IT"S SNOWING

This snowfall occurred on December 1. I hope it's just a sample of what we can expect this year. I love the snow and it's been so long since we have had a really good one.

Christmas in Buford

The annual Christmas parade in Buford was a great success. We were able to take Eli while Josh and Nikki had a wedding to shoot. There were lots of people and lots of candy. Eli really enjoyed picking up the candy as it was thrown and next year i think we need to take a bag or lots more empty pockets.

We're Going on a trip....

Eli is 3.

ELI IS 3??????

That seems impossible.

His birthday party theme was Little Einsteins. I have really gotten an education since his birth. The shows that he is attracted to on TV not only entertain but educate (of course that's what they are supposed to do).

But I think one of his favorite toys was an antimated dinosaur. He just sat and hugged it and carried it around and kept saying, "isn't it cute!"


These are his playmates Bryn and Dylan

I can't believe how fast time has passed. What did we ever do without ELI.

THANKSgiving

Even though it has taken me TOO long to post this, I am very THANKFUL for our families. Here is pics of Ron with his sisters and Mammaw. So very Thankful that she is still with us.

Then for dinner we spent time with Gaga (my mom).

THANKSGIVING for all our Blessings.

Finley Halloween BASH!!!

This year was the 3rd annual Halloween Party held at Burt and Christy's. Even though it was held on November 1, everyone had the Halloween spirit. Lots of good food, laughs, and fun was shared by all.



The Finley family theme was Cowboys and Indians (just in case you couldn't tell).

But the cutest Cowboy east of the Rockies had to be Eli.

Here is Eli with his pirate friend Owen.

Old becomes New

60 years ago my dad built a wood frame house that has stood the test of time. Considering that my dad only had a 5th grade education he was a remarkable craftsman. As a child I thought there wasn't anything he couldn't build or fix and as I grew older he proved that to me time and time again.

Well as we all know, nothing lasts forever. Since my dad's death 11 years ago (that seems impossible) the house has had very little maintenance done and it had begun to show the age. So after many weeks and months of trying to convince my mother that something needed to be done so she could continue to stay there, she agreed to have new windows and siding put on the house.

WHAT AN AMAZING CHANGE. She is so proud and so are we. The style has stayed the same as when my dad built it but now it will be there for many more years.

Panama City Retreat

Ron and I were invited by the Powells (Scotty and Sharon) to join the Gentrys (Charlie and Carolyn) and the Priddys (Ron, Janice and Jeremy who is not in the picture) for a week of golfing and relaxing at Panama City. We, of course, had to be talked into it (HA!) and boy are we glad we went. Our great condo was on the beach and the weather was wonderful.

Now as most of you know, I don't golf (not yet that is) so I spent my time just shopping and relaxing on the beach and by the pool.

Of course vacations wouldn't be complete without wonderful food and we had some of the best! We ate at several restaurants but the one we enjoyed the most was at The Commodore Condo 410 prepared by chef Charlie Gentry. Prime rib, Barbecue, Pork tenderloins and burgers served with all the fixings.

I did make some pictures at one of the golf courses, at a couple of the restaurants and just some great scenery pics. Enjoy here.

Let me just say, THANK YOU to everyone for a wonderful week from both Ron and myself. We hope to spend more time with our old and new friends.

At the Fair

Ron and I took Eli to the Gwinnett County Fair a few weeks ago.

I don't know what he (or we) enjoyed the most...the animals

or the food.....

As evident on his face, the chocolate milk was a hit!!



And of course, no visit to the fair would be complete without a ride on the carousel with Mammie.

Danny and Jena

Over 25 years ago, Ron and I became acquainted with a young man at church named Danny Grant. He and Ron played softball together and we were very happy when he met and decided to marry a young lady named Jena Roberts. They became part of our family and as their family grew, Ron and I became honorary "grandparents" to all 8 children. That's right, 8 children.

Our lives have been blessed by this wonderful family and on September 10, Danny and Jena celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Today we joined with their family in celebrating this wonderful occasion.

Running and Counting

Eli is into running and counting and he got PawPaw into the act. His excitment while counting was worth a video and take note of the end of the video. He put all his alphabet letters down to create a starting line.

LABOR DAY??????

Labor day weekend Ron and I got to spend some time with Josh, Nikki and Eli.

Shopping is one of the things we (Nikki and I) do the best and Eli got to spend some time at the indoor play area at North Point Mall.










A trip to the mall wouldn't be complete without a ride on the carousel. Eli can spot them instantly.


I'm so glad he enjoys riding.

Pancakes for Softball

As most of you know, Burt is the History teacher

at East Ridge Middle School but he is also the

girls Softball Coach (among other titles).

For several years Applebees has graciously

opened their facility to let the kids serve pancakes to parents, teachers, guests and anyone who is willing to donate to help sponsor their team expenses.

The food was great as usual and the girls did a great job in serving and cleaning up. We really enjoyed ourselves as usual.

Here are the rest of the pics from the breakfast. WAY TO GO COACH!

EVERY PARENT"S NIGHTMARE

While celebrating Ron's birthday, my cousin, Myron Callaham, got that awful phone call. His son had been in an accident. After several phone conversations, they decided to travel back home. He had been riding his motorcycle and lost control. Thankfully he wasn't alone and the other riders were able to get immediate help for him. It could have been much worse, but he only broke his ankle and his hand. HE WAS WEARING HIS HELMET even though Kentucky does have a no helmet law. I have linked the video showing the before and after shots of his bike.

Angels were definitely watching over him that day!!

Happy Birthday Ron

On Saturday, August 9, Ron celebrated his 60th birthday with family and friends. We were both so blessed to have such a large group in attendance. The weather was PERFECT, and there was lots of BBQ Ribs and Cake!!! I hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as we did.

On Sunday, the family gathered at our house for breakfast and then we went to the new carousel at Warner Park. I made a few shots of Eli.

Josh and Ron share August 13 as their special day so Sunday was all about Josh. We enjoyed lunch at Food Works and here are a few pics during lunch.

INTRODUCING.....RONNIE B

For those of you who know I have carved a horse which is on the Coolidge Park Carousel, I now have completed another animal, a baby rhinocerous, for the newest carousel in Chattanooga at the Warner Park Zoo.

It has taken me approximately 2 1/2 years (speed is not my strong point) but I'm quite proud of the completed project.

Here is the project as it developed over time.

Beginning the bare wood requires lots of fitting and sanding.

Next, I apply 3 coats of primer.

A hole is drilled for the tail which is made out of aluminum so it isn't easily broken. Then lots of patching and smoothing.

Finally the painting begins.

The detailed painting takes lots of blending and smoothing to create realistic textures.

Finally, the STAR OF THE SHOW!!

I also took pictures of some of the other beautiful animals which help make this carousel one-of-a-kind.

Please come to Chattanooga and visit our newest addition.

Eli's Jungle Book

Eli loves the movie Jungle Book so when we decided to vacation at Myrtle Beach, Burt and Christy suggested (insisted) that we go to Preservation Station (they had been there before).
It was a great suggestion. Eli was fasinated with the animals and we were anxious to see how he would react to having them next to him. Here are the results.

Of course we all had to get into the act.

This was another great memory for our family vacation.

CONGRATS!!!!

My sister and brother-in-law have just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. From all of us we wish you health, and much continued happiness for the next 25 years.