Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Christmas Time























It has been great having my family up here in Michigan for Christmas! We have already been visited by Santa, who left stockings full of all kinds of stuff. The kids have enjoyed what little snow we have, and spent an evening (with lights on the hill next to the house) and some of the next morning, outside sledding. "What Were You Thinking" was the hit game last night as we enjoyed gaming. This morning...Zack, Caleb and I hit the woods...hoping to get Zack his first deer (and on video), but could not quite pull it off. Maybe next time...

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Pre-Christmas Family Time




















With Emily home and the boys out of school, they have been hanging out and finding things to do. Hunting squirrels has been one of their activities, and most of the others have been inside and either TV or computer related. What was life like before facebook, cell phones, etc??? Serious question...I can hardly remember... What did we do back in the good ole days? Help me remember...

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Oh Christmas Tree




This is our first year to get our Christmas tree without Emily (so sad). I think God understands these things...cause we "just happened" to run into Matt, Judy and Travis getting their tree at the same time and same place as us..."just happened" to run into them...NOT...(thank you God for our family ...and for how you work in many ways !!!)

Monday, November 30, 2009

Smith Reunion in Branson, MO



Thanksgiving was a little different this year. We enjoyed catching up with the "Smith clan" (my Dad's cousin's and their families) at a reunion in Branson, Missouri. Our first gathering was at the Keeter Center at the College of the Ozarks. We enjoyed some "catching up time" as each cousin introduced their clan and gave updates. Then we had an awesome Thanksgiving meal together. That same evening, the "Archie Smith gang" (the Ish Smith and Charles Stephens families), got together and ended up enjoying singing, drama, and just plain fun as our kids entertained us with their talents. The next day also allowed us to see the musical talent in the extended family as we sang together and had special music from several of the family members. Then we did our own thing...which included seeing the "Sights and Sounds" theatrical production, "The Magic of Christmas", ate at a great little diner, and then went to see "The Presley's" stage show in the evening. After brunch together on Saturday morning, we had communion together and all went our separate ways again. Our way was back to Greenville, where we enjoyed Mario's pizza together and then played charades. A good time was had by all...and once again I find myself very thankful for many things...including FAMILY.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Deer Season - Half-time report







After 1 week of deer season...here is the latest...with a couple pictures to go along with the report.



Caleb - Stealing the show, with 1 doe on Saturday morning and a 3-point buck on Saturday evening.



Aaron Cryderman - His first deer (a 4-point buck)



Travis Osborne - a german shepherd ...(button buck??? we think)






Monday, November 16, 2009

Never good at keeping a journal



Ok...I may not be able to get the hang of blogging...I was never good at journalling...and this seems a bit like it...so, I may not be able to get into this afterall...time will tell.

In the meantime...here is a recent pic of the family. We were visiting my parents in Greenville and took the traditional picture on the front porch. This was October 2009.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Entering the blog world


On this beautiful fall morning, as I sit here looking out my back window at sunshine and the beauty of the outdoors...it makes me want to share it with the world...and so I BLOG...for the first time... (thanks to my Aunt Jeannine for the picture and the inspiration to start a blog)

I have now reached the the other side of the hill of life, as of this past Wednesday, I am "over-the-hill"...and so far, so good.

But for now, I have got to go take my Geritol and get to work.