Wilson's Wonderings

2012-01-25T18:59:00.000-08:00

Slid these two pics from Mom Jess's facebook. They are Katharine and Lark at preschool in London. January birthdays, a second and a fourth had Jess accompanying post, counting herself blessed on account of these two beautiful little girls and a good husband, Steve Wilson.

2012-01-25T18:28:00.000-08:00

Terri Weller"s email:
Hello Aunt Jinny. Here are 2 pics from Christmas of our grandkids. The bottom pic is Elliott (2), Parker (6, or will be in 3 days), Shane (7), Corey (10) and Jackson (2).
Terri's daughter, Betsy, gave her and Bruce a girl, Parker and twin boys Jackson and Elliott adding their threesome to her sister's two boys Corey and Shane. They are all off to Disney for a four day Cousins Camp experience, their first. Terri assures me its a parents included adventure. Curmudgeon Bruce threatens to stay home in Houston. :-(
Ellie and George Weller smile down from heaven. Kate and Pete Thompson's James and Ellie make 7 Great grands for them.

2012-01-09T15:30:00.000-08:00

Jack Eager's birth announcement came today. :-)

2012-01-01T17:05:00.000-08:00

Oh wonder of wonders : I SKYPED with Loralai and baby Jack Eager and their parents, Drew and ChristyBeth. What a treat! Seems as tho Lor thinks Jack is one swell toy amongst the many she got at Christmas. Jack slept in Drew's arms, making up for some nightlife the night before. :-) Lor and I waved at one another and after a minute she slid off her momma's lap and went zooming about in the background.

2011-12-28T14:42:00.000-08:00

Baby JACK Eager is one month old today and has a tee shirt braqg about that!

2011-12-24T05:53:00.000-08:00

Todd Ahern and Erika are the good looking parents of three daughters, Miriam, Isabella and Ana. Todd is using something new for me to figure out. Its albums posted on Google .
These delightful little girls are brother Bio and Phyl's great grandchildren, Granny Jan Hancock forwards news of them to me, now shared with you :-) MERRY CHRISTMAS !

2011-12-23T13:57:00.000-08:00

Stole thissun from FB. Zeke Elston is the baby making Bethany (mom)& Jeremy (daddy) proud parents and Cindy and Steve Nicholson proud first time grandparents, and Jean Hancock proud first time great grandparent while my brother Tie smiles down from the heavenlies. MERRY CHRISTMAS, INDEED !

2011-12-18T12:21:00.000-08:00

After Beth and Omar's wedding we moved from Corpus Christi Holiday Inn to Padre Island for beach time together. Rolling waves attracted surfers (not any of us, but fun to watch them) We were happy with beach walks, shell gathering, sand castles and kite flying. The gray overcast cold weather merited the jackets on Margie. Pete and Marybet seen here. It finally did break into a final 3 days of good sunshine.

Cant leave out this great picture of Em and Bill at Beth and Omar's wedding reception. This is how we all felt!

2011-12-18T12:07:00.000-08:00

Mr and Mrs Omar Becerra, Steve and Jess Wilson and Lark and Katharine

2011-12-18T11:57:00.001-08:00

Mom Jess and Mom Melissa with the youngest and prettiest of the bridal party. Catalina, Lark and Katharine joined hands and circulated amongst the tables at the wedding reception. They enjoyed and participated in dancing to the Mariachi Band there!

2011-12-18T11:32:00.001-08:00

Facebook is upstaging this family blog effort and that's OK. The more contact between me and my beloveds, the more I like it. :-)
Here are some photos from my camera taken at Winter CC11 which happy family gathering centered on Beth Wilson swell wedding to Omar Becerra, December 10, 2011. Beth's brother Steve, Jess and daughters Lark and Katharine came from London. Melissa and Roman and Catalina Quintana came from Taos N.M. Roman walked me down the aisle. An adorable Abuelita and I and Patty's dad Pete Schmidt were honored thus. The deceased grand parents were a presence, mentioned by name. Catalina, Lark and Katharine and mom Meliss were all in the bridal party. Beth was a beautiful bride and her bridegroom, Omar, was happy and very tender toward her.

2011-11-29T17:16:00.000-08:00

Dearest Mom,
Hoppy and I just got in from the hospital trip to Athens. D, CB and baby Jack are doing well considering all they have been through. Jack stays in neonatal ICU till Friday. CB wants to stay in the hospital until Jack comes home. From the time the doctor decided to do the c section until Jack was born a total of six minutes elapsed. Wow. Thanks so much for all the prayers. Jack is 8lb 7oz, 21 inches with dark hair.

2011-11-25T06:21:00.000-08:00

Imagine William McCrea's exceeding joy and thankfulness this Thanksgivng 2011. He hunted successfully, deep fried successfully, carved and served up his own turkey and shared it with both his brothers, two cousinly couples, 2 parents, three grandparents, 2 aunts and uncles and the matriarch of the day and another William fan, June Eager. This was all at Jinny/Granny's house in the woods. Yes there was a backup bird and a ham , and all the fixin's and desserts. yummy, indeed! :-)
More story on Facebook which now rivals family blogging for keeping us in touch
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD!

2011-10-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

What joy and thanksgiving for your family blogger to stumble upon this wonderful foto of Zeke Ellston. It is labeled"Hanging out with my great grandma Hancock" DELIGHTFUL! J.Tiebout Hancock smiles down from the heavenlies at his wife and great grandson, I believe and we all smile with them, kindness of digital magic and FB networking.
PTL and thanks be to all the human effort behind this sharing of our joy.

2011-10-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

Loralai's pumpkin choosing adventure plus Drew's participating in a cross country run was Mb's & Hop's idea of a grand welcoming first weekend home in Dahlonega, especially since very good friend Lynn had made the house ready to receive them all.

2011-10-21T13:41:00.000-07:00

Roman and Katie Q delighted in mud fun at a camping adventure with grandparents Marybet and Hop who visited our Taos, N.M., family when they were enroute home from 5 month gypsy life in the west.

2011-10-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

Todd holding Ana Ahern and Chad holding Liam Ahern.
Liam found his toes (tiddley-pom) but this picture doesnt show Liam as blue eyed and red hair,????

2011-10-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

2011-10-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

Meet Ana Ahern, daughter of Todd and Erika, sister of Miriam and Belly.
My brother Bio's great grands are Miriam, Belly, Liam and Ana, all Aherns.

2011-10-11T08:47:00.000-07:00

Todd Ahern, Erika and daughters, Miriam, Isabella and Ana now live in Conecticut. Granny Jan was invited to care for (enjoy) "Belly" and Ana so that Tod Erika and Miriam could go to wedding of friends from their Emory chapter of life. My plan is to raid Todd's facebook for a foto of Miriam to go with this one Belly and Ana
Here is a lovely email from Jan to catch you up on her busyies

Dearest Jinny,

Have a wonderful time in Tampa @ Women of Faith conference, and I think a visit at Bat Cave this month? :-) hurray for good times with family and friends!
I'll try to send pictures from my CT visit......I'm still not adept at transferring pictures around on the computer, and I'm still resisting Facebook. Maybe after I finish theology classes and have time to fuss with it. I would like to keep up with family.

I'm taking two graduate classes now (weekends, and a few tutorials); one more in the spring, and I will graduate in May with an M.A. in Theology and Pastoral Care. I so appreciate the course work and class experiences.

My mom and dad lived at 24 Mansfield Ave. in New Haven when Dad was in seminary (where Lee and I were born). So I was very excited to learn that they lived just 2 blocks from where I had taken Belly and Ana to the Natural Science Museum and we had eaten our snack on a lawn almost within sight of Mansfield Ave.!! My parents walked that street, undoubtedly, 60 yrs. previously. Life is incredibly full of connections!

So many blessings, and the Spirit at work all the time!
Love you, and Happy Gran's Birthday!!
Jan

Liam Ahern, daddy Chad, pix from granny Jan Hancock

2011-10-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

Chad and pregnant Amy came from their home in Vermont to be part of my New Hampshire visit with Bio, Phyl and Paula a year ago.

2011-09-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

Slid from FB today this foto of "Zeke" Elston

2011-09-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

NEWS FLASH
Hot off of FB (9:30 PM Sunday September 11, 2011)

Bethany Jean Elston
We're proud to announce that our son, Ezekiel "Zeke" Sifiso Elston was born today at 4:32 pm weighing in at 7 lbs 9 oz. Both mom and baby are doing well and photos will be making their way soon :)

This is my dcd brother John Tiebout Hancock's and sisterinlaw Jean Hancock's first great grandchild. Zeke is also first grandchild for Cindy and Steve Nicholson.

2011-09-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

James (4) and Ellie (2) Thompson wonderful children of Kate and Pete daughter and son in law of George and Sue Weller, great ones of dcd Ellie and George Weller

2011-09-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

2011-09-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

2011-09-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

James (4) and Ellie (1) Thompson are the lucky children of Kate Weller Thompson and Pete T. Kate allows us to go to the Zoo and the Aquarium with them vicariously thru lots of digital snapshots using snapfish. Here are some best ones chosen to be sent by email which transfers to blogspot better.

2011-09-02T17:35:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx-_KA8aIWE

ChristyBeth and Drew Eager share a video of Loralai singing her favorite song.
I posted this on my facebook page too.
Loralai is a twinkling star herself.

2011-08-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Sally Maxwell wed Brett Hancock Schneider at St. Mary's of the Lake, Skaneateles, N.Y. on August 20, 2011. Here are the bride's brother and sister, Peter and Jennifer, (B&G)Elizabeth and Brett , the officiating priest, then the groom's brother and sister, Chad Schneider and Kelli Richards
The wedding ring and engagement ring were Ellie and George Weller's.
About thirty shared this time of holiness which included communion. It was a perfect combination of church tradition enhanced with the bride's and groom's original words of promise and commitment.
Gail, the four Richards, Duane, Kelli, Molli and Allison), Chad and Colleen hosted an outdoor BarBQ meal (a tasty brisket grilled all day) at our swell lakeside home away from home. Gail rented it for the week between the wedding weekend and the reception weekend. Our party followed the rehearsal on Friday.
The week between held celebrations, formal, as beautiful as any pictured in Southern Living magazine, and informal, with lakeside campfires at sunset. The most fun was that Elizabeth envisioned as a girl how she and her groom would arrive in wedding clothes skiing in the water.
It happened! In my pictures, they are too small, but somewhere there are excellent fotos AND a video which we viewed almost instantly via digital magic.
I was the only octogenarian in the family gathering and was favored outrageously. I won kudos for tubing behind the motorboat so much so that I was famous at the next big event and the next after that! :-). I partnered in the 2 person tube with 6 year old nephew of the bride, Jack. Brett drove very gently but it was fun just the same.
The Maxwells love life and live it well. Me too!

For wedding reception weekend an estimated 200 friends and family came to help celebrate.
Dancing begins at the slightest provocation here. I joined in, more than once, to enjoy a long line weaving to Latin rhythm between tables and through rooms.
At the grand finale reception of cocktails with hordoerves, dinner and dancing, it warmed my heart to come upon a table displaying nicely framed photos of both the bride's and the groom's parents and grandparents and great ones. Ours were Margery and John T Hancock (dated 1912), Eleanor and George Weller, and then Margery Gail and Gene Schneider.
Yes, the sendoff brunch was Hurricane Sunday, August 28, We had watched whitecaps become rolling waves on "our"lake. Maxwells just donned raincoats to help car parking and secured canvas shelters, adding covered yard space to the garage and house so that the Southern Living presentation of lovelies to eat happened one more time!
Hostessing to perfection. It was all about love and it was wonderful.

2011-08-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

www.fishinfanatics.blogspot.com is where you can get the whole wonderful story in very good fotos from Marianne Konopack's camera

2011-08-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

Marianne Konopack's swell pix from Pennsylvania weekend for the L.F.Wilson family and me tell the beautiful love story of Jenny Kearney and Joey Lampe's wedding. Be sure to check it out, pls.

My add-ons show me sitting in a sheltered spot with William McCrea, John Konopack, John Althaus and Jim Konopack watching golfers play in the misty rain of wedding day morning. Jenny and Joey had opted for an afternoon outdoor wedding 'neath the tress on that same golf course. Plan B was to be wed under a huge tented area with the wedding arch moved there and the hundreds of chairs all dry ! :-) The sun did shine for the bride and groom but the dry chairs were pretty nice, also dry feet were appreciated.
Same morning of D-Day found three George's (Peter, Brian and Chrysanne) and Trenton Konopack enjoying the swell pool. I bet 2 year old Oliver K. jumped from the side of the pool to Jason in the water more than a hundred times.

2011-07-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

Borrowed this lovely foto Jes captured and posted today on FB. Katharine wanted to be a Cinderella too just like Lark Jess explained.

2011-07-18T12:16:00.000-07:00

Loralai Eager knows how to beat the heat

2011-07-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

These three videos capture a bit of Cousins Camp 2011 blessedness. We gathered at Cape San Blas, near Port St Joe and Appalachacola on Florida's pan handle July 2-9. Drew and Christy Beth Eager assumed the Event Planner role again this year by acclaim. They found five swell beachfront houses in a row. They procured tee shirts and welcome bags. They organized volunteer families to take turns at meals so that we all ate our main meal together family style daily. Planned activities and impromptu fun included scalloping, a sunset cruise, surf fishing, shark fishing, beach campfires, July 4th fireworks on the beach, bikes, kayaks, pool and surf swimming, all interspersed with random hearts touching times of catching up with each others lives and thoughts. Granpop, who started the whole thing, over thirty years ago, smiled down from the heavenlies. Participants this year were June Eager, Jinny Wilson, Pete and Patty Wilson, Marybet and Hop Eager, Melissa, Roman and Catalina Quintana, Drew, ChristyBeth ,and Loralai Eager and baby girl Eager, expected in December, and Margie, Derrick, Jennifer, and David Willard, Emily, Bill, Austin, Tiebout and William McCrea. We missed 8 more of us whose busyies precluded CC11 for them this time. Maybe Beth's wedding will bring us all together in December when we can call it Winter Cousins Camp 2011.

2011-07-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

2011-07-14T13:52:00.000-07:00

2011-07-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

2011-06-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

Slid from Jess Atherton Wilson Facebook where many more await you in posted albums.
What a wonderful world!

2011-06-07T06:19:00.000-07:00

The Atlanta Aquarium is a wonderful place and frequently visited by Kate (Weller) Thompson, husband Pete and their James and Ellie. I slid this from an album slideshow of Snapfish pix. Next time I will order me a print and scan it to the family blog so you can see better.

2011-06-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

A Grand and Glorious Day in Wellborn!
Carmen called herself Miss Estrellita (Little Star. She had stars on her cheeks and on her costume. I was Mrs Blueberry Shortcake with a larger than life blueberry on top of my big hat.) This foto was at the end of the day when I had shed my yellow wig. Too hot! Carmen created both costumes and we had a swell time in them at the Wellborn Blueberry Festival 2011.

2011-06-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

I slid these wonderful Loralai photos from Facebook to accompany this most recent email from Marybet: " We had a wonderful visit with Drew and CB and Loralai yesterday. They had the sprinkler water toys Melissa sent for her second birthday out in the yard and a tent set up for shade for the adults. Loralai wanted to walk to the beach :-) so off she and I went. We came back to find grandaddy which was good since the beach was nowhere there. Drew grilled out. CB looks good and is feeling well. They have told Loralai she will be a big sister. She does not seem impressed.

2011-05-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY
Inside this card read
"From your little princess!"
and the handwritten words were
Lots of Love, Drew, ChristyBeth and Princess Loralai

2011-05-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

Em and Marybet met at Mom's in Wellborn on the Friday of Mothers day Weekend for the final organizing of their stuff for a hiking and camping weekend. They had as much fun as if they had good sense. Came home on Sunday afternoon full of giggles and stories and incredulity that there were no bugs. It was a backpack hike along Juniper Creek (I think) in the Florida pan handle. They cell'd this foto and another of the lovely lakefront view from this site.

2011-04-30T16:12:00.000-07:00

L. to R
Oliver, Granpack Marianne and Trenton
E Mail and photo from the Konopacks

We're so glad your celebrations and family get-togethers went so well! What did we do before blogs?!
We had a wonderful time on our southern trip. Thanks for being a part of it.
Thursday we played with the boys all day :-) Tomorrow we head to chilly Lake Ontario for brown trout fishing.

Love,
Marianne and John
follow along with us at http://fishinfanatics.blogspot.com

2011-04-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

Beth's chihuahua is named Tortilla. Patty shortens it to "Tilly". "Sweety" tolerates Tilly OK. Omar and Beth sat with me for Easter Mass, an absolutely wonderful climax to Holy Week. Pete and Patty's all volunteer choir did well at multiple events, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 26 children and adults baptized by immersion, well dunking, surely more than sprinkling. They got wet enough to need to change clothes. That was on Saturday's Easter vigil and then 3 baby baptisms on Easter Sunday, a foot washing opportunity for anyone who came forward, a cross kissing likewise, and communion every day. I loved being there and would have loved taking pictures but was respectfully worshipful instead. :-)

2011-04-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

Patty finds things in the very full refrig for chef Pete to make the roasted veggies that Beth arranged beautifully around the lamb and for the beet and pecan salad. Easter Saturday Patty produced for Pete the recipe and ingredients for Prince William wedding cake, an oh so chocolate molded and refrigerated almost decadently yummy thing.
Easter Sunday afternoon Pete smiles (justly so) as we five (Pete, Patty, Beth, Omar and mom/granny) gathered around Patty's pretty table set for an elegant lamb dinner.

2011-04-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

Here I huff&puff out the candles. Em. Will and Bill and Carmen sang The Song. Here beginneth my 85th year, can you believe? I dont feel old enuff :-)

2011-04-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

A thank you for lunch with Em and me love note came with this foto. Sandy-O is one of the Tyrone Red Hatters. I love her phone visits and encouraging words about water aerobics, keeping fit and even about shoes for my funny feet these days.

2011-04-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

Todd Ahern with Ana, Isabella and Miriam

2011-04-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

I hope that the computer world magic will allow family to see how beautiful 3 of my brother Bio's 4 great grandchildren are. These good lookers are Jan's grands, kindness of Todd and Erika Ahern. Their names: Miriam (around 5) and Isabella , 3 on April 23, and baby girl Ana will be 1 on May 5.
I copy and paste hopefully.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Todd Ahern
Date: Mon, Apr 18, 2011 at 8:57 AM
Subject: Invitation to view Todd Ahern's Picasa Web Album - 2011_04_April
To: grannyjanhancock@gmail.com

2011_04_April
Apr 16, 2011
by Todd Ahern
View Album
Play slideshow
Message from Todd Ahern:
And here's April so far. Hope you're doing well.

Happy Holy Week,
The Aherns
If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=todd.h.ahern&target=ALBUM&id=5596677531814060081&authkey=Gv1sRgCI2-8ZPNuem2Kw&feat=email

2011-04-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

James and Ellie Thompson.
Momma is Kate Weller Thompson and daddy Pete T. I get birthday party pix and trip pix to the Atlanta aquarium and more. They share the happiness of Sue and George (Buck) Weller visits. What a wonderful world !

2011-04-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

Kelly (Jacqueline, youngest and only daughter of Carmen's three grown children) comes to see her momma and me. Our welcoming dinner was at Applebees.

2011-04-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

Fashion Statement was what Melissa called this email
The written message was "Two sillies! One is dressed for St. Patties day and the other is just reading to his sister :)

2011-04-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

Carmen took this picture of Marianne and John and Jinny on a misty morning walk all around our acres and those next door. John's spotting ability made us feel as tho we had a professional naturalist guide :-) I bet the http://FishinFanatics.blogspot.com will have many fotos and a list of what we saw . Same day afternoon real rain was predicted so we opted for U of F Butterfly House and Natural History Museum. Good choice! Great Day with great family folks. Carmen sees G.Jack Wilson look alike in Marianne

2011-03-30T06:17:00.000-07:00

Jess writes of an early Easter Bunny visit in the U.K. Lark and Katharine liked the big bunny.

2011-03-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

2011-03-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

Can anyone not smile back at this picture of Loralai Eager?

2011-03-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

ChristyBeth's camera captures the mutual admiration and smiley satisfaction in their family. A winner foto in my book

2011-03-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

Loralai Eager will be two on April 4, 2011

2011-03-19T13:31:00.000-07:00

Ellie Thompson is one year old, 3/23/11. I have baby fotos of her great grandmother Hancock (George's momma) at age 1 and that Ellie and this Ellie are look-alikes.

Eagers/Qunitanas at Granny the Great's

2011-03-12T11:02:00.001-08:00

Roman and Catalina (Katie)Q swing on the porch at Granny the Greats.
Today this email came from Marybet and Hop reporting on our fun here and also the success of the Atlanta Aquarium. The Q kids really are delightful and exceptional. do so as to make their parents, grandparents and this Greatgrand proud to claim them.
Mb's e-mail:
Dearest Mom,
What a wonderful time was had by all at your place! Many thanks to you and Carmen....for great meals, fun flying things, a lovely walk with algae catcher :), heart warming conversations, etc. Katie had her puppy in her backpack as she went through security...a winner, for sure. Roman had his arrowheads which he studied much of the way to Atlanta. The wind-ups also provided lots of imaginative fun on the ride. I have the balsa plane in my back window because it has a metal piece "that would not go through security." (Roman) So, they are off...plan A is to be in Taos tonight with a lunch at Loretta's in the process.
We had a spectacular time at the Georgia Aquarium. Its well designed to appeal to all the senses..tunnels under the water...seats to watch the feeding going on above, touch and see exhibits, sounds of the beluga whales as you watched them swim...amazing. Our little Q's experienced it all with gusto and were asleep before we left the parking garage on the way to the hotel. When we got to the hotel 30 minutes later they went swimming! We had pizza delivered for supper because there is only so much one can expect from the traveling kids. They should have enjoyed a good night's sleep.
Melissa discovered as they were going into security at the airport she did not have her cell phone. Hoppy went back to the hotel, found it, and its in the mail to Ranchos Elem. It should be there Monday or Tuesday. When I consider all the many transitions made well, this was one small blip.
I plan to go through the house here putting it back into "geezer mode" :) I might find some more things to mail to Taos.
It sure was fun. I miss them.
Thanks again for being you and welcoming us all with open hearts.
Hope Carmen's car get fixed.
Love and prayers everyday,
Mb

2011-02-28T16:37:00.000-08:00

Jim K. Marianne F. Wilson and Sheryl K displaying their grandmother's housewarming gift of a bird feeder and bird seeds to put in it.

2011-02-28T16:31:00.000-08:00

Beautiful brother Ollie and birthday boy Trenton. The top hat makes Trenton a magician and was a birthday request fulfilled by the granpacks

Trenton John Konopack's birthday #5

2011-02-28T16:27:00.000-08:00

Dad Jim, Trenton, Oliver, Mom Sheryl with their new home as background

2011-02-21T10:41:00.000-08:00

2011-02-21T09:52:00.000-08:00

2011-02-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

The tea party was a grand success! We made hats, created sugar cube construction projects, admired the firetruck, and had an elegant tea! I've attached a few of my fav pictures to include you in the fun! I felt grandpop fluttering around when Roman made his tea hat...simply decorated with two red birds perched directly on top of his head! (Of course, gpop would probably also have enjoyed sugar cube construction projects :)) Dress up is such fun! And the teenagers, women, girls, and boys seemed to have a blast.

Love, love
Melissa

HAPPY VALENTINE DAY from Loralai Eager

2011-02-12T12:21:00.000-08:00

Carol Hancock Spigner (Bio&Phyls youngset)

2011-02-11T05:11:00.000-08:00

Jinny:
Thanks for your happy birthday wishes for Kathryn! It's hard to believe she is 17!! They grow up too fast, as you know! Kathryn has one more year of high school and she thinks she wants to be an athletic trainer. So she is starting to investigate schools with that program and she is talking to the athletic trainers at her high school. She worked with them during for the past two football seasons and will probably help out with baseball starting in a few weeks. Kim finds out on April 1 if she is accepted into the dental hygiene program at ODU(Old Dominion University). She really wants it and has submitted all her materials. Now she just has to wait. Her adviser thinks she has a good chance. The requirements are pretty high. They only accept 48 students per year. For one of the essays she had to write, she said one of her goals would be to raise more money for the ODU dental hygiene program so they can accept more students! I thought that was pretty smart!
I hope you and yours are well. I spoke with Mom and Dad last night and they have been hit with lots of snow with more to come. God bless them!
Thanks again for your email. Wouldn't Gran be just amazed at the way we stay in touch with each other these days! Take care of yourself!

Love,
Carol

2011-01-31T12:31:00.000-08:00

Marianne Konopack requests fotos from Margie's Mercy Ship month of missioning in South Africa so I have tried to swipe same from her facebook but got a dropdown boc suggesting corruption. oops. :-( So this rhinoceros in the wild invites you to catch Margie's facebook pages. A lovely surprise to me was the spiritual bonding I felt with Margie's other prayer supporters all thru her January mission.
Jennifer Willard showed me where to track Margie's plan on her way from NYC to Johannesburg. What a thrill to watch it go. Forgot to get the necessary information to track her again on the homeward flight. Em. Bill and Bo were here and we talked about Margie in the air simultaneously, tho. Margie and I resumed our Sunday afternoon walk and talk phone visits yesterday(she with her dogs walking in NC and Me here in my kitchen) She is still aglow with the wonder of living in community with folks who also felt led to put their beliefs into action. They called themselves the Durban Sweat Team because they did perspire a lot due to summer weather and hard work of cleaning and readying the huge ship to sail around the tip of Africa to make port at CapeTown to be a hospital ship. On the final page of Margie's journaling I found these words.
"My last day in South Africa. Its a bit overcast sort of matching my mood. Annalie sought me out to wish me well and say goodbye. She helps with eye surgeries on the ship and at home in Sweden. This is her third mission, and her work gives her 5-6 months leave because they support this ministry. She hopes that my work place will be as supportive. Elane Winter, the writer, also sought me out. After one of our workdays together she put a microphone in my face and asked me questions. When we finished with the surprise interview, she said she had her next story.
I wonder what my next story will be! I thank the Lord for making this one so clear to me, and guiding me thru each step of the way. I am awed by Your work and Your poweer, and ask mercies and grace as I return to my life in NC."

2011-01-24T14:09:00.000-08:00

Meet Liam Telfer Ahern born January 18, 2011,
Granny Jan Hancock writes:
.....and he is beautiful! His pictures do not do him justice. What a precious little person....I like him a lot, and his beautiful name suits him quite well....I really like that, too! Amy and Chad are doing a most capable and joyful job taking care of him and each other. The whole experience at the hospital was appreciated by them....staff, getting information, help with decisions, and making the whole transition to parenting a newborn quite successful. Liam is a night person, much preferring to nurse, poop and cry all night and rest during the day. He sleeps deeply, seemingly unaware of sound, light, or my holding him, or meeting Wally.

Everything about coming home went well. I was able to meet the family and Betty Ann outside the Mother/Baby section and help escort Liam and his things down to the car. We settled in, Betty Ann brought Wally (their dog) home, I went food shopping and served dinner. Grandpa C. came by and met his grandson. Did I mention I was able to hold Liam while he slept for about an hour? Babies are so small, staying all tucked up, and sleeping with such abandon and thoroughness. And all the facial expressions....endlessly fascinating, and such a miracle. We fall in love, don't we?!

I wish all of you could share in meeting Liam, and seeing Chad and Amy so happy, and parental....taking it all in stride, even the total lack of sleep (none last night). Holding a sleeping Liam,
I had such happy memories of holding Miriam, Belly, and Ana (Todd and Erikas 3 daughters).....all precious gifts....such a blessing. My heart is overflowing, and I'm overwhelmed with love for these children.

We've all been very patient awaiting daily news. Remember how quickly the days go and how much there is to do? Amy is healing,(C section after 24 hours labor) and looks quite good. It will take time to be able to do all she wants. Chad has been supportive and an impressively attentive husband and father. He wants his family to know that he has changed every one of Liam's diapers! and is the parent in charge of crying during the nights when it's not time to nurse. Liam nurses like an expert, and cries effectively also.

Thank you for all your prayers and support and loving thoughts. I know you all love Liam! I will send pictures from my new camera (Jinny inspired me to get my own so I can take my own pictures), as soon as I figure out that part, and rest from this fully and incredibly happy day!

Love to you all,
Granny
The parenthisies are Great Aunt Jinny's info added)

2011-01-09T13:33:00.000-08:00

William McCrea whose Facebook page says that he is in a relationship with Sarah Waters.
I wonder if I should tell that the relationship I enjoyed at age 16 turned out to be permanent! :-)
Tiebout McCrea who is a Freshman at Florida State which necessitated his dad to get a "Divided House" plate for his huge truck. :-)
Austin McCrea now a Senior at University of Florida. Pondering his next step.

2011-01-09T13:20:00.000-08:00

Em's is having a swell time which she is good at. Hers was the only family complete and that was only for day#1 when Bill managed some hours with us.
(At this Winter CC10 we missed Beth Wilson, Melissa& Rich Quintana, Roman and Katey Q, Derrick, Jennifer and David Willard), but we understood and plans are in the works for a summer CC11

2011-01-09T13:06:00.000-08:00

Racing responsibility often precludes Ronnie at CC-ing. We won him this cc10 and the way the younguns relate with him is a delight to witness.
Margie's big adventure in January 2011 is to participate in a Mercy Hospital Ship's mission in South Africa. We touched hearts about it and learned some geography. She is sharing with emails and maybe SKYPE.

2011-01-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

Drew reading to Lor, Christy Beth more pensive than usual but beatiful just the same,and Loralai Eager. The Lor photo on the Sit and Spin has my vote as The Best!!

2011-01-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

Jess holds Kate who is walking with an assisting hand held but crawling easily. Kate, the baby of the party, sat at the end of the table in her booster chair and ate with enthusiasm
Steve must have been pondering about house hunting in Houston. They did that while they were stateside which this granny liked to hear. 2012. maybe ?, I asked, but he wouldnt commit to me or the real estate salesman yet. They like U.K. but there IS no place like home.
Lark is petite and a picture child. She recites a story of the gruffaloes with no cue cards. :-)

2011-01-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

Pete and Patty Wilson flew on the plane from Houston with son Steve, Jess and Lark and Kate. Wilson CC10 was their final week of S,J,L&K's Christmas vacation in the states. Lark has an English lilt sometimes. Her mom too. What fun and satisfaction for me to see P&P being grandparents. Granpop smiles down that he is now the old original Granpop and Pete is the new model.

2011-01-09T12:18:00.000-08:00

This series of pictures are Hop's from Winter CC10. He captured each of us and made us look good! :-)
The pink one is me and the blue one is Marybet and her granddaughter Loralai Eager

Winter Cousins Camp @Georgia's Stephen Foster Park

2011-01-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

The Craft table was a three days ongoing activity in one of the five cabins. It was where gifts were created for the name drawn. This year's theme was Genesis 1: 3 "God said "Let there be light." Flashlights, candles, table lamp, night light, mirror decorations, refrigerator art pictures etc. GREAT!
Foreground is Lark working next to William who created a refrigerator art gift for Ronnie inviting him to "Let His Little Light Shine" Bo works on his fancy flashlight gift with it under the table because he had Lark's name and its a secret until presentation night. Hops pictures of that are on www.KodakGallery and are wonderful. Also there are pix from everyone's camera on the Virginia Wilson Facebook Page via a modern miracle called tagging photos. In this foto background, Em (who has sons only)converses with Jess and also enjoys holding baby Katey W.

Daddy Steve sliding with 2 year old Lark

2011-01-03T12:26:00.000-08:00

MOM Marianne had Christmas with both her New Jersey daughters and she loved it.
Carolyn and Dino in the center with Bryan and Peter taller than they, and Chrysanne in the front

Marianne F. Wilson, herself, surrounded by Konopacks in the second foto
John ("Granpack") photographer, I bet. Trenton and Ollie in Santa hats, at a perfect age for Christmas fun enjoying an "Over the river and thru the woods to Great Grandmothers house we go."

M'anne (K's) love note sez:
Happy New Year! How did your gathering at Foster Park go? Was the weather OK? Hope to see pictures and hear the story on your blog.

Your blog2print book was wonderful! Mom loves it and we all enjoyed seeing it. What a clever idea. Your Christmas cards and notes were a joy to receive, too.

Loralai in the snow - that part of Georgia doesn't usually get snow, does it? She sure is a cutie, as are all the others.

As you may have read on my blog, our celebrations went well. The blizzard occurred inbetween Christmas and New Years so everybody got where they wanted to go.

Attached are a couple of pics.

Love,
Marianne(Wilson Konopack)
follow along with us at http://fishinfanatics.blogspot.com

2010-12-26T12:36:00.000-08:00

LORALAI EAGER in the snow in Georgia the day after Christmas

2010-12-11T17:45:00.000-08:00

A love note from Jennifer came with this cell phone foto.
Hi Granny! Here is picture from our Christmas tree shopping adventure this past Saturday. It had just started snowing as we headed toward the mountains. Ronnie is in the back waving down the chainsaw men. :)
The rest of the adventure story was that it snowed enough that the road down the mountain was closed. BUT sez Margie, that gave us a good, tho' unexpected chance to visit!

2010-12-03T11:53:00.001-08:00

So, it is snowing here in London, and today Stacey and I took Lark and Kate to the back garden to play in the snow - Lark wanted to build a Snowlady (not a Snowman mama, a Snowlady).....here are a couple photos.....I also showed her how to make snow angels for the first time ;) and Kate was NOT a fan of the snow once she was in it .... she wanted down with Lark, and the photos show she didnt like it!

2010-11-29T12:05:00.000-08:00

Golden Guinea Pig Q closeup

2010-11-29T12:02:00.000-08:00

2010-11-29T11:57:00.000-08:00

At the end of October, I brought home two little guinea pigs for the kiddos. Golden and Batman seem to have adjusted to our rambunctious household and enjoy cuddling...especially when they get treats (like dandelion greens). Since they can now be held without too much fear of running away, I took some pics to share with the family.

We recently left for Thanksgiving, and I was a bit chagrined to reflect that I do so much for the guineas. The shame kept me from listing out all the spoiling of the guineas I do on a regular basis. :) Oh well...

Much love,
Melissa and the Q's

2010-11-29T11:51:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of shots of Lark and Kate from todays Hampstead Tree Lighting - Kate met Father Christmas for the first time!

2010-11-25T04:17:00.000-08:00

So... we went to see Santa today. Drew and I were wagering on the behavior we would experience from Miss Loralai. We figured there was an 80% chance she would scream and kick Santa, but that did not happen. :) Fortunately, there was no line and Loralai walked right up to Santa and let him lift her onto his lap. Loralai now hates to have her picture taken.... I personally think she has a problem taking direction, so I had to work to get her to look at the camera and at least look happy or coherent... I am not above quacking like a duck with a puppet on my hand. The result of my work is attached. :)

Happy Turkey Day,
Christy Beth

2010-11-24T06:26:00.000-08:00

Mom Jess captioned this one with "It was a long day"
Granny, the Great's reply was "Can this be our baby Katharine"
Mom Jess says "Oh yes, she is 10 months old already!"
I see a look-alike to Lark's earlier fotos,
WE DO HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR around the family circle.
AMEN and AMEN again

Ellie lab loves Loralai

2010-11-12T14:07:00.000-08:00

Hops camera artistry from Bat Cave weekend

2010-11-12T13:58:00.000-08:00

Eager grands

2010-11-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

2010-11-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

ChristyBeth shares a race day scene. Drew's cross country girl runners made coach proud at state level competition. Here is Loralai with Granny Mb. Seems stroller pushing is the new game. "No Nap Eager" they called "L" and CB added appreciation for a Granny E on race day.

2010-11-08T17:34:00.000-08:00

Blogger mom was a happy leafy looker twice in October. New Hampshire was at it's peak and North Carolina was still very beautiful & fall-y. Hop was the rooster in the hen house @ Chinquapin, Bat Cave, N.C. Marybet, Hop and Bea came in Ruby truck, arriving first, Margie after a days work with her beloved dying folks and Em and I were last ones in after Em zapped off her days work in Gainesville.
Marybet was meal planner, Hop was in charge of wood stove, Margie brought a pumpkin to transform into a jack-o-lantern. Em hatched up hiking plans using DOD's references complete with mile markers and trailside things to watch for. I was pleased to sortuv remember the same hike with him and glad to be able to do it together as I start my third year without him. The pictures in Sunday clothes are taken on an after-church walk around Lake Lure. ( when we visitors identified ourselves at church Marybet explained that the fourth sibling, a brother, is from Texas. Later Margie chuckled saying if we had added Pete&Patty, Roman Catholic, we could have claimed a Presbyterian, a Baptist, an Anglican, a Methodist and an RC together before the lord on October 31, 2010!) :-)
I missed capturing a photo of Margie modeling her bat costume created in committee @ Chinquapin. It was for a Halloween Party Sunday night in Yadkinville. AND I missed a picture of Ruby truck with the sorry old water heater inside. Saintly Hop volunteered to haul it to a N.C. dump

Winterizing Chinquapin

2010-11-08T17:25:00.000-08:00

Q's Hooray for Halloween

2010-11-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

Hooray for Halloween! Halloween pics attached...one viking, one pink poodle, one wacky witch/evil teacher (Mrs. Gorf) who turns her students into apples!

Just click on the indivdual pix hidden by the group pic to get a closeup viking and a closeup pink poodle. please and thank you.
Granny the Great sez "How swell to see the third genration having fun with Halloween!"

2010-11-02T07:35:00.000-07:00

Hey Granny- thought I would send you some pics of Loralai's Halloween weekend. The first is of her helping Drew carve pumpkins. I am not sure she loves the feeling of pumpkin insides - you be the judge. :) The next two are from her "school" Halloween party. She was dressed as a skeleton, and felt pure joy when her teacher gave Loralai her own pumpkin bucket - she really will not go anywhere without it... I hope that passes. The next is from Drew's cross country region competition. His girl's team is going to STATE next weekend- this will be the fifth year in a row that Drew has had runners participate in the state competition! The picture looks funny because Lor wanted me to take pictures of her before I could take pictures of the runners. The last picture is from trick or treating. We actually went to the local grocery store because they had trick or treating in the aisles- felt a lot easier than trying to walk through the neighborhood with an 18 month old in costume!

Lots of love,
Christy Beth, Drew and Loralai

2010-10-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

October 23&24 Will drove to Granny's from Gainesville and Bo drove to Granny's from Tallahassee. Em and Bill were B&Bing on the beach in celebration of Em's birthday.
Granny's camera missed photographing the "biggest fish Will ever had on the line here" The line broke. Granny missed capturing her truly handsome grandsons dressed for church on Sunday but the Sunday afternoon car wash got recorded. Will's purple truck now has a tool box in the back and a sportsman sticker to counterbalance the granpop one. Bo says Florida State is like a whole town with everything you need right there and most everyone is the same age!

2010-10-25T06:05:00.000-07:00

Jess labels these two pictures SOME SWEET SISTER PHOTOS :-)
Katharine and Lark Wilson's sister act is appreciated especially by mom/Jess who always wanted a sister to grow up with.

2010-10-25T05:54:00.000-07:00

This Loralai Eager picture came in a hot pink frame with western designs labeled COWGIRL. :-)
More recently an email from Mom/CB had no pictures attached :-( I complained! Then I received 3 delightful scenes of our Eager sweetheart choosing her pumpkin in a huge pumpkin patch and at a country fair type activity. Delightfully so.