KLOE JEAN RUSSELL

Kloe Jeanne Russell
October 21,2008
10:58 pm
7 lbs. 19 1/2 in. long
Welcome, Kloe, to your sweet family! We love you!

THANK YOU

I could not have asked for a better day-just one thing-if Holly and Heidi and her family could have been with us. I felt so special, so loved and humbled too. I know I will always feel a grin come on my face when I think about this party and this day. I said to Steve when we went to bed that my jaw was sore from smiling, and I couldn't even describe the feelings I had. Oh how I love my family and special friends. It seems this year there were even more cards and calls.

MORE BIRTHDAY

Doesn't that look great!
My wish while blowing out the candle was for another decade of good health for me and my sweet family!
We sat around the table until around 10:00 talking.

60 IS GREAT!

I will always remember my 60th birthday and how very very special it was!! Since we went out for dinner on Hilary's birthday it was decided that we would go to Hilary and Chris' for my birthday. I liked that idea. She said we would be having london broil. Even told me that morning that she had it marinating. WELL was I ever surprised. We walked in their house and I noticed how beautiful her table looked, it still didn't hit me, then I saw Ed and Camille sitting on the couch, walked in further and saw Robert and Trish, and at that point realised it was a surprise for me. I did not even have a clue. Hilary and Heidi were back and forth on the phone for 2 weeks planning. Hilary did lots of running around and getting it all together. Everything was just beautiful. Lincoln and Paige knew about it, and never slipped. Steve didn't slip either. To find out Hilary had to buy more plates, glasses and silverware to accommodate everyone.
I loved her center pieces, the little gourds with flowers in them, and all her serving pieces were in fall colors.
Hilary looked so happy. I know she was busy, this was her first big dinner party and she did a GREAT job. We had samon with a wonderful sauce, red potatoes, squash and a great salad. There was bread too.
Camille and Austin
Chris, Robert, Austin, Ryan, Jolene, me, Hilary, Steve, Ed, Camille and Eileen was taking the picture. All very special friends!!

OFFICE BIRTHDAY

That desk is designated to birthday celebrations. The guys aren't very interested, but the office people are. Joyce brought in a yummy cheese cake with berry glaze, happy birthday was sung and the candle was blown out. The beginning of a great day!

HILARY'S BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HILARY!!! Hilary, Chris, Austin, Steve and I went out for dinner. Austin attracted most of the attention. We came home and had one of Hilary's favorites. French Silk pie from Village Inn. Hilary, how did you ever get that many years old. I can still remember the beautiful fall day, in New Jersey, that we brought you home. We got in the house and didn't have a clue what to do!!! In spite of us, you are a wonderful, talented, and careing person. We sure love you and your sweet little family. THANKS

The End

We had an absolutely wonderful week. Saturday morning we packed up and headed to the farmers market in Boon, NC. We got some great produce and a huge pumpkin, stopped at a couple of antique shops and left the mountains. Like the saying "All good things come to an end"

Hike # 3 The Ridge Trail

The day was beautiful and cool. There were several parts of the stream, river in some places, we had to cross. In fact rocks had to be placed in order to get across. The man at the hiking store said it was a great hike, you really had to watch for markers. He mentioned that a couple times, but that we wouldn't have any problem! We met up with Jeff on the hike and we decided to stay together because it was getting a little confusing. He had to filter some water so we went ahead and he said he would catch up!?
This was the last picture. The trail was very confusing and we did go the wrong way. We were far enough ahead that Jeff never caught up with us. We kept going and going and going. There were 2 trails, one was a smaller circle and the other was a huge circle!!! Well we were on the huge trail, and it was getting to be around 4 o'clock. We had already been hiking for about 2 1/2 hours. I really got nervous, #1 I don't like the dark #2 we were not prepared to spend the night and # 3 I wasn't going too!! We turned around and I took the lead. We had already crossed the water 5 times, which meant 5 times back. There were some places that were really pretty hard to cross, and guess what, I did fall in, and I am not going to say how many times. I JUST KEPT TRUCKING! We made it back in 1 3/4 hours. Our legs and hips were a bit sore, but we got out before it got dark!! It probably was a real pretty hike, but I sure couldn't appreciate it.
When we got back to the van this note was taped to the window. Jeff waited for a while, but if it got dark there wouldn't be anything he could do. There was no cell, so he headed out, and called 911 when he had cell. They said that nothing could be done until it got dark and we still weren't out. We were glad to see that his truck was gone when we got out, we were afraid that maybe he went the wrong way too. When we got cell we called him and had a nice visit on the phone. There are nice people where ever you go!!
The next day we saw some scouts at a craft fair. We talked to them and mentioned that marking the trail with the correct markers would be a great Eagle Scout project. They seemed very interested.

Hike # 2

Grandfathers Profile: We have done this hike a couple of times before, but we never went to the top. The last 1/2 mile is steep and rocky and I always had an excuse why we couldn't go. I promised I would this time. It leads into Grandfather Mountain trail. It was a great hike. See those poles---I was not impressed and thought they were pretty dorky!! WELL I guess I am a dork too because I really liked using them!!
Way in the background is the rock that looks like a profile. You really can't tell in the picture. It was a great hike, only thing, Steve's cell worked up there.
This is at the end of the Profile trail and where the Grandfather trail starts. See that little sing to my left LOST in yellow letters. I think that was an omen to our next hike!!

North Carolina Hikes

This was our first hike, and it was just beautiful. Most of it was around this lake and as you can see the leaves were starting to change. The hike was not very strenious, but it got us ready for hike number 1 and 2. It was so nice to be in cooler weather and away together!

Our Soccer Man

If you ask Lincoln which is his favorite sport--it is the one he is playing at that moment, and he is good, really good at all of them. He and his friend Sam score several goals. Lincoln is ready to score one right here.
OOps same picture!?
Look at that action!! And he scored again!
He didn't like this position at all. "It is too boring".
What a handsome little man. This was right after church and he helped his mom set the table. From plates, glasses, napkins, and even putting the silverware on the right side.
I am so happy that we are able to be around them from time to time, and see all that they do!

Visit to Jacksonville North Carolina

Thats our spookie little Paige acting crazzzzzy! I just love our grandchildren, and each one is so very special!

Chris' Birthday

It's Chris' birthday and he is so easy to make a birthday cake for. He doesn't care for cake, pie or
very few homemade cookies... He loves peanut butter cups!!! Only thing is you can't fit many candles on top! Guess he just can't get very old!

Special Little Guy!

Look at those blue eyes and sun kisses. Lincoln I love you, and remember what Grammy wispers in your ear!

GREAT

WHAT MORE CAN I ASK FOR!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Putt putt anyone

Holly wanted to do something fun the night before she left, and putt putt it was. We did have lots of fun!!! Just ask who got the best score!?!?!!?
I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!

OPPS...... I think this one went over the side!?!?!
Better line this one up just right!??!
Concentration!?!?

The little mother!

Paige always wanted to help with little Austin, and she did a darn good job too. Heidi is going to have lots of help when Kloe is born. Look at that cousin connection!! I love it!!!

The birthday dinner and cake

We went to Aqua Grill for Holly's Birthday Dinner, and it was a wonderful evening. We ate outside right by the water. It was a beautiful evening, and our whole family was together. Boy that is getting harder and harder to do, so it was extra special!!! Lincoln, Paige and little Austin were the best little people...Steve and I are so blessed to have the best happy and healthy grandchildren!! You guys are doing a great job!!!
Sweet pictures!!!

Happy Birthday Holly

Heidi and her sweet family got in midnight or 1 am or maybe even later, but Heidi got up early to make sure Holly had balloons for her birthday! The birthday fairy did come to her during the night. Heidi's friend Joy helped to start that in our family.
THE BIRTHDAY KISSES!!

GREAT WEEK/QUICK WEEKEND

Holly got a week of vacation and enjoyed every minute of it. Very pregnant Heidi, Matt, Lincoln, Paige and Roxy (their puppy) drove in for the weekend.
Holly and Austin became buddies from the second they met---can't you tell!!
Holly came to Jacksonville, along with which ever "tropical storm" it was. There was NO beach, but we did find a little spot on an incline up close to the sea grass. Our chairs were so sloped down we kept sliding off. Good laughs, good fun, and good memories! The sun kept peeking out, and it didn't rain, it was great!

Orlando

Kyrsten and Mike Hicks, Steve and I went to the Temple in Orlando. We left very early in the morning! I am so glad we went, it is always such an uplifting experience. It was a great day! Thanks Kyrsten and Mike for asking us---Lets do it again soon!

The Test

This was a very exciting day for Hilary. She has been attending classes to get her real estate license. The classes were 2 evenings a week from 6 till 10, for 6 weeks. On Labor Day she took the test and did very well! Austin stayed with Steve and I. We sure are happy for her and her sweet little family! Way to go Hilary!!! Now she has to take the state exam. She has taken some practice tests and has done pretty well. More studying! Hang in there Chris!

More of Fay

The rain and wind just hung over Jacksonville for quite a while. Fay would just not move.
I tried to catch the trees when they were blowing, but you really can't tell in these.
Thank goodness we had a shop vac--there for a while Steve had to go out about every 15 minutes and vac up the water. The back door to the borch was blocked by the dirt bags, so he had to empty the vac with a bucket, walk it through the house, out the front door and empty the bucket in the front yard. By late Friday afternoon the rain and wind really calmed down, and we were even able to go out and get most of the yard cleaned up.