Our Gingerbread Train

We promised Joey a gingerbread train this year and just finally got around to building it. The kids added all the candy. It didn't turn out quite like the picture. Then again, things rarely do. We still love it and the kids like eating it.

The Poconos

We have a timeshare in the Poconos at Shawnee. Our weeks are in the summer. Last time we went up, there was a mix up and we ended up with a comp week to use whenever we wanted. What better time than winter! Laura (Brodie's goddaughter and honarary family member) came with us too. We relaxed, played games, put together puzzles, and best of all, went SNOWTUBING! It was COLD! We had a blast! This is the view from our timeshareInfatuated with eating the snowWe built a snowman that my only contribution to was the carrot. His name is Snowy. Do you like his hair?

This is just a random scenery shot with Laura and Joey

SNOWTUBING

Moving up the people mover with the tubes

This first video is of us in single and double tubes. Alex is closest by herself and I'm farthest in a double tube with Joey. Brodie is with Laura taking the video as he is going down too.

Warming up for a minute. Drinkin hot chocolate (not pictured).

Here's a shot of all of us warming up with HOT CHOCOLATE. YUM!
Going up for a family tube down.

Me and Alex and Joey

These are videos from the family tubes. The first, I took the very first time down. We didn't know what to expect so it gets a little shaky. The second, Brodie took. He did a better job.

Brodie's Baby Picture

For Christmas, Missy (Brodie's sister-in-law) put picture frames together of each of his Mom's boys and their boys. They all have juniors now (Brodie's real name is Joseph). This is the pics of Brodie and Joey... I'm thinkin Joey looks more like me.Brodie (Joe Sr.) Joey (Joe Jr.)

Some Photos from Christmas

I'm finally getting around to some pics from Christmas. I'm so far behind. This post does not include the big gift my children received this year...that's a whole other post.

Alex's kindergarten class

Christmas at Mommom and Poppop Campbell's

My babiesPoppop and JoeySteffie and her beau Joseph with Alex Me and the best mother-in-law everOur niece SarahEddie, Me, Alex & KevinSteffie kickin Eddie's butt in chessHangin round the tableBaby Thomas and AlexJoey constantly sticks his finger in the hole from his missing tooth

playing cards

Christmas at Pappap Brida'sPappap Brida

My brother Brandon and his girlfriend Chrisse

And My Punkin's Riding the Bus

My Punkin is such a big girl. School is 20 minutes from our house but on the bus, it's like a 45-50 min bus ride. Besides that, she's only in kindergarten. Isn't that too small to ride the bus? Not to her. Once she realized every other kid in her class rode the bus, she started asking. Plenty of other kids get picked up from her school, just no one else from her class. It didn't help that the kids constantly asked why she didn't ride the bus. As of Tuesday, Alex officially rides the bus home from school. She already has to get up at 6:15 to be ready by 7:30 so riding in the morning is virtually impossible. Life moves too fast! So we called Mommom and went out to dinner and she couldn't figure out what the heck the big deal was.

Heaven Was Needing a Hero

The first time I heard this song, I new Jodee Messina was talking about my Momma. At least in the eyes of many that knew her, especially her children. My Momma was always my hero, right up until the day she died as well as after. I could always count on her when I needed rescuing.

When I had my first car accident, she was at the hospital when I arrived and she was an hour away. She held my hand when I had to go to court for it. When my grandfather died, she had me booked on a plane to come home the next day from FL before she even told me he passed. When my car insurance dropped me, my Momma brought me the $1500 that I needed for down payment right away. When I was too nervous to tell her I was pregnant, she told me.

I can remember specific instances from when I was young too. One time, she made me a potato stamp for school and I didn't like so I left it home. When I got to school I realized it was perfect. I also remember my Momma running in the highest heels I had ever seen carrying my brother when he was like 2 or 3.

Her disease was one of the scariest things I've ever had to face, yet she was a trooper. She faced every day with strength and hope. She was a fighter all the way to the end. I guess "Heaven Was Needing a Hero". She was and alwas will be my hero.

A Tribute to Momma

My Momma died of ALS a year ago today. Her death was a horrible one. Especially her last days. ALS is disease I would not wish upon anyone. However, these are not the images or thoughts I wanted to reflect on today. Instead, I want to remember her life and the happiness she portrayed upon all that surrounded her. May she know the love she has given will never be surpassed nor forgotten as well as her memory. Missing you...

This is one of my favorite photos of my Momma
This is one of the funniest. She's trying to give my brother-in-law the finger. It was hysterical!

Alex's first B-day party

Momma and her Honey
Momma loved to go to concerts. Here she is with my sister at a Tim McGraw concert.

She also loved playing with the kids:

Here, she's giving Camryn and Evin a horsey ride.
Here, she's exercising with Alex. This was from the last Birthday she celebrated. She turned 48. We celebrated her husband, Mike and her birthday together. Longwood Gardens
One Hot MOMMA! Her wedding day
Momma and her grandbabies
Momma and her children My wedding. She walked me down the aisle. This is a photo from the cruise
At the time, Momma didn't need the wheelchair all the time but she did need some form of assistance like a walker. We spent quite a few hours in the parks at Disney so she needed the wheelchair. Here, she's taking a break from riding. My momma cracked up when Mike decided to let her push for a while.

My Momma loved Tigger

This is a video of Momma being showered with the money raised from her beef and beer fundraiser