Kathy's Birthday

Usually, there would be an entry here about Toby's birthday on the 28th but he didn't come home for Christmas and had to be in New Jersey on his birthday. You can see photos of him there in his friend Dan Cappocia's wedding on Facebook!

My birthday was celebrated at lunch w/ friends the day before, and that night we went to dinner w/ Ron Henry, Alisa and Brady. There were no photos taken at those events but after dinner, we took Brady to the Disney store and I remembered that my camera was in my coat pocket. There are no photos of me, but these few pics are of two of my best assets - Brady and Alisa - Johnny Depp look out! On my birthday, I went down to do work w/ Ron Henry on their "new" house, (check out photos of it on their blog).They teased me about taking up tack-stripping on my birthday but I just wanted to be w/ them. That evening our friends, the Clarks, had a little get together at their house for me. It was a sweet celebration all around.

Charissa's photo book for Brady

Brady & Grammy chat

Christmas '09

We had a sweet Christmas even though Toby couldn't come home. Thank the Lord for SKYPE! We "called" him on the computer so he was with us that way. We pointed the computer at each person as they opened their gifts so he could see and make comments. Later in the day when we went downstairs to play Wii games, we "set" him on the piano so he could take in the scene. That's how life is going to be since my younger two kiddos will be so far away, but I'm sooooo grateful we can be together like that!Christmas w/ Brady was too much fun as you can see in the photos. He helped his daddy assemble his Diego trike, and gave his bears rides the rest of the morning. You might wonder what kind of grandparents give a 2 year old a chainsaw, but his daddy had one when he was little and loved to "help" his daddy cut wood, so it's tradition! Matt, Dawne, and Clint came up later in the day for Norm's amazing prime rib dinner and stayed to play games. I stayed up until the very last second of the day because I didn't want it to ever end. It was a truly blessed day.

Christmas Eve '09

Nathan and Sara's Wedding

Our nephew, Nathan, Sheldon's oldest, married Sara Pollock in Augusta, Georgia, Dec. 19th.

First Baptist Church and the country club had all their Christmas decorations up, so it was particularly festive! Congrats to Nathan and Sara! After a honeymoon at the Biltmore in North Carolina, he'll continue in medical school and she teaches art in Augusta.

Norm was disappointed there was no golfing in the goings-on but it was rainy and then cold the whole weekend. It was fun to be together w/ family in suites in the Marriott as well as having the occasion to celebrate! Toby doesn't get to come home for Christmas so it was nice to get this time w/ him beforehand, ( I only cried for half the trip home!)

Nathan and Sara's Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner was held at the lovely old Partridge Inn in Augusta.

Sheldon and Nathan put together a fun montage of photos and w/ Sheldon as emcee, the evening was filled w/ laughter but also a poignant charge from Scripture for the couple to live as gifts to one another. It was fun to be w/ Stephanie's sisters whom I haven't seen in years and all the cousins had a great time together!

"Kate and Leon" Reunion

Last Thursday, we flew into Atlanta to then drive to my nephew's wedding in Augusta. One of my best college friends lives outside Atlanta so we met at a Chili's. If you didn't know, my friends at Moody only ever called me Kate - something my roommate started, and my friend's name is Lynne, but w/ her southern accent, it was 2 syllables, thus the "Le-on". We had Charissa w/ us and Toby drove up from Pensacola to meet us there. Lynne and Kent only had their Ali since their older two were still at school. What a great time we had reminiscing about our "Moody days"! Our kids were a tad surprised by their mothers' antics! We didn't even begin to catch up on everything! Thanks Kent and Lynne! Won't heaven be wonderful - always being w/ the ones we love so much?!

White Elephant Party '09

Our umpteenth annual White Elephant Party was small but fun! I sure thought that my lampshade-on-the-head days were long behind me but...

The goofiest gift was the elf ears that Jean Kelly opened. The unmentionable medical tool reappeared this year as a stir stick w/ a coffee mug - YIKES! Too funny! Everyone lingered afterward playing some of the brainteaser games and going over the world map that was a popular trade. It was a great way to kick off the season - as usual!

Thanksgiving/Jeremy's Birthday

We had three full days of celebrating! Wednesday was our day w/ Ron, Alisa, and Brady, and since my mom was here, we had my brother Matt come up from the Springs w/ his tribe and Norm's folks came so they could see Brady. Then Thursday, we were with Norm's siblings and families. Jeremy's birthday was on Thanksgiving, so we sang to him then, but had his party after our tree cutting expedition on Friday with the Fowler family and Andrew Welsh. It was a marathon but all fun. We are truly grateful for all the Lord is to us and what He has done in our lives ( Mom, there are captions on the photos so be sure to go to full screen)