We had a wonderful long weekend with my sister Bobbie, brother-in-law Joe, my nephew Phil and his wife Gretchen and boys Jay and Reid.

Mr. Wonderful and I had never met Gretchen and the boys and we feel in love with them instantly. What a sweet family. We even adored Jessie their yellow lab.

The weather has been beautiful and Bobbie's house nicer than any resort I have even been in. I love her wrap around porch and spent some relaxing down time just enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature.

We toured some plantation homes in Eufalia where several scenes from the movie "Sweet Home Alabama " was filmed. We leave tomorrow early in the morning for the long trek home. Pray us home, you've done a great job so far. More later.

Labels: Alabama, Family Photos

I know you have been holding your breath waiting for our family portrait....they finally arrived and I think they were worth the wait. What do you think? Any time you can get four adults and a baby looking pleasant at the same time is nothing short of a miracle.

Labels: Family Photos

How's this for some good looking kids?

This is my favorite picture. I had my darling daughter (grrrl #1.) make a screen saver out of this picture.

They're so cute I'd claim them even if they weren't mine.

From Left to Right : Boy Wonder (aka "The Heir Apparent), new son-in-law (aka "The Cute Canadian) , grrrl #1 (grrrlmeetsworld), Texas T (baby girl's hubby) and baby girl.

Three are in New York, the other two in Canada....mom and dad in Virginia. Thank goodness for cell phones and emails.

Labels: Christmas 2005, Family Photos

My bro and I at Rockefeller Center
Originally uploaded by becky b..

Very RARE PICTURE.....Andy and Becky together....2 years in the making! What a great picture of both of them.

Labels: Christmas 2005, Family Photos

Here we are at the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. Since I missed the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center my family took pity on me and took me to see lots of trees, flowers, gingerbread houses, and even a holiday train with different buildings of New York made with all natural items and to scale.

This is the original 5.....Baby girl, My Mister, Lazy Daisy , boy wonder and big sister. This is the first time we have all been together in 2 years!

Boy Wonder was a great tour guide of Manhattan for big sis and hubby and they had a whirlwind adventure Friday. They went to the Moma and saw great art, Central Park, Trump Tower, Rockefeller Center, China Town, A Buddhist Temple, Strawberry Fields, the display windows of the huge department stores, a tour of Brooklyn and Boy Wonder's apartment as well as a tour of his work place in Chelsea.

Saturday after our tour of the Botanical Gardens we all went to eat at a very nice Mexican restaurant and visited baby sister's favorite places including Trader Joe's (wha a great place to get hard to find grocery items!)

Saturday evening we met Meghan (Boy Wonder's girlfriend) and went to Christmas Eve services. We also had a "Chinese Auction" with gag gifts that we all participated in. The best gift (or the one fought over the most) was a Santa hat with braids!

It was a really nice day and the weather was great for all our outdoor activities.

We really had a great time just being together.

Labels: Christmas 2005, Family Photos

We made it to the Big Apple. Here we are minus Tim (who took the picture) on Time Square.

Note my mister with his "don't mess with me bodyguard" face!

Boy Wonder on the far left, grrrl #1 with hubby, baby grrrl, me, and the mister.

My time in the city was short. We did see Grand Central Station, Times Square,and the huge Toys R Us store (packed with shoppers!)

Shortly after this picture was taken we went back to Tuckahoe and I spent the day in the ER with a mysterious episode of weakness, and almost passing out that we could not find a reason for. All test came back alright which was a blessing, but it surly took the wind out of my sails.

I'm feeling much better now. If nothing else a little more thankful to be spending time with my family this Christmas. Life is short, cherish those you love while you can.

Labels: Christmas 2005, Family Photos