Hosting - Cauthen Christmas

Cauthen Christmas- My family starting arriving the day after Christmas. My brothers, their wives & my (kk) parents came in. Since we are about mid-way between my brothers, we hosted Christmas this year. It looked like an air-mattress commercial, but it was great to have everyone. David & I were both sick, but we managed to enjoy every ounce of it.

My parents gave everyone PIANOS for Christmas. We were floored!!

Everyone enjoyed playing on the Wii….which was a big hit!We all ate way too much!! I was so thankful to Kellie for helping me get dinner together. I couldn’t have done it without you!! We went out to sushi for dinner. I don’t think we could have eaten another heavy meal!! We were so glad to have everyone come to our little church Sunday morning. It was very relaxing. No one rushed to leave. It was great!!

Keeney Christmas

December 22-25:-
Keeney Christmas:
This Christmas was bitter-sweet. It was the first time Grandma & Grandpa Denick couldn’t make the trip over to Dallas from New Mexico. Grandpa Denick was in the hospital over Christmas. Thankfully, we can report he is finally back home with Grandma. David’s mom is staying for a while to help. Please continue to pray for everyone during this time.

The sweet part of Christmas was spending so much time with Kelly, Jonathan, & the kids [our niece, Emily & nephew, Thad]. We all had so much fun playing, talking till the wee-hours of the morning, and eating too many sweets.

We spent Tuesday at a mall nearby with Kelly, the kids, and Mom & Dad Keeney. Thad climbed a rock wall, while we all watched his bravery!! Both of the kids enjoyed playing in a “soft-play area.” (Everything is covered in foam & is kid-friendly & bo-bo proof.) We even managed to find enough space for us to eat lunch in the food-court. Dad got Emily the cutest little outfit (which she got to wear the next day for Christmas).

Christmas Eve lunch at Mom & Dad Keeney’s was delicious. Mom sent us home with her famous fruitcake. Dad told us about his 300 perfect bowling score he recently played. Everyone gave such thoughtful gifts. Of course, the kids’ excitement topped the afternoon off on a high-note.

Christmas Eve supper at the Lemons- Jonathan’s parents invited us over for dinner & fun. They made steaks, potatoes, salads……you name it, they had it. They are a jolly ol’ bunch & it reminded me of my own family. Needless to say, we fit right in!!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day- We got up early to watch the kids open Santa’s gifts before heading back to MS. Somewhere in Arkansas, David & I both began to feel under the weather. We made a pizza & had our own little Christmas celebration before dozing off.

Blanton-Cauthen Christmas's

December 20th –
Blantonville: David & I (kk) stopped by Mammaw & Papaw Blanton’s on our way to the Cauthen family Christmas. We had a nice quick visit with everyone. We gave them a coffee maker with a timer. [Mammaw had been getting up at midnight to make coffee, because she couldn’t manage to get up before everyone else in the morning…..she tries her best to take care of the menfolk, even though she’s the one in need of special care. God bless her!!]
We also got a few little candy happies for Papaw, Mammaw, & Uncle Cecil. It turns out that after we gave them their goodies; my little brother Matt & his wife, Kellie, gave them all the EXACT same gifts…….down the Super Dooper Reindeer Pooper for Uncle Cecil & a coffee pot!!!! We all had a good laugh over that one!!

Cauthenville: After leaving Mammaw & Papaw Blanton’s, we drove down to my (kk) other grandmother’s house in Goodman for our family “get-together.” We had a nice visit! Everyone was on their best behavior!! We could only stay for a few hours, before having to drive back home to Tupelo.

Weather

Friday, December 19, 2008
Today's Writing Prompt: Weather

Write about how the weather affects you emotionally, or recall a weather-related memory.

I suscribe to another blog that asks you to spend one minute writing about a different topic every day. I find that it gets the creative juices going. Here's my one minute on today's topic “Weather”:

I always find that these topics remind me of people, not places or things. Today, I thought of my husband, David. He has more excitement about all things weather related than any other person on this planet. Although, when he gets excited…..the rest of us should be worried. The more severe, the more his excitement grows. I find that I no longer trust TV weathermen (not that anyone ever does). I just call my own personal meteorologist for any query I have. After we got married, we both got certified to be storm spotters for the National Weather Service. I’m not sure there was anything greater for me to do with him than to share in his world. “Whether” or not anyone cares, he’ll always be my weatherman.

Christmas Decorations

The last few weekends, we put up our tree & decorations. Admittedly, I cried a little bit when we lit the tree. Our first real-“sized” (but fake) tree. We’ve had a “Charlie Brown” tree the last few years (reminder to self: post that pic as well). We still put our little tree on our coffee table. I don’t think I’ll ever part with it.

I’ve started wrapping Christmas gifts & addressing our cards. Christmas is almost here. We’ve been practicing our Christmas music at church. It truly is “~~~~~the most wonderful time of the year~~~~~.”

Traveling Keeneys

NEW MEXICO
Catch-up. David went to visit his folks & grandparents over Thanksgiving break. His grandparents live in Alamogordo, NM. He hasn’t been there in years.
He really enjoyed the trip. [I was finishing up a project. So, I worked over Thanksgiving. However, I’ll be taking the entire week off for Christmas. I don’t think I’ve done that since I was in high school.]

NEVADA
For a turn-about last week, I was flying off. I had a conf. in Vegas.
Admittedly, if you’re not into strippers & gambling… it’s not a big deal (ie I’M NOT!!). I was stuck in the hotel the whole time from around 7am-11pm (the conference was in the hotel). The only time I got to really see much of the city was on my morning runs down the Vegas strip. I’m thankful to be home though. A whole week without David or Jack, just had me out-of-sorts.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends and family. We are thankful to have each and every one of you in our lives. God has blessed us with your love!!

Welcoming the New Weatherman to Tupelo!!

David's friend, Jason, (whom he lives with during the week in Starkville)is about to start doing the weekend weather in Tupelo for WTVA. He currently works for a TV station in Meridian on the weekends. He will be staying with us on the weekends till he graduates in May.

We all went out to eat at our favorite sushi place, Shogun!!


I thought I'd share one of Jason's weather reports. Welcome to Tupelo Jason!!

Fall

Don't you just love fall?!! Mississippi is so gorgeous this time of year.
(This is one of the views on my(kk) running route. I wanted to lay down in the leaves and make "leaf angels".)

Wes's Wedding Toasts (via David & Wes's mom)

Going Gangsta @ Wes' Wedding

Somehow, several of us went gangsta at Wes's wedding......something was in the air I suppose. Or perhaps, Wes just has a bunch of dorks for friends......


David, Jason & Wes

Me, David, and Catherine

Kristina & Jennifer (Wes's nieces)

VOTE

Don't forget to vote tomorrow!!

I guess you can see who we're endorsing this year!!

Jack-O-Lantern......well sort of

Jack disguised as Elvis. Wonder if he'll sing "Hound dog"?

Jack disguised as the Easter Bunny.

Fall Pics

Catherine shot some photos of us around the house this weekend. Thought I'd share a bit.

Birthday Boy

Yesterday was David's 33rd birthday!! I (kk) drove down to Starkville to celebrate with him. Unfortunately, he is sick. I hope he wished to get better!!


I surprised him with a little cake!!


A bunch of fellow meteorology students met us at "Cowbells" in Starkville. I might add that there was A LOT of weather talk. So, David had a great time!!


Another friend of David's called to wish him happy birthday on Jason's phone.....As you can see, he was wary of David's germs.

NWA Awards

David recently presented his thesis work at a national conference. He placed second on his poster presentation (a really big deal in the scientific world).

Check it out!!

DAVID'S AWARD

I'm so proud of him!!

Pumpkin Carving

Last night, I (kk) went over to Peggy's & we carved pumpkins...here's a few (I know they aren't lit... hopefully, they'll be better with candles inside).
<







She did a monkey face!!

I did the bat & "EEK!!" one..

I love fall!!

Walking in Memphis

David & I (kk) had a great weekend. We went to visit one of my dearest friends, Anna. We enjoyed getting out of town "together" finally!! Friday night, she took us to a great taco shop,"Swanky", in Germantown. It's similar to Chipotle, but decidely better. Afterwards, the three of us spent the rest of the night being the big nerds that we are.......reading a personality book...(which explains David's previous post).

Saturday, we hit the mall......in hopes of finding David a shirt to wear at Wes's wedding. Thankfully, Macy's was having a huge sale on menswear. We found his shirt in 5 minutes.

Personalities

We're in Memphis, TN for the night spending time with Anna. Right now (well, not RIGHT NOW b/c I wrote this some time in the past, but you understand) we're reading about our personalities and how they affect marriages. Karen is ESTJ and I'm INTP if you're into personality types. She's an Executor and I'm a Theorist. Karen has just corrected me...she is an Executioner...I "sit" corrected.

Leaving vs Boarding Jack

We're leaving for tonight to visit one of my (kk) dearest friends (Anna) in Memphis. So, we had to decide whether to board Jack or have someone come over to feed & walk him tomorrow.
After twisting Margaret's arm, she agreed to take care of our little canine. He's a big boy & can be somewhat intimidating(he's a doberman). He's a sweetie pie, if he's been introduced to you by his parents!! Margaret is a tried & true dog person (having 5 dogs herself).
Jack loves to board. Strange right?! We board him at the vet's office that we adopted him from. The girls spoil him rotten. They had him for 4.5 months because they just couldn't put him down. So, it's like his second home. He's their prince, and he knows it!!
No worries Jack!! Margaret will love on you!!

Making/Packing David's lunches

I have started cooking healthier....Last night, after supper....We made vegan spaghetti for David to take with him to school. I love the last picture of David straining the whole grain pasta....and the steam has completely fogged up his glasses.

Trip Home

I(kk) got to see my little brother, Matt, and his wife, Kellie. They recently bought 72 acres near my grandparents. So, we took a tour of their future home site. I'm so proud of him!!


My grandfather sacrificed his last watermelon of the season for my visit. We had a great time gorging ourselves on the sweet meat.

Saturday,I washed and curled my grandmother's hair at her beauty shop. She felt like a million bucks for church on Sunday.


Being there refreshes something deep within me. I proud to have my roots in that fertile soil. My memories are long and my heart full. God has blessed me beyond my greatest expectations.

Anniversary Surprise

Well, David got me good..... We celebrated this weekend because David spends his weeks in Starkvegas. Low & behold.....when I got home last night. My husband was there waiting for me. It was a wonderful surprise!!! He took me out again to celebrate.(Good thing I didn't have plans!!) For the record, I have the best husband in the world!!!

Anniversary Weekend

We celebrated our anniversary a little early this time. Since, David is in Starkville during the week days. We just celebrated all weekend long. Friday,we went out to sushi, the mall, then dessert at our favorite bistro(as we watched the presidential debate). Saturday,we didn't do any house or yard work. Plus, we found the most amazing cooking place. It is full of tons of gourmet finds. It will be my newest gift place I'm sure. Sunday afternoon,we went to the park with Jack. Of course, I got flowers AGAIN!! Sorry VH1 THIS was the best weekend ever!!