Sleeping In

Sleeping in. Ah, what a wonderful concept. But with Cole, that has a whole new meaning. Sleeping in means sleeping IN something. He sleeps inside his tee pee during the summer, he often sleeps inside a sleeping bag on top of his bed, and sometimes it literally means sleeping IN...like IN a box. He's enjoyed this box for a week or so now. He has it full of pillows, blankets & a few select toys, as well as a direct view of the tv & full access to the Playstation. He even sits there playing Guitar Hero! Last night he fell asleep in his box, so Blake took this picture.
What a life!

This morning Riley was TRYING to sleep in too, but he was rudely interrupted by Bobbin. Bobbin decided she wanted to sleep in on TOP of Riley. Her usual sleeping spot just didn't suit her for some unknown reason, and Riley's must have look comfortable. She carefully crawled up on top of Riley, and began 'kneading' him... to soften him up? I must say, Riley handled it with grace and long suffering sighs. He just laid there & let her make herself comfortable. I'm really not sure if he completely woke up during the whole procedure. His eyes opened, but he didn't really look like he was awake. It really looked just like an old Looney Toons Cartoon with the great big bulldog & the wee itty bitty kitty. Maybe Riley & Bobbin have spent too much time watching cartoons when we weren't looking!















Something tells me that if Riley ever tries to sleep on Bobbin - it will be a whole different story.

Happy New Year!

May we all be
living fine in 2009!

Praise Banners

Early last summer our Pastor was busy getting ready for our new Contemporary Services in the Activities Center. One day the mail arrived & I gave him a junk mail catalog full of some really pretty Praise banners. He was pondering the banners, but quite put off by the hefty prices of them. So me being me, glanced at them and promptly said 'We can make those!' Within days I was drafting the patterns on my EQ program, and a team of ladies & I were making them. It was a lot of fun working together, and I'm happy to say we got them all ready in time for the first service, too. They are really pretty, and help buffer the sound in the gym a bit. New Years Eve was the first time I've been in the gym with my camera. I took the pictures while the youth were playing volleyball, so some of the camera angles are not the best.
Enjoy!

Merry Christmas

Here's a photo collage' of our Christmas. (Click on the pictures for a closer look.)

The first set of pictures (below) is Christmas morning at home. The boys had a great morning and were FULL of Christmas Joy. The livingroom is STILL hip deep in debris. Riley was right in the middle of all the fun, and was overjoyed to finally get his new toy - which has been out of reach, but tempting him from the branches of our tree.

The second set (below) is at Ma & Pop's house with the rest of the family. We're quite a scruffy looking bunch of hooligans...but we're harmless and loads of fun. =) We enjoyed a wonderful day together, and even got EVERYONE to pose for a family picture. Of course, there's a good picture and a goofy one. You decide which is which!

Not only was it a very Merry Christmas, it was and always will be remembered as a very Blessed Christmas. God is awesome!

You're Never Too Old to Talk to the Man...

Blake took the boys to see the Big Guy today. Even tho' they are both wise, we're never too old to talk to Santa & tell him their Christmas wishes....and have their picture taken. Actually, it all boils down to me. I insisted on the picture. I have ALL their pictures with Santa - every year since Ian's first Christmas in 1993) - in a little frame, sitting on the piano. It's always fun to look at all the pictures when we unpack our Christmas decorations & see how they've grown. Here's my personal favorite. Cole was about 17 months old & he was in full scream & panic mode. Ian was just happy to be there.

My, how things have changed!

I don't know how much longer I can make them sit down with Santa for a picture, but I'll never get tired of looking at all the little pictures on the piano.

Our Christmas Card

In an effort to trim costs - postage & cards - I'm posting our Christmas card for all my on-line friends & family here. Soooo ~

Here is our official family Christmas card picture. Despite many moans & groans from Ian, much silliness & goofy faces at all the wrong times from Cole, and just a little bit of wiggling from Riley - we actually managed to get a half-way decent picture of us all. (Actually, Riley was the most cooperative member of the family. He's the only one who listens & doesn't express an opinion. *G*)

It's been an interesting year - admittedly filled with some challenges and frustrations, but also filled with endless laughter...because we have to laugh at ourselves, countless blessings,and never-ending abundant love. God is awesome, and it's in Him we put our faith and hope. Merry Christmas to everyone. God Bless you!

My favorite things....

Christmas is a time of bringing out our 'favorite things'. Ornaments with special memories, the cute little things we make for the holidays, and special traditions. These are a few of my favorites things....
My goofy family as we attempt to take a pictures for our Christmas cards. Ian & Cole taking delight in an unexpected gift of hats. Blake with a twinkle in his eye. Riley mooching up for Mama-snuggles. Our little village - complete with a Quilt shop, and the boys' Bumble. My favorite Christmas wall quilt, the Floodlight Snowlady (Wahoo, I discovered how to paint!),the "Floozy" Snowlady, my wonky "Hot Chocolate & Snowmen Don't Mix" spray-insulation snowman (I sold a bunch of those!), the boys excitement about getting a tree, and our mantel decorated with angels & our stockings - so lovingly made. All these things (and many more) have a special place in my heart. I remember the joys (and sometimes frustrations) of making many of these things. And even tho' some of them are looking old & shabby, some are just plain goofy, they all bring back smiles every year at Christmas time.

Thanksgiving - Florida Style

We spent the entire week of Thanksgiving in FL with Mama. It's great to see her, as well as old friends, and of course the bzillions relatives who gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving. According to the official family head-counter we had 60 there this year. That's actually a little low for us!

We also had some family time together. We visited Hillsborough State Park & had a delightful walk along the Hillsborough River. It's small, but crystal clear river winding through the woods on it's way south to Tampa. The funniest thing about this state park was all the armadillos. There were 1/2-grown armadillos everywhere! Along the road inside the park, in the woods next to the trails, trotting around the playground/picnic area. I've never seen so many....well, let me rephrase that, I've never seen so many LIVE armadillos. I'm quite use to seeing them dead on the highways in FL. We call them 'possum on the half-shell!' But these little guys were very much alive and lively. Riley REALLY wanted to play with them.



Despite life's problems, we really do have a lot to be thankful for. God has blessed our family beyond words. We have family that cares about each other & gathers together in joy - no drama. We have a beautiful world to explore. Its different enviroments are a testament to God's wonderful creativity. We have the Hope and Joy of the Season. The Reason for the Season is so beautiful. It's not about tinsel, garland, ornaments & things. I know we all enjoy these things ~ the bright lights, pretty bows & presents, but it's really about Love. While things may be tight and we all moan & groan about the economy, politics, or the price of things - we are still thankful for this country and it's freedoms. God has blessed us.


Of all the things I'm thankful for, I think these are the most special blessings in my life....

Now we know....

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

NOW we know what Bobbin, Ethel and Riley do when we aren't home. I thought I heard some dancing feet stomping around in the middle of the night, too!

Hmmm, I bet they think this will
get them extra treats for Christmas.

Wahoo! Hee-haw Happy Dancing

Merry Christmas Y'all!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Halloween 2008

This year we have Cole as an'Alien Gangsta Dude', Alex a Star Wars guy, and Alan is either a grumpy old man or Forrest Gump's dad...I'm not sure which. *g*

I'm photographing the football game tonight. So Ian is going as a LSHS band member, and I'm dressed as Elmer Fudd 'hunting wabbit'. (Which works as the perfect attire for the cool weather at the game!)

Happy halloween, y'all!

Blasts from the Past...

Here's some old pictures that I love.

The first one is Blake when he was a wee whippersnapper. Wasn't he cute! He still likes to sit on the bed nekkid & grin. *G* At least his taste in hats & shoes has improved...for the most part.



This is me ...a few years ago. Wahoo! Did I pull off that red dress & red shoes or what?! Fashion-ista in waiting? Nah, I can't take credit for it. Mama dressed me up for Christmas. I think I got the piano for Christmas, but was much more impressed with my toy horse. (It's on top of the piano in the place of honor.) The piano was given away eons ago. But I still have that horse, and several others.


And here's the four Hancock youngin's. Gary, Johnnie,David & me...all dressed up on an Easter Sunday. Me in my foo-foo dress & lacy socks -looking confused, David in that spiffy plaid suit, Johnnie in the high-waters, and Gary with the super-cool hair-doo. WHEWEE ~ we were a handsome family. *G*



Thank you, Lord, for the joys of looking back at our beginnings. We were, and still are blessed.

Sights from Halloween Past...

Ah the memories....

Once upon a time, Ian was Captain Underpants.


Once upon a time, Cole had a pumpkin for a butt.


Once upon a time, 'Headless Lawnmower Man' was the hit of the neighborhood. We had an absolute blast watching the reactions of cars driving by.



And Riley wanted to know...
'Hey! Who's the new guy?'

I wonder what kind of Halloween nonsense we can come up with for this year?!

'Tis the Season.... MARCHING SEASON,that is!

Marching Season is in full swing now. Our Friday nights are full of excitement, yells, & cheers and thats just for the band! At this point our football team is so-so...but who cares. In my opinion, it's all about the band! *G* This year's half-time show is to the music of Styx....how cool is that! (I have some OLD, OLD Styx albums in a box somewhere. Yes, by albums I mean real vinyl albums - not cds. As a matter of fact I think I had some Styx on 8-track!) It's really funny to hear Ian & Cole walk around singing 'Mr. Roboto, Renegade, Rocking the Paradise and Come Sail Away'....songs from MY HS days.

I'm the photographer for Ian's HS band - so I roam around taking pictures of everything, everyone, and every fun moment I can capture of film. Hanging out with the kids brings back so many great memories of HS & College Band for both Blake & I. I love taking pictures of the kids. Their faces, their dancing and antics in the stands, and the intensity of their concentration on the marching field...and yes, I even take occasional pictures of my Ian aka BEANS! The band's website is www.marchinglionband.com ~ it's still a website-in-progress, but eventually, I hope they'll put lots of my photos on there.

Oh,I am now known as Mama Beans. That's kinda cool. (And quite a change from my HS nickname...Munchkin.*G*)

Boys and their toys

Cole purchased a new toy at the Powers Crossroads Craft Fair we went to yesterday. He was completely enchanted with the 'Medieval Weapons' one craft vendor was selling. I guess every boy dreams of cool medieval weapons. Cole has been playing with it ever since we got home yesterday.

Look at the concentration on his face! This is serious target practice. (We set up some coke-can targets today.)



Look carefully at this photo - I caught the arrow leaving the crossbow! You can see it moving along. Cool!



"VICTORY IS MINE!!"