Family Visits

Before Christmas,  George and I made three separate trips to visit some of the family.  On Dec. 20,  we drove to Tullahoma to visit George's 100 yr. old Dad.  We took him to lunch ---and he woofed down some fried chicken,  onion rings,  slaw and a big brownie topped with ice cream.....   Gee---that man still can EAT.... Awesome,  isn't it????  The picture above is of  George and his Dad..  I love that picture,  don't you?

Then on Dec. 22,  we drove down to Dalton, GA to have dinner and spend some time with son Jeff and his bride, Dawn.  Those two are SO happy ---and enjoying their first Christmas together as man and wife.  We gave them a "First Christmas" ornament... They fixed some delicious Gumbo for dinner.... YUM... We had a wonderful time with them.  The picture above is their gorgeous Christmas tree --which they picked out together at a tree farm.  Isn't it pretty?

Here is a picture of the newlyweds which I took while we visited.   Jeff inherited 3 doggies.... Dawn is holding Henry.  The other two are bigger dogs which stay outside most of the time.  Henry is ADORABLE---but it has taken him awhile to share his Mama with Jeff.... ha

THEN--on Dec. 23, we drove to Nashville to have dinner and do some photography with George's beautiful daughter, Kelly, and her hubby, Chuck.  They live in Buffalo --so we don't get to see them often.  BUT-since they were in Nashville attending an event,  we took the opportunity to meet with them for some time together...

After dinner,  we drove to an interesting old cemetery to do some walking and take some pictures.  The cemetery,  Mount Olivet  Cemetery,  is really interesting.  The weather was TERRIBLE (cold and drizzly) --so we didn't stay long.  BUT--we did get some good pictures while we were there.  The picture of Kelly and Chuck above was taken at the cemetery.  They were standing next to a HUGE Magnolia tree (which I have pictured in the next photo below).  NOTE:  Chuck is really taller than Kelly---but she was standing on a large tree root.

The cemetery (250 acres) was established in 1856---so it is very old with some interesting sculptures.  Besides these sculptures,  there were some AWESOME old trees on the property.   The picture above was one of the largest MAGNOLIA trees I have ever seen.   Note the trunk of this huge tree in the photo above of Kelly/Chuck.

Besides the Magnolia tree,   I also saw the largest HOLLY TREE I have ever seen.  In fact, there were several Holly trees in this area ---and probably more Magnolias.  The picture above shows one of these gorgeous Holly trees.  They are LOADED with berries.... So pretty!

And here is a close-up picture of some of the beautiful Holly berries.

Finally,  I'll close with some photos of some of the gorgeous sculptures in that cemetery. 

 As you can imagine,  we had a wonderful three days with family.  That made our Christmas very very special this year.

We drove to Tullahoma yesterday to see Dad.  (We go down there about every other week.)  He is fine ---and kept talking about someone selling all of the horses... HA HA ---he has never had any horses!!!! Bless his heart.

Hope you have a great weekend.  I will see you on Monday.   HAPPY 2013 to YOU.

Hugs,

Emoticons

A 100th Birthday Celebration

My wonderful father-in-law,  John Emery Adams,  turns 100 years YOUNG today!!!!   As you read this,  we are with him still celebrating... 

This past Saturday,  in the Fellowship Hall of his church,  First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee,   many, many friends and family members gathered to help Dad celebrate his birthday... Today I will share some pictures from that party.

Family members came from all over the country to celebrate,   and many friends stopped by to see Dad and congratulate him.  For me personally,  I enjoyed seeing many old friends from Hendersonville ---since I worked in that church for 3 years before retiring.  That made this party even more special for me.

For those who don't know about my inlaws,   let me tell you that when I met and married George,  I fell totally in love, not only with him,  but with his wonderful parents... Mom Adams used to make me a Peanut Butter Pie (my fav) for my birthday every year!!!!  Mom died in June of 2011.  Since Mom and Dad were so very very close (had been married for 72 yrs),  we didn't expect Dad (who was the older one) to live much longer after Mom died.  However,  he has perked up and has made it to age 100.... What an awesome man--- and an inspiration to all who know him.

Hope you enjoy some of the pictures from the party.... Above is Dad Adams and his three children:  Ken (68)--who lives in Indiana;  Janet (60) -- who lives in Tullahoma, TN;  George (70)--who lives in Crossville, TN.  Janet is the one who deserves the kudos --since she is Dad's caregiver.

Many many Family members and friends came by to talk to Dad ---and Dad LOVED it!!!

Dr. Ben and Betty Alexander talk to Dad..  Brother Ben is one of the ministers at the church, and Dad and Mom attended his Bible Studies for years.

This is Janet's two sons and their children. 

This group includes some of Mom Adams side of the family, the Cassidays. 

First Row:  Bonnie (Ken's wife);  Dad;  me;   Second Row:  Ken;  one of Ken's sons (David) and his wife;  George

This family group is the Woodke family,  relatives on Dad's side.

Row 1:  Ken, Dad, Bonnie;   Row 2:  George and me

This was one of the most moving times of the party.  The great grandchildren sang  "Happy Birthday" and "Jesus Loves Me" to their PawPaw.

Finally,  here's one more photo of Dad and us.  Front row:  Me, Dad, Bonnie;  Second row:  George, Janet and Ken

I don't know the number of people who attended that two-hour party---but between family and friends (who came and went all afternoon),  I think there must have been at least 75 people total... Dad handled the day very well---and even ate a good dinner that night when all of the family went to dinner together at the Chop House.

What a remarkable day ---and what a remarkable man.... God Bless You, Dad Adams,  as you enter into year 101 of your life.

Please say a little prayer for Dad today --as we celebrate his 100th birthday together as a family.  If you want to see more pictures of Dad  (pictures of him through the years),  click HERE to see George's blog post today.

Have a great day...

Hugs,
Betsy

More from Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee

On April 21st,   George and I visited FALL CREEK FALLS STATE PARK here in Tennessee.   IF you missed seeing the blog post as to WHY we chose that particular day to go down there,   click HERE to find out!!!!!

Today I'll share with you more pictures from that cold, drizzly, foggy day!!!!  Above is the main waterfall in the park, Fall Creek Falls.  (There are 6 waterfalls there altogether.)   Fall Creek Falls is 256 feet high.  IF you want to read more information about this waterfall,  click HERE.

Here's a picture taken from the Fall Creek Falls overlook of the gorge.. You can see the fog around that day.

I took this picture of George at the overlook at Fall Creek Falls.  You can see part of the waterfall ---and also the fog.

Another waterfall at the park is named CANE CREEK FALLS.  The best place to get a picture of this one is after a hike on the other side of the gorge.  I took this picture from the overlook during our hike.

I got excited seeing some beautiful wildflowers blooming at the park.  Aren't these little guys just gorgeous?

Seeing the Mountain Laurels begin to bloom was also exciting to me.  I should go back next week  and see these beauties in full bloom...

After a delicious dinner at the lodge restaurant that afternoon,  we walked outside to check out the lake...  I thought of my youngest son and his son, my awesome grandson.  They would love to be here fishing on the pier nearby!  BUT--it was a little chilly out there ---or at least, the wind was cold!!!!

Finally,  this picture of us was taken at the CANE CREEK CASCADES when we first got to the park... After checking out this area and taking pictures,  we quickly put on our jackets... Did I mention that it was quite cold down there that day????? ha ha

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This past Wednesday,  we drove to McMinnville, Tennessee  to meet George's brother, Ken, and wife, Bonnie, along with  Dad Adams for lunch at Applebee's.   Ken and Bonnie have been visiting Dad this week in Tullahoma.   They live in Indiana --so we don't get to see them as often as we'd like.

This is a hard week for Dad (who will be 100 yrs. old in August).   Wednesday (when we met) would have been Mom's 92nd birthday. (She died last June--and he misses her terribly.)  Then Saturday, the 5th, would have been their 72nd wedding anniversary. BUT--Dad is still doing well,  and he definitely ate a good lunch!!!

George and I did something we NEVER do.... Can you believe that we both left our cameras at home????????   GADS!!!!   SO---the picture above of Dad,  Bonnie and Ken was taken last August at Cracker Barrel.    BUT--despite the fact that we didn't have our cameras,  we did have a great lunch and fellowship with all of them.  Ken is George's little brother ---being 2 yrs. younger.  Their sister, Janet, couldn't join us since she was at work.  She is 10 yrs. younger than George.

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George and I are going to take a BLOG BREAK.  We are SO SO busy --and there's SO much to do.. We just need to take a break for a short time.  We should be back to blogging between May 14 and 16...  Hope all of you have a great week!!!! 

Have a wonderful weekend  and week ahead.
Hugs,
Betsy

Tullahoma Trip to Visit Dad Adams

On February 9th,  George and I made a trip about 2.5 hours southwest of here to visit George's 99 year old Daddy...  (We do this about every 2 weeks.)  We found Dad in pretty good spirits although at his age,  both the body and the mind are really wearing out...  George spends time going over all of Dad's financial records with him each time we go...  Dad may not quite remember everything these days,  but his mind can still be 'sharp' at times --especially when talking about his money!!!!!

Every time we go,  we take Dad out to lunch and then for a long ride in the area...  He loves that!!!!  This particular time,  after lunch (and believe me,  that 99 yr. old man can EAT),  we went to the Ledford Mills area to check out some waterfalls...

Today I'll share some pictures with you from that fun day... Above is a picture of POND FALLS,  found at  the Ledford Mill  (where there used to be an old mill) Bed and Breakfast... Be sure to click on the pictures to see them larger.

George took this picture of me when we got to the second waterfall,  WETUMPKA FALLS... (Don't ask me how that waterfall got its name!!!!????)

This is WETUMPKA FALLS...  It's a pretty little waterfall, don't you think,  even if it has such a big name!!!!

I took this picture of George at Wetumpka Falls...

And ---sitting in the car is our "Star of the Show" today!!!!  This is Dad Adams ---who will be 100 years old in August of this year.... Isn't that amazing?





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Here is one more picture of our Sunday Snow...  It was pretty while it lasted --but is totally gone now.  The weather warmed up quickly,  and yesterday, on our walk,  we didn't see much snow left at all, even in the shady areas.  In fact,  it felt like SPRING.

Hope you have a beautiful day.  Thanks so much for those of you who have been so nice to take the Word Verification off of your blog...  I have tried as much as FIVE times at times trying to get the spelling correct... Ridiculous!!!!  Thanks again.

Hugs,
Betsy

Family and Friends

Since taking a Blog Break from Sept. 9-25,   George and I have had the advantage  of being with some family and also meeting some more fabulous blog friends...

First we went to Buffalo, NY, to visit George's daughter, Kelly and hubby Chuck...  We had a fabulous time with them, and they took us to some really GREAT places --including some of their favorite restaurants...Above is a picture of George's gorgeous daughter and the love of her life.  This picture was taken on the American side above the Niagara River at the Whirlpool State Park.   On the left side near the top,  you can see a bit of the Spanish Aero Car as it moves across the gorge.  Below are more!

Here are the four of us.  I had a terrible time with this picture.  I couldn't get the lighting right no matter how much I worked on it... I even cropped it a bunch --so that you could see faces... Oh Well!!!!!  BUT---this is one of the few times,  the 'shorty' in the group (ME) was TALL.... ha ha (We were all standing on steps, and I got the TOP one!!!!)

After leaving Buffalo,  we met  blog friend,  LINDA  and her hubby Bob,  at the Cracker Barrel for dinner in Erie, PA.   The neatest thing about meeting blog friends is that you feel as if you have known each other FOREVER... It was wonderful meeting them.  We could have talked forever. Above is a picture of Linda and Bob.

Here is a picture that George took of Linda and me.  She is such a wonderful friend--and a great photographer!!!!

Then--this past Saturday,   we met another blog friend and his family.   Blog friend, LARRY,  his wife Bev and her sister, Pat,  actually came to Crossville... They have a new RV ---and were camping at the Beanpot Campground near us.   We took them to dinner at one of our local restaurants,  the Catfish Cabin.  Then we visited them for awhile at their campground.  Larry has a 'cooking blog' ---and both he and Bev can really cook...  Yum!!!!  It was a neat visit ---and we enjoyed meeting this wonderful family.  Above is Larry,  Bev and Pat with their furry babies!!!!

Finally,  here is a picture that Pat took of the other four of us beside their gorgeous RV.   They are planning a trip to Texas in their RV sometime in the next few months.  It is a beauty!!!!

We love meeting blog friends ---and have been fortunate to have met several wonderful families... If you have not met your blog friends yet,  I hope you will make the effort to do that.  It makes the relationships even better!!!!!

AND--to the blog friends who live in PA, Ohio, and West VA---we apologize for not working it out to meet you on this past trip.  This trip was hastily planned --and we truly didn't know what we were doing until the last minute.  We'll try to come back and meet you the next time ---along with others along the way...

Have a wonderful day.  We'll be gone most of the day today!  Have to go to the 'city' (Knoxville) for some appointments and errands.... 
Hugs,
Betsy

Celebrating the Old and the Young

John Adams --on his 97th birthday,  two years ago

Today I celebrate two family members... First,  let me say a huge Happy Birthday to my wonderful father-in-law, John Adams.  Dad is NINETY-NINE today!!!!!  Isn't that just awesome?   All of his children (and spouses) will celebrate with him as we will take him out to dinner on Wednesday night.

John E. Adams

Most of you know that Dad and Mom moved in with daughter, Janet, in Tullahoma, TN several months ago.  They were both at the point in their lives where they couldn't live alone any longer.  You may also know that Mom died suddenly on June 6 this year. 

In 2006,  George and I drove Mom and Dad back to Winslow, Indiana--to see the church where they had gotten married in 1940.   This was one of the best trips I ever had with them. Just seeing their faces inside of that church was awesome!

After 71 years together (inseparable),  Dad is very lonely now --and doesn't seem to have a will to keep on living.  We hear that this happens alot with elderly couples who have been together for many, many years.  We are hoping that Dad will find a new zest for life --and make it to 100,  but that alone is up to him... Please keep him in your prayers.

John Emery Adams,  the best father-in-law a girl could EVER have!

But---right now,  let's celebrate with him those wonderful years that he has lived,  and been extremely healthy for most of them.  That man is an inspiration to me in so many ways.  I lost my Daddy in 1969 (and my Mom in 1991),  so when George and I got married,  I inherited the family I had so yearned for....  Hope you enjoy the pictures I picked out to share today...  Happy 99th, Dad!!!  We love you very very much!

A Sweet Picture of two people in LOVE --even after many, many years

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My Grandson Landon playing five drums in his high school band

The other person I want to celebrate today is my fabulous Grandson, Landon. My son, Jeff,  attended his son Landon's football game this past Friday night.  Landon is part of the large Drumline in his high school band.  Jeff took this picture from the tunnel above --as the band marched onto the field.

Landon is a fabulous young drummer.

As you can tell,  the drumline all wear black ---as opposed to the band.  Love the uniforms!  They are so different from the old traditional uniforms I used to have to wear when I was in the band umpteen years ago.  Can you imagine carrying FIVE drums??? GADS--my back would be killing me! ha...  But we are certainly proud of this young man and his talent.

Hope all of you have a wonderful day today!!!!! 

Hugs,
Betsy