haley, Annabelle, Gracie

Abbie, Holly, Samantha, Caitlin

Precious Girls!

Celebrate

Never pass up a chance to celebrate. My cousin Bo passing through because of work and Theresa's birthday was reason to celebrate for us this past weekend.

Bo was headed back home to South Carolina after being down in Tampa for the Log Cabin Trade Show. Papaw was proud as punch to have his oldest grandson here.

Aunt Kayti and a few of her most faithful fan club members waiting for the cake to be cut.

Theresa (Gaga) was spoiled with her favorite German Chocolate Cake made by Uncle Stan, a pumpkin pie made by Holly and Wendi's pumpkin cheesecake. Holly and Uncle Stan traded the leftovers and we've been grazing on German Chocolate Cake for 2 days. We've heard that Uncle Stan enjoyed a pumpkin pie breakfast yesterday. No worries, we left Papaw and Gaga a big plateful of dessert too.