Weekend with my sisters and RoRo

Mom and Dad took a mini vacation to the beach this weekend!  So, Gidget, Cassie and Ronnie came to stay with me and Roscoe for a few days.  I picked them up Thursday night and we headed to Fultondale and mom and dad headed to PCB.  After dinner and then of course treats - it was time for bed :)  I am not use to to sleeping with 3 dogs :)  So, Friday morning came VERY early!  Mom and dad made it to PCB about 1 am. 

Rochelle and I had made plans to have a girls weekend.  She arrived around 6:30 and we went to Doodles for dinner - YUM.  After a quick trip to JCPenney and Target - we came home and made brownies :)  Saturday we started planning our Disney trip and then realized we were missing out on the gorgeous sunshine.  We headed outside to wash our cars.  Ro was able to meet Pete and Rhiannon.  Nana, Linda and Richard arrived and it was time to head to my cousin-in-law's tea.  Ro and Richard went to spend some dad/daughter time together.  Nana, Linda and I stayed at the tea for about an hour and then met up with Richard and Ro at Outback.  After spending time with Richard and Linda, Ro and I headed down to Sonja and Davids to play xBox 360.  Ro is a good bowler!!!  Sunday morning, Ro and I went to church and then lunch with David and Sonja. Ro headed home to Sushi and the girls, Roscoe and I took a nap :)   Mom and Dad had a great time - it was good for them to get away, even for just a few days.

I am so thankful for Rochelle.  I love spending time with her and we have such a good time when we are together.  We are so much alike it is scary (in a good way).   It humbles me to know that she is following in my footsteps.  We weren't close when she was growing up but I am so BLESSED to have her in my life today.  I love you RoRo!

Last few weeks..

I was doing so good at posting -- then I slacked off a little.  Let me try to catch back up.
First week of January was pretty normal.  It was the first 5-day work for me in about three weeks.  The second week of January wasn't normal at all!  It was time to prepare for SNOW.  Roscoe and I went to mom and dad's.  Nana came too!  Mom, dad, me and Nana played Mexican train and ate some of dad's hot chili.  We woke up Monday morning to a winter wonderland and waffles!  It was a lot of ice and a little bit of snow. 

IMS and Wentzell Cabinets was shut down and dad couldn't get out of the neighborhood to go to work.  Monday night was the National Championship game.  Since none of us are huge Auburn fans -- ROLL TIDE -- we listened to the game while playing a full round of Mexican train (16 rounds).  Auburn won the National Championship.  The state of Alabama brought home the National Championship trophy! 

Mom and I both were delayed for work on Tuesday.  We could get use to those hours!  Dad took Nana back to her house.  Wednesday was normal working hours but there was no church orchestra/choir rehearsal.  So, I went to Sonja/Davids to play their new X-box.  It was fun!  Friday night, I had a date with the cutest 6-month old little boy - Andrew.  Sue asked me if I would watch him while she went on a date with Greg.  He and I had a great time.  He fought his evening nap but after a phone call to my mom and a bottle he finally gave up the fight and went to sleep.  I talked to Sue this morning and he slept to 2 am :)  What a precious little boy!!!

P.S. - there is still ice in shady areas in Birmingham 6 days after the ice storm hit.

New Year's Day 2011

Happy New Year!! 
Not only was it a new year - it was bowl day for Alabama!  Roll Tide!!  Most of the family met at Nana's to watch the game and enjoy the traditional New Year dinner.  We had roast beef, turnip greens, black eyed peas, potatoes/carrots and cornbread.  YUM!  Bama rolled over Michigan State 49-7.  RTR!!  We played with Cameron and Kaylee and it was fun to watch these two sweet girls play together.  Since we celebrated Linda's birthday in July and she had a store bought cake --- Nana made her a mounds cake for her actual birthday.  It was yummy - minus the coconut :)  Rochelle, Linda, Nana and I played a couple of rounds of Rummikub and then we talked mom into joining us to play Mexican Train.  I think we are all hooked on Mexican Train.  It was alot of fun - helps a little that I won one game =)

Cameron and Kaylee playing

Me and Kaylee

Tomorrow it is back to my regular schedule.  I will be back at church to play for two services - with MY NEW SILVER SAXOPHONE.  Can't wait!!

Love you all ~

New Year's Eve 2010

I met mom and dad at Kohl's to use our Kohl's cash and gift cards.  It was fun shopping as a family and we all came home with something :)  After a quick trip to Sam's I made my way back to Fultondale.  I had to get home to welcome a sweet little boy home.  My neighbor, Sue, was bringing her son home from Ethiopia.  I was there with her mom, two sisters, brother-in-law and nephew.  Her dad made the trip with her and her surrogate daughter went to Atlanta to drive them home. I heard the garage door open and we all ran to the door to take pictures. It was an awesome experience to be there when she walked in the door carrying this precious child!  Below are a few pictures of sweet Andrew Brighton.

After visiting with Sue, Andrew and her family I made my way to Sonja and David's.  We played 9 holes of  "Play Nine"  It is a card game centered around the game of golf.  Fun Times!  I think I won a hole :)  I rang in the new year with some great people; Sonja, David, Rachel, Mike, Dianna and Gary.  I am blessed to have met these new friends.

I look foward to a great new year!  Happy 2011!!!!

Christmas 2010

What a wonderful Christmas!!!  My Christmas season started out by being a part of  "The Misfit Elves".  It is a group of friends who wanted to bring cheer to everyone this year.  We were in the Gardendale and Centerpoint parades.  Then it was time for 'elfing'.  We would ring doorbells and sing a couple of Christmas carols.  It was awesome to see every one's face while we were singing.  We even 'elffed' Cracker Barrel, Krispy Kreme, Outback and a church in Leeds.  So much fun!!!

The next part of my Christmas season was being a part of the Gardendale First Baptist Church Christmas program.  Being in the orchestra, it was my first year to be in the program.  We had two services on Saturday.  My friend Christie, her husband Craig, their daughter Presley and her mom, Carolyn came to the first service.  My mom was happy to know that I had someone in the audience who loved me. :)  The next service, several of my friends came to see us.  Pete, Rhiannon, Bart, Kate, Bradley and Lisa (from work) were there to see the amazing service.  Sunday was a busy day.  It started with our normal two Sunday services at GFBC.  Then, I met the family at Jim N Nicks for Nana's birthday.  After that most of the family came to the last Christmas service.  I was so glad to have mom, dad, Nana, Uncle Larry, Linda, Richard, Lindsay, Casey, Cameron, Rochelle, Dustin, Donna and Breagan there to support me.  I am truly blessed!

The next weekend was busy too!  We started our Friday night by going to Jacksonville State University - "The Friendliest Campus in the South" to see Rochelle graduate.  Ahem...I must say she graduated with a marketing degree - like yours truly :)  I am so PROUD of her!  Saturday was spent getting ready for Family Christmas.  I went to church Sunday morning and then made a bee line back to mom and dad's.  We had the best time at Family Christmas!  There is always a ton of food, but it is so good!  Santa made a visit and then we had a surprise visit by "The Misfit Elves".  It was a huge hit!

Mom and dad attended a "Highlands Christmas" and they talked about how gorgeous and moving it was.  So, mom and I went the night before Christmas Eve.  It was beautiful and brought me to tears.  We sang "Silent Night" by candlelight.  AMAZING!  Christmas Eve was pretty laid back.  Mom, dad, me, Nana, Linda, Richard and Rochelle went to GFBC Christmas Eve service.  We all said it was so wonderful to be able to attend a Christmas service on Christmas Eve.  I hope to make this a yearly tradition!

Linda, Richard and Rochelle spent the night with us at mom and dads.  Santa came for everyone ~ even Uncle Larry and Nana!  We enjoyed our traditional breakfast casserole, biscuits and bacon.  I LOVE that meal!  After everyone left to head towards McCalla - mom, dad and I opened presents.  SHOCKED doesn't describe my 1st present.  A Yamaha Silver 875 EX custom saxophone.  It is gorgeous! Yes, I cried!! I received a beautiful John Hardy bracelet that matches moms - we are twins :)  I also received a lovely pearlized elephant pendant to wear on game days!  ROLL TIDE!  My presents also consisted of Alien perfume, Crocs house shoes, Pyrex dishes, new window treatments, saxophone accessories and many more.  I was excited to see mom and dad open their custom calendars that I had designed but more excited to see mom open her Pandora bracelet and dad open his Alabama Fossil watch.  It is nice to be able to give back to such giving parents.  I love you mom and dad !!!!!

Then we were off to McCalla to spend the afternoon with family.  Cameron understood Christmas better this year and it was awesome to see her face.  To see Christmas through the eyes of a child = PRICELESS!  She received a bike from Santa and kept telling me "Bonda push Cameron".  And of course -- I did :)  We also saw my cousin/Goddaughter Kaylee. It was her 1st Christmas and she was a doll.  We all opened our gifts and received many nice things.  But, we were all waiting for Nana to open her gift.  A laptop that the family went in together and purchased for her.  It was wonderful to see her face, she even cried.  Again, it was wonderful to give back to such a sweet lady like Nana!

After returning from McCalla, we relaxed.  The next two days were spent putting decorations away until next year.  I came back to Fultondale and put away my inside decorations minus my tree.  My neighbor, Sue, is bringing her son home from Ethiopia and asked me to leave my tree up until he arrives.  I can't wait to see his face light up when he sees all the twinkle lights :)

I hope everyone enjoys the last few days of 2010 - be careful out there and let's all have a great New Year!

Love you all ~

LaVonda

Trying something new...

Every Christmas I write a letter to send out with Christmas cards.  Most people are shocked that I can remember all the important things throughout the year.  I usually just take a calendar and take it one month at a time.  It all comes back to me. 

I wanted to try blogging this year. 
Seems to be the latest craze these days. :)