Memorial Day Weekend 2010

On Saturday 5-29-10, We got up early and went to the National Cemetery in Chattanooga, TN. The Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts placed American flags on the graves for Memorial Day. Avery, of course, being in Girl Scouts again this year and my nephews, Hayden and Corbin, are both in the Boy Scouts.

Avery Placing Flags at the Cemetery





Hayden Placing Flags at the Cemetery



Corbin Placing Flags at the Cemetery



The Chattanooga National Cemetery is the second largest in the USA and was established in 1863. Over 12,000 Union soldiers were buried here during the battles in and around Chattanooga, most notably "Andrews Raiders," the first four men to win Medals of Honor. Veterans of the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam are resting here, too. All U.S. Veterans of the Armed Forces and their families are eligible for interment in this beautiful cemetery. Currently about 64,000 Veterns are buried here.

Mother's Day 2010

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. -- Washington Irving (1783-1859)

My Mother Joan (I Love You)



Avery and I spent the evening at a local walking track/park. Here are some pictures from our time together.

Dixie Stampede at Pigeon Forge, TN

We went to see Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner Show on May 8, 2010. The 1:00 p.m. show was for Tennessee Girl Scout Troops and their families only. The Dixie Stampede features a four course meal. We had creamy vegtable soup with a garlic cheese biscuit, a whole small rotisserie chicken, a slice of smoked pork roast, a baked potato wedge, corn on the cob, and apple flake pastry. It was so good and we were stuffed coming out of there. I am glad we skipped breakfast that day. The arena was seperated by two sides, the "North" (Civil War) on one side of the arena and the "South" (Civil War) on the other side. We represented the "South" side during the Civil War.

The Announcer of the Show



Gone With the Wind



The North and The South







The show consisted of stunt performers and horse tricks, song and dance about the Cherokee Indians,Old West, and Southern Belles, games played between the "North and South" performers and the audience, pony and pig races, and the show ended with a contribute to America. The picture below is from the internet. I got in trouble for trying to take my own pictures....Ha Ha!

Easter 2010

After church, we drove to Spring City, TN to visit with my grandfather. My grandmother passed away on March 15, 2010 and we didn't want him to spend Easter alone. We brought food and had a family meal. Also in attendance were my parent's, my brother and his family, my uncle Lonnie, cousin Lon, and his girlfriend, Denise. After the meal, the children participated in an Egg Hunt. Pictures of the Egg Hunt are on the Smilebox slide show....Please Enjoy!

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Joe and Stacy



Stacy and Avery



Avery



Joe and Avery




Stacy and Daddy Ray



Stacy, Mom, and Brother



Dad and Daddy Ray



Avery, Hayden, and Corbin

Spring is Coming

This song is dedicated in memory of my grandmother, Jean Eldridge. December 28, 1926 - March 15, 2010. The flowers above are from her funeral.





We planted the seed while the tears of our grief soaked the ground
The sky lost its sun, and the world lost its green to lifeless brown
Now the chilling wind has turned the earth hard as stone
And silently seed rise beneath ice and snow

And my heart's heavy now
But I'm not letting go of this hope I have that tells me

Spring is coming, Spring is coming
And all we've been hoping and longing for soon will appear
Spring is coming, Spring is coming
It won't be long now, it's just about here

Hear the birds start to sing
Feel the life in the breeze
Watch the ice melt away
The kids are coming out to play

Feel the sun on your skin
Growing strong and warm again
Watch the ground: there's something moving
Something is breaking through
New life is breaking through

Spring is coming, Spring is coming
And all we've been hoping and longing for soon will appear
Spring is coming, Spring is coming
And it won't be long now, it's just about here

Spring is coming, Spring is coming
(Out of these ashes, beauty will rise)
And all we've been hoping and longing for soon will appear
(Sorrow will be turned to joy)
Spring is coming, Spring is coming
(All we hoped for soon will appear)
It won't be long now, it's just about here
(Out of the dark clouds, beauty will shine)
(All above in heaven, rejoice)
(Spring is coming soon)
(Spring is coming soon)

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN 2010

Our Charming Country Chalet



Along with our friends, Donald and Angel Harris, Joe and I ventured out of town for a "Smoky Mountain Weekend Getaway" in spite of the winter weather advisory report. We left our house on Friday, January 29th, and headed North toward Pigeon Forge, TN (It is about 2 1/2 hours from Chattanooga, TN). Once we arrived into the Pigeon Forge area, we decided to go take a look at our cabin. We all had decided that if the road appeared to be too steep and dangerous, then we would call the cabin rental place and try to get something on a flatter surface. Needless to say, we called and got another place to stay. The chalet that we stayed in was not like the rustic cabin we wanted, but it was like a country cottage/chalet. However, it was very cute and charming. It was located near a fresh mountain stream and you could hear the water from the front porch even though it was too cold to sit on the porch and relax.

Mountain Stream by the Cottage








Saturday we drove into Gatlinburg, TN and walked around to the various shops while the snow was falling down and then drove back to Pigeon Forge to eat and shop some more.

Gatlinburg, TN

Christmas 2009

2009 Sanders Christmas Tree

Christmas 2009 at Joe's Side of the Family


Avery's Slippers, Sock Monkey, and her Cousin Shelby


Christmas started with us on Decemeber 20, 2009. We traveled to Rome, GA to have our Sanders Family Christmas event. Thank you Paw Paw and May May for hosting this event and all the gifts and pizza. Attending the event also were Joe's sisters, Amy and Julie, and their families. Thank you all for Avery's gifts and the desserts that you brought. It was a fun day visiting with all of you! Hope that you all have a GREAT New Year!

Christmas 2009 at my Mom and Dad's House


Avery, Cousin Hayden, Cousin Corbin

On Christmas Eve, we traveled to Fort Ogelthorpe, GA (So far away...like 5 minutes) to our Eldridge Family Christmas event. Thank you Papa and Mammy for hosting this event and all the gifts, ham/hamburger sandwiches, cheese ball, and of course, "Papa's Annual Fudge". Attending also was my brother Jason and his family. Thanks for Avery's gift and for making the deer jerky for us. I enjoyed watching "The Never Ending Story"....I mean the movie, "Side Order" with you all...LOL. I hope that you all have a GREAT New Year too!

On Christmas Day, we all woke up about 8:00 am to open our gifts from "SANTA". This is the first year that Avery hasn't believed.....so, Christmas was not as exciting in that department, but she enjoyed her gifts that consisted of mostly clothes, shoes, and of course, Twilight/New Moon items. I am hoping this fad ends soon. After opening gifts, we traveled to Spring City, TN to visit with my grandparent's, The Eldridges. The Christmas season was very busy, but a lot of memories were made to cherish in the years to come.

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