35 Years ~ Joy and Contentment

Today is our 35th Anniversary ~

God brought us together ~ we met at NC State in Raleigh, NC, became friends, dated, and we married ~ best friends. This man has shown me what loving God is, what serving other people is, and what humility is. Simply being kind. This man has given me ~ beyond a shadow of a doubt ~ 35 wonderful years......we have shared many joys and many sorrows, but we have done it all TOGETHER. We have had 5 precious children ~ a wonderful mix of the two of us and God's unique touch on their lives.

It is an absolute pleasure to walk through life with this man.

Happy Anniversary Alden! I love you.

Hannah has given Alden and I a most incredible gift ~ she has made a shutterfly picture book of Alden and my lives. It is simply AMAZING ~

thank you Hannah for a gift of a lifetime. This book has touched our hearts. It is quite amazing to open a book that has your WHOLE life right there in the pages of one book.

We appreciate all the work and love that you gave in doing and giving us this book.

Hannah gave it to us Saturday, as we wouldn't see her today due to her work schedule. We laughed and cried as we studied each and every page that holds memories beyond measure.

It has gone with us to church and stays right beside Dorian's chair ~ yep, to flip through just one more time. We will treasure this for a lifetime ~ loving you Hannah for it and who you are.

Thank you for this gift of love.

Happy "1 Week" Birthday Ayden

Hannah and Steve went to wish Ayden a happy "1 week" birthday. They enjoyed getting to spend some time with their new nephew. :) Phill and Christy are doing just great ~ enjoying the new addition to their family.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours

Merry Christmas to you all ~ we count it a blessing

to be walking through life with each of you.

We would love to be able to sit and visit with you here in our house ~

Come on in!

Welcome ~ it is good to see you. :)

We can sit here in the living room ~

or go into the family room by the fire ~

What the celebration is all about ~

our Savior has been born for all the world,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Ayden Phillip ~ Arrived

What a blessing from God ~ Ayden Phillip arrived this afternoon at 4:34 p.m.

He weighed in 7 lbs 11 oz and is 20 1/2 " long.

We are rejoicing with Phill, Christy, Brittany and Andrea!

Arriving at the hospital at 7:30 a.m.

Moms

Fun in the waiting room.....games, food and visiting

Phill sharing the news of Ayden's arrival

Smiths and Allisons are happy as can be :)

Baby Watch ~ Ayden Phillip

Phill and Christy are getting close to meeting Ayden Phillip! Ayden's due date is only 9 days away ~ December 20. Christy is beginning to have some pretty good spells of contractions and is 3 cm dilated and 60% effaced. Things are happening! Keep this precious family in your prayers and we will SOON introduce Ayden to you all.

We love you Phill, Christy, Brittany and Andrea! :)

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

to all of you ~

you make our lives special

each and every day.

Traditions Continued...

What a wonderful Saturday Alden and I had ~ we took our five oldest grandchildren ~ Brittany 13), Andrea (almost 11), Rebekah (7), Joshua (4),and Bailey (3), out for the day.....and what a fun day we had! First, we took them to shop for each other for Christmas (before schedules get even more crazy!).

Alden and I used to take our kids (Courtney, Phillip, Steve, and Hannah) to do the same. We decided to continue the tradition and I think it was a HIT! Alden and I would take turns "enjoying" the company of one grandchild, while the other would take the rest to shop for that one. It was fun to have the "one on one" time, as well as the shopping time. The eyes of the kids were BIG as they took in the toy aisles one by one.....searching for just the right item they wanted to give to their cousin.......... AND what might be the item that would be chosen FOR them. :)

Second, we all went to Red Robin Restaurant for lunch together. We were all starved and enjoyed the sit down time together.

cousins visiting

Lastly, we went to the mall to ride the carousel.......

although they all chose to ride in the "teacup" that spins round and round ....... :)

AND finally...... we paid a visit to Santa.

Bailey enjoyed Santa MUCH better from afar. :) This is the kids looking down at Santa from the second floor. We decided to go SEE Santa. Bailey was right there.....so excited. They all ran up to Santa.....and then it HIT.....Bailey couldn't believe her eyes, as she stood RIGHT there in front of Santa.....and her sad face turned to us.......and we could see the thought in her head "this is Santa?.....I sure don't want to be ANY closer"! It was precious.

Alden loved having her.......her head buried in his shoulder. Won't be long and she WILL be sitting on his lap.

Then as we rode around dropping kids off at their houses........"grandma's bag" was passed around with a few toys and candy for the kids to enjoy. Ohhhhhhhhhh, lots of laughter and fun was had by all.............grandparents to grandchildren and cousin to cousin.........and the tradition continues.......with Papa, Grandma, and precious grandchildren. Sawyer and Ayden will join us real soon....but for now they were tended to by mom and dad. Being grandparents is just the BEST...................a true blessing from God. Thanks Courtney, Pat, Phill and Christy for sharing your blessings with us. We're glad you all had a fun day as well.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas........

even though......Thanksgiving is in just a few days.