Merry Christmas!

Here are each of our family cards that went out this year.






Hope your family had a very blessed holiday!

Christmas with Elvis

Bret's BCBS AL Christmas Party this year was last weekend at the Wynfrey Hotel. It always makes for some quality laughs. Especially since I only see these folks once a year.

The band "Dr. Feel Good" made a return appearance.

Everybody out on the dance floor having fun.
I even got ole B out on the floor for one song.


The district manager used to do Elvis impersonations, so the King makes an all out showing every year.


Bret with Elvis.

Some people really love Elvis.

Billy rocking the drums.


Bret and Paul


Bret and Lee

Unfortunately, this was the same night as the USAble party in Nashville, so we couldn't pull off both. We had a great time though and it's always great to see the people Bret works with on a regular basis. I wonder if he'll ever have to get to come to one of my work Christmas parties... hmm. :)

Rudolph the Red-Nosed ... Elephant

Our combined Young Marrieds CORE groups hosted the Sonshiners for a Christmas dinner last week. The Sonshiners represent "the more experienced" members of our congregation.

We served them a hot meal, sang Christmas carols and enjoyed getting to know them better.

A picture of the lovely group that came out, despite the winter weather.


Bret did a great job leading the Christmas songs. He even did an improv rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." He allowed the audience to make up new phrases for the cheesy echos (ie: like a light bulb, like Monopoly, etc.). Based solely on our guests' input, one by one the phrases surprisingly became Alabama football related. The end result was a creative twist on the old song incorporating elephants, Big Al, the Iron Bowl, 36-0, Roll Tide, and others. The Alabama fans in our group were loving it, the Auburn fans... not so much.


Here are some of our guests:





Some of the crew that helped out:








One of the best things was the gift we shared with them at the end. Earlier in the evening I took this group shot of everyone. Some girls worked during the dinner to get it printed off and put in frames to share. Our guests were amazed by the advances in modern technology.

Thanks to Hal and Maghan for the great idea and for helping to organize this wonderful event. It was a huge success.

We got home and I realized I didn't take a single picture of us the entire night. So here's our goofy selves saying great job on a fabulous night of inter-generational fun.

Holiday Thievery

This month's Girls' Night was an Ornament Swap hosted by Ashley Cosby. She prepared a fabulous dinner and we brought enough desserts to last for at least a week. It was great to get to visit with everyone before the holiday times got away from us.

All the girls.


Cortney, Kinnery and I
Two of my favorite newlywed ladies - so glad you both came.


The pretty packages, before the gloves came off.
Dirty Santa always makes for some good laughs. People reveal their true colors for a gift they really want. If you open something you like, don't worry... it will get stolen like it's nobody's business. ;)


Mannin showing off her cute grab.


Maghan pleased with her steal.


Kinnery excited about her mini ornaments, perfect for her "little" tree.


Martha did her math on this one. Third person goes home with the goods. Sorry Jessa.


The friendly Martha and Jessa pic.




Group picture with our pretty ornaments.

Thanks Ashley for hosting such a great party. Love all of you ladies!

Beauty in the Spontaneity of Life

Later during the Walters' visit we headed down the street to Carol and Gary's house (my fabulous aunt and uncle), where there's more fun stuff to do and see.

Libby has recently started a photography business that has really taken off. She snapped some quick shots of the girls in action. She really was able capture their individual personalities and the fun of the day.




Sisterly love.



Great family pic.

Baby Ellie's photo shoot.



Adorable.



"These people are crazy. What's with all the pictures?"


Silly Uncle Bret always good for a laugh.

"What could be so great about this place?"

The Friday after Thanksgiving, Bret's family traveled down I-24 from St. Louis to visit my family in Paducah. They had heard lots of stories about our fun and memories from there over the years and wanted to see what the fuss was all about. If you ask anyone in our family (Bret included) where their favorite place is... I can almost guarantee it's Mo-mo's (pronounced Maw-maw). It's not as much about the place, as it is the people.

Growing up there was always plenty to do. Outside, inside, you name it. She'd have your favorite food and spend all day doing about whatever you wanted it.

The weather was great for the Walters' visit.

We did some exploring.


Tested out some tractors.


Went down to the ponds.

Bret acting like he's going to throw Carlie in.


Great candid of Travis, Dorothy, Carlie and Mollie.

Then we found some things to ride.

Mollie and I making the turn.


Carlie taking Bret for a spin.


Mollie and I racing with Bret and Carlie on our tail.

I enjoyed their visit so much. Thanks to my grandparents for welcoming them with open arms and always making me proud to be their granddaughter.

Me and Pa-pa


Me and Mo-mo

Love you lots!