Pigeon Forge

Ripley's Aquarium, Pigeon Forge

During our trip to Pigeon Forge we spent one morning at the Aquarium. It was amazing and everyone had a wonderful time. We saw all kinds of sea creatures.

There was a moving walkway thru the main tank.

There was a play area for the children. Brayden checks out the large oyster.

Brody and Adam pose in the diver's suit.

The boys went up into the center of one of the tanks. They even found Nemo.

Playing in the Penguin tunnel.

My Sweetheart

Here is my Valentine. I have been asking her to be me Valentine for over 30 years now and she always says "yes." I love you Debbie. Will you be my Valentine again?

Ready. . . aim. . . fire!

I was looking through some old pics and came across these two. Judging from her expression, Tabitha must have found the experience painful.

A Good Day

The weather is spectacular. The sun is finally shinning and the temperature is cool and crisp. I went to work in the garden and even Dad got out for a little while to go to the mailbox and to inspect the garden.

The tomatoes (above) are the only thing besides the corn that looks good. We planted 24 tomato plants and 21 survived. The tomatoes, peppers, and squash are planted in a little garden all to itself just west of the big garden. In the larger garden (below) the blue lake green beans are very skimpy; what came up in the two rows combined would not make one complete row. Not pictured here are the two rows of spindly potatoes.

Dad looks over the garden (above) so he can offer advice on what we need to do next.

No mail yet. Dad really enjoys his power wheelchair that once belonged to Debbie's dad. I am glad that both of our dads could make use of the same chair.

Easter is on the way

I can tell it is time for Easter when I see these flowers. They always make me think of Easter and fond memories of Clifton, Virginia. These flowers are growing right outside our side door. They are really pretty.

I spent my younger years growing up all over the place, or at least it seems like it. We didn't stay in one place too long. My fondest memories of childhood are of the home we lived in at Clifton, Virginia and the special times we had there. Our family was close and I met my three wonderful brothers when we were living there. I can not see these flowers without thinking of Clifton and the flowers there. We had some like these planted along the side of the house and in the pictures below you can just make out the daffodils planted along the drive way. It was a great place and has left me with many wonderful family memories.

For some reason all family Easter pictures seem to be taken with us facing the sun. We have more of a grimace than a smile.
In case you can't tell this is my sister Sherry, my younger brother Paul, me, and my younger sister Tammy.

Brayden stays the night

Brayden spent the night with us again last night and was a good baby as usual. Here are some pics from the visit. I waited at great-grandma's house for Brayden to arrive.

Brayden's great grandma's garden
Brayden's 3rd cousin (Timmy) and great-great uncle (Kenneth)
Brayden's bear outfit.
Cuddle Time! 'em, I mean male bonding time!

Family sport

Junco spotted by Candy.
Candy sees the Junco

Candy looking for birds.

Debbie helping look for birds.

Birdwatching has always been a hobby of mine (lately an obsession), but I think it has become infectious. Debbie and even Candy are now getting into looking for birds. Here they are on an Audubon observation deck overlooking Millwood Lake. They help me spot and photograph all my birds as well as keep me company on the birdwatching trips.

Backyard with Brody

Brody birding with Grandpa.

Brody unsure about the feel of grass.

Brody examines his tree (crabapple).

Brody watching the bird fly off.

Naturally, the week after Adam, Justine, and Brody leave the weather turns spectacular with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70's. Here are some picture from last weekend when the skies were clear, but the wind was blowing and the temperatures were in the mid-50's. Brody liked the backyard activities. We watched birds fly in and out from the feeders and Brody checked on his tree (a crabapple I planted in honor of his birth). The ground was still a little damp and cold; I don't think he enjoyed crawling on the grass that much.

Not the best of days

I took dad to his oncology appointment today. Dad was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a slow progressing form of cancer) close to three years ago. He had been responding rather well to the treatments, but according to test results we received today it looks like the cancer has stopped responding to his current treatments. His doctor is ready to try another form of chemotherapy, but we must go for tests on Thursday to be sure his heart can hold up to this new drug. Fortunately, Dad has never had heart trouble so hopefully he will be able to take this new treatment and his cancer will respond to it. Dad turned 80 in November and I am thankful to have had him around this long and I pray he will be around even longer. Please remember him in your prayers each night.

Dad finishing up a round of chemotherapy.

Katie and Lainey

I received some pictures of my great neices. They are so adorable. Lainey is on the left and Katie is on the right. Katie will be 2 in a couple of weeks. Lainey still has a few more months to go before she gets there. I am glad they can grow up as close cousins. I like having my kids and my brothers and sisters kids being close in age. It definitely made holiday time more fun. Love you two girls.

Family Photo Time

I recently received some pictures from my neice and I just had to scrap a couple of pages to put them on. Both Dee and Drew have beautiful girls. You should be able to click on the image to make them bigger. We love you guys.

Brody's First Trip to Arkansas

We can not express in words what it meant to us to meet Brody in person as well as see Adam and Justine again. We already miss them all. I would like to take this chance to thank Adam, Justine, and Justine's family for making it possible for them to come and see us.

I had a few minutes to play so I created a little smilebox. Be sure and click on the smaller images as you go through the book.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

From Father to son

I kept some of the kids clothes from when they were little. It didn't take us long to start playing around and having some fun even though you can definitely tell my kids were raised in the '80s. Adam was first to wear razorback gear. He is a little over a year old in this picture.



Brody will be 4 months old on the 24th of September. This outfit is a little big on him, but we had fun with it anyway.