Grannys All Around

I've always enjoyed teaching at East Chester, and I've had great friends the entire time I've been here. It's been so fun watching my friends become grandmothers. They all have different names - "Nana", "Nini", "Mimi", "Grank", and the list could go on and on. This is Allison and one of her grandbabies....Emma. Emma started kindergarten this year! Now we're all looking forward to seeing Leslie become a grandmother, too.

Bama vs. Tulane

The Welches, Kerrs, and Scotts struck out on a road trip to Tuscaloosa to see the Tide play against Tulane. We met Nicole and her dad there at the stadium. We were all thrilled that Alabama won the game!

Pounding the Welches

Earlier this week Sandy and Rosemary facebooked me about a pounding for Becky and Damon, so tonight we "pounded" them. They were totally surprised. It was so much fun to see Becky surprised by all the food, guests, and goodies. What fun!!

Daniel and Ryan

Tonight Daniel had another friend over to play and spend the night. Ryan Hodges, a baseball, basketball, church friend came over to spend some time with Daniel and play games.

Christmas with the Welches

Wednesday night, December 31, Damon, Becky, Laura Beth, and Carter came to our house for supper and to open Christmas presents. We are so blessed to be friends with this special family. Katy just loves Laura Beth, and Daniel loves Carter, too. Becky has been such a blessing in my life. It's hard to think about a time when I didn't know her. She and I think so much alike about things. We love spending time together especially when we're working on one of our many projects.

I made lasagna (my aunt's recipe), salad, garlic bread, lemonaide pie, and yellow cake with "Granny" icing. My "Granny" icing didn't set up right, but it did taste ok. I was able to use my new Christmas plates and the plates Wayne got me from the bookstore last year. We enjoyed the meal together, and then the kids went off to play. Carter was once again his usual hilarious self. When they went into Katy's room, he announced, "No, I do not want to watch Makin' Music!!" Poor Carter, LB and Katy always want to watch Makin' Music, don't they?

Finally I went in and asked them if they wanted to open presents, and they came on into the living room to open a new Alabama shirt, a new Barbie and Barbie clothes, a Vera Bradley hipster, a personalized baseball card box, and Alabama serving plates. Even though we exchanged great gifts, the very best gift of all is having such wonderful friends who help us become better Christians every time we're with them. Merry Christmas Damon, Becky, Laura Beth, and Carter from Wayne, Kim, Katy, and Daniel. We love you guys!!

Daniel and Wayne Go to Memphis

On Thursday, December 30, Daniel and Wayne went to see the Memphis Grizzlies with some friends, Dane and Grant Burns. Daniel and Grant play basketball and baseball together, and they also spend lots of time talking on the telephone to each other.

Their trip started with a yummy meal at the Spaghetti Warehouse in Memphis. Wayne had lasagna and Daniel had chicken alfredo.
Then it was time to go to the game! The Grizzlies were playing the Phoenix Suns without Steve Nash. The guys had great seats! Look how close they were to Shaq. They were also pretty close when Amare Stoudemire got thrown out of the game after getting two technical fouls.

To top off a great night, as they were walking around the arena looking for Dippin' Dots, they ran into two Memphis Tigers basketball players, Tyreke Evans and Pierre Henderson Niles. Daniel and Grant were thrilled to have their picture made with them!