Thursday, June 19, 2014

Out of the Old and Into the New

Jud Davis did a great job capturing the move from the old auditorium into the new auditorium.
We all met in the old auditorium first that morning...




We sang some hymns, had a prayer and moved from there into the new auditorium.
I have to admit - it was VERY different!


Damon, being an usher, missed out on all these pictures as he was learning how it would go in the new auditorium!


LOVED this picture captured by Jud Davis

Picking up cards for the first time in the new building


Of course, I had to get pictures on the new stage!



Our family on the new front steps....


May all that is done bring glory and honor to
HIS name!

Last Time in the Old Auditorium

For years now, our elders at church have been planning for our 
congregation.  We have just simply outgrown the one we are in, and we need a new one.
We also need classrooms because we have no more to grow into.
Two years ago, we had a ground breaking, and in one week,
we are going to get into the new auditorium!
People laugh and call me the family historian but one day they will thank me!
So, I gathered everyone together and took pictures in different spots.

4 generations at the stage.  My mom, aunt and I all got married on this stage.

In order from oldest to youngest in "Grandmama's Pew" - this is where she sat every Sunday, and
I am proud to say that it is now in my house!

Me and My Kim!  This is where our dear friendship started and how grateful I am for that!
I can't wait until next week when we are in the new one!
How exciting (and different) it is going to be!

Snow Days ... Cold Days ... No School Days ...

This January we had a lot of days where it was just too cold to go to school.
I don't know.  I don't make the rules.  I just try to follow them.
We had a great time just being together.
It really was nice.
We tried some new things, and kept doing things we have always done on
"No School Days."
I think it is safe to say we had fun!

1.  We fill pots with water and set them to boiling on the stove.  When the water was hot enough,
we took it outside and threw it (away from our bodies).  When the hot water hit the cold air, 
we heard a loud BANG and saw for an instance (check out the 2nd picture) the water freeze
in different shapes.  They LOVED this!


2.  We played COUNTLESS games of Phase 10 - in our pajamas!


3.  We made glass balls.  We filled balloons up with water and food coloring.  Then, we placed them outside overnight.  They next morning, we took the balloon covering off to reveal beautiful glass balls.  This was a HUGE hit!




4.  We built forts and slept in them.


 Then spring came and we had to go back to school.
However, we enjoyed our time very much!

Our Christmas Shower Gift

For the Christmas shower that was given for Jessica,
it was suggested to give homemade Christmas ornaments because 
Jessica really does love all things homemade!

I worried too much over what we would make because I wanted it to be 
just right!

LB had made some ornaments for her friends for Christmas and suggested we make 
ones like those for Jessica, so we did.

This is the finished product:
(We made 2 ornaments as you see here.)


Materials Needed:

Coasters from places like Outback
scrapbook paper
ribbon
Mod Podge
Chalkboard paint
pictures
paint pens
Tacky Glue

1.  Cut the ribbon the desired length and fold it in half so a loop in made.  Place the ribbon close to the top of the coaster towards the center (or in a corner depending on the look you want), and glue down.

2.  Cut your scrapbook paper to fit the coaster.  Using Mod Podge, glue the scrapbook paper to the coaster on the side where you glued the ribbon.  We put a thin layer under the scrapbook paper first to set the paper.  Then added another thin layer on top of the scrapbook paper.

3.  Cut your photo to fit the coaster.  We used pictures from their engagement.  Again, Mod Podge the picture to the scrapbook paper where you want it placed.  Let it dry.

4.  After it has dried, you can use sandpaper to even up any edges or to give it a "weathered" look.

5.  For LB's friends, we repeated steps 2-4 for the other side of the coaster.  For Jessica's, we painted the other side of the coaster with chalkboard paint.  After it dried, we used paint pens to write their last name and the date they will be getting married.

Jessica's Christmas Shower

A few years ago, we (I really don't know who "we" is) started a tradition of giving a bride
a Christmas shower. 
 It became a huge with our group. 
(Don't really know how I became part 
of the group since my child is NO. WHERE. CLOSE. to getting married, but I am glad I am part of this group!)
So, naturally, when Jessica became engaged, we were going to have a Christmas shower for her,
and what a lovely morning it was!


Jessica opened numerous gifts of all kinds . . . 

LB and Mrs. Donna



Some of her new Christmas treasures . . . 






We feasted on a lovely brunch.


The Menu:

Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Crescent Sausage Casserole
Hashbrown Casserole
Fresh Fruits
Assorted Muffins
Juice
Coffee
Hot Chocolate
The hostesses

Valerie, Jessica and LB

2 of my favorite sisters EVER!

My sweet flower girls!

These two . . . .
I am so grateful to have been a part of all of these Christmas showers and really can't wait till the next one!

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Christmas in Music City, TN

Last year we started the tradition with Damon's family of DOING things for Christmas 
instead of getting each other gifts.
Best. Idea. EVER!
The kids loved it and so we continued the idea this year.

First thing's first... When grandparents stay in a hotel in December it MUST have a heated pool
and a hot tub's not so bad either!


Then, we all dressed up and went to the Nashville Predators hockey game against the Detroit
Red Wings.  This was the kids' first hockey game and now they are hooked!
Damon and I haven't been in 12 years! We actually had tickets for the night LB was born!








It was AWESOME to be back and to see the Predators come away with a 
HUGE win over a major rival!

The Family Photo

For Christmas, the kids decided we were going to give Mom and Dad a new family portrait.
We THOUGHT we had it all worked out but Damon's work schedule
blew that RIGHT out of the water!
So, thankfully, Chuck is a photographer, an editing genius and a wardrobe engineer.
He took it upon himself to take the family picture.

So, here it is....
Taken in 5 separate pictures (in order):
Our family
Chuck (I took his, thank you very much!)
Mom and Dad
Richard and Amy
Lucy and Walker

Edited into one lovely family portrait!
The Willis/Welch family!

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