A "Devil" of an Adventure

I'm only posting a PORTION of the 500 or so pictures we took. It's hard to choose cuz they are all so awesome.

I don't think Hannah's feet hit the floor the whole time we were there!

Hannah's expressions can melt your heart!

Hannah just hanging out with Memaw and Pop

Thanks Melissa and James for all the fun; AND for making Memaw and Pop the happiest Greatgrandparents ever!

I love this picture of Hannah sucking on her fingers & putting her little hand under Walt's chin.
Of course, Hannah is the love of Memaw and Pop's lives. What a great gift for Walt and I to see them with Hannah and to see their hearts swell. She had everyone's attention at all times!!

This picture of Melissa, James and Hannah was taken before they moved to North Carolina -- they took a trip back there looking for housing -- and got to meet this handsome devil.

Melissa, James and Hannah have been accepted to Duke University in North Carolina. This is been a long awaited adventure for the kids. They've been working so very hard to further their education. Duke is lucky to have them.

James is attending the Fuqua School of Business going for his MBA
Melissa is attending Duke School of Nursing in their Pediatric Acute and Chronic Care Program

Hannah is attending the Duke University Daycare for a couple of days a week.

We drove out to North Carolina with them in July to help them move. It's a beautiful campus and it was so exciting to see them moving into the beautiful townhouse they are renting. We miss them -- but we are so proud of them and all that they are doing.

After we helped drive them out there in July -- Walt and I went BACK out there in August. We flew to Nashville; picked up Memaw and Pop (Walt's parents) and Tena (the dog); took a couple of days to drive to North Carolina so the Greatgrandparents could see Hannah -- their FIRST greatgrandchild. The trip was a blast.

North Carolina BBQ is the BEST! "Carolina style" BBQ is putting slaw on top of the pulled pork sandwich (wonderful!!) and the hushpuppies are shaped like little fingers! James -- we haven't found a BBQ place quite as good as the "Q" in Durham, North Carolina!

We've Gone Country

Walt and I before the concert -- just hanging out being country.


I think his tractor's sexy....

Walt wishing that I could hold a shotgun like Miranda Lambert.....

Just a catch up on summer activities! In July, Walt and I went to a Kenny Chesney Concert. It was awesome! We got there about 3:00 and it didn't finish until 11:00 that night. Before the concert -- the radio stations were there giving stuff away. I spun a "wheel of fortune" and won time in the "Money Pit". Remember this is FREE! It's a plastic thing with just dollar bills at the bottom. They turn air on and I grab all the dollars I can. I can't touch the sides or bend over. I was the big winner with $10.00!

The first band to come on was Lady Antebellum (they sing "I Run To You"). Great fun. The second act was Miranda Lambert (known for singing "Gunpower and Lace"). She was a blast. Her microphone stand was a shotgun (GREAT prop isn't it Linda). Here she is singing ...I'm gonna go home and get my shotgun......"

Kenny finally comes on once the sun went down. He was the best, singing all the right songs for a party. Just in front of the stage (by our seats) was "the beach" -- no seats -- just sand, margaritas and beach balls. We drove home exhausted -- singing Kenny Chesney songs!

Thelma and Louise

Linda and I decided to take a long "girls only" weekend and drive to California. We had a blast! We split the driving up and drove straight thru going and coming back. We stayed in Cloverdale at Dad's/Grandpa's house (Boy was Grandpa happy to have us visit). We crammed alot into our three days there. Here's some of the stuff we did......

We stopped along the way in Truckee, CA & did a little shopping. Then, Linda decided to climb a tree at Donner Lake.

Once at Grandpa's house, we spent a couple of days touring around San Francisco.

The huge seals at Pier 39

Linda looking gorgeous at Pier 39 with Alcatraz behind her.

Can you tell we are having fun!

I PROMISE, we spent time with Grandpa. We even took him to the Zoo. He has a hard time walking long distances, so we piled the wheel chair in the car away we went! Grandpa had fun having Linda and I wheeling him around. And we had fun pretending we were gonna let him go rolling down a hill! Thanks Dad/Grandpa for taking us the the Casino buffet and for take such good care of us!

Thanks to Walt and Bob for being so supportive and not trashing the house while we too our "girl trip".

The Forgotten Son

Ok, so I feel like I need to explain myself. I'm still learning how to update this blog stuff. Getting pictures are not easy for me. When I was in North Carolina visiting Melissa; I finally got started with pictures of Melissa and Roxy downloaded. The only problem was I didn't have any of Bob and Linda on her computer. "No problem", I said "I'll just put the other pictures on when I get home". I get home -- my computer is DEAD. Dead enough that I need a new one. Oh no! Bob and Linda aren't on the blog yet. No problem, he probably won't read it and notice -- I'll just go to their place and update with their pictures. Well, Bob noticed he wasn't on the blog. Oh, he noticed all right. He gave me a little bit of hell for it. "oh, you have a picture of Roxy, Melissa, and Hannah -- it's like you don't have any other children"..... Yep, I have been apologizing all morning. So, Bob -- this space is dedicated just to you and Linda. You are the best. I love you and Linda and Maggie and Jasper too (the kitties).

Here we are!

Well, Walt and I decided to join the blog craze! With family and friends all over the US (including Melissa, James and Hannah in North Carolina) -- we thought this might be fun. Now, if I can just figure out how this all works!

Lets give a few updates:
Our kids may be gone -- be we've got our Cairn Terrier - Roxy.
I can't even describe how spoiled she is.

Melissa and James gave us our first granddaughter December 8, 2008. Hannah Marie Winder is the love of our lives!

Hello, World Wide Web!

Walt and Kathie's blog may take a little while to get up and running. We appreciate your patience.