Celebrating 50th's

My buddies from high school, from left: Debbie Rockett Essic, Pam Winstead Lenderman, me and Leslie Clark. Pam and husband Keith and Debbie's husband Mike all turned 50 within a few days of each other and we all got together at Leslies's August 16th for a meal and celebration. It's just unfathomable that we are this old! I don't feel old and they certainly don't look old!!! But 50 we are!

In this one below, I think Mike had said something about us "accentuating our assets" and we all kinda rearranged up front and the camera caught me mid shift!

Below, Pam and husband Keith. They were high school sweethearts!

Below, Debbie's husband, Mike Essic. He's....hmmmm...believe he said Winston area? Debbie and Mike live in Advance, NC which is near Winston. They have a very sweet and especially smart little poodle, Sophie, their baby!

Below is Debbie. Several shots from this event were way overexposed and I've no idea why! I worked on this one best I could 'cuz it's a good one of our Debbie!

Below--I brought some of my ancient photo albums with photos and we're looking at them here. That's my Olivia, far left and Michelle far right.

Little Maddyson Turns Two

We gathered July 26th at Adam (my nephew, Suzy's son) and Kara's in Mooresville to celebrate their little Maddyson's second birthday.

Below is Aimee, me and Suzy on the left and Mindy and Becky on the right. Aimee and Mindy are my brother Jim's daughters and Becky is their mom. My sissy Mel took this photo.

Kara made the monkey cake for Maddyson. She's a big fan of Curious George, I think!

Below: Mindy, Becky and Aimee...

Carrie (my nephew Alan's wife) and Jackson....

Jackson and his dad Alan....

Watching Maddyson tear through all her presents....it was a hoot!

We Miss Marina!

Grant's girlfriend and her family moved to Alabama two weeks ago (July 24th). We took the two of them out to eat the night before. Here's two photos from that night. I sure do miss having Marina in the house...hearing her giggles wafting up the stairway and knowing where Grant was most of the time because they spent so much time here! Miss you Marina!

Aimee's Photos

These are Aimee's photos from the gathering last weekend that I blogged about below this blog....

Great photos Aimee!! These babies really put on a show for us!

Gathering at Aimee and Brian's

We all gathered at Brian and Aimee (Jim's) new home in Huntersville last weekend. Oh! The babies are so cute! They are at such a delightfully fun age! They were, of course, the center of attention! And I remember so well when it was Alan, Adam, Mindy and Aimee--I'm getting so old! Now they are the parents! Won't be long (I'm in NO rush) before the next set--Olivia, Meghan, Patrick and Grant are adding to the family tree. But they've got a while! Really felt Mama's presence at this gathering. She'd be so proud of her great grandchildren!

This is Jackson Kerley below. He's Alan and Carrie's.

Another of Jackson...could just eat him up!!

Below--this is Kara (Adam's wife) with Maddyson. Kara's pregnant with number two--due in October, I believe. Now Kara makes being pregnant and mothering a toddler look easy and fun!

Maddyson is the spittin' image of her daddy, Adam. Need to dig up some photos of him from this age.

Maddyson's fake smile below!!

Brian and Aimee's stairs provided great entertainment for the babies. I just snapped away...

Below--this is Brian Vaughan--Aimee's husband. He's a policeman with Huntersville. He just recently got a canine police dog. Hmmm...for some reason I didn't get any shots of him. Must have been too dark by the time Brian let him out for a bit of exercise. He's so smart!

Below--in-laws and pals, Kara and Brian!

Below--my oldest nephew, Alan Kerley.

I guess the two tallest members of the family...Alan and Patrick (Mel's). Alan's got a few inches on Patrick but he may not have reached his peak yet as he's just 18. We'll see!

Below: All the men grandchildren. From left: Grant, Adam, Patrick and Alan. They're all first cousins. Man--what a handsome foursome!

I've got an old photo of the four of them, oh, 'bout ten years ago at a picnic up at Price Lake I need to dig up.....I remember that Alan and Adam were about Grant and Patrick's ages then and the little boys just thought their older cousins were just the best!

Below--Mel and Suzy.

We sure enjoyed having Grant and Marina join us! Marina's just getting more and more at home with this crazy and wild family of mine!

Below--Patrick Hunter Johnson...going off to college this fall....hard to believe!!

Maddyson and Jackson put a little show on for us dancing and gyrating to some music....

so cute!!!

Below--after most everybody had gone on home, Jim did a little science experiment for us. He put---shoot--I'm getting so old, I can't remember sh-t!! What was it? Not Tums, some little mint of some kind in a liter of soda and wa-lah---volcano!

Great fun! Great food! Great sharing! I just love my family!! Thanks Brian and Aimee for having us! And your house is just lovely! Just perfect for you guys!