The Reese Family

Where in the world have we been!!

2009-07-09T14:46:00.003-05:00

We have had a busy last few weeks at our house. Sarah Katherine and I have tried to stay busy while Randy was at work. It always seems to make the month go by faster.

Just before Randy went back to work we were able to take Sarah Katherine to her first trip to the zoo. We all had a great time getting to see all the different animals.

We have also been doing swimming lessons. Sarah Katherine took lessons again this year with Anna Bay McCord. Sarah Katherine loves being in the water. Sometimes I think that this is a good thing that she isn't afraid, but at the same time it scares me to death. She did really well again this year. I don't know if you would really call it swimming, but she would jump off the steps, go under water, and moved to where Anna Bay was standing. She has the kicking her legs down and even moving her arms. It is just sometimes she doesn't do it together. We will get there. We just need more time in the pool. Thank goodness Susu has her pool.

Just want to leave you with this picture. Sarah Katherine has now started trying to dress herself. I was working in my office the other day and she came in with this on. I hope that her sense of style improves.

Happy Birthday SuSu!!!

2009-06-05T14:37:00.003-05:00

Tuesday was Susan's Birthday! Mother and I decided that we would have a dinner for her. Once Sarah Katherine got wind of it she had to help. She told us we had to have a Mickey Mouse Party. We went to Walmart and got all of the Mickey Mouse party stuff. We had Mickey Mouse plates, cups, napkins, Mickey ears and of course a Mickey Mouse candle. Everybody were good sports and wore their ears. It was a lot of fun. The best part....the Strawberry Cake from Tabby D's.

Me And My Friend

2009-05-27T22:27:00.005-05:00

Monday Tony, Leigh, and Nataleigh Brown came to see us and we had a good time playing. We went to the pool and played until Sarah Katherine had to take a nap. The pool wears Sarah Katherine out and she sleeps great after a swim. Nataleigh doesn't nap much, so she got the whole experience. After swimming, we cleaned up and went back to Baytown to play our odds there. Sarah Katherine and Nataleigh jumped on the Eurobungy and had a good time.We had icecream and then they played in the playground while we chased them around for about 45 minutes. It's tough keeping up with kids in a playground. Finally we all went to Rum Runners and had Dinner. Jennifer's Mom and Dad joined us there and we had a good meal. Sarah Katherine sang and danced for us during dinner.

Life at the beach

2009-05-27T21:58:00.005-05:00

Well we came to the beach last Friday and have been having so much fun we haven't updated the whole time. We have been having a great time in Destin this week. It was nasty Friday when we got here and all day Saturday, but cleared up the remainder of the week. Saturday we took Sarah Katherine to stay with Mary and Laura for the day while it was raining and we took a day off and saw 2 movies at the Rave. We can't watch a movie that we both want to see, so when we go to a movie it has to be 2. One for each of us. We saw Wolverine and Ghost of Girlfriends Past. Both were pretty good. Kiley, Paul, Dalton, & Keaton came to play with us on Sunday and we had a great time. We went to Baytown at the Villiage in Sandestin and the kids had fun jumping on the 'Eurobungy'.

Dalton went through the Ropes course and Sarah Katherine rode across the Zipline. The Zipline goes from one tower that stands about 60' tall and goes across a small lake to another tower and back. Sarah Katherine kept watching the other children go across on the cable and kept wanting to swing across. She is a dare devil! She went across to the first tower and got upset when her Mama or Daddy wasn't there to catch her. Needless to say, she didn't come back across. She said she would have come back across if we would have been on the other side. It must be great to be a kid and be amazed by everything you see. Sarah Katherine gets excited about everything she sees and wants to try it. She would fly to the moon if we had the money.

My First Fishing Trip

2009-05-17T23:31:00.006-05:00

We had a great afternoon playing at Ginger and Jimmy Lowman's today. Gary and Barbara came up for the weekend and we had a great time fishing a cooking. Sarah Katherine was excited to get to go on her first fishing trip and she caught 2 fish! She was geared up with her Princess fishing pole and her too cool shades. A girl has to be fashionable whatever the sport.

After Sarah Katherine wore the fish out, we cooked on the grill and listened to a little Frank Sinatra and Conway Twitty. Sarah Katherine taught everyone how to dance.

Sarah Katherine's First Garden

2009-05-17T22:48:00.007-05:00

Last month we planted Sarah Katherine's first garden.

She planted a cherry tomato plant, several carrot seeds she got from the Master Gardens Sale, and some pepper plants. Sarah Katherine was excited to find she had some cherry tomatoes ready to pick. She picked them and ate them on the spot. She even tried to pick and eat some green ones, but she quickly figured out the green ones weren't as tasty as the ripe ones. Hopefully she will help in our flower beds when she gets a little bigger.

Where we have been....

2009-05-17T22:42:00.003-05:00

Yes! I know it has been a really long time since I last blogged. I have tried on a couple of different occasions to update this and every time there was either a problem with blogspot or my internet. Maybe this time it will work.

Here is a brief run down on everything that has been going on. First was Easter. We had a great time and Randy was even home. Sarah Katherine had her party at Mother's Day Out, we went to Niceville to be with the "Lanes," had lunch at home and of course we searched for eggs. Sarah Katherine had a ball with it all.

Randy left the day after Easter going back to work. He is now in Australia. He loves it. I think he just wishes he had more time to sight see. We never really thought we would get use to the 28 days home and 28 days gone. But apparently we did. We just didn't feel like he was home the two weeks he was home. Sarah Katherine and I adjusted again. And now he is home and is keeping us busy.

We got to visit with Jeff, who we hadn't seen in a year. It was nice to get to see him. He only has a few months left in the Navy. We are hoping he will make his home much closer than Texas.

Randy planned a Masonic Day for last weekend. That went over well. He had worked really hard on it. Laura was kind enough to come up and help with it. We went swimming after spending a very hot day on the square.

Mother's Day was very uneventful. I was suppose to cook lunch for Randy's mother but there was a slight change of plans. I was sick. So I spent the better part of Mother's Day in the bed. Maybe next year I can cook that meal for Annette.

I know that this is brief, but it is a quick update of what has been keeping us going. Enjoy the slide show. And I promise to do better.

Happy Easter

2009-04-10T16:40:00.001-05:00

Pride of Andalusia

2009-04-06T23:17:00.003-05:00

Randy finally got something he has wanted for the last few years. No it wasn't a new gun, golf club or any other man toy. He got the Pride of Andalusia.

The story is actually quite comical, if you know Randy and how he is about our yard. I came home one day while Randy was at work and there was the sign. I had to laugh because I knew Randy would have a fit. The yard looked terrible. The grass was awful, there was old pine straw in the beds,and there were dead plants every where.

When I finally got to talk to him and tell him his response was "Oh No." He told me to get straw in the beds. This is a task that I just can't do because me and pine straw don't work together. So his next sentence was call Jerry. Which is exactly what I did. Jerry had his guys come out here and they did a beautiful job. After they finished it looked like we should have won the award.

I am very thankful that the Junior Woman's Club thought that we were deserving. Randy loves spending time in the yard working. I think that he would do it all day everyday if he could. So I am glad that someone saw the efforts that he has put into the yard. On the other hand I think what have kind of monster has they created. We are now spending lots of time with Jerry and Kim. We have now planted 5 trees along with numerous other plants. It is really bad when your husband has been gone for two weeks and his first thoughts on his way home are where can I stop for plants. And the one that really takes the cake, is that he goes to the nursery before he even comes home.

Again, I appreciate the award but can I send the bill to the Junior Women's Club??

What we've been up to....

2009-04-06T22:49:00.005-05:00

Yes, I know that I have become a blog slacker. Things have really been busy at our house. Randy has come home, gone to work and come back again since my last post.

Last month when Randy was home we built a privacy fence. Man, why didn't we do that years ago. Who knew that one side of a fence could help you keep your sanity from having crappy neighbors. The only problem now is we can't be nosy neighbors. So I guess we will never know if a new junky storgage building appears or if he tries to stop our water from draining. Anyway...the fence has given us a new area to landscape. We spent this weekend helping keep Jerry Howell and Kim in business.

We have also planted a small garden for Sarah Katherine. We went to the Master Gardener plant sale last month and they had activities for the children. They had several seed that they let the kid glue on a piece of newspaper for planting. We chose carrots. They are now starting to sprout up. We also planted her a cherry tomato plant and two bell pepper plants and she sure is proud. She checks them daily and wants to water them hourly.

I spent the last two weeks working. Thank goodness. I have met a really great couple who have been house hunting. They were both in the military and have spent the last eight years in Germany. I have really enjoyed getting to know them and hopefully we will find them a house very soon.

Cookies with Characters

2009-02-21T23:29:00.002-06:00

Today Sarah Katherine got to spend the afternoon with all of her favorite characters. Thanks to Meredith's Miracles and their wonderful fundraiser we got to experience Cookies With Characters. This is a fund raiser that give the children in our community the opportunity to visit with some of their favorites characters.

We started out watching a show that they characters put together. There was Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Goofy & Pluto, Cookie Monster & Elmo, Pooh, all the princesses, Spider man, Superman, Batman, a Power Ranger, a Ninga Turtle, Dora, Hannah Montana, Barney and there are some that we are forgetting. Sarah Katherine wasn't too sure about the show. The most reaction we got from Sarah Katherine was from Sponge Bob, which she doesn't even get to watch.

Once the show was over we got to go around and visit with all of the characters and make pictures. I hope you all enjoy them. I know Sarah Katherine had a great time. She was a tired little girl when we left. Didn't hardly make it out of the parking lot before she was sound asleep.

What a busy Sunday!!!

2009-02-02T22:55:00.007-06:00

Ever since Randy got home this week we have all been a little lazy. I don't know if has been the weather or what. But I think we made up for it on Sunday. We began our day with the only thing Sarah Katherine ever wants to eat....pancakes. Randy does a wonder job with breakfast each morning.

After breakfast of course it was our daily dose of the Polar Express. Like I said earlier we will be sick of it before next Christmas. Randy had to go out once again and work on plumbing. I am so thankful that he is able to be so handy.

We had to have an early lunch today because Sarah Katherine had a birthday party to go to. We knew that we had to get some sort of nap in her or we would be miserable. The party was for James Milton who is in Sarah Katherine's class at "school." The teachers and his mother say that he calls Sarah Katherine "Pretty Girl." We hope that this is not a start of things to come!!! James Milton had a western themed party which Randy was so excited about. He actually wanted me to do this for Sarah Katherine's party but I didn't. Any way!!!!

This was the perfect opportunity for Sarah Katherine to get to wear her outfit that Randy bought her in Colorado. He bought her a pair of pink cowgirl boots, blue jeans, a shirt, a cowgirl hat and a pink gun and holster. We weren't able to wear the jeans and shirt it was a little too cool for that.

It was so much fun to see all the kids in their Western attire. They had horses there for them to ride. We just knew that Sarah Katherine would love this. She got to ride on one of them. But I think that she had more fun playing chase. There was plenty of room for her to run and play and not get into anything. She did make a few new friends while we were there.

Thanks Toka, Michael and James Milton for a fun afternoon.

After the party we came home and got ready for the Super Bowl. We are not big football people but you have to watch it if only for the commercials. Mother, Daddy and Norma came over to watch with us. I don't really have a favorite commercial. Our entertainment was much better.

Sarah Katherine found Nana's glasses and had to read to Ms. Norma. Her other favorite....The Grinch.

Needless to say Sarah Katherine had a full day and it didn't take long for to be out. We just knew that she would be so tired she wouldn't even get up. Not so lucky. We had our companion in the bed twice last night. This is a problem that we are working on and will make a great post for later.

School Project

2009-02-02T22:49:00.004-06:00

I just thought that I would share with everyone what Sarah Katherine has been up to at "school." They made these bird feeders last week and we had to wait until Daddy got home to hang it up. She and Randy hung them up just in time for the cold weather. Now the birds can eat. That is if the squirrels don't get to it first. It is so neat to see Sarah Katherine doing things like this. I remember making one of these when I was younger. I remember my parents hung my right outside the kitchen window so we could watch the birds. Who knows what will be next!!!!

Quiz

2009-01-18T10:49:00.003-06:00

Okay Ginger...Here it is. I not one who usually does these kinds of thing, but this time I will.

1. What is his name? Randy Milton Reese
2. Who eats more? Randy
3. Who said "I love you" first? He Did
4 Who is taller? He is by just a little bit.
5. Who is more sensitive? Me
6. Who does the laundry? We both do...Thank goodness.
7. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does
8. Who pays the bills? I do...I want to make sure that they are paid.
9. Who cooks more? He does. I don't do too much of that. I know that I should.
10. Who is more stubborn? We are both very stubborn.
11. Who is the 1st to admit they are wrong? Depends
12. Who has more siblings? He does. 3 sister I am an only child
13. Who wears the pants in the relationship? Depends on who you ask!!!
14. What do you like to do together? Just being with each other, going places.
15. Who eats more sweets? I do probably, I have the biggest sweet tooth.
16. Guilty pleasures? Hunting, playing on the computer for him. Shopping for me.
17. How did you meet? We first talked at Harco.
18. Who ask whom out 1st? He asked me
19. Who kissed who first? He did
20. Who proposed? He did at a creek on his hunting land!!
21. His best features and qualities? Eyes, and he has a lot of compassion for others.
22. Now for my favorite part of this quiz, Tag your it! Shonna, Nancy

This wasn't too bad, Ginger. I will enjoy seeing others answers.

Thank you Dalton

2009-01-14T22:59:00.004-06:00

We just wanted to Thank Dalton, Kiley and Paul for the Choo Choo. Dalton was kind enough to let Sarah Katherine borrow his train until Keaton is ready for it. After watching the Polar Express this Christmas Sarah Katherine has now discovered Choo Choo. We had watched the Choo Choo every day since we first watched it. Sometimes more than once a day. Any way we are so greatful to Dalton, Kiley and Paul for the use of the Choo Choo.

Happy Merry!!!

2009-01-14T22:45:00.003-06:00

Yes Loy I know that has taken too long for this post. Life has just been way to busy!! The main thing for us is trying to get use to Randy being home for just 2 weeks. There is so much we can do in four weeks as opposed to 2.

Any way...We finally had Christmas on New Year's Day. We picked Randy up from the airport New Year's Eve and had to get home to get ready for Santa. We went out to Kiley and Paul's for New Year's but we must be getting old. We were home and in bed asleep before midnight.

We got up the next morning and Sarah Katherine discovered that Santa had been here. It is funny to see how and what children react to. You would think that the car and the kitchen would be the first thing she saw. Nope, not her...it was the books. Once she got through the books she realized the car was there. She climbed in and started to figure out everything. Needless to say it didn't take too long and we were outside. Her driving skills still need work. Let's just hope that they improve as she ages, because if they don't we will all have to get off the roads in about 14 years.

Nana, Pa and Susu came over that morning to do Christmas. We ate breakfast together and then we got to open presents. I think that between the three families we over whelmed her. After a little while she wasn't interested in the presents just Super Why and the car.

After we finished with the presents it was time for a nap and for us to clean up. We were having company for our New Year's Day Meal. Mother fixed a delicious meal and we enjoyed having Mother, Daddy, Susu, GiGi and Jim for supper.

Sarah Katherine enjoyed playing with all of her toys. We just made a note to ourselves not to do so much next year.

I do hope that with the New Year I am better about posting. I think after we settle into our new routine we will.

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T23:29:00.004-06:00

Once again Randy is at work for Christmas. I hate that he missing Christmas. I think in the 12 years that he has been working offshore he has been home twice. The first time was because it just fell right and then last year because he was in between jobs. I know that Sarah Katherine is young enough right now to not know the difference, but I do. We will celebrate Christmas next week when he gets home so we are looking forward to that.

Tonight we went to Randy's mother and dad's house to have Christmas with his family. Annette was going to fix soup but when we got there she had a ton of food. Even Randy's favorite...egg custard. She did promise to make him one when he got home. Anyway most everyone was there. Chuck, Connie, Scott and Holly weren't there but the rest of the group was. The food was great and the kids enjoyed opening their presents. It was nice getting to be with them tonight. We don't get together with all of us nearly enough. Maybe we can work on that.

I hope that each of you and your families have a wonderful Christmas.

Callawy Gardens

2008-12-24T23:23:00.007-06:00

Last year Mother, Daddy, Gigi and Jim went to Callaway Gardens to see the Christmas lights that they do. They have all talked about how much they enjoyed it. Randy and I really wanted to go but they called him last week to go back to work. Anyway, Mother, Susan, Norma and I had talked about going somewhere to look at Christmas lights so we decided to go to Callaway. We left Thursday right after Sarah Katherine's party at MDO. It took us just about 3 hours to get there and it was well worth the little drive. We got there just in time to catch our trolley. Sarah Katherine really enjoyed all the light displays. After the trolley ride we got to roam through a Christmas store. They had a place where you could decorate a cookie. So of course Sarah Katherine had to do that. I think the only reason she wanted to do it was for the icing and the candy to decorate the cookie. We all had a great time and I encourage everyone to go. It really is a beautiful place. Just make sure to order your tickets online.

Special Visitor

2008-12-24T23:17:00.004-06:00

Last Thursday at Mother's Day Out they had their Christmas Party. I think that everyone had a great time. Randy and I went early to see who the "special guest" was. We got to go outside and watch the kids play for a little while. Then we went back to the room and guess who showed up?? It was not other than Santa. All the kids got to visit with Santa Claus and share what they wanted for Christmas. There were a couple of the kids who wasn't quite sure of Santa, but Sarah Katherine wasn't the least bit afraid. I don't know what it is with this Santa but she is mesmerized with him. She just listened so intently while he was talking. I asked if Santa would come home with us, because of his effect on her but of course he couldn't he had to get back to the North Pole to finish getting ready for Christmas.

Aunt Maydell's Dress

2008-12-18T19:12:00.002-06:00

Sarah Katherine's Great Aunt Maydell bought Sarah Katherine a Christmas dress and it was perfect. It fit perfect and it even came with a matching dress for her baby. Baby got mad though and didn't want her picture taken much, so we just got Sarah Katherine mostly. Sarah Katherine doesn't mind taking pictures, so she did well. Maybe we can find a party or something so Sarah Katherine can wear her new dress. Thanks Aunt Maydell, we love it!!!

Who Let Tha Dogs Out?

2008-12-18T18:42:00.002-06:00

We decided to go out and play yesterday and who would have thought it? The dogs turned into pirates and took over Sarah Katherine's playhouse. Buddy began by jumping in the house with Sarah Katherine and climbing up the tunnel. Then he went down the tunnel. Sarah Katherine thought that was funny to see Buddy go through her tunnel. It freaked Rosie out. She had never saw that before. Well, Buddy made the playhouse his house for a while until Rosie got his attention and they chased each other for a while. Sarah Katherine got control of her playhouse once again. We had fun.

Christmas Baking

2008-12-14T23:20:00.002-06:00

I decided a couple of weeks ago that we would start a Christmas family tradition. I thought that it would be a lot of fun for us to decorate a gingerbread house every year. This is something that I have always wanted to do but never really tried it.

I bought a kit at Walmart a couple of weeks ago to try. I had to hide it in the pantry because Sarah Katherine had a fit every time she saw it. This morning after breakfast we decided it would be a good time to work on it. It was so nice that Randy helped with it. He did the icing and then Sarah Katherine and I got to do the candy. I am sure that each year we will get better.

After we finished the gingerbread house we decided to make some cookies too. That is something we will have to work on. Figuring out the sprinkles and the decorations.

Anyway I think we all enjoyed ourselves. I know that Sarah Katherine enjoyed the candy. I think she ate more than she put on the house.

Lane Christmas

2008-12-09T23:21:00.006-06:00

Yes, we all knew it was a little early but it was the only time we would all be home. My dad's side of the family held Christmas on Sunday. We all went to Jill and Steven's house for lunch and Christmas. Since we all were just together and had all just had a huge meal we went light..sub sandwiches and pizza. It was easy too!

All the kids had a blast opening up their presents. The Lane's got Sarah Katherine a baby doll that is so lifelike. It was perfect for her because she is really starting to get into baby dolls. She loves to put them in her stroller and push them around the house. They also found her a Potty Book. Maybe one day soon she will start using it. The potty that is.

She also got two puppy dogs and all the accessories to take care of them. They are stuffed. She has a stroller and bags to carry them in. Jimmy and Patricia knows they she likes her animals. Maybe this will help her stop trying to carry our cat around the house.

The Prevett's gave her a blender and a farm book. The blender will work well with her Christmas stuff. And Nancy and Jeremy got her some dress up clothes. I will have to try and get some pictures of her in her fairy dress. She played in in some Sunday night.

Sarah Katherine enjoyed getting to play with the older kids and then of course loving on Jack. Poor Jack...Sarah Katherine kept trying to take all his presents.

We all had a good time. It is kind of sad that we won't be together Christmas day. Jerry, Mary and Laura are going to see Jeff in California then to Houston to be with Mary's family. Nancy and Jeremy are going to Atlanta to be with his family. I guess that what happens as we get older and our families grow.

Andalusia Christmas

2008-12-09T23:06:00.005-06:00

Thursday night Randy and I went to the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the square. This was our second attempt at this event. Last year we missed it because Randy thought we needed to eat first.

We weren't quite prepared for the cold, though. Earlier in the day it was nice, but all of a sudden it was cold. We went with my parents and met Kiley, Dalton, Keaton and Mary Michael. Poor Paul was stuck at work.

There were several different groups there singing Christmas carols and that was very enjoyable. Santa and Ms. Claus were even there. Sarah Katherine wasn't quite sure of Santa. Thank goodness Dalton was with us. Otherwise, I don't think that she would have even gone to Santa. We finally got her on his lap, but I think that the main reason she did was for the candy.

Friday night we went to the Christmas parade. I couldn't believe how early people start staking out their spots. Randy was lucky enough to find a spot to park the truck so we could sit in the back of the truck. I think Sarah Katherine had a blast. Thanks to Covington Electric's float she was able to see Mickey and Minnie. I think she was more impressed with them that Santa. She still loved the horses and I think she liked the motorcycles.

Saturday we took Sarah Katherine to the Brunch with Santa that the Ballet Association sponsors. They had it at Dr. Butler's home. Vicki Popwell was there taking the children's pictures with Santa. I was a little nervous after Friday night. I didn't know if Sarah Katherine would go see him or not. I guess Vicki has a way with her. She walked up to Santa and jumped right in his lap. No bribing or anything. I can't wait to see those pictures. Vicki always does such a beautiful job.

We didn't stay for the activities or the food. We had just left the Pancake Breakfast. This is something that my dad and I have been doing for years. I would come home from college just to eat pancakes. Sarah Katherine enjoyed the breakfast being that pancakes is all she seems to want to eat for breakfast.

The last week and a half

2008-12-09T22:50:00.004-06:00

Things have really been busy lately. I will try and catch everybody up.

We did Thanksgiving and Nancy and Jeremy's in Niceville. They were kind enough to let everyone come to there beautiful home on the bay. I have yet to figure out how Jeremy gets any work done. One with a new baby and then with the "horrible view" out his office window.

Sarah Katherine help Nana with the dressing. She really enjoys getting to help with the cooking. I hope it continues. Everyone says that they agree because they don't know what I will do if something happens to my mother. They all say Sarah Katherine will have to teach me to cook!!!

I have learned one very important lesson from Thanksgiving though...don't ever travel with food in your car without properly containing all of the food and having plenty of towels in your car. Mother made gravy for the dressing and we thought it was secure. Boy were we wrong. I had to slam on brakes and the gravy spilled. I had nothing to get it up with so I had to drive all the way to Niceville with gravy in the carpet. Once I got to Nancy I thought I cleaned it up. Needless to say I didn't. The smell in the car gets worse and worse everyday. Finally last Tuesday I took the car to clean the carpet thinking that I just didn't do a good job. And I knew Randy would have a fit over the smell. Wendall, the guy I took it to, found more gravy. It is like the stuff kept multipling. The gravy was all under the carpet. He cleaned it and we thought he had it all. No such luck. The smell kept getting worse and worse.

In the mean time we finally were able to get Randy home. We picked him up last Tuesday night. Needless to say we were very glad to see him. Now Sarah Katherine doesn't want much to do with me. She just wants her daddy.

Any way, back to the car...Randy has refused to ride in the car until something is done. And if he gets in the car he rides with the window down and his head hanging out the window like a dog. Randy called "The Professionals" to handle the cleaning of the carpet. They came and cleaned the carpet once again. This time they had to cut the carpet to make sure they got it all. Hopefully this will work and the smell will be gone. My advice...NEVER CARRY FOOD WITH ANY LIQUID ANY WHERE!!!!! It cost way too much!!!

Sarah Katherine

2008-11-24T23:27:00.008-06:00

Even before Sarah Katherine was born everyone said that she looked like Randy. We did the 4D ultrasound and Mary Michael said she looked just like him. In those pictures I couldn't see. But since the day she was born I knew she looked just like him. Everybody says she is Randy made over. Every now and then someone will tell me that she looks like me and it makes me feel good. But to be honest with you I never saw it. Until yesterday...

Mother found a photo album when she was cleaning. There were pictures of me when I was little. And there were a few that if it had been for my dad in the picture with the 70's look I might would have though it was Sarah Katherine.

Ya'll decide....

Sorry, it been a while...

2008-11-24T23:11:00.005-06:00

I know that it has been awhile since I last posted anything. I thought that it would be easy to maintain the blog while Randy was gone. I guess if I wasn't trying to decorate for Christmas I might would have time. I promised Randy that I would get all of our decorations done before he got home. Well, I am almost there. Just a few things left inside and then all of the outside stuff. My instructions were to place everything outside and then when Randy got home he would plug up everything, because he has a "system." Heaven for bid that we mess up an electrician's electrical plans. In order to get the decorations up I had to make a deal with my dad to help get all my stuff out of the attic. He made me promise to decorate their house. I don't know why he asked, I always put up their decorations.

I have spent the last several days putting up my parents stuff and thank goodness we are almost finished. If I hadn't gotten this terrible cold I would be finished by now. Saturday, Mother, Susan, Sarah Katherine and I went shopping down in Destin. My throat hurt most of the day but was tolerable. Sunday was another story. I felt so bad I actually took a nap, something I haven't done in forever. Any way I think mother felt sorry for me and offered to let Sarah Katherine spend the night with them. I hated to do it but it gave me the opportunity to get a good night sleep. With Randy gone there is no such thing...I have a bed buddy that thinks she owns the bed. This was the first time that Sarah Katherine spent the night away with me in the same town. It felt very strange not having our nightly ritual. But the sleep was good. I feel better today.

Anyway...I will try and do better about posting. Randy will hopefully be home this time next week. I think the being on a rig with no idea when you will be coming home has been a bit stressful. He seems to be a bit on edge. I think that they have just passed over the equator just off the eastern cost of South America. We can't wait to have him home.

Here I am in Africa

2008-11-02T16:22:00.007-06:00

Well, I am now in Cape Town, South Africa. I came to Cape Town to catch Ensco 8500 on route from Singapore to the Gulf of Mexico. I hated to leave my family again for this journey, but that’s what I do. My company sent me down a few days early and I’m getting to see some of the town and the sites which are amazing. I never would have thought of venturing to Africa, but it is something to see. The people are extremely nice and welcoming.
I’m sure it has something to do with money, but it is worth mentioning. A short walk from my hotel is an open market where folks sell their handmade goods and African artifacts. I can’t stand to go anywhere like this without getting a few souvenirs, but I had to leave the African Zulu masks there because I know Jennifer wouldn’t let me hang them in the great room. Thursday night a group of us went to the world renown Cubana’ which is a Havana Lounge where you can here Cuban Club music and enjoy a nice Cuban cigar and refreshments. I don’t get to smoke a Cuban that often, so when I get the opportunity I take advantage of it. Later we walked the town and found a European car showroom where we got to dream and see cars like Lamborghini, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, and a bunch of Aston Martins. Friday we took a taxi up the mountain to a place called Table Mountain which is over 3500 feet above sea level.
We rode a cable car up the mountain and saw the best views I think I’ve ever seen. Gatlinburg or Colorado doesn’t have anything on Table Mountain. My friend Chance had read about a place in Cape Town at the Waterfront called Belthazar that was featured in British Airways Top Places To See magazine, so we set out to find it. We sat out and enjoyed the nice weather and had some drinks before dinner. BA said they had the best steak in South Africa, so I had to try one. I wanted to try some wilder beast, but I’d have to kick myself if I turned down the best steak in the country. The food was great and the baked cheesecake with cream was even better. The next morning I had to catch a helicopter out to the rig.

I hated to go, but I was ready to get this over with so I can get back to Jennifer and Sarah Katherine. I hope to bring them back to South Africa. Maybe I can talk Jennifer into a 3 or 4 day animal safari or go cage diving with the Great White Sharks. Maybe not the sharks, but it won’t be hard to find something adventurous to do in Cape Town.

What was I thinking????

2008-10-30T22:29:00.005-05:00

Tonight I decided to let Sarah Katherine participate in the Halloween on the Square. This was both of our first trip to this event. Last year we spent Halloween in Texas and the year before we were getting ready to go to the hospital to have her.

I told myself this morning that we were going to make sure that she had a good nap today. When I picked her up from Mother's Day Out I told her to take her nap and we would go Trick or Treating tonight. Surprisingly enough it worked, she went right to sleep. I thought that she got a good nap...2 hours at least. But I don't know now if it was enough.

When she woke up we went outside to get some pictures in front of our monster pumpkin. We got a few and then Kiley, Dalton and Keaton came over. We thought we would take the kids to Vicki Popwell's to get their pictures made in their costumes. We didn't quite make it though. I did get some really cute pictures with Dalton and Sarah Katherine.

We did finally make it to the square. Needless to say Sarah Katherine was none to appreciative of the head part to her costume. The only time she had it on was for Ms Vicki and Ninny. But at least they got it on. I guess maybe everything up there just overwhelmed her. She refused to ride in the stroller, wouldn't hold anybody hands, didn't want to be carried and certainly didn't want to have anything to do with me. She is becoming Little Miss Independent. We did manage to get a little bit of candy. She did figure out that if she opened her bag she would get some candy. I am a little afraid that now that she has discovered candy she may actually have a part of me in her....my sweet tooth.

Since most of the pictures that I was able to get don't show her costume...she was a cow. I figured that she would love that since she is so fascinated with them.

I do appreciate that Nana and Pa went with us tonight. But I do hope that if I am crazy enough to do this again next year Daddy is with us. We are a little sad at our house, we had to take Randy to the airport on Tuesday. Not sure when he is going to be coming home. They are towing the rig from Singapore to the Gulf of Mexico. He flew down to Cape Town South Africa and will be riding the rig to Trinidad. We talked to him just for few minutes last night. He was going to get to go around some today and tomorrow and see a little of the country. We do know that he won't be here for Thanksgiving. We are hoping for Christmas though. So please say a prayer for me. I am a single mom of a soon to be two year old.

Birthday Parties

2008-10-26T15:06:00.007-05:00

It is so hard to believe that my baby is about to be two!! Since there was so much uncertainty about Randy's schedule and when he would go back to work we planned Sarah Katherine's birthday party for this weekend. We orginally planned it for Sunday, but Randy got worried that he maybe gone so we moved it to Saturday.

Since we had to move it, Patricia, Jimmy, Jill, Steven, Peyton and Lane were not going to be able to come. So Patricia decided to do a little party for Sarah Katherine at her house. We all went over Wednesday night before the fair. Patricia had her a pumpkin cake. Sarah Katherine enjoyed the icing off the cake. She also got to get her presents. She knew just what to do with them. These where the first presents that she has opened. Last year she wasn't sure what to do. Patricia and Jimmy gave her six pair of pricness shoes. She had to model each pair before she would open the next present. Jill, Steven and the kids gave her a cow, horses and an outfit.

She had a ball that night. It was so great of Patricia to do this for us.

Saturday we got to have another party. Nancy, Jeremy and Jack were able to come and Sarah Katherine loved being able to hold little Jack finally. She wanted to hold him in the hospital but she was just too small. She got to play with Dalton and he helped her with her presents. She was very excited over Elmo and her kitchen stuff. Hopefully my daughter is not going to take after me. Right now she enjoys playing with her pots and pans and helping people cook. I am hoping that this will continue. Since we moved the party, Jerry got to come with Mary and Laura. I wish Laura was here all the time. I might could get more done if she was. SuSu gave Sarah Katherine a round jumpy thing that she loves. We didn't think that we would ever get it aired up enough but we did. Now we just have to figure out where we are going to keep it. Thank goodness Sarah Katherine got lots of book too. We were starting to get tired of the ones we have. Just this week she has really gotten into reading. Before we would read at least a couple of times a day. Now it is hours on end. Loy and Kiley made sure we would have new reading material. I am ever so greatful.

Fair

2008-10-26T13:43:00.013-05:00

Wednesday night we went to the fair. Peyton was singing in the talent show so we decided that this would be a great night to go. Peyton did a wonderful job. Every time she sings it brings tears to my eyes. We all thought she did the best!!! And of course the judges did too!!! Peyton walked away with a first place trophy.

After the talent show we took Sarah Katherine out to the midway. It didn't take her long to figure out just how this ride business worked. She was hooked from the first ride. I was so nervous letting her go, but she was fine. She drove the big trucks first. There were two sweet little boys that helped her on and off the truck. Wish we knew who they were, they were just so thoughtful. I was actually afraid that we wouldn't be able to get her off the trucks. We did thank goodness. Then she and her daddy went to ride the "horses." After that ride she was pulling us all over the place. When she saw something that she wanted to ride she was pulling us towards it. Again she had no fear!! She even wanted to ride the Himanlanya ride. After we wouldn't take her she even tried to get Pa to take her. She just didn't understand she was just a little too small.

We had hoped to let her see the wildlife, especially since she has such a fascination, but all the rides just wore her out. We tried waking her but never got her up. Usually picking her up and putting her in the car would do it but it didn't. I guess only having a short nap that day didn't really work in our favor. Maybe next year!!!

Cows!!!

2008-10-26T13:28:00.012-05:00

I don't know where it has come from but Sarah Katherine is totally fascinated with cows and horses. It probably started with Susu!! Randy and Norma decided that they needed some pinestraw for their flowerbeds and they decided to go to Susan's to get it. Of course I was working so I missed all of the fun.

All summer when we would go out to Susan to go swimming Sarah Katherine was more interested in the cows than the pool. We decided that we needed to come back, when the cows weren't sleeping, and let Sarah Katherine feed the cows. So this was the perfect day to do it. While Ms. Norma and Randy gathered the pinestraw, Susu and Sarah Katherine had a ball. She feed the cows. Needless to say she had a ball. It just amazes me how she is so fearless. She was climbing the gate just to get in with the cows. I am sure from now on there will not be a trip to Susu' without getting to feed the cows.

Trip to Montgomery

2008-10-26T13:05:00.008-05:00

I know that it has been awhile since we last posted. Things have been sooo busy. Randy and I went to Montgomery last weekend to meet Aunt Maydell at the Conferdate Memorial Park. Maydell is a member of a club Forever Young and each year they have a special program at the park. We got to enjoy the Sullivan Sister's who sang several songs from the 50's accapella. There was also a speaker, Bill Rambo, who spoke on the history of the park and the old Confederates home. It was a great opportunity to see Maydell. She of course brought Sarah Katherine a little goodie that she loves. Maydell found her a baby that sings Happy Birthday. Maydell always finds things that Sarah Katherine enjoys.

Since we were in Montgomery that day, we decided to stay and go to Alcazar Shrine Temple for Mason Day. The Shriner's had all of the different groups set up so that Mason's could learn about all the things that they do. Sarah Katherine made a friend that day with Aiden. They got to ride in the convertible.
Sarah Katherine really wanted to get in the yellow car but we just didn't think that that would be an great idea.

Of course there was some great food. Sarah Katherine really enjoyed the cake!!!

We had a really good day last Saturday. It was great to see Maydell and enjoy the company of the Shriner's. They are a great group of men who do a lot for the children.

Greenville South Carolina

2008-10-12T23:53:00.005-05:00

This weekend Jennifer and I traveled to Greenville South Carolina to tour the Shriner's Hospital for Children. We had a great weekend with friends and we were able to get an overview of how the staff of the Shriner's Hospital in Greenville help all the little children with Orthopaedic disabilities and injuries.

We met with our friends on Saturday morning to load the bus for Greenville at 8:00 and stopped at the Varsity in Atlanta Georgia for lunch. The Varsity is a restaurant styled in a 1950's setting and has great food. There are several Varsity restaurants in the Atlanta area and we ate at the Varsity on Dawson Blvd. We then set out for Greenville and arrived at our hotel around 5:00 which was just in time for some refreshments in the lounge before dinner. We ate dinner at the Open Hearth in Greenville. They had some of the best rib eyes you could ask for and topped it off with cheesecake and strawberry shortcake. I highly recommend the Open Hearth to anyone going to Greenville South Carolina. After dinner, we were so full we crashed.

Sunday morning, we had breakfast and headed for the hospital. Now let me tell you a little about the Shriner's hospitals. The Shriner's raise money primarily for the 22 hospitals across the US, Canada, and Mexico. These hospitals treat and heal children from birth to 18 years of age that suffer from Orthopaedic problems, Burns, Spinal Cord injuries, and much more at no expense to the children or their families. They will even transport and house these children and they even have certified teachers to conduct school while they are being treated. The research and design is performed in house and it is all there to heal children. It's the most amazing gift offered today and this is what we do as Shriners. The tour was great and we even got to interact with a few of the children. It'll bring tears to see these kids in good spirit and playing regardless of their painful disabilities. We're just so glad we can be a part in helping these children and their families.

We left the hospital about 1:00 headed back home and had a blast on the bus ride home. Besides their benevolence, the Shriners know how to have fun. We got back home around 9:00 and we picked up Sarah Katherine who stayed with her Grandmothers during our trip. We can't wait for our next trip.

Dixie Stampede

2008-10-08T22:06:00.003-05:00

Tonight we went to see the Dixie Stampede. If you don't know what the Dixie Stampede is, it is a show that features singers, horseback riders, horse and buggies, cows, and lots of horse tricks. The theme is North vs South and when you make reservations, you choose whether you want to sit with the Northerners or the Southerners. Naturally we sat on the South. But they dress as Yanks and Confederates and compete to see who wins while you eat a grilled rotisserie chicken, a potato steak, ham, corn on the cob, and a cat head biscuit you dip in gravy. You also eat everything with your hands. It is a grand show and worth every penny. It is a show by Dolly Pardon, so you know it's good. We got the preferred seating which put us on the front row. Sarah Katherine had a fit over the horses and longhorn cattle drive. She loves horses and cows. If you are ever up in the Smokies, it's a must see.

Check Us Out!!!

2008-10-08T00:08:00.001-05:00

2nd Day In The Mountains

2008-10-07T22:59:00.007-05:00

Today we drove to Cade's Cove which is part of the National Park where you drive through a 11 mile track of mountains and valleys. Driving down to the Cove is a rocky river that runs parallel with the road which is beautiful. In Cade's Cove ,there are 1800 era homeplaces and churches as well as huge fields and hills where all sorts of wildlife can be seen if you're at the right place at the right time. We didn't see as much wildlife as we have in the past, but it was fun.

We took a horse and carriage ride after we drove through the first time and then we drove through again to see the deer as they come out before dusk. The driver of the carriage let Sarah Katherine sit up from with him to help him drive and she really enjoyed that. We didn't see any deer or bear on the ride, but riding through the creeks and bottoms on a horse and carriage was fun enough for Sarah Katherine.

You can park off the road and walk trails to the old homes and churches. We walked and enjoyed the relaxing scenery and outdoors today. It is so peaceful to not rush life and enjoy it every now and then.

Our work schedules allow us to enjoy our family life and we are very blessed to have that. We take full advantage of what God's given us and thank Him each day.

The Great Smoky Mountains

2008-10-07T22:49:00.003-05:00

This is amazing!!!

2008-10-07T22:36:00.006-05:00

Well Randy decided to get up when the alarm clock mistakenly went off and take pictures of the sunrise here in The Smokey Mountains. The weather is great and the Fall leaves are starting to change colors. We have lots planned, but Sarah Katherine may not allow us to follow a schedule because she has her own in mind. She loves horses, so we plan to see some horses and take her to see some wildlife because she also loves deer.

We Needed A Break

2008-10-07T21:53:00.003-05:00

We're now Sevierville Tennessee taking a little vacation from it all. We all need a break every now and then and we take advantage when we get the opportunity. We'll be staying until Thursday at the Oak Haven Resort in Sevierville which is a log cabin resort on a mountain. We've rented a 2 bedroom 2 bath cabin, but they gave us a 3 bedroom 3 bath with a gameroom. It's nice to have the room, but it's more than we really needed. If you get the chance to come up here, the website is www.oakhavenrosort.com.

The Deep South Doggie Dash

2008-10-07T21:43:00.001-05:00

4th Annual Deep South Doggie Dash and Strut Your Mutt

2008-10-06T22:19:00.006-05:00

Saturday the Humane Society held the 4th Annual Deep South Doggie Dash and Strut Your Mutt fundraiser. This is a way that the humane society helps raise money. This is such a fun event because it give people and opportunity to come out and do something with their dogs. We have events for both children and adults. We had a lot of fun this year and all the money raised goes to a good cause to help area animals.

Cape Merrill's Birthday Party

2008-10-01T22:09:00.004-05:00

Sarah Katherine's First Tea Party

2008-10-01T14:21:00.005-05:00

Sarah Katherine had her very first Tea Party this weekend. It was in honor of Cape Merrill's 3rd birthday. Cape is in Sarah Katherine's class at Mother's Day Out. The theme of the party was sooo cute. It was a Little Mamas Day Out. The girls dressed up their babies in their pretty clothes a they dressed up like mama's. They got to have a Tea Party with real china and glasses. Cape's Mama, Hannah had even fixed cupcakes and pink lemonade. They all seemed to have a great time. They played a little game of "How Well Do You Know Your Baby." The girls were blindfolded and had to feel each of the babies to see which one was theirs. It was so cute.. I think only one was able to do it with out peaking. Cape and her sister Bay have a trampoline and they all got to jump. They also got to go into the chicken coup and try and catch a chicken. The Walt and Hannah Merrill sure know how to fix up a house. We all had a great time watching the girls.

Sarah Katherine had a ball at the party. One way we could tell she had a good time because she was covered in dirt from her head to her toes.

First Bite

2008-09-30T23:05:00.005-05:00

Randy and I have been bit by the blog bug. Ginger Wilson sent us a blog that she has started and it has inspired us. We don't get to stay in touch with friends and family like we would like, so we thought this would be a great start in staying connected

Sarah Katherine is now 23 months old and the time has flown by. People always say they grow up way too fast...boy were they right!! She really keeps us on our toes. She goes to Mother's Day Out at First Baptist Church two days a week. This is when we have our time to attempt to get things done. Thank Goodness for Tuesday's and Thursday's!!! The teachers are great and Sarah Katherine is learning a lot!! Each week she comes home with a new letter that they are working on. When you ask her what letter she learned it is always "A" first and then the letter she learned. This weeks letter is "G", which she has down pat, thanks to GIGI.

Randy is now home for a little while. He has spent the last few months going back and forth to Singapore. The rig that he is going to be on was built over there. It left last week headed back to the Gulf of Mexico. Hopefully he will be home for about 5-6 weeks. We are hoping for the 6 weeks off so that he can be home for Sarah Katherine's birthday. Once he leaves he will be going to Cape Town Africa to catch the rig and ride it for about 5-6 weeks. What fun for him and us!!! I really hate for him to be gone because he is such a great help at home and with Sarah Katherine.

Me...trying to keep my head above water. I got myself a little side job helping some friends of ours paint their house. So I have spent most of my waking moments painting. And of course when you decide to do something you get busy with real estate. I have been working with several different people. So between being a mother, selling real estate and painting some days I don't know if I am going or coming. But I am about through with the painting and Randy and I are about to go to the mountains for a few days. That should revive me!