Christmas

Dwayne helping his eyes open with a cup of coffee on Christmas morning.

Carla helping Rocky open his gifts.

Derrik got a new lacrosse helmet.

Devin got custom designed shoes with his name stitched on the tongue.

Devin whipped up a chocolate mousse torte for Christmas Eve.

Hello Miss Emma

Little Miss Emma Lacy Brist popped into the world and everyone gathered round to meet her. She is a cutie just like her big sister.

This is Tess with Madison and Grandma Teresa.

Some others who came to take a peek...Grandpa Glen, cousin Carla and Grandma Tanya.

Rob, Tess, Emma & Madison with Glen & Tanya

These grandparents seemed to think the little bundle was worth the plane ticket.

TaDa! It's little Emma all bright-eyed, but not bushy-tailed.

Snow, Snow, Snow

We got so much snow that a week later it was still here. This was the day before Christmas out in Grandpa & Grandma's backyard.

Learner's Permit Update

We're still working on it...he passed the sign test, but not the written test.

Pennsylvania Trip

We had intended to have the Yost family down for the weekend, however, Robin Holladay passed away and her funeral was scheduled for that same weekend. The Yost's live about 20 minutes from the funeral home, so we became the guests and they became the hosts. (Note the tape on Dwayne's nose.)

I brought the gingerbread house decorating kits with us up to their place and the kids spent a snowy late afternoon making edible art.

There was a major snowfall while we were up there. The total came to somewhere around 18 inches. We went sledding at a dam nearby.

This is Brian Yost and is younger daughter, Cara.

The kids in the Yost's backyard--a winter wonderland.

College Acceptance

Derrik has completed five college applications. He has already heard back from one school, Longwood University, and it was a letter of acceptance. We were all very excited. It is not his first choice, but it is a very good choice.

Nose Injury

It's not terribly obvious unless you know Dwayne's nose well, but it is broken. His nose connected with Derrik's shoulder in a game of basketball at the gym where Derrik's knee got injured. I gave Dwayne arnica montana to keep him from bruising and swelling, so he doesn't look as pitiful as he could have. The doctor did some painful things to get the bones & cartilage repositioned and clear the nasal passages, then taped his nose in position. The day after the tape was removed, Dwayne played a game of basketball at work and got hit on the nose with the ball knocking it out of position again. He now has to go back for another painful adjustment.

Basketball

Devin decided to play basketball this winter, rather than swim again. He hadn't played since 6th grade, but the coach is bringing him up to speed. He's very fast, which can be as great of an asset as height.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was as delicious as it is supposed to be. We had sparkling apple cider, cranberry juice, sweet tea and water to drink. Our food dishes were salad, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cornbread dressing, green beans, glazed carrots, sweet potato casserole, corn pudding and cranberry sauce.

Around the table we had Dwayne, Devin, Frances, Rob, Tess, Madison, Farley, Margaret Ann, Avis, Derrik and myself.

Dwayne carving the turkey he fried.

We had sparkling cider, spinach/artichoke bites, almonds and a cheese & cracker plate for appetizers.

Farley grew gourds and we used some to decorate the buffet.

Chef Devin

Devin's hobbies are biking, cooking and reading. Basketball is hindering him from having time to do much cooking during the week, but he makes up for it on the weekends.

He made this delicious apple/blackberry pie for Thanksgiving. It may be hard to tell in the photo, but the entire crust is dough cut in leaf shapes. It looked as fantastic as it tasted.

He has a little business for the holidays. He is making rum cakes for sale. They go for $25 a piece and are the BEST! They ship well and make great gifts, so contact him or me via email if you want to place an order.

Devin made some great risotto cakes for Sunday lunch with some leftover risotto I had in the refrigerator. They were good, but not as awesome as Tuscan chicken cakes.

I don't recall what he was whipping up here, but I'm sure we thankfully devoured every bite.

Corbin's 11th Birthday

Corbin getting ready to blow! (Trey & Derrik are wearing Nerf goggles.) Corbin got six or seven Nerf guns for his birthday. The kids all had a war with them indoors and out.

Corbin and his pile of presents.

Learner's Permit

Poor Devin has endured two trips to the DMV so far. The first time we went to get his learner's permit, he got permission from his coach to skip basketball practice but when we got to DMV their system was down and he couldn't take the test.

The second try at DMV had a surprise ending. You have to get 100% on the sign test and Devin got the yield sign wrong. (There are no words on the signs on the test.)

Now he has to wait 15 days before he is allowed to try again. Hopefully our third visit will be the magic one.

Sand Box Sphinx

Devin & Corbin had fun sculpting a sphinx in the sand box.

Montana Hunting Trip

Dwayne & his parents went to Montana hunting again this year. They stay with my Aunt Jeanne & Uncle Cedric and hunt on their property.

Jeanne & Cedric have sheep.

Dwayne & Farley each got a deer.

The happy hunters.

Dirty from Dirt Biking

Boys get dirty and have fun doing it. Derrik rode his dirt bike after all of the rain we've been having and came back quite mud-spattered.