Brinda

I lost a kind and loving cousin this past week. Brinda Thompson will be remembered by us all. The days we ran and played outside Grandma Harvey's house. The little troubles we got into. As we grow older she married, and became a great cook, and very artistic. When I got married, she made my wedding cake. It was beautiful, and a gift out of her on heart. She also decorated my reception table, then went back home to get ready for the wedding she had worked all day to make special. It snowed, and snowed and snowed. The most any had seen in years, so much so that she was unable to drive back to Woodruff to attend the ceremony that evening. I so wish she could have been there. We barely made it there ourselves.

Brinda moved away shortly there after, and we didn't see each other for many years. Now she is with her Mom and Dad, and my Mom and Dad. I know they have so much to catch up on. God bless a beautiful lady.

Tekoa meets his Grandpa

Look at me, I can ride a board just like my Daddy!

Grandpa don't let my fish get away.

Are we at Grandma's house?

I like it when Grandpa feeds me.

To our delight, the Mackeys were able to make a visit home from Brazil. Tekoa is 10 months old now, and he had never met his family. I am the only one who has seen him at age 6 to 10 weeks, when I went down to Brazil for a 4 week visit. I was so happy to see him again, and my daughter Ginger and her husband Christopher. I miss them every day. I don't know what I would do if it weren't for Skype. Soon however, they may not be able to have internet access where they will be living (deep in the heart of the jungle).

Here are a few of the pictures we took while they were here June 11 thru 18.

Guitar recital '09

from the O'Donnell photo shoot.

It's time again for Ian and Mia's guitar recital. We all were there, both sets of grandparents. Watch the short video ( 2 minutes). There are only 3 students in that class. Mia is wearing blue, and Ian is the only boy.

The week with the boys

"Camouflage" Can you see Ian?
Remember to click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Eddie and Ian found a turtle. Eddie's camera flash wasn't on, so this is the best I had.

Where's the turkeys?

Eddie and Ian in front of the camper at the hunt club.

Aidan's ranch

playing in the sand

The last week in April, Tisha, Mia, and some other ladies from her church went to a wedding at the beach. Eddie and I kept the boys. Eddie had planned to do some work at the hunt club also, so he took Ian with him for 3 days. Aidan and I had the place here all to ourselves. We played hitting the baseball. He is a really good hitter. To much running for me. We went down in the woods behind the house to the creek and brought back some wet sand for him to play in. That was quite a chore, as it is all uphill coming back. He likes to build with the old Lincon log set. See his ranch. Eddie and Ian got home on Saturday, and the boys went to church with us on Sunday. They are great kids!

MOUNTAIN VACATION, APRIL 2009

This year Jim and Tisha ask Eddie and me to go with them on vacation to the Tennessee mountains, Pigeon Forge, and Cades Cove. We had a great time, and got to see many sites. I didn't get pictures of all of them, because my camera ran out of space, but we saw a cavern deep in the ground, many animals: black bears, snakes, deer, coyote, turkeys. The picture above is the panoramic view of the mountains from our upper outside balcony. I put two pictures together to get this view.
The lovely cabin we stayed in on our vacation with Jim, Tisha and the kids

view of living room from the upstairs balcony and game room. Ian slept here

The bedroom upstairs off of the game room. Eddie and I stayed here.

Jim practicing for our big tournament. It must have payed off, because he won
.
Tisha relaxing by the stream at cade's cove

Mia and the boys liked playing on the rocks at the picnic site.

Aidan and Ian walking on the rocks. Only Mia got wet!

looking down at Eddie and Mia from the upstairs balcony/game room

THANKS JIM, AND TISH. WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. WE LOVE YOU. MOM AND DAD!

Easter Sunday

Tisha looking prettier than the flowers

Even the men and poodle got in on the hunt.


Easter was an easy slow day. After Sunday morning service The O'Donnells spent the day with us. The kids hid eggs, and we had a nice meal.

Praise the Lord, He is risen!

The day before Easter

Mia spent the night with us the Friday before Easter, and helped us die Easter eggs on Saturday.