It's the most Busiest Time of the Year!

Wow this Christmas season has flown by, last year we didn't get to really prepare for the event as well since I was in the hospital for a week, and Maddie was very sick. This Christmas things have been very different. No one has been sick, and things have moved rather smoothly. I purchase our last Christmas gift last night, now tonight I have about 60 cookies to ice! And this weekend a lot of baking, wrapping and packing. We are heading to Ohio this year first, than on Christmas day we drive to Michigan and spend a couple days there. It was kind of sad this year, that no one came to my house to see all the decorations. I am going to take a video this weekend of all the new things we did this year around the house. I actually purchased another tree this year. So we have two big trees to decorate from here on out.
I wanted to share with you this new Christmas song that we sang in church a couple of weeks ago. It is amazing.



It is by Chris Tomlin
Called Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)

What hope we hold this starlit night
A King is born in Bethlehem
Our journey long, we seek the light
That leads to the hallowed manger ground

What fear we felt in the silent age
400 years, can He be found
But broken by a baby's cry
Rejoice in the hallowed manger ground

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
God incarnate here to dwell
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Praise His name, Emmanuel

The Son of God here born to bleed
A crown of thorns would pierce His brow
And we beheld this offering
Exalted now the King of kings
Praise God for the hollowed manger ground

A Child's Christmas Wish

I received this from a friend, who goes to his church. If you could help that would be great. I just addressed mine and sent it in the mail.

This is from one of our ministers at our church.
Darcel

A chance for everyone to be an angel to a child’s wish!
This message is from Kevin Kellogg at RUMC. A small request for such a difficult time.


My long time childhood friend has a very special 7 year old son

(Nathan) that is losing his battle with brain cancer and the family has made the decision to not pursue further treatment. This will be his last Christmas and he has one wish ~ to collect a million Christmas cards. Spoken like a true 7 year old boy. Though he may not collect a million, a lot to him will seem like a million. If you would like help make Nathan's Christmas wish come true, please consider sending a card. I know this will mean a lot to him, as well as his family. Thanks and many blessing to you all. Stephanie.

Nathan Elfrink
2415 Taylor Blair Road
West Jefferson, OH 43162

Blessings,

Wilma


What lies behind us and what lies before us

are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Brandon's Birthday

Brandon's birthday was Nov 1st, and it happened to fall on a Sunday. So the Friday before I started thinking. I thought I should try and surprise him and get a couple friends to meet us for after church lunch. So I started calling. Nobody answered so I had to leave messages. Well Saturday afternoon while we were home one of our friends called. I didn't answer because Brandon was in the room, he said aren't you going to answer your phone. I was laying on the couch so I said I am trying to take a nap. Later that night Brandon had to head to the grocery store. So I called her back. He didn't know. Sunday morning we were getting ready for church, and my cell phone is ringing. It our other friend who I invited making sure we were still on for lunch, and wanting to know if we wanted to go to church with them. Brandon was in the shower, but he heard my phone ringing. He asked who it was I told him, he said why did she call. I said to see if we wanted to go to church with them. Than I spoiled it. I just couldn't hold the lie in, I started laughing. I am terrible at trying to keep things secret, especially when I am so excited about it. He said why are you laughing, I said nothing and left the room. A couple min later, Brandon starts putting two and two together. He said why did Ashley and Christie call? What is going on? Why are you laughing? I said nothing, and still laughing. So he knew something was going on. After church we met them all at dinner, and it was a good time even though he wasn't surprised!

A weekend in Cincinnati Oct. 3 of 3

Ali eating breakfast in bed!





One of the last weekends in October, and the last traveling weekend for us until Thanksgiving we headed to Cincinnati to stay at the Wolf Lodge. The Wolf Lodge is an indoor water park/resort. This place is the thing to do if you have kids. The Waterpark is huge, and the slides were a lot of fun. We went with my in-laws, along with my brother-in-law's family. We got there late Friday night, and Saturday morning we headed to the pool. Ali was brave to go down a slide, but the next step up she wasn't so brave. Maybe next time she will. Than we headed to the Mall, and the mall we went to was great. It was a nice mall. Walked around a bit, and than went to dinner. Since Brandon's birthday coming up he got to choose. Since we didn't make any reservations, we headed to Red Lobster. Always a good meal, can't pass up the bread!
Sunday we got up and got ready. This was the big day. Brandon's team is the bears, and Jonathan's team is the bengals. So this year they actually got to play each other, so this was a must see for them. It only happens every couple of years since they aren't in the same league. So we went out to lunch at one of our favorite spots called chammps. We don't have one here in TN, so anytime we are in a place that does we try and go. Then headed to the game. I got some pictures before the game actually started. We had great seats. And the weather was perfect. I was kind of scared about committing to going to the game, because I would of hated for it to rain. God must have heard my thoughts, because it was really nice.
The game was a disaster on our end. The bears played awful. Jonathan and the rest of the stadium were happy with the outcome. We were ready to leave at the half, but we stayed until the end of the 3rd quarter. We had a long drive to make. It was a great weekend even though the Bears were terrible.

Bellagio Light Show

While we were in Vegas we went to the water show in front of the Bellagio. This is a must thing to see while in Vegas. If you have never been enjoy, but remember the video doesn't do it justice. We took this video with our little video camera!!

October 2 of 3 Las Vegas Trip

Here we are waiting for the O Show to start!


All the guys in the sports book area, watching all their teams on the screen.


Brandon and I at dinner, we ate at the Grand Lux Cafe!! So good.


Here we all are on our date night!


The boys in the lazy river, minus Josh who was in the poker room.


Eating at one of the great places In and Out Burger!!


Lindsey, Kellie, and I at the pool!!



Tim, Brandon and I in the back of a cab! We have another picture just like this but we were in New York.


First dinner together!


Flying over the grand canyon, we were lucky on our flight our Pilot was chatty and he informed us all of the landmarks to watch. We were suppose to drive there, but when we found out the weather was great! We pooled it.

Once I got back from seeing my parents which was a Monday evening, Brandon got home Tuesday evening from Orlando. Than come early Friday morning we were heading to Las Vegas. It was kind of like a college reunion. We went about 6 years ago to see our friends get married, and we wanted to go back. We thought now was a great time, since it seems like next year kids might come into the picture. (no I am not pregnant) Las Vegas isn't a place where you are going to take the kids, so we thought now was the perfect time to go. We arrived around 9am Vegas time on Friday, and our friend Lindsey was waiting for us. Than we headed to baggage claim and waited for everyone else to show. When the majority of us had arrived, we all hopped in a Escalade and headed to the MGM! The weather was perfect while we were there. Since the weather in TN, hasn't been that great we were excited to see sunny and high of 90! So the ladies headed to the pool every day we were there! We had a great time. Eat great food, and we caught the O Show! We got last minute tickets and we were glad we did.

October 1 of 3

So this past month has been a crazy one for us. We were only home one weekend out of the 5. The first weekend we went to Ohio, because Brandon had his 10 year high school reunion. We also went to the county fair. Now some of you maybe reading this and think its just a county fair, but in Coshocton its big time. Kids get out of school for 3 days because they are involved so much in the 4H or something like that. We didn't take any pictures that weekend, I know some of you are thinking Rachel not take any pictures?? Well it just didn't happen. I wish I did though. Than the next weekend Brandon went to Orlando, FL for a business conference. So I decided to head home for the weekend. It was a long drive by myself, and 2 dogs but we made it and had a nice weekend. We were very busy this time when I went home. We went to the outlets where we saw some good buys, and the Pottery Barn Outlet, Coach, and North Face! Then we headed to the apple orchard! In Middle Tennessee where we live, there are NO Apple orchards. So when it come fall time, I am greatly disappointed. We went to one, got the cider donuts...If you have never had one! They are amazing, we also got some apple cider, and kettle popcorn. Every fall I have to go back to MI just for the apple orchard!

MJ...This is IT

This weekend I was talking to some kids, and neighbors of mine about the Micheal Jackson movie. They all said it was really good, and so I wanted to see it. I knew that Brandon wouldn't really care to see it, so I went at 12:45 this afternoon. It was so good. No matter what you thought of him, he was a very talented man. Watching the movie is like going to his concert. Glad I went to see it on the big screen. If you get a chance before it leaves you should go see it. I will make you want to get up and dance!

For all my Dog lovers!!

When I saw this in Walmart I had to take a picture. I thought this was too funny. I don't think Nala would be able to fit in it, I would probably have to buy her a kids size. Some of you out there have little dogs, it would work for. You could use it for holloween!! Just wanted to share!

A tragic death

These past couple of weeks have been crazy on our end. But on Wed. morning we got the dreaded phone call from Brandon's mom telling us that Julie passed away last night. Julie is Brandon's cousin. We had been expecting the phone call for a day or so, but we were hoping for some sign of encouragement that never really came.
Julie McCrory was a granddaughter, daughter, niece, cousin, wife, mother and a friend to so many. I have only had the chance of meeting Julie about a handful of times. She live in Alabama, and Arkansas so when she would head back to Ohio to visit family she would stop by Nashville, and we would get to spend a couple of hours with her and her family. She was 29, just shy of her 30th birthday. She was my age! Its a tragic story. It all started on September 10th. She went to the doctor and thought she had the flu. They came back and told her she had H1N1 and to take tamiflu. So she did, but she woke up early thursday morning and complained to her husband that she couldn't breath. So they rushed to the hospital, and she walked into the ER. (I do not know every detail I am only recounting what I know) She was conscious as far as I know until Friday September 11th. That morning things took a turn for the worse. They had to put her under, and from that moment on she never regained consciousness. The doctors still did not know what was wrong her. They tested her for H1N1 and it came back negative. So they were just trying to keep her a live to find answers. On Friday the 19th they thought they had a answer to what was wrong. They tried the treatment and her body was not responding. She lost her battle late Tuesday night.
Sunday will be her funeral, and we are planning on attending. It is going to be in Arkansas. This family is going to need a lot of prayer these next weeks, months and years. She has two little girls who now do not have a mother. Their names are Ashley and Grace, and Mike was her husband who has lost his life partner.

Labor Day in Chicago

Brandon and my Dad eating Thai Food!


Brandon enjoyed looking at these cars in Gold Cost an area of Chicago.



Oprah's House she lives on the 6th foor here.


Sarah and I in front of the flying car at the Harry Potter Exhibit. The only picture we were allowed to take.





For Labor Day weekend we headed to chicago. And again we almost missed our flight. We have a slight problem with getting to the airport on time. Our flight left at 4:25 (which I thought it left at 4:35) and we got to the airport around 3:50. We parked in economy which is cheaper, but for some reason it took the bus a long time to pick us up. We got to the airport around 4:10! So again we were running to our flight. I was literally the last person to board the plan. We didn't hear our name called over the speaker, which is a good sign that we weren't too late, but I couldn't believe I was the last person to board the plan. Anyway. We made it to chicago and as tradition we went to the best pizza place in Chicago Giordano's! Headed back to my sisters new place, where Brandon and My dad finished hanging some pictures on her wall. Saturday we got up early, walked around downtown and then headed to Sarah's place to pick out the bikes. Since it was going to be such a nice weekend, I asked my parents to bring the bikes so we could ride around the lake. We did take some pictures at a water Fountain and walked around the Jazz Festival but that was just to get some lunch. That evening we went to the Harry Potter Exhibit. This was only in town for a couple more days, so we had to see it before it left. Then we had dinner at Grand Lux Cafe! It's owed by the cheese cake factory. It was good and we had a great experience. Sunday we got up and went on a Double Decker Trolley ride around the city. That was fun, we got to see where Oprah lives, and some other areas around the city that we don't get to as much. We went shopping and had dinner. Monday I made the mistake of booking a later flight out. We left at 5:15. And again we were pushing it. When we got to the gate the were boarding our section. However I did get to see my close friends from high school Dave and Jen Stott who live in chicago now. So we meet them for lunch. It was a very busy weekend, the weather was great and we had a fun time.

Its all about the Dogs!!

For labor day weekend we headed to Chicago to meet my family. But before we left we dropped the girls off to separate houses for the weekend. We were a little nervous just because we haven't really done this before. We usually take them to the Kennel. We were also nervous of Millie since she still is a puppy. Nala went to our friends Frank and Aimee's house, while Millie went to our other friends Nate and Jen's.
Frank and Aimee have two other labs, one is Brian and the other is Tyler. Brian is kind of like Millie hyper at times but very loving. Tyler is an older girl and so her Nala didn't have to much interaction. They enjoyed having Nala, and I am sure she enjoyed her self. Here are some picture of her during her stay.




Millie the puppy went to Jen and Nate's house. I was really reluctant about taking her somewhere just because she is not fully housebroken yet. But I didn't want to take her to the Kennel, because last time she seemed to forget what she learned. Jen and Nate also have two dogs, one is a lab named Bear and the other is a min pin named Bella. Then they decided to take in another puppy for the week named Sierra. So when I found that out, I wasn't sure she would want to take another one. But they agreed to go for it. Millie though didn't have any accidents while she stayed there, only when I picked her up did she. Her and Sierra played with each other a lot. So Millie had a good report as well!!
Here are some pictures of her stay!

Nala and Physical Therapy

Nala for the past month has been going to physical therapy. She tore her ACL in the same leg twice. She was healing, but she had a limp we didn't want her to have one forever so the therapist suggested going to a underwater treadmill. A local vets office was the first to get one here in Nashville, and she was their first patient. The first visit she only lasted about 5 min (walking time) but she was there for about 15 min. It took a group of people to keep Nala in the unit. Her last visit she got to walk for 20 min. She did very well. Enjoy the video.

Florida

Late night and Disney!


I got to visit my old friend from college for dinner one night!


Brandon and Dad playing guitar hero!








About two weeks ago we headed to Florida. It was the annual Potter/Norris trip and this year my other Aunt and Uncle from Texas came. We came on the weekend, so we only got to spend really one day with everyone, but it was a good one. Ava who is my cousins daughter is a little over 2. She is very picky about who she likes to be with. My mom and Dad and other family that was around the whole week would try to hold her, and she didn't want it. Everything changed though when she saw Brandon!! hahaha (who couldn't blame her) She just walked up to Brandon and tried to talk to him. She let him hold her and everything.
Brandon did a lot of golfing with my Dad the couple of days he was there. While I laid at the pool the rest of the family. Which included my Aunt Cindy, Uncle Larry, Mom, Sarah, and Vicki my cousin. One day we even went to Disney. Brandon wasn't around for this, he already headed home. We went in around 3 in the afternoon, but than we stayed till 1am!! It was great to stay that late! But the park was busy because it was open late.

4th of July Continued

Patty and Dave at J'Alexanders



Nala and Millie, wanting a handout.

Brandon and I after the down pour.

Dave and Patty after the down pour.


Nala getting some birthday cake icing





Patty reading her birthday card.

So that weekend was a very busy weekend, we had a hard time keeping up with Dave and Patty!! They like to stay up late!!! So Friday we went to the lake, and then we went to dinner at Olive Garden then celebrated Patty's Birthday. We bought her a cake, and since my birthday is just around the corner they brought me my favorite Liddys Cake all the way from Ohio. Saturday was a busy day as well. Patty and I got up and went shopping and Brandon and Dave worked on the house. They cut down a couple trees in the back and much more. That night we went downtown, to watch the fireworks. We went downtown, and it started to sprinkle, little did we know that it would be a complete down pour. It was raining so hard that people were standing in the port-a-johns for cover! I wish I had my camera out for that. We wouldn't do that. That is the last place anyone should want to go. So basically what usually take 45 min for the fireworks, only took about 20 - 30 min. We got back in the car, and Patty was so wet she could ring her pants out. Then we order Pizza from one of the only places open on the 4th Papa Johns. I think we gained about 5lbs from all the food we ate that weekend. We ate very well. We went to J's my favorite place for my birthday, and then we went to Japanese steak house to celebrate their anniversary. Dave put up a ceiling fan in our bonus room, to find the right fan took forever. I think it took about 4 hours to pick one out, we went to a couple of different places. Then we got a Mirror that weekend for our dinning room. It looks great!