Happy 94th...

December 18th, 2009

It is my Grandmothers 94th birthday!

She kept saying she hadn't even thought of her birthday, and had no idea today was her birthday!

She was really excited, and very animated!

No problem with the candles!
I knew we could have put all 94 on there... he he he.

She loves surprises!!

She really loves pretty earings!

She was so gracious, and kept telling us thank you!!

"More than words can say"

She loved cake and ice cream... who doesn't?

She is really happy it's her birthday!

It was so fun to see her laugh.

Especially since last year, she was not in balance and not very happy, and asked us to leave. What a difference this year, this is the Mama I know and love! I knew she was still in there.

Jim and Mama and Beth

Della, Mama and Wilma

Happy Birthday Mama!

We love you!

A mission call...

Our nephew Jack got his mission call to Maceio, Brazil!

April 7, 2010.

http://sixandholding.blogspot.com/2009/12/mission.html

His brother just returned from Chilie in November.

And Jacob could be leaving for a mission before he returns... so we would have two in our family out at the same time. So weird. But so exciting!!!

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We are really excited for you Jack!!

Downtown...

Thursday Jim took Mama to her hair appt. so she will be all pretty for her birthday party tomorrow. Joanna met us at the farm and we headed downtown Greenville to check out main street.

We stopped for lunch at a cute little restaurant that was in a tiny brick house right by the river downtown.
I thought it would be hard to share my brother with someone new in his life... but I love her, she is so fun and he adores her!
And we took all the photo opportunities...

Joanna is a self portrait princess..l. I love it!

She totally fits!!

This is at the park by the river that runs through downtown.

Waterfalls even... so pretty.

We had fun walking through the park.

I love the old buildings...

And architechture...

It would be so fun to live in one of these lofts above the downtown shops...

This store front was adorable with the 3 sizes of wreaths tappered and the garland over the door... so pretty.

I bet these trees are really pretty at night all lit up, or in the spring with leaves on them.

Window shopping.

Another cute photo op... I want to be photogentic when I grow up!

Mom had a flash back when she saw the Cochran Jewelry clock... it used to be THE place downtown, and brides would come to register for their china pattern etc.

The clock was on a pole beside the street. It is a pretty clock.

On the way out of town, we stopped at Poe Mill... this is the house where my grandmother was born. Can you imagine, 16 children here?

The old mill burned down a few years ago, but one of the buildings still stand. My great grandfather worked at Poe Mill.

Another self portrait of us hanging out!

For dinner we went to visit my Uncle Ken (my Dad's brother).

I always marvel at how much he is like my Dad.

His daughter and I used to talk about how we wished we had the others Dad growing up, because ours was the stricktest!

But I think we both made out pretty good.

I just wonder how their mother dealt with two of them growing up together! She was a Saint!

Uncle Ken and Brenda.

He really is one of my favorite people.

The farm...

Sunrise this morning at the farm...

I can still feel my Papa here... I miss him so much.
Christmas at the farm... I have so many memories here.

Family...

Me and Mom and Mama.

Mom's first cousin, Wilma.

My Dad's sister, Aunt Bobbie.

Ground Control Crew...

We touched down in North Carolina early this morning. The flight was fairly non-eventful, once I got past some major turbulence somewhere over probably Iowa... ugggg I hate turbulence!!

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Our ground control crew however was the best!!!

My brother Jim and Joanna!! He picked us up and chauffeured us to her home and she had a big ol' breakfast ready for us to sit down and eat, complete with grits!!! Yum!!!!

It was our first time meeting, we had chatted on facebook but it was only brief. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

I love her already! I was really impressed and inspired before I even walked into her home. She painted her front porch herself... It is so beautiful!!

I wish I would have taken more pics of her home all decorated for Christmas... she is really creative and has done so much work in her home herself... like tile and wood floors, she layed herself! I am sure if my strong silent mysterious man sees this he will forbid me to hang out with her... for fear I will be coming home with all kinds of ideas and inspiration, but it might be too late. The Christmas spirit hasn't come just yet for me, but I think my creative side of the brain was awakened in her presence!!

That always spells trouble for my boys... he he he.

This was our sight seeing on the way back to the farm... it's a big peach water tower! Cute!
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I couldn't whip out my camera quick enough to get the "Welcome to South Carolina" sign as we entered the state. Maybe after a nap, I will be back on my photography toes again.

The final touch was to find a rose in our rooms when we arrived.
Soooo fragrant and beautiful and really thoughtful!!
Thanks to the best ground crew!! I can't wait to spend this week with you, it is already times to be cherished!