Catch Phrase, Flungs and Fabulous Memories

This year's Ladies' Retreat theme was:

"True Homewood Stories," a spin off of E True Hollywood Stories. Three different ladies shared their story and how God was involved in bringing them to where they are today.


Once of which was my friend Kinnery, who did a fabulous job sharing her amazing story of coming to know Christ.

Friday night we had a session and then the games came out. Our young marrieds' girls LOVE to play games. Catch Phrase was the game of choice and it turned out to be a fabulous mixer.

Lots of the older ladies remarked about how competitive we were and commented, "We're going home to buy that game, so next year we'll be as good as you all." We aren't really that great, we just play often and have fun in the process. :)


The crew of younger ladies in our PJs Friday night.
Props to Whitney for coming out even with Baby Hayes in the oven.


Beverly and Vonya were high-falutin church ladies who spoke strongly against any Christian woman who even considered wearing a "flung" (ungodly piece of string in yo britches).

They even provided these ladies with a suitable substitute.


Results of our fashion show contestants.


Aunt Elizabeth and I.
I love her so much and I'm very proud to call her family.


Quick picture with Jessa and Jade.

It was such a fun weekend.
Thanks to all of the ladies who worked hard to put it together and everyone who came! (and those I borrowed a couple pictures from :)

The Grinch on ICE

It's seems as though I missed blogging about this way back when... better late than never!

The Walters crew went to Opryland over the holidays to see The Grinch on Ice!

Group shot.
It is very cold inside... thus explaining the need for the trendy blue jackets.
Libby was even kind enough to come along and take pictures.


Pretty cool to see. Everything in the place was carved out of ice.


Carlie being chase by Uncle Bret.


Dorothy enjoying the slide.


Posing for a pic inside the ice tunnel.


Travis, Dorothy, Carlie and Mollie.
Baby Ellie stayed at home with Grandma.


Fun day!

Life is a Circus

Does your life ever feel like a circus? ... like a bunch of random, crazy acts going on all at the same time. I know I feel that way sometimes.

Believe it or not, before this year I had never been to the real circus. Lib was in town and we decided to see what all the hype was about.

Two ladies about to be shot out of cannons.
We each had to pick what we would want to be in the circus. This was my pick... very cool.


Of course, Lib would want to work with the horses.


Little cats - not for me. Big cats - especially not for me.


Loved the elephants.




The circus crew.
Riley even joined in on the fun.

Now we can say, "we've been to the circus."

My Kentucky Haven

Libby and I worked to design a wall collage for Mo-mo of pictures from our family's photo shoot over Thanksgiving. We shopped for frames of assorted sizes, shapes and textures and then selected the prints. We designed the layout in B'ham and then Bret and I hung it in KY during our visit over MLK day.


To get an idea for scale - the center frame is 16" x 20".


We were all very pleased with the finished product. Mo-mo loves her kiddos and I know she will enjoy looking at the pictures each day.

I was able to go visit Mo-mo and Pa-pa again for a few days last week. Growing up, I always dreamed of being able to move to KY to be closer to my grandparents. It is one of my favorite places on the planet. I especially enjoy little trips when I can have some extended visiting time on my own. :) We had a great time last week and got lots of things accomplished. It is always such a treat to be up there.

As some of you know, during the ice storm last month my grandfather fell and broke his leg. He had surgery and is back at home now recovering. My grandmother hurt her shoulder during this time as well. The doctor believes it is a torn tendon. Hopefully, it will continue to improve without surgery. They go back to the orthopedic next week to get the cast off and have another look at the shoulder. Thank you for continuing to remember them in your prayers.

I Dream of Africa...

Aaron and Andrea Burk are missionaries that Homewood supports in Burkina Faso, Africa. During the month of January, they were in Birmingham as a part of their furlough in the States. We really enjoyed getting to know them better. They are truly living out the call of Christ in their daily lives.

Hosting the Burks for dinner. Such a fun night.

Depending on how this residency stuff works out, we would love to go visit Burkina Faso sometime.

Barker Christmas

I better get a move on before this next Christmas comes around.
Here are a few pictures from Christmas morning at Mom and Dad's.



Lib opening some stylish apparel.


Wade showing off his new tool set.


Libby carrying her snazzy new business cards in her handy-dandy tool belt.


No matter how hard we try, Mom always out gives us.


Judith and Barrett have been joining us for Christmas breakfast for the last couple of years. Here Judith is showing off her new sign.

Although I don't have any pictures... we surprised my family with Golden Ticket Seats to see Rick and Bubba live on the morning of my graduation. We had kept the secret for months and they were all SO excited. Be sure to listen on Friday, May 15th!

Walters Christmas

Yes, I do realize we are well into February. I am just now catching up on posting some pictures of our life over the last few months.

Christmas at the Walters'....

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.


Carlie and Mollie checking out their Dora velvet coloring set.

Visiting Grandma Bach...

Grandma Bach loved the cool picture album Dorothy made.


Mollie and I enjoyed a good book.


Bret entertained the crowd with his guitar. Mollie LOVED it. She danced and helped sing the entire time.


The whole gang.

Onto Christmas Eve at Uncle Darrell's...

It was a full house. Here's some of the damage after the gifts were opened.


My wonderful sisters-in-law, Denise and Dorothy.


Sweet Ellie and I snuck away for some snuggle time, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

This holiday we were blessed to share some great family time with relatives we don't see very often.