Wednesday, May 4, 2011

April Adventures

Atlanta Temple Re-Dedication, May 1. We were fortunate to have
tickets for the Celestial Room. President Monson presided and
Elder Ballard conducted. It was an amazing and memorable experience.

Two bum-bums....ta da da da da da! Couldn't resist posting this
picture that Dagmar shared of Espen and Jasper.

Here I am with Elvis whom I had pretty much fallen in love with for horseback riding. He had
the smoothest gait and handled so nicely. Sadly, he was a fatality of the recent tornadoes.

In Blairesville, GA at the Tea Room for lunch. Becky, Jana, and Lucile.
We stole away for a few days in the north Georgia mountains.

Becky and Lucile in the hot tub at the cabin...love the shower cap! Love the lady
wearing it even more!

Our cabin, The Sweet Retreat, and it was sweet! Jana and Lucile

Gary and I celebrated our 38th anniversary in the hills of South Carolina at the
beautiful Red Horse Inn. Gary at a covered bridge nearby.

Gary checking in at the Inn

Looking out from the Inn toward the cottages

The view from the cottages to the Inn

Our own, private, quite romantic cottage, complete with a hot tub in the back

We invited several friends and neighbors to go to the Atlanta Temple Open House
during April. We were so happy when John and Marigold Watson, our Dunwoody neighbors, wanted to go. We picked them up, toured the temple, then took them to dinner. It was
wonderful to reconnect after such a long time - we moved from Dunwoody 16+ years ago.

We also were able to take Andy and Deb Conaway another time. Deb is my wonderful friend
who has gotten me back into horseback riding. Deb loves all living creatures great and small!

2700 youth from the Atlanta Temple District, at the Prophet's request, performed in a cultural production, Southern Lights, the night before the temple-rededication.
I helped sew the costumes for our ward, and
Ella helped me deliver them!

Each stake in the temple district had an assigned day to provide all the volunteers for
the Open House. I helped take the 'booties' off the people's feet as they exited the
temple. It was fun to see the Allred's come through and take their booties off for them.

Our 2nd Annual Back Porch Barbeque. Here is Gary visiting with Reid Galli and
Jeff and Wendy Stebar. President Stebar is lead architect for the Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania Temple and had a lot of interesting stories to share.

Gary with Dorothy Galli, a dear sister in our ward.

Hickory Hill Farm on the evening of the Back Porch Barbeque

Pink Ruffle azaleas in full bloom

We had our Easter Egg Hunt on General Conference Sunday

Ella found the Golden Egg!

Cousins on the back porch checking out their egg treasures.
L to R: Jonah, Lincoln, Ella, Lilian, Sofia, and Jasper
Above: Jasper eating his treats!
Below: Wayne coaxed Koda into watching conference...

Friday, April 29, 2011

Tornado Aftermath

This home is across Highway 16 from Hickory Hill. Claire and Jason put an offer on this home before they purchased their home by us. About 1/2 mile away.

This is about 1/2 mile from our home again

Trees contorted in all directions

Across from Ruck's Dairy on Highway 16

This was a beautiful colonial home with white pillars that sat on 100 acres.
In the back was a stable that many show horses were boarded in. I've been horseback
riding here with Deb several times and 'Elvis', a gorgeous black Tennessee Walker, was always
my mount. He died in the tornado. This is the remains of the home. Portions of the stable are standing but the roof and one side is gone. I don't know how many horses died. This property is 3-4 miles from our home as the crow flies. Between Brooks and Griffin.

Sorry, a double here of the photo above

Someone's house is in pieces in the trees.
About 1/2 mile from our home.

This is near Vaughn Road, about half way between our home and
Griffin on Macintosh Rd

Vaughn Road area again, a huge swath taken out and homes either gone or in shambles

A huge uprooted tree - they are everywhere

Friday, April 8, 2011

March Gladness, Madness, and Sadness




Gladness! Our 27th grandbaby, Mamie Jane, is blessed on March 5

Gladness! Lili is an up and coming Irish Dancer!


Sadness! Sofia was sidelined, but she'll be back!

Madness! Moving Day for the Hutchings Family

Gladness, Madness, and Sadness! All packed up and ready to roll

Gladness! Luke is climbing up to the driver's bench

Emily is making sure he is safe
Cooper and Luke took turns in this favored spot on the long drive West

Madness! Airing out the musky Georgia odors from the household - Emily takes a breather

Gladness! Ethan loves the backyard trampoline which came with the house

The Three Musketeers love their new house and fenced yard - so do their mom and dad!

Gladness! And here is the family in front of their new home in Albuquerque
Sadness! Hickory Hill Farm is way too quiet now! We love and miss the Hutchings!


Thursday, March 10, 2011

So, So, So...in the month of February

SO excited for a girl's getaway to Renstone Inn and Spa
Lavonia, GA

SO relaxed under the paraffin wax!

SO pumped for the 5K in Peachtree City on Feb 12
Yes, Gary won....for his age group; Jordan keeping his dad on pace

SO excited for a last minute trip to the beach - Emily is jumping for joy!

SO cute...Ethan

SO cool...Jonah!

SO reflective...Ella!

SO beautiful - Jason and Q on the Destin beach

SO sad to sad to leave

SO bummed on the couch...Ethan, Luke, Jonah

SO soon from heaven...Mamie Jane, Feb 8

SO lucky to be Grandma Becky to 27 GRAND GRAND~KIDS!