30 posts in 30 days ~ 5-28-12

POSTS IN

  DAYS

I'm quite impressed that I have stuck with the determination to get caught up on the blog. I've managed to do 30 posts in 30 days. Quite an accomplishment if I do say so myself. Stay tuned for more news on the Payne front!

Happy Memorial Day 2012 ~ 5-28-12

Today we honor men and women everywhere.

Arlington National Cemetary

Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May.^[1] Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.^[2] Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. As a marker it typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.^[3]
By the early 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as people visited the graves of their deceased relatives in church cemeteries, whether they had served in the military or not. It also became a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family gatherings, fireworks, trips to the beach, and national media events such as the Indianapolis 500 auto race, held since 1911 on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.^[4]
Annual Decoration Days for particular cemeteries are held on a Sunday in late spring or early summer in some rural areas of the American South, notably in the mountains. In cases involving a family graveyard where remote ancestors as well as those who were deceased more recently are buried, this may take on the character of an extended family reunion to which some people travel hundreds of miles. People gather on the designated day and put flowers on graves and renew contacts with kinfolk and others. There often is a religious service and a "dinner on the ground," the traditional term for a potluck meal in which people used to spread the dishes out on sheets or tablecloths on the grass. It is believed that this practice began before the American Civil War and thus may reflect the real origin of the "memorial day" idea. ^[5]

From Wikipedia.org

Happy Memorial Day, Mom!

Curtains in the bedroom ~ 12-23-11

On my LONG to-do list is hanging curtains in the bedroom. And it finally happened. I found some shower curtains that I thought would be great as curtains, and less expensive!

 So, can you tell shower curtains were their original purpose?

Cameron's LONG awaited stocking ~ 12-22-11

Michael's family has beautiful stockings to hang on the Christmas mantle. So, shortly after Cameron's 1st Christmas Michael and I decided on a stocking and I went to work making Cameron's. I am happy to report that just shy of 4 years later Cameron FINALLY has his stocking COMPLETE to hang on the mantle. I would always piece it together for it to actually hang on the mantle for the few days leading up to Christmas and Christmas morning. This year it felt great and a wonderful sense of accomplishment that I did this, for.MY.son. 

I'm hoping the stocking will be something that he treasures and will hang on his mantle for many years to come.

Our very festive mantle. Cameron's projects from both schools add a beautiful touch.

Braydon visits Dr. S. ~ 12-21-11

Both boys had been sit while we were out of town. So, in an effort to curb anything before the doctor's office would be empty of the days surrounding Christmas I took the boys to the doctor. A trip to Huntsville and a stop by the store for antibiotics and we are on the mend!

Do these boys look sick?!?!?

Christmas in Longview ~ 12-18-11

After our visit with family in Greenville we headed to Longview. We got in on Saturday night late in the evening and enjoyed a relaxing evening at Michael and Kaci's, my brother and sister-in-law's.

It had been a while since I had gone out to the graveyards so we dropped by to visit my brother, Justin. Cameron was barely 8 weeks old when he passed away in a car accident.

Then we went out to my grandparents grave. It's so hard to believe it's been 14 years since my Papa died and 10 years since my Mama passed away.

We had lunch and everyone enjoyed naps before heading out for dinner at Cheddar's. We had never been to Cheddar's and am so glad we went. Susan joined us for dinner and after we headed back to Michael and Kaci's and opened presents. On the way we stopped by some houses that are decorated all up for Christmas. Each room of the 2 houses have a theme and there is a ton of lights.

They even have Santa out front to give out candy. 

 Cameron with Santa.

Braydon wanted to be no where near Santa. He just didn't know what to think.

Across the street from the lit up houses was this cute little inflatable camper with Santa popping out of the door. I HATE inflatables for any holiday but this one was adorable!

Kaci helping Braydon get started. He's taking after his brother and wanting every piece of paper off of the box before checking out what the toy happens to be.

The boys enjoyed their presents. I think the dump trucks will get special attention.

Nini and Braydon

Cameron, Nini, and Braydon

We enjoyed our whirlwind trip across East Texas and while everyone's (almost) hospitality has been great, we are excited to back in our owns beds after our trip.

Christmas in Greenville ~ 12-17-11

After lunch we went back to Candace's where we opened Christmas present, since we were all together.

 

Then we changed gears again and Candace her graduation presents and we enjoyed cake.

 Erica (and Justin) gave Candace the coolest graduation present. It was a graduation picture frame, ya know the one's with a cute saying on them. But on the inside Erica cleverly rolled up bills to put inside. I think it was over $100. Now that is my kind of gift!

Happy Graduation Candace and Congratulations!

TAMU-C 3: Graduation Festivities ~ 12-17-11

After graduation and exploring campus the boys and I headed to lunch.

My cousin, Justin, decided it would be a cool game to give Braydon lemons to see what he would do. He wasn't fazed very much, like his momma.

The whole family at lunch.

We had a lengthy lunch so the boys needed to release some energy. Cousin Erica, Justin's wife, was the stress relief.

If you are ever in downtown Greenville, visit City Bistro Restaurant. It has a great atmosphere, pretty good food, and thousands of wine bottles to choose from and take home.  The charm of the old building it is in on the square in downtown adds to the experience and visit to the cellar where the wine barrels are make an added memory.

 City Bistro Restaurant and Landon Winery in Greenville, Texas.

A HUGE barrel of wine. I don't know how many regular size barrels it might hold, but it is HUGE. It is probably about 2.5 times as tall as Cameron!

Floor to ceiling wall of barrels of delicious wine.

Erica, Candace, and Justin.

Justin, Jon, Austin, Elisa

Ma, Cameron,  Erica, Candace,  Ethan, Eliseo,

 Justin, Austin, Elisa

Ma, Cameron, Erica, Candace, Ethan, Me, Braydon, Eliseo

 Justin, Elisa, Candace, and Austin

 Jon, Candace, and Ethan

 Candace and Ethan

 Candace and Me

The building you see there in the distance used to hold some shops. My mom and I would visit and that is one of my youngest memories of my mom and I living in the Greenville area when I was little. I remember there was a shop that you had to walk up the stairs to get to and it was open to the downstairs so you could see what was going on down below. The flooring was nice hard wood, not like you find these days. I didn't have time to visit this time to see if the inside was still the same or not, but next time I think I will do just that.