Catching up on 2010

Boy have I fallen down on the job. We finally left Red Bay, Alabama on December 3rd. We had to spend Thanksgiving there rather than in Houston with Wayne’s family. Thankfully the Methodist Church was serving dinner so we went there for lunch. It was very nice.

As we drove back through Tupelo, Mississippi, I caught a glimpse of the sign pointing to Elvis’ birthplace. Wayne wouldn’t turn to go see it. It’s probably for the best as we are about 50’ long when we are all hooked up.

We drove to Bossier City, Louisiana and spent the night in the campground at Diamond Jack Casino. They had a good seafood buffet and we played blackjack for about 45 minutes until Wayne nearly fell asleep on the table.

The next day we drove to Spring Branch, Texas and stayed in a campground that must have had the most sticker burrs in the State of Texas. We couldn’t even walk Trouble.

We picked up the BMW and that evening we went out to dinner with our friends that were keeping it for us. Sunday we went over to their house and visited and had brisket for dinner.

Monday we drove into Austin and took care of the insurance on the cars then back to Spring Branch to get the motorhome and on to Aransas Pass. Wayne drove the motorhome and I drove the Beemer. It drives nice but different from my Jeep.

We spent Christmas at our daughter, Nola’s, house in Waller. Christmas eve Ashley and Hailey came over to exchange presents. They lived with Nola when Hailey was just a baby. Ashley and Michelle have been friends since they were about 5 years old. Trouble got in on the picture as well.

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner with Nola, Michelle, Mike, Matt, Papa Wayne and I, Todd, and Cindy, one of Michelle’s best friends. After dinner we opened presents and our stockings as Bob and Doris had to leave early Christmas Day to go back to be with their other grandchildren and Todd was leaving that night to see friends. Cindy stayed for the opening of presents.

Wayne bought a Santa hat and played jolly old St. Nickolas .

His hat moved and made noise. Trouble didn’t know what to think of it.

And he truly was a jolly old St. Nick.

Nola got a beautiful sweater from Uncle Todd.

Todd got his favorite Godiva chocolate from Matt.

Mike seemed to enjoy our gift of a Bass World gift card.

Michelle seemed pleased with the books we got her to help her as a first year teacher next year.

Wayne and I got some Moose Munch from Todd.

Wayne is finding lots of goodies in his stocking.

Matt got his own printer to take to UT next year along with everything to do his own laundry.

Christmas morning Michelle and Matt, along with Michelle’s fiancée, Mike, left to spend some time with their father. Did you notice that new word “fiancée”? Yes our Michelle is engaged to marry Mike Cheripka. He is the Assistant Band Director for Birdville ISD. If you watch the Rose Bowl Parade tomorrow look for him. They are really excited to be chosen to play in the parade.

Wayne and I and Nola headed over to Wayne’s brother, Kim’s, house. He and his wife, Irma, always host Christmas day dinner and as always they outdid themselves.

Since I left my camera in Aransas Pass, I had to depend on others for pictures. Nola did take this picture of Wayne's brother, Darrell’s wife, Tammie, holding one of his brother, Leslie’s, new grandbaby.

This morning There was a little black puppy walking by and Trouble begged to go out. Wayne put Trouble in the pen with it and they played and played. I’m sure they will become play buddies.

We are going to a New Year’s Eve dinner and dance tonight and I will take my camera. I’ll try to post more than once a month in the future.