Christmas Gathering 2008

Ahhhh...... what fun was had by all ~ we gathered last night for our family Christmas gathering. We had some sickness around Christmas Day and decided it would be best to wait until we were all healthy. There is just nothing like all being together under one roof. We had so much fun visiting, playing, eating, opening gifts, talking, laughing.....and of course, picture taking.

Enjoy through pictures ~

Precious grandkids :)

Courtney, Pat, Rebekah, Joshua, Bailey and Sawyer

Phill, Christy, Brittany, Andrea and Ayden

Phill, Courtney, Steve and Hannah

So fun!!!! Yummy dinner ~ thanks for grilling steaks Pat! The kid table :)

The two youngest ~ Ayden (2 weeks) and Sawyer (5 months) What fun these two boys will have down the road!

Moms and boys

Precious

Yes, we still do stocking!!!

Cousins opening gifts they bought for each other

Special gift ~

Nothing better ~ time spent together. :)

Merry Christmas 2008

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! :)