Pecan Pies.

For as long as I can remember my Memaw has made the best pecan pies anyone has ever tasted. Not only do they taste good but they are perfect in appearance.
I have never attempted to make a pecan pie, why should I she always had plenty. However when I went to visit her for Christmas she asked if I wanted to learn and of course I said yes. I spent the next hour or so chopping pecans, stiring the mix, and listening to her talk about the people that she takes pies to every year. This year she added the doctor's office were she gets her treatments for cancer. She had to make two for them because the first one was seized by the nurses and the doctors were not told it was there, needless to say they begged for another one. :) I'm not sure what prompted her to teach me that day. Maybe she knows that she is getting older and that she has only a short time left and she wants to pass on something that is special to her. I strongly suspect she wanted to teach me because she knows how much Ryan enjoys her pies and she believes in keeping your husband happy by baking. Whatever the reason, I had a great time learning and listening and now I have a wonderful memory that will always be with me.

Christmas 2008

Well, the Christmas season is coming to an end and my family has had a wonderful time. We've been on a train ride to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, we've spent time with friends at various Christmas parties, and we have ended it with 4 days of time well spent with family. Christmas Eve was very exciting for Ian and Madelyn. Ian was sure that every time he heard a noise it just might be Santa even though Maddie said over and over "no, Ian, we have to be sleepy". When Ryan got home from work we drove to Tennessee to see his family. Everyone was waiting for us so that the kids could ice cookies for Santa. It was good to see all the kids together and it was our first time to see Edie since she was born. All the kids wore matching pajamas(adorable)and eventually everyone went to bed. Christmas morning was fun and chaotic (with 6 kids ages 5 and under there is no other way to be). Friday everyone went to Sears to get pictures made. The pictures turned out well and the kids did really good except for Maddie who after having her hair pulled a few times by Edie, who obviously was determined to be the cutest girl there :), was tired of pictures and ready for it to be over. The girls then went out to eat and the guys took all the kids to McDonald's. Tim and Cora came over to visit for the afternoon. It was really good to see them. Tim brought all us girls snow caps candy, but since I am the only one who likes them I got to keep them all - Jackpot! Saturday we went to my parents for Christmas. We ate an early Christmas dinner (luncheon chicken, my favorite)then opened presents. We let all the kids open first because Katrina and Maddie didn't like taking turns with everyone. Once the kids were finished opening, they went off to play and the adults got to open their presents in peace. Mom gave all the girls vacuum cleaners (do you suppose there is a message there?). We all had a good time and got a lot more than we deserved (except for me - ha,ha!).

Christmas at Papa's

On Saturday we had christmas with all the aunts, uncles and cousins at papa's (actually Nancy's). It was nice to get together especially since we weren't able to come last year. I think everyone had a good time. We ate supper, played a christmas trivia game and then the kids opened presents.


Ian and Hudson both got Hulk smash hands.


Maddie got a cash register.


Here's Tracy and Dennis getting in on the fun :)

It figures...

It never fails. The holiday season is upon us and nothing ever goes as planned. We are currently in Tennessee trying to get our car fixed. We came up here for Nolan's birthday party and had planned to leave today in time to make it to church and then on the the christmas party at the Courington's. However, things did not happen that way. As soon as we got the kids strapped in and were backing out of the driveway we heard a noise, well Ryan heard a noise. Needless to say we pulled forward, Ian and I got out (Maddie was already asleep in the carseat so we left her there), and now Ryan and his dad have gone to buy parts for the Jeep and the kids and I are in the house waiting. Hopefully we'll be on the road soon.