Parker Has A Birthday

Parker will be 15 on Tuesday, December 30. I just can't believe it! Where has the time gone? Seems like it was just yesterday that he was trying to run me over in his little car with the real high top. And, now he is ready to take the test for his driving permit. He is an exceptionally fine young man. Smart, funny, handsome, sensitive, kind-hearted and athletic. We are so fortunate. Chip, Parker and Peyton came over yesterday and we had a party.

Happy Birthday Joye-Michael

Joye-Michael is the daughter of my sister Laureen's son,
Bo Doss. She became a teenager today. Joye-Michael is a precious girl and a real joy to all of us. Have a great day JM. We love you.....

Joye-Michael on the left with beautiful big sister, Kati-Beth.

Greetings from Dick, Millie and Rascal Bubba

What a great day! We started out Watching our Chloe open her gifts via that magical webcab. She was just the cutest pushing her new dolly stroller around. I think she really loves this Santa Claus stuff. See the pictures below. After coffee and Christmas gifts (be sure to click on the video below to see Rascal Bubba open his gifts), we joined other hungry celebrators at our local Waffle House for a BIG breakfast.

To follow our Christmas tradition we took in a movie. Went to see the "Hitler movie" Valkyrie. It was wonderful even knowing it was impossible to avoid the factual ending. The lessons of Hitler's Germany should never be forgotten.


SANTA COMES TO LOS ANGELES

CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR CELEBRATION AND FAMILY

Rhett and Lenda Woody
What a wonderful time we had at the Woody Family Christmas party. As a family we love to spend time together and cherish the opportunities we have to do so. My brother Rhett and sister-in-law Lenda always go all out to keep the family connected and especially at Christmas time. We appreciate Lenda's hard work and warm welcome to everyone. She's one in a million. It would have been perfect if only my California son Stewart, his wife Heather and daughter Chloe (the precious angel) could have been with us. LA is such a long way from Huntsville, AL, but they were with us in spirit. I will soon have some wonderful Christmas morning pictures to post.












Tom, Dick and Dan

Grandson Peyton
Front row Parker, Mae Mae, Maddie, Peyton
Back row Marley, Jo Lauren, Caroline, KatiBeth, Joye-Michael
Parker and Peyton














My sister, Laurie



Maddie, Jenny, Kathy
Caroline, KatiBeth, Joye-Michael, Jo Lauren
My Son, Chip
Pam and Beth













Rhett III and Bo

I just read this on "Winning the Future" and it is worth passing on!

On Christmas Day, 1776, nearly all thought the Revolution was lost, except for a valiant few who still believed in "The Cause." We owe our liberty today to those valiant few.

Led by George Washington, most of his army, dressed in rags and barefoot, faced a winter gale of rain, sleet, ice and snow. This band of patriots braved a midnight river crossing and a nine mile march over frozen roads to win a spectacular victory at Trenton, New Jersey, the following morning. Those were indeed times, as Thomas Paine would write, that "try men's souls."

In a season that has become too commercialized and -- worse yet -- had much of its religious meaning driven from the public square, Washington's Christmas crossing is a story that should be remembered and celebrated, this Christmas and every Christmas.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ, to be with family and friends, and, I would add, to give thanks to God for those who endured so much on that Christmas night, 232 years ago.

That Wild Tasmanian Devil Makes An Appearance

Monday night we traveled to Tuscaloosa to see Peyton's Middle School basketball game. It was a very exciting game. As far a I'm concerned just seeing Peyton go through the warm up is worth the drive and anything more is icing on the cake. And, goodness! Did we have plenty of that sweet icing. In the 4th period Peyton was all over the court, smoothly zooming up and down for several steals and 9 points. On a couple of his steals he flew down for a layup followed by a thunderous standing ovation (the fans do love Peyton). What a great game. ACA won over Echols 41-23. Do I sound like a proud grandma or what?

Another Peyton Ballgame

Tomorrow night we will be going to Tuscaloosa to take in another American Christian Academy Middle School basketball game. I'm sure it will be exciting. Tune in for the details.

Debbie and Jim Coley Visit

Saturday night we had a great visit with Dick's niece (daughter of Dick's older sister Roberta) and her husband. Debbie and Jim live in Las Vegas and were in our neck of the woods to attend their son, Charlie's basic training graduation at Ft. Benning in Columbus, GA. It was fun to hear new stories about Dick's family.

And, we were thoroughly entertained listening to Jim and Debbie's adventures while living abroad. Dick and I have rarely traveled outside the south so we were in awe. As a young college student Debbie attended the University of Paris (the Sorbonne) for a year and a half then returned to Texas to get her undergrad degree at UT, then back to Paris for another year and a half to work on her masters in foreign languages. After marrying Jim they lived in Germany for about 15 years where he worked for the Army Adjutant General's Office and she taught foreign languages at the American School. Jim has now retired from the army, but Debbie is still teaching French. During dinner we lived vicariously through them.

Sundays With Chloe and Daddy

On the Sundays that Heather has to put in a hard day at the LA Zoo, Stewart and Chloe have a new adventure. I don't know who enjoys their time together more. But, I do know they are really really tight!




















DOING LAUNDRY WITH MOMMY

On Friday, Chloe helped with the laundry. She really enjoys working with Mommy. Chloe-Chloe just loves the washer and dryer at home, so the laundromat was an exciting new experience for her.

Quotable Words

After posting my December 10 tribute to "Poppy" a friend from Huntsville commented, "It is always those "larger than life" characters that most inspire, entertain, and amaze us. Lucky you for having one for a father."

That's exactly what I wanted to say, but it took me 100's of words to say it. Wish I could translate my feelings into words like that.

December 10, 1973

We sat around the big coffee table trying to grasp it! It can't be true! It's all a bad dream. Daddy's bigger than life. He's gonna come down the hall in his dress shirt, boxer shorts and socks. He'll be making jokes and cutting off bites of his apple for anyone lucky enough to be in the same room with him. What a presence he was! His quiet dignity, gentle manner and calming influence were balanced with a wicked sense of humor. That mischievous grin could make you laugh out loud when remembering past conversations hours or days later. Daddy was our hero. He could leap tall buildings. He could fix any problem and handle any situation.

Rhett Woody, Sr., was smart and ambitious. He came from New Hope to Huntsville with a little loose change in his pocket and a dream to be successful. And, oh the success he achieved! "Mr. Rhett" was highly respected and everyone knew of him and his businesses; furniture stores and a drive-in-theatre. He quietly shared the fruits of his labor with family, extended family and those in need. He supplied the funds for our friends to go on class trips, vacations, state fairs, any circus that came to town (he couldn't bear the thought of a a child missing the circus), school supplies and college tuitions. He came up with mortgage payments, money for much needed medical care and utility bills without ever expecting a "thank you". He did all this with no fanfare. Much of it we discovered at his funeral when people came out of the woodwork to pay tribute to him and relate how he had saved them in their time of need. We were, and still are, so proud to be his children.



He could always whip the four of us in shape by saying, "don't you realize what you mean to me, I couldn't go on if something happened to you. You have really disappointed me." With that he would exit the room and we would collapse in tears and shame. I know of only two occasions when he ever laid a hand on one of us in anger. And, needless to say it was well deserved.

Poppy and Ma (as the grandchildren called them) had a love affair that few (maybe 5 to 10) couples ever experience. They were loyal, faithful and totally in love with each other. We would giggle as they smoothly danced (with eyes only for each other) across the floor whenever they heard "their type of music." We were so fortunate to witness, and be showered with, that kind of love. Returning from his funeral, Mama said, "Up until the day he died, my heart still skipped a beat when I heard his car pull in the driveway."

On this day I want to honor him and "wallow" in the wonderful memories he left. Thank you my blog buddies for allowing me to do that.

Thanksgiving at the Woody House

My beautiful sister-in-law, Lenda and her lovely granddaughters, Marley, Mae Ellen, Caroline and Maddie are thankful for each other.

Our Little Star

Stew just sent this picture of Chloe Inez performing at her daycare's annual entertainment extravaganza. I have bunches, but had not seen this one. Isn't it cute? She is one lucky little girl. She goes to a very unique daycare that only selects a limited number of children. Each child receives extra special attention and parents can observe all through the day via cameras. I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to insert the videos from the performances, but Blogger does not recognize the format. Maybe Stew can hep me figure this out.

Just in case you are dying for more:

Chloe's New Drums. A present for her 1st birthday

Busted

One of Rascal Bubba's favorite things to do is jump up on the sofa and throw all the pillows on the floor. I always threaten him with a rolled up newspaper when I see the floor full of pillows. So, he knows it is a no-no. Yesterday, when all the playful noise he was making stopped I peeked around the corner and caught him in the act. Usually when he hears me he jumps off the sofa and runs. Maybe I should actually use that rolled up newspaper! Huh?

Lot Going On

Christmas season is upon us and we are all just soooooo busy! First thing I want to mention.....my nephew Rhett celebrated a birthday on November 27. His name may be Walter Rhett Woody, III, but we just refer to him as our "Thanksgiving Gift". Rhett lives in Huntsville with his adorable wife Beth and three beautiful girls, Maddie, Marley and Mae Ellen.



Christmas on the West Coast

Stewart just sent pictures of their Christmas decorations.
















They have done a great job decorating, the house looks beautiful. But, I'm sure you can guess which picture is my favorite.


Christmas In Tuscaloosa







Chip posted a picture of the beautiful cross they made using peg board and Christmas lights. Don't you just love it? It is so pretty He says it was hard work and most of the credit goes to Peyton.

SEC Championship Game

On Friday, Chip, Parker, Peyton and a friend stopped by on their way to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game. We were so happy to have them for the night. They woke up bright and early on Saturday morning anxious to get to Atlanta for Fan Fare, ESPN Game Day and the game. They had a great time. The game was such a hard fought battle. Only problem being the wrong team won. Oh, well......12-1 and going to a BCS Bowl. Not too shabby.......























One more Picture from Atlanta




Glenda sent this picture of Vann taking a picture of Adams all painted up and standing in front of a big Bear Bryant Sign. True fan, huh?