Ho! Ho! Ho!

Jacob, click here to see Santa! He looks very familiar. I just can't seem to place him.

Christmas 2008

Jacob, when you grow up, you will probably remember that Herman and Bonnie lived with her dad for awhile. You'll remember that you came to visit, and that you and Herman had grand days while fishing, catching minnows, and just mucking around the creek while doing whatever felt good.

You may or may not remember that you used to come to our other house every Thursday from the time you were born till you were three years old. All of that happened before we moved in with my dad to take care of him. You loved playing with Herman every Thursday when you and your Mom and MaMaw came over for dinner. You looked forward to all the things the two of you did together. Every birthday, every season, and every holiday brought something fun to do. Much of it has been recorded on this site.

One of our biggest concerns when we moved away from our house was the possibility that you could forget us, but that didn't happen. I'm not sure if Herman could have withstood the loss if you had forgotten him. Instead of forgetting him, a page was turned and a whole new chapter in your relationship began. I don't think you'll ever forget fishing in the creek that I grew up on, or the days of hanging out with your buddy, Herman, or the swing he made for you by throwing a rope over a giant cedar tree in our front yard. You didn't like it when we moved from our other house, but you soon found that there were fun things to do at this new place.

Thursday was Christmas. We went up to our old house on Friday and your mom and ma maw brought you over to visit with us. We had our own little celebration the day after Christmas, and you got to play with our granddaughter, Ava, and you got to meet Shay.

You and Ava chased each other around and around. I don't know how the two of you had the energy, but you both proved to be tireless. The two of you rode on Brandon's back. You wrestled together and you were uncharacteristically gentle, never using your full strength with Ava. You and Herman picked apart Owl shit or regurgitation (i'm not sure which) with tweezers, looking for the bones of small animals, and you found them. We were assured by your mom that it was quite educational, but I noticed that she wouldn't go anywhere near it. She left that up to Herman. You seemed quite interested in it. Of course, Herman is interested in whatever you're interested in, so he enjoyed pulling the poop (it really looked like poop) apart for you.

It was a great night. As they say, fun was had by all. You are a wonderful part of our life, Jacob. You hold a unique place in our hearts, and that will never change.

Merry Christmas, Jacob.

P.S. Take note of the expression on your mother's face when she is looking at the owl shit. I don't think she would make a very good nurse. Just sayin'.

Friends

A Wild Ride On Brandon's Back

Ava copied everything you did or said because you're a big kid.

Wrestling, there was a lot of wrestling!



You had hugs for Shay!

You were big enough to lift Ava off the floor!

MaMaw and Shay have a moment!

You showed us your muscles!

Singlehandedly bringing back disco!

Enough Said!

And there you all are, looking for bones in the owl yuck.

Ava, Madina, Shay, Brandon

A Rose Between Two Thorns

More horseback riding.

Ava and Jacob playing

Mom and Ava in a quiet moment.

Jacob, Ava, Herman and Mom looking at Owl Yuck!

MaMaw and Shay

Merry Christmas, Jacob!

Herman and I are thinking of you on this very special day, Jacob. We'll see you soon. Your mommy will be bringing you over to our house tomorrow or Saturday. We love you very much. I know Santa left lots of presents under the tree for you at your house, but you have one more at our house.
Love Herman and Bonnie

What a difference a year makes!

H and I received this beautiful photo of Lindsay. It was in our Christmas card from Matt and Christine.

We're amazed by how much she has grown since last Christmas. You can see for yourself. This is her 2007 Christmas photo with Mommy and Daddy.

Thank you Matt and Christine. You are very fortunate to have such a beautiful and healthy little girl. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Merry Christmas 2007

Jacob's 2007 Christmas!

My tree

And the day begins.

Me and my mom

Uncle Mike and Zack

My cousin, Zack

Me and my cousins
Jacob - JJ - Zack

Family Portraits 101

I received the most beautiful Christmas card today. This is the amazing Baby Lindsay. H said he couldn't believe what an incredible smile she has. He said that even her eyes are smiling. Look at her!

And just one editorial comment folks - notice how they're dressed tastefully and (more importantly) timelessly. If I could give you only one word, it would be classic. Think classic when dressing for this sort of photo.

They will be able to look back at this picture in twenty-five years without cringing: no nose rings, no colossal shoulder pads, no wild ties, no bigger than life"Elvis" glasses, no tacky jewelry, no big hair, no makeup applied with a putty knife that makes Mommy look like...um, well.

No one will even be able to tell that it was taken way back in the antiquated year of 2007. This, people, is how you dress to achieve a family portrait that no one will want to throw darts at in 2032, and more to the point, one that will not send Lindsay's future fiance screaming into the night for fear he's marrying into circus folk.

Believe me, I've seen some of those photos. I've been in some.

*Freaky*

Christmases Gone By

We miss you Jacob!

Christmas 2006

The skateboard ~

A little help from a friend ~
Mom helping with the helmet ~


Meeting Ava ~
Helping Ava open her presents ~

All suited up and ready for action ~
Christmas 2005
This was the Christmas of the "Big Beautiful Blue Bird." Patsy and Jacob went shopping for Herman's gift from Jacob. Jacob saw this bird and that was it. There could be no other gift for Herman. Herman loved it. How could he not? As any fool can see, it's fabulous!

Halloweens Gone By

Jacob, we hope you have a very scary Halloween!

Some favorite pix from Halloweens past.

Bek, The Clown ~


Jacob and The Man ~
Jacob the Cowboy ~
Jacob The Dragon/Alligator ~

We Miss You, Jacob!

Even though we don't see you, Jacob, we are thinking of you.

These are some Christmas photos that Patsy sent to me.

Jacob and Bek! (Notice those beautiful hardwood floors.)

Who is that hiding there in the background, in the red and white checked pajamas. Is that MaMaw? I bet she's holding a cup of coffee. I would recognize that familiar coffee clutch anywhere!

Could that be dinosaurs? (Can you believe all those dinosaurs all over Bek's beautiful hardwood floors? I hope they don't leave any droppings.)

Cheese!

Look, Santa left a big boy bike, and I can ride it all over Mom's beautiful hardwood floors.

Would love to stay but I have a train to catch.........And a Merry Christmas was had by all.....

Merry Christmas!

Jacob and his mom and ma maw came over to our house the night before Christmas Eve and we opened presents. It truly was an evening to remember, one of my most favorite Christmases ever. It's amazing how difficult things can be at times, and how friends can simply make it all go away for awhile. In the midst of everything that has been going on in my life, this particular evening was an oasis of joy.

Patsy and I got to see both our grandchildren in the same room. What could be better than that? Nothing! Jacob and Herman got to see each other for a while. They have missed each other since Herman and I moved to Newport News to take care of Dad. Of everything and everyone whom we miss, Jacob is the one we miss the most, and probably the one who misses us the most.























Presents were shared.

Jacob got a new skateboard. Mom and Herman helped him suit up....

Brandon couldn't resist...

Jacob and Ava finally got to meet each other,

and Patsy and I got to sit back and enjoy...