Brotherly Love

Well...most of the time anyway.




p.s. - Thanks to Lindsey for the cute picture.

Christmas Pics

It's always a fun time posing for our Christmas letter photo. This year the 1st session ended abruptly in multiple wardrobe changes(Kaitlyn), hair fixes(Kaitlyn), and tears(poor Ry).



The second go around was a little more productive. Although, the lighting wasn't nearly as good. Oh well, you get what you get and you don't pitch a fit...and this is what we got -



Merry Christmas 2011!

Leaves (cont.)

This week most of our leaves decided to fall. The task of clean-up this morning was a little overwhelming. Thankfully, we had lots of help to get the job done.







And last but not least some time for jumping, which almost ended in a fatality but luckily it was just an injury, and DON'T ask Cody about it...

Knee Deep In Leaves

We have 3 maples trees in our yard, and this time of year when the leaves begin to fall it creates the most beautiful landscape, covering our lawn in a vast array of color.



The problem is they have to be raked, mowed, and moved into piles or they will kill the lawn. So, weekends and evenings are spent trying to keep up with the falling leaves.



which is almost impossible.



When we think we've got it covered, the wind blows or the rains come and we begin again.



One of our trees still has most of it's leaves, but within the next few weeks the leaves will fall and we will have piles for Casey to start burning.


His favorite part!

Teeth

MOM: Ryan, it's time to brush your teeth

RYAN: I can't wait until I'm in my 80's or 90's

MOM: Why?

RYAN: Because then I won't have any teeth, and I won't have to worry about all this dental stuff.


Something to look forward to, for sure.

Sinkhole

(not ours, but it looked pretty similar in size.)

Several weeks ago we found a sinkhole in our yard. It was located at the edge, near the road and pretty close to a drain. Casey called the city, so they came out and took a look. They determined it was the roots of a tree located by the creek that was causing the problem. They contacted us and several other neighbors to let us know they would be taking out a couple of the trees.

They came


They dug


And dug



They dumped several loads of boulder size rocks



and then planted grass.



It took them almost a week, but now we have a newly landscaped creek and corner lot.




Ryan's not too sure about the change in his creek/wading/play area.



Thank you City and Department of Transportation for the newly landscaped yard.

Beautiful Heartbreak

Inspiring...

Wicked

A few weeks ago a good friend had some tickets to see Wicked. She has a daughter Kaitlyn's age and asked if we'd like to meet them in Atlanta for dinner and the show. Of course we did, and it was too much fun!!



It was such a good musical with a wonderful message. I cannot stop listening to this song...



Everywhere we've lived, we have always been blessed by wonderful friends. This year has been exceptionally rough in many ways, so this song hit straight to my heart. I have been touched and lifted up by sweet friends who have left their "hand-prints on my heart."



A few favorite quotes: “It's just life, so keep dancing through.” “Some things I cannot change, but 'til I try I'll never know.” “Happy is what happens when all your dreams come true.”

“Cause getting your dreams
It's strange, but it seems
A little -- well -- complicated
There's a kind of a sort of : cost
There's a couple of things get : lost
There are bridges you cross
You didn't know you crossed
Until you've crossed.”

Thanks ladies for a perfect night!!

Carving Pumpkins

D.W. Brooks Award

Casey doesn't get featured too much on the blog, so what better time than now.


A few weeks ago Casey was awarded the D.W. Brooks Award. It is given each year to faculty in Georgia whose contributions to agriculture are respected worldwide. This year Casey was selected for his excellence in Extension. There was a reception, lecture(which turned out to be very enjoyable-I was worried), and a delicious luncheon.


The Speaker - Jo Luck


The speaker with an Usher who is from Hood River Oregon. I talked with him for a few short minutes, but he had to rush off to class. I want to find that boy and invite him to dinner!



They were awarded a plaque and an undisclosed amount of $$.
Great Job Casey! We love you bunches!!

Click here to read more about the award.

Fear Factor

Casey returned home bearing gifts last night from his week-long trip to China. Some of the gifts were edible...well, kinda.



Like these eggs that were marinated in vinegar and baking soda for 60 days and boxed up for consumers to enjoy...if you can get past the smell. Cody had a hard time...



Or the hard candies made from a fruit that even Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods could not eat. It has an odor that is worse than stinky feet and rotten onions combined. None of us were able to finish it and as Cody brought up later, they create the worst burp EVER.



They don't eat a lot of sweets in China, and their chocolate is not very good. I'm not sure I would enjoy the un-Americanized version of Chinese eats.

We loved all the fun and stinky gifts, and we are very glad Casey made it home safe and sound!

Ry's Birthday

Yesterday was Ryan's 9th birthday. He wanted to stay home from school to celebrate. Mom said no. He wasn't too happy, but he was sent to school with a bag full of monster cookies for his class and a promise mom would meet him for lunch. He was good with that.



Ry with his new bike, which he knew he was getting because dad spilled the beans.



It's a little bigger so turning corners are a bit of a challenge.



But I'm sure with a little practice he'll have it down in no time.



He had his friend party this weekend. I really had to gear myself up for this. Poor Ryan(last child) has gotten the shaft when it comes to birthday parties, so this year I decided I would comply with his wishes and have a birthday party at home with friends. We decided to go with a Circus theme.



We had several games and activities centered around this theme.

*Bean bag bulls-eye*


*Darts*


*Face painting*(and the awesome help)


*potato sack race*


*photo booth*


*Clothespin drop*


We ended the party with a pinata...the head was the first to go. Casey tied it up by its britches, but it didn't work out so well.



So, he resorted to dumping and pouring...



Ryan had a good time and was very thankful for the effort it took in creating the activities and decorations. I'm not sure I'm young enough to do this every year. It wore me out. Next year might have to be dinner and a movie.

**Nine Fun facts about our Ry***



1. He is our sensitive child. A disproving frown from mom or dad would send this child into tears as a toddler.

2. Most requested food - PB&J...he will have it for Breakfast, lunch, snack and/or dinner.

3. Loves to play video games

4. Favorite Book/Move: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

5. He is the child that has lived the longest in the same state he was born.
Andy - 4yrs.(Oregon)
Kaitlyn - 6 months.(Virginia)
Cody - 4 yrs.(Maryland/West Virginia)
Ryan - 9+ yrs. (GA)

6. Hates to go shopping, even if it's for him. No bribe in the world makes it the least bit enticing for Ryan to leave the house for a store.

7. Has a fear of helium balloons - HATES them.

8. Is a chit-chatter. If you don't know Ryan well, you will think he's very quiet and reserved, but once he knows you and is comfortable around you... he is constant conversation. He is the only one of my children that WILL tell me how his day at school went.

9. LOVES okra, especially fresh(straight out of the garden) but will also eat it fried, boiled and pickled.

Happy Birthday sweet Ry, we love you!