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.

2008 - Year in Review

2008

January - I started my last semester of classes for pharmacy school!
It's hard to believe I'll be graduating in 4 months.

February - I tore my 2nd ACL playing intramurals.

Our team throughout pharmacy school

Me in action to the left

Thanks to all of our amazing friends that shared notes, brought meals, etc. during this unexpected bump in the road.

The cousins paid a visit to B'ham the weekend after my surgery.
Despite the circumstances, we had a blast and are looking forward to their next visit later this month.

March - Having already booked a cruise for my last Spring Break ever, I had knee surgery ASAP to at least be 3 weeks out come cruise time.

Despite the above photo (others found funny), we had a great trip.

I was fortunate to be able to walk on my own, for the most part... just a bit wobbly. My hilarious husband just took the liberty of telling everyone that saw me walking unsteadily that I had "way too much to drink."

April - We celebrated my birthday.


May - Whew...this was a busy month.
My cousin, Rachel graduated from Lipscomb (LU grandkid grad #3)

We celebrated Bret's birthday.

I took my last final and drove to Nashville to have eye surgery later that day. No more glasses or contacts! After struggling with eye problems (not being able to wear contacts) for almost 2 years, I am SO thankful to be able to see.


We celebrated Memorial Day weekend in KY.


Sawgrass Weekend 2008.


Libby spent the month teaching on an Indian Reservation in South Dakota. She then moved to Birmingham to intern with the Homewood youth.

June - I started my first rotation, in Brentwood, TN.


Good times at the Wade family reunion in Mississippi.


We moved into a new house.
The transition was somewhat hectic since I was in TN at the time. We moved everything in only 2 weekends. Thanks to my family and our friends for the tremendous help! We are so happy to be settled in and have room to spread out. We love having people over.


Bret went on a mission trip to work at a kids camp on an Indian reservation in Arizona. He also got to see the Grand Canyon.

We celebrated our anniversary a little differently this year. B was in Arizona that week, so we celebrated early with a mid-week visit in Columbia, TN... watch out! Seriously, it was great. He even called and had 100 kids yell "Happy Anniversary" to me on the phone, the 24th.

July - I had the month off of rotations, so we made the most of it.

Nevis trip.


Bret's 10 year class reunion.


Two of our favorite worlds collided as we brought the Homewood Youth Group up to perform some powerful dramas at Rural Hill Church Camp (cardboard testimonies, bleeding love, and more). Way to go Libs!


We hit the rapids with our CORE buddies.

August - I finally finished physical therapy, so keep in mind that's been going on throughout the last 6 months.

Our newest sweet niece, Ellie was born.


My cousin, Brittany had the first great-grandbaby. Precious Jackson was born.


My adorable brother, Wade started 8th grade.
Libby starts her own photography business.

September - I was back in Franklin for a rotation in Murfreesboro this month. I enjoyed some quality time with my family.


Labor Day weekend with Bret's family.

Alabama football excitement was in full swing. We enjoyed cheering them on for a great season this year. Roll Tide!!


Grand Ole Opry

October - Back in Bham for the next rotation (gave my first 120 flu shots).
It was so nice to be back home with my hubby.

Catalyst in Atlanta.


Trunk or Treat

November - Enjoyed a month at Vanderbilt.


Visited St. Louis for Travis's promotion ceremony.


Thanksgiving in Paducah.


December -

We hosted "Tacky CORE Christmas Party."

We hung out with the nieces and saw The Grinch on Ice.
We celebrated Christmas in LaVergne, Franklin, Paducah, Birmingham and Jasper.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is a themed party each year on Christmas Eve with the Brashers. Themes of the past include Pajamas, Westerns, White-trash, The Andy Griffith Show and this year... THE 70's.

...GroOvy...


New Year's Eve marked 7 years for us. Time flies, doesn't it?
Bret is such an amazing husband and best friend. He blesses my life every day.

Thank you for being a part of another year of our lives.
2008 was a year full of blessings, but was not without pain. We have struggled through unexpected circumstances, battled cancer with those we love and lost dear friends. Despite it all we serve an almighty God. We look forward to the exciting things that lie ahead for 2009 (graduations, anyone?). We pray that God will continue to lead us in the ways in which He would have us to go.