St. Pat's Kick Off

Even though the big party is still a week away, 5 Points had a "kick off" tonight for St. Patrick's Day. After dinner, again this week, at the Salty Nut, we walked over to the fountain to find out about the dyeing of the fountain, get beads and buttons, Ben had green cookies and popcorn and meet Logan, the Leprachaun.

We had a half hour before the dyeing so we walked down the street to a few shops (bought a cup at the Greek Store and a great new blouse to wear for St. Pat's at Wish). Ron used the time to pass out some of the 100s of "St. Patrick's Day" cups from Jaycees. He had a blast giving them away and making people smile. I think he gave away one whole case! (We still have a few more cases in the car for next weekend.)

At 6:00 we headed back to the fountain, where a bag pipe band was performing as the kids dyed the fountain GREEN!! After a walk down to "Yappy Hour" (even though Maggie was at home we couldn't miss a trip to 3 Dog Bakery) for Boston Terrier Creme Pies. The owner even sent Maggie a shamrock cookie, which thrilled the Maggie-dog!

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Mardi Gras!

Today is "fat Tuesday". Our friends, Leslie and Dennis invited us to join them at their church's Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and talent show. The food was great, the entertainment was fun and, as always, it was great to see them! We very much enjoyed ourselves as we celebrated Mardi Gras and the start of the Lent season.

The boys get into the spirit!

Our friends -- Dennis and Leslie

During the talent show they invited all of the kids onto stage for a "kazoo band", Ben absolutely wanted to participate and he did! He is third from the right....

Happy MARDI GRAS!!!

Thanksgiving 2007

We got up at a decent time yesterday and after a quick Bojangles breakfast we headed to Spartanburg to celebrate Thanksgiving. We stopped at Wal-Mart and bought a few things before heading to my aunt's house for lunch. It was so yummy!! She made my favorites ---dressing, potato salad, deviled eggs and sweet pototo casserole. It was good to see the family and catch up on everything going on.

After lunch we drove through downtown to see how it was growing and then to Ron's parent's house for dinner with them, his grandmother, sister and her date. We had a good time eating, laughing and reminiscing about the good times over the years. The boys ended up spending the night while Ron and I drove home in time to watch Grey's Anatomy! :)

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Halloween Sneak Peak

It's a good thing she can't talk...but don't you just wish you could read her mind?

The Maggie-dog "Death Stare"......

4th of July Fun

Our 4th of July didn't quite go as we had planned. We were supposed to drive up to Spartanburg for a cook out at our friend, Kristie's house. However, Ron hasn't felt good this week and yesterday wasn't up the trip. Instead, we hung around Columbia and enjoyed some true, American 4th of July fun as a family! All in all, it ended up being one of our best 4ths!

We had BBQ at a place down the street from where we live.

This was HILARIOUS!! We had these three old women in front of us (the line was wrapped around the building). This guy went to "break", he was joining his family several people in front of these women and one of them speaks up:

Woman: The line starts back there.

Man: I'm going up here to meet my family.

Woman: Well, maybe your family should be back here in line with you.

Man: Ma'am, I think you need to shut your mouth.

Woman: shuts her mouth

The Johnson's: look at each other, grin and cover out mouths to keep from losing it!

The BBQ was allright...let's just say it wasn't the Pig! But, the entertainment was sure worth it!

Later in the afternoon we gathered our chairs and headed out to Ft. Jackson for the Torchlight Tattoo. This was awesome! Thousands of people and soldiers, patriotic music, a cannon salute for each state and fireworks.

Ron and Ben playing

Clay and Ron didn't want July 4th tee shirts, but the conceded to wear matching hats.

After about 10 self-portrait trys, this was the best we could get!

Ben and Mommy are ready for the fireworks to start!

I don't really understand how to use the "firework" setting on my camera to get the pictures to really look like fireworks, but here are some that came out pretty cool anyway.

I love this up-close picture of Ben watching the fireworks intently.

Happy (Late) Easter!

It has been so busy that I'm just now getting around to posting our Easter pictures. Though, for some reason, maybe the weather?, I didn't take but just a few this year.

The Easter Bunny left the boys and Maggie some goodies.

Ben finds out whats in his basket (he missed the backpack until after church) while Clay starts to read his new book.

Maggie is hoping for a little Easter morning snack with her Daddy.

Maggie shows off her new Easter dress.

Sailor Boy, I mean Ben, chose a Navy dress uniform for his Easter duds this year. We were at the Army Navy store a few weeks ago when he found this (it came with a hat, but the one he's wearing is the one I brought back from Charleston) and was determined to have it. He even paid for it with his own money and was VERY proud of this! Isn't he cute?!?!

The boys and Maggie right before we left for church.

Happy New Year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wouldn't say we had a terribly exciting New Year's Eve, but we did spend it safe at home as a family and we celebrated midnight together with our annual bottle of "sparkling grape juice" (this just might be Ben's favorite tradition as he talked ALL day yesterday about drinking it at midnight!)

Ben was determined to take a midnight kiss picture of us......and then we all had our juice.

Since they couldn't have juice, the girls got a midnight New Year's snack.

Thanksgiving 2006

I have lived for Thanksgiving break for weeks. It has been so nice to have time off from school.

On Wednesday I spent the day with my mom Christmas shopping. In the evening Ron and I had a date....dinner at Applebee's and then to Wal Mart to buy a Christmas tree. Clay put the tree together when we got home and maybe, before Christmas we'll actually decorate it! (It is so warm here right now that I just can't get into the Christmas spirit.)

And, then on Thursday, we had lunch at Waffle House as a family (I know...not exactly what you expect for Thanksgiving, but perfect for us!) and then had an afternoon Christmas card photo shoot. By 5 p.m. I had the picture taken, cards ordered and picked up! (You'll have to wait until you get your card to see the actual picture!) We had dinner at my aunt's house and then went to see Facing the Giants. It was an excellent movie with a great message of trusting God for all things. What a wonderful way to end Thanksgiving Day.

Friday morning the alarm went off at 4 a.m and for the first time in four or five years, I turned off the alarm and went back to sleep. Ron and I did get up around 6 and we were at Wal-Mart before 7 a.m. We piced up a few jump drives for about $14 and some jeans for Ron and Ben. We headed to Target to see the crazy crowds and then Christian Supply for FREE breakfast! A trip to the west-side Wal Mart, Best Buy (where I found a 1G memory stick for my camera for $15!!!!) and the mall rounded out our early morning shopping. We tood a break to go home and rest, pay bills and re-group. Then as a family we drove to Gaffney for lunch at Krystal's and some outlet mall shopping.

I'm about half finished with my shopping and very thankful for a restful vacation!!

Veteran's Day 2006

We got up this morning and went in search of a flag for Papa Walker's grave. After we found one, had lunch and stopped by the Scout Shop, we headed to Chesnee to visit Papa Walker's grave and wish him a "happy Veteran's Day".

We finished our day by visiting the military helicopter outside the Chensee VFW.

Ben and Clay decide where to place the flag.

Future pilots?! They look like pro's, don't they?!