The South

Where tea is sweet and accents are sweeter; summer starts in April; front porches are wide and words are long; macaroni and cheese is a vegetable; pecan pie is a staple; Y’all is the only proper pronoun; chicken is fried and biscuits come with gravy; everything is darling and someone is always getting their heart blessed. -unknown

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Great Big Christmas Post!

The Hatcher household had a wonderful Christmas season. We got to visit with Elaine, Aunt Marsha, and the loveable little Nolan!Couldn't you just eat him up?
He was enjoying his time with his grandmother!

We had School Christmas parties that were loads of fun!
Reese was so proud of his craft!
He was also elated that they played Christmas bingo and he won two of the four times. He had to shout out, "Ho, Ho, Ho." So cute!We got to spend time with our extended family! So many cousins! This is Aiden opening his new laser gun from us. (Sorry Julie and Phil =) )Lillie was already eyeing the smocked dress that came with the new doll she got from my mom.Christmas eve came quickly this year. Since we had asked Santa to come a night early, we were all ready and snug in our beds on Friday evening.

The boys were raring to go on Saturday morning. I always make them come in my room first. It is probably a form of torture.....but they sure are excied.
Peeking at their gifts!
As they were opening gifts, Reese went over behind the tree because he didn't want us to see what Santa had brought him.
Here is Reese playing with his "new to him" DS. Not to forget Brent decked out in his Georgia attire.

Super hero Reese putting his Legos together.

I wish this picture was clearer, but this is Brooks opening his Skylanders set that he really wanted. The picture is priceless!

Sunday we got together with my family. It is still a lot of fun to open presents in the den that I grew up in. I opened presents in that room from Santa for 21 years!



This picture has a story. Brent and Christina share a trait that they create static in their daily lives. Christina gave Brent a can of Static Guard and some money. So clever!
We got together with Brent's family Monday night and I am just now realizing that I didn't take any pictures. We had good food, and good fellowship with everyone. We don't get to spend much time with Brent's brother's family so it always seems to come and go to quickly.

As I am sure all of you are, I feel exhausted, and I haven't even taken any of my Christmas gear down yet....ugh!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!



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Friday, December 16, 2011

Visit with Santa

A couple of weeks ago we got to visit with jolly old Saint Nicholas himself! Reese had his list ready!Reese had seen Santa at church that morning and it gave me the chance to talk about how important it is to worship God. It is so important that even Santa does it! =) Reese asked Santa how he got to church and where was the sleigh because Reese hadn't seen it. Santa always has his answer ready!



Both boys got to share with Santa the things that they wanted. The list seems to be a lot alike from year to year. I guess that is because they are boys!



Brooks was racking his brain trying to remember what was on his list because he forgot to bring it. Brooks also asked Santa if it would be too much trouble if he brought their presents on Christmas Eve Eve so that they can open them on Saturday morning this year. Santa said he thought he could get some of the elves to bring their gifts down here! (I love Santa's expression here!)

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Monday, December 5, 2011

Tour of the City

The week of Thanksgiving I took off and we decided to do some fun activities. Mom, Brooks and I decided to go see some of the sights that tourists often visit when coming to Montgomery. We began at the train station downtown.
We decided to take a bus tour of the city. It was a nice narrated tour. One complaint I had was this: If your job is to narrate a city tour, it might be nice if you can pronounce all of the landmarks and buildings correctly. I was almost embarrassed on behalf of the city thinking about the other people on the tour. I wanted to say, "What she is trying to say is Judicial Building!"After the tour we went to the Biscuit Basket (the Montgomery Biscuits baseball team gift shop,) and looked around. Then we met Brent for lunch at Cuco's (yum!) After lunch, we walked around the outside of the Capital. They have planted many trees over the years on Arbor day and we happend upon this one....

Brooks had fun seeing all the sights. I am sure we will get to visit them all again next year when he studies Alabama History in 4th grade.

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Giving Tree

Once there was a tree.....
and she loved a little boy.


And every day the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest.


He would climb up her trunk and swing from her braches and eat apples.

And they would play hide-and-go-seek.

And when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade. And the boy loved the tree......very much. And the tree was happy.
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Happy Veterans Day

Brooks participated in a Veterans Day program this past Sunday. The 3rd and 4th grade classes sung many patriotic songs. Among them were songs from each branch of the armed forces. As each song was being sung they asked audience members who served or had served in these branches to stand. It was very moving! At the end of the program the students passed out flags to each audience member who had stood up. Brooks made a beeline to Pop, so he could give him his flag.

Happy Veterans Day!

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Thursday, November 3, 2011

Trunk or Treat Pictures

We went to Trunk or Treat last Thursday evening at church. We had a blast just like we always do. Reese went as a pirate. He kept showing everyone his mustache.Reese and his best friend Cooper.I forgot to get a picture of Brooks without his mask on. He and Austin stayed in character!


We had a great time! Happy Halloween! (a couple of days late)


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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Grandmama

It has been a whirlwind around our household for the past few weeks.

Last Monday night, my grandmother called my dad and said she wasn’t feeling well and that her chest and arm hurt. When my dad got to her apartment, she was not responsive. Her heart had stopped. The paramedics came and revived her and took her to the hospital. Things were not looking good. Tuesday she was admitted to ICU, on a ventilator. That afternoon, with all of her family around her bed, she went to be with the Lord. It was very surreal.

Rosie Dimples Joyce was 92 years old when she passed into eternity. She had been in relatively good health. I have to say that I haven’t been overwhelmingly grieved. Oh yes, I will miss the times we were at her house as a child, or all of those HUGE Thanksgiving meals she prepared at her house. I will miss the times in recent years when she has come to my house for Thanksgiving. However; I am excited for her. I can’t imagine all of the things she is getting to see right now. Even Brooks mentioned that it was all ok because she was in Paradise. Out of the mouths of babes.

Thank you to everyone who sent cards, called and made food. The outpouring of love was overwhelming to my entire family.


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Monday, October 17, 2011

Fair

Last Monday we went to the fair. My dad doesn't look to excited about it for some reason?!?!


The boys had a great time riding the rides together.
Reese was gung-ho on all the rides.....
until the ride got his stomach :)

It is nice they can enjoy the rides together.




A great time was had by all. The downpour in the middle of the day didn't make us leave. We just camped out in the coliseum until it is over.

Note to self: Do not wear a white t-shirt to the fair when there is a chance of rain. Just sayin'!
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