Christmas in Dixie 2013

For the first time since Granddaddy died in 2011, all his children, grandchildren and their children got together at Aunt Bev's house. Mama's oldest sister, Louise and her friend Karen, also joined the group.

Where's Waldo? Thanks Karen for snapping this one.

Danny, Courtney, Pat and Rick

LeGrand, Jan, Bev and Butch
First generation with spouses.

Sorry, some of these pictures just pop in anywhere and I lose patience trying to move them.

Second Generation, missing Drew and Matt

Chad, Rachel, Natalie, Lance, Ryan, Garrett, Jared, Grant, Liz

Third Generation. Yep, this is the best shot we got.
Maddie, Lindsey, Jackson, Colton, Hannah, Sam, Sarah, Eva

Here are some of my favorite pictures.

Katie, what did you do to Jared's deer?

Saturday night Rhada joined us at Lance and Katie's house for Hutchison Family Christmas. Katie had ordered a sub sandwich and with the leftovers from lunch we had a nice dinner. I was so happy all my carrot cake was eaten. Nat and Brent stayed the night in Pelham. Not many pictures were taken but here are a few.

I loved giving the kids some of their old stuffed animals for Christmas. I think Stephen especially got a charge out of the purring cat…..the screeching cat….wonder if that reminds him of Rachel. Garrett had given Rac that cat while she was still in High School. The four southern kids got a double portion of Christmas cash until the mistake was caught and checks were ripped. LeGrand and I had a failure to communicate. Misconcecommision I believe was the word I used. Lance thinks he knows the source of the miscommunication.

And I want to add a few from the baby shower/going away party some girls from church threw for Rhada. They surprised her at a restaurant. Garrett had casually mentioned it to me Tuesday. Rachel and I went. It was so fun and sweet. Garrett and Rhada leave for Australia Sunday and I won't see Rhada again until after the baby is born and I travel down under. GOOD LUCK RHADA!!!

Dollywood and Water Park December 2013

What greater joy than 9 and a half grandchildren? Having them with you! Without their parents! (Well, some of the time.) Thanks to Rachel's insistence that I checked into the points left on our time share, we found some properties in Sevierville, TN last week. Rachel and Stephen checked in on Sunday for 5 days and I went up Wednesday in the water park resort for 2 nights. I had worked the temple that day so I did not get to Knoxville until about 6 at night. Natalie met me with Hannah and Sarah, whom she had gotten from Rac earlier in the day, and Eva and Sam. Jackson had to go to school Thursday but took off Friday. I took those 4 babies, 2 three year olds and 2 one year olds, and checked in the resort, luggage, pack n play, food and ALL by myself. Thank goodness to a good rolling card, double stroller, handicap button and no moving cars in parking lot that late. Kids were absolutely great! We read books, baked cookies and went to the water park. After naps we met parents at Dollywood. There was a slim crowd but somehow our time got away from us and we did not ride many rides. Half our time was spent bundling up. Burrrr, a chilly 25 degrees by the time we left. But we did eat at the amazing buffet, see Santa and ride the train up the mountain. Ohhhh so many pretty lights!
I can't do this posting stuff. Hope you can enjoy some of the pictures.