Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends.  I realized yesterday that I haven't posted a blog since Thanksgiving. John has been busy working at the Renaissance Mall and volunteering at the Natchez Trace Parkway.  I have been volunteering at the Natchez Trace Parkway helping to get the visitor center back up and running.  It has been closed for over two years so there has been lots to do.  Hopefully it will be ready to open right after the New Year's holiday.

We have had unseasonably warm weather here this week.  Lots of bad storms throughout the state.  There were some deaths reported in North Mississippi.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who were victims of the storms.  Yesterday it was 80 degrees and stormy.  Last night we gathered at Mom and Dad's (Bob and Marcy) for their annual Christmas Eve party.  

Granddaughters Ava and Shelby and our daughter-in-law Kelsey.

Ava and Shelby.

Mom and Dad.

Ava

Shelby is almost two years old so this year she knows about opening presents.

Robert

Shelby playing with her new trike.

Ava surrounded by lots of wrapping paper.

Annie, Terry and John.

Today we had temperatures in the upper 70s and thunder, lightening and some rain.  We enjoyed Christmas dinner with Mom and Dad and Annie and Terry.   After dinner we played a game of Rummikub.  

Mom and Annie.

John.

Annie and Terry.

Mom and Dad.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

Thanksgiving in the ER.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  Mom Hatch came for a visit Thanksgiving Day but ended up in the emergency room.  We had just finished with dinner when she suddenly doubled over and grimaced in pain grabbing her back. After lifting her shirt we found a red spot about the size of a fifty cent piece.  Lucky for us the ER wasn't very busy at the time and she didn't have to wait long to be seen.   The doctor diagnosed her with shingles.  Ouch!

Here is Mom Hatch smiling while she wasn't hurting. 

On Saturday our grandbabies spent the day with us.  Pepaw cooked them a big breakfast. 

Ava and Shelby enjoying their breakfast. 

Ava and Shelby sharing a seat to watch cartoons. 

I think they enjoyed their day with us.  They sure are full of energy.   They sure are getting big. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.

Ava's Birthday, a visit with John Schweitzer and volunteering at the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Hello out there.  It has been quite a while since I last posted.  We are alive and doing well.  John has been busy working part-time at the Renaissance Mall again.  Since we have been home Ava has celebrated her fourth birthday.  It is hard to believe she is four already.

Ava letting everyone know how old she is. 

Ice Cream cake.  It was yummy. 

She blew out all the candles on the first try. 

John and Ava.

John, Ava and me. 

Me and Shelby.  She is always laughing. 

Ava excited over a birthday gift.  

Ava and Shelby.

Kelsey and Shelby.

Ava with her new bicycle.  I think she had a great birthday. 

The first week of November our boss John Schweitzer from Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge and his mother, Marylu were on a two week trip and stopped off in Mississippi for a visit.  Eventhough he was only here for a couple of days, we were able to join him for some sightseeing.  We had a great time and it was so nice to meet his mom. 

John Schweitzer, John, Marylu Schweitzer and me. 

Of course we visited Mississippi Wildlife Refuges with him.  That was very interesting.  I never knew we had that many refuges so close by. 

Of course all that sightseeing makes you hungry so we had to find a good place to eat. We ended up at a place called Crystal Cafe Grill in Greenwood, Mississippi. The locals recommend this place.  The food was tasty and the service was very good.

We couldn't let John leave without stopping by Bop's. He had never had a concrete before so that was a definite stop. 

John Schweitzer with this Snappy Turtle Concete.  I think he was happy.

Before we arrived in Mississippi John had inquired about volunteer positions at the Natchez Trace Parkway in Ridgeland, Mississippi.  After arriving back in Mississippi we met with the volunteer coordinator and this week we began our volunteer jobs.  The location of our site is ideal for us.  We will be volunteering 24 hours each a week.  John will be working with the maintenance crew and I will be working in the office and visitor center. The visitor center has been closed for a couple of years due to foundation and plumbing problems.  It will be great to have the center up and running again. 

Our site.

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

Back home in Mississippi.

We arrived back home in Mississippi on October 13th.  I had a cousin who was getting married on the 17th and really wanted to attend so we left Branson early.

Luis and Hannah.

Hannah and her brother Dustin.

Cousin Hannah with my dad.

Luis, Hannah, Bob and Marcy.

This past weekend we attended our son's friend Daniel's wedding.  

Robert was the best man. 

Robert.

Kim and Daniel.

Cutting the cake.

Kelsey and Robert.

Ava and her little friend dancing with the bride.

Ava. Can't believe she will be four years old November 10th.

Ava and Robert.

Shelby and Kelsey.

Shelby.  She has gotten so big and is into everything.

Shelby and Ava before the wedding.

After the wedding Ava and Shelby spent the night with us. The next morining Ava wanted to help John with breakfast. 

Mixing the pancake batter.

Shelby.

Shelby and Ava enjoying their pancakes, bacon and applesauce.

John has been busy working at the Renaissance Mall since we arrived back home. I have had an interview with a law firm through the temp agency but have not heard back from that.

We have had rain for the last couple of days.  Rain that has greatly needed.   Now I am ready for it to stop. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.