Christmas Day- Santa has GONE

25 Dec 2010, Christmas day. With kids in the house, the wake up call came early and the day has been full but hectic, what a great joy to have family here to enjoy the holidays.


Chandlet, Tyler and Conner were the first up and could not wait for everyont to get up to open presents.

Chandler looks like one of the boys from the hood as he plays his new game.

Patty had to take a break after the gifts were open and thing had settled into a dull roar.

Connor got more LEGOs than the toy store, feet are sore from stepping on the small items.

Travis had almost as much fun with the LEGOs as Connor did.

Murray, Jana and Cody came early and stayed late with a short break to visit Murry's Mom and Dad.

The tree with presents before the storm, you would never know there was any economy issues.

After the gifts were all open, most of the egg nog gone, pounds of sweets eaten and we were in a more relaxed state of mind, we could enjoy the family and each others quirks. What a great Christmas this has been, the weather has been rainy and cool but the house overflowed with love, laughter and too much good food.

Here praying that you and yours had a great Christmas also.

The Night Before Christmas

Christmas Eve 2010. We have just returned from Christmas Eve services with the family and the kids are begging to open one present before we go to bed. Remember that discussion?
Thought I would share a few photos while we wait for Santa.


Tempature got up to 56 today so Chandler decided it was warm enough to go swimming---WRONG--- not quite cold enough for the Polar Bear Club, but still chillyyyyyyyyy.

We loaded up and went down to the mall for the annual photo with Santa, wonder what he thinks when he sees this crowd next in line. Travis in the back (bald) Chandler on the left@6'3" Tyler on the right @ 6'2", Tyler is 155 while Chandler is 215, both have hollow legs and are like bottonless pits, cannot fill them up. Conner is beside Patty and has grown about 2 inches this Summer. Patty is holding Cody (Jana&Murray's son) while Judith looks on. Great to have most of the family in one place.

Cody was not a happy camper! JUST LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our newest grandson, Everett Lee Whittington, born 6 weeks early but doing fine, He weights over 7 lbs, had his leg operated on last Monday, and the Dr. thinks that will be his only surgery,,,, maybe.

Brooks learned the favored Dad nap position like a seasoned pro. Didn't Everett long to train him.

Brooks and Leighann are ready for Santas trip down the chimney. Dr did not want Everett out so they are staying in Dallas this Christmas and Leights Mom and Dad are visiting with them.

Hope each of you have a blessed Christmas season.

Larry & Judith

Dec 24th Garage Update

Brickwork was completed 23 Dec about 1800, in the dark, but they did a great job. The garage is taking on a finished look, the guys will be back 26th to start on the siding and trim. Just in case you wonder why I have posted so much on this garage--its my Christmas present!

I decide to use all plywood on the inside instead of sheetrock, to have added wall strength. I also used screws to mount the plywood so if needed I can remove sheets. All walls and ceiling have insulation so should be bearable even in the summer. Decided to leave the garage door on the old garage to allow me to close off projects I might have.

This is the side looking out on the back yard and the side I will park the truck on.

Decided on two 10 foot x 8 ft doors

Porch 8x 16 looks on the back yard, it will have morning sun and be shaded in the afternoon.

Judith's screened porch is comming along. The contractor is putting the screened in this morning,(24 Dec). If weather is goode we should be able to enjoy next week, better come on down and enjoy with us.

Hope you and yours have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Garage Addition

After moving in I decided I needed a place to park my truck ( we must get our priorities stright) so we started a 30x30 Garage and to keep Judith happy a screened back porch. Here are some photos showing the progress, we had hoped to be completed buy Christmas but maybe by mid Jan.





Walls go up.

Roof trusses were a challenge.

Back porch had to take a back seat to the Garage-my pickup is out in the cold.

Shingles on and almost ready for the brick. Murray has done the electrical work and with his ideas it should be great. There are outlets everywhere and no shortage of lights, can hardley wait to move in.

30x30, think I will have enough space??

Check back tomorrow to see the latest status- Have a merry Christmas

Beach Visit along the "FORGOTTEN COAST"

Veterans Day was upon us and we had no plans. Murray and Jana had gone to Gulf Shores to celebrate their 5th Anniversary and Cody was staying with Murray's folks and Judith and I were "Home Alone"...so we decided to take a little trip along the Florida Coast , about 89 miles to the South. At sometime in the past the State of Florida published a map of all the wonderful beaches and forgot to include the Florida Panhandle so the name "The Forgotten Coast". Its about 2 hours South of Headland and a leisurely drive put us in the Panama City area well before noon, the weather was beautiful with temps in the high 70's. a nice breeze off the water and lots of sunshine. Driving East we visited Tyndall Air Force Base, Mexico Beach and Port St Joe. lunch at a Waterfront Cafe then on to Apalachicola where we spent Friday night. A feast of shrimp and scallops at Papa Joe's did not help our waist lines but was sooooooooooooooo-- good. Sat we traveled back East visiting the State park at St Josephs , then to Panama City Beach where they were having a Classic Cars Cruise in. Lots of vintage cars most driven in for a great weekend. We had a great time, and have a few photos to Share. Please enjoy.


Pier Park along the Panama City Beach, is much like Orange Beach in CA. Clean, upbeat with lots of shops and restaurants and CA prices. Lots of folks enjoying the great weather.

Colorful places to eat and a hamburger was only $8 --fries and drinks NOT INCLUDED!

Lots of shopping areas.

Judith, was ready for the cold weather but had no use for the coat she had brought.

I ask the owner of this Bike and trailer if he would give Judith a ride but he said only his dag got to ride in the special trailer.

Lots of expensive bikes at the Classic Car area.

A Low Rider for the young folks.

Thousands of classic cars here is an old Jeep Wagoneer.

A beautiful 56 Chevy Nomad and a Golden Hawk (Studebaker)

60's GTO hardtop.

Old Ford drew lots of lookers trying to find the "RUMBLE SEAT"

Camero's both old and new were present.

This GTO convertible was for sale, $35,000, no takers. I bet the window sticker price in 1960 was less than $6,000.

Lots of new Cameros and Corvettes were there but had to park outside ( Not old enough to be Classic.)
All in all a great weekend, with great weather, so come visit, there are lots of things to do and see.

Mule Day, Calvary, GA 6 Nov 2010

Welcome to Mule Day, Calvary GA, a community of 200 folks but there are 90,000 here for Mule Day. We made it in time for the parade and as you will see there were lots of tractors, people and mules. The weather was sunny but the wind was blowing about 10-15 Knots and that made a jacket feel real good.

No parade without "OLD GLORY" leading

The parade route is about 4 miles long and this was the less crowed spot.

Most of the crew. Murray Jana & Cody then Judith, I am taking the picture.
We got our exercise in today, we had to park a couple of miles down the road.

Lots of old John Deeres in the parade, note the campers in the background. Lots of folks came on Wen. or Thursday.

Also lots of mules!

There was a group that had driven thier teams and wagonsover a 100 miles to be there.

Old Case Tractor.

Old Chevy Pickup & and the Autum Apple Queen. ( looks like an old man to me.)

Old tractors of all types and brands.

Spotted mules

Old Studebaker (not sure of the spelling) but they are no longer made.

Small mules, note the folks in their recliners in back of the toy hauler. What a way to go.

Bring your Lazy Boy!!

Parade crowd.

Tons of wagons and mules.

Murray and Cody check out the tractor, reminds me of work.