Happy Birthday to my Memaw!

My Memaw was one of a kind! She wasn't the pie and cookie baking kind of grandma. Instead, you would probably find her at the Thanksgiving table telling a dirty joke! Her loud cackle could be heard across the whole house!She wasn't the huggy, lovey kind of grandma. So, how did I know she loved me? Maybe it was the way she spanked my butt all the way from the road to the house when I was about 4 and decided that playing in the road would be fun. At the time, I thought she was being mean, but now that I'm a mom I realize that I scared her half to death! Or maybe it because she knew how much I loved her beef and noodles and baked beans, so she made that meal everytime I came to visit. I don't know what she did to those baked beans, but they were awesome! Poor Mom tries to get hers like Memaw's, but they are never the same. Very good, but just not like Memaw's! Or maybe it was because no matter how much she despised the Superbowl Shuffle, she let Travis, Trevor and I listen to it the every time it came on the radio when we were going to Michigan. And at that time, that song was played constantly! Or maybe it was the fact that she never had much money, but each and every one of her kids and grandkids had a gift under the Christmas tree. She would start shopping the day after Christmas for the next year. Some of my very favorite gifts came from her. She got me the western Barbie and Ken that had a little stamper that made lip prints. And as awful as they were,she bought me the super cool parachute pants that I longed for.I just wish someone would have told me how stupid they looked! When I got to be a teenager, I collected Christmas bears every year. I always knew she would get me my bear. My very favorite gift though, was the afghan she made for me. I think she made us all afghans that year. I pull that afghan out on cold winter nights and snuggle up in it. I always think of her when I get it out. It's a way of always keeping her with me. I always loved her Christmas tree. She always had those silver icicle things on her tree. And all her gifts had the ribbons that you curl with scissors. I remember going Christmas shopping in Lafayette with her. We sang Christmas carols all the way up there. Winter Wonderland was our favorite. We both sang at the top of our lungs. I'm sure we sounded like 2 howling dogs, but we had fun. When my birthday came around, I always knew there would be a card in the mail from her. It always had $5 and a long newsy letter about what she had been up to, what the weather was like. I think that's when it actually sunk in that she was gone. In 1998 when my birthday came around and there was no card. That nearly broke my heart. I loved Memaw with all my heart. I wish she were here today so my kids could know her. I know she would be proud of them. She would have been 82 years old today. And she would probably still be beating Grandpa Tom at Scrabble! He didn't have a chance against her! LOL! I could go on and on, but I have way too many memories and there just really aren't enough words to tell you how much I miss her. Happy Birthday Memaw! I love and miss you!

Meet My Pops

If I had to name a TV dad that is most like my dad, I'd probably have to say he's most like Red Foreman from That 70's Show. He's not a really mushy, gushy kind of dad. And I'm sure he has wanted to put a foot in each one of his 5 children's asses at some point or another. And I would say we probably would have deserved it! We sure put him through a lot over the years.But even though we have driven him crazy, I know that I can count on my dad for anything. In fact, I think my dad can do anything! I've made frantic phone calls to him about broken down vehicles, overflowing toilets, computer problems, electrical problems, leaky pipes and he's fixed them all! I am still very sorry that he got shocked fixing my electrical issues.My dad is the best! Happy Father's Day Dad! Love you!

My Dad was a Vietnam Veteran.
Hanging out with my Dad.
All of us at Ryan's high school graduation.
Dad coached my softball team. It was one of our town's first softball teams. We were called the Smurfett's. Does that tell you what decade this was?
My dad was in a band. Some of my favorite memories as a child was getting to stay up and watch the band practice!
He still likes to play the guitar. My middle son thinks he has the coolest grandpa ever! He is learning to play the bass, so he loves to listen to dad play. Dad is also very opinionated about music. Especially modern music. You can pretty much say he hates it all. And you can count on him to give his opinion through out any music performance!
Dad is a river rat. He loves being out on the boat. My nephew Shaun loves it every bit as much as Dad does!
His love for being on the river started at a young age. His family used to camp and boat on the river almost every weekend.
Dad and Aunt Tedi playing board games while camping as kids.

Dad runs a small non-profit radio station from his garage. He and Larry, the guy on the left were named Citizen's of the Year this past year for everything the radio station does for our community. They broadcast most sporting events which is great for people that can't get out to go to the games. And it is streaming online, so anyone can listen. My brother was actually able to catch the games when he was on deployment. The father of the girl in the middle was deployed and unable to be there for Senior Night. He sent a letter for Dad or Larry to read to her. He was able to listen as they read the letter to his daughter. Even though he couldn't be there in person, he could listen and be a part of it. I am just really proud to have a dad that not only does so much for his family, but does so much for this community.

Twilight Breaking Dawn Trailer

The countdown begins!!! It comes out November 18th. Bryson and I have already made a date to go watch it. I think I may be more excited than she is!!!

Little Allen Is All Grown Up And Married!!!

My youngest brother, Allen, the youngest Dillbilly got married on Saturday. Which makes me feel really old since I am 14 years older than he is. As I watched him get all choked up as he watched his beautiful bride come down the aisle, I couldn't help but remember the cute little curly haired boy he used to be. The ornery little boy that once dug up the dead cat that dad had buried because he wanted to see what it looked like. Or the little boy that though it was a good idea to ride down the stairs in a box. At least he thought it was a good idea until he crashed at the bottom. It's just hard to believe he is all grown up! It was a beautiful ceremony and super fun reception. And overall just a great family weekend. As we have all gotten older and gone in different directions, it is not very often that we can all be together.It is always nice when I get the chance to see all 3 of my brothers in the same room. And the cousins LOVE being together! I am very excited to have a new sister-in-law! Congrats to Allen and Abby!

The cousins at the rehearsal dinner

Bryson and Jordan before the rehearsal dinner

Peyton watching Dusty play Angry Birds at the rehearsal dinner

Bryson with her Aunt Dawne

Jordan made Peyton a blanket fort at the hotel

We weren't stressed. While everyone else was getting ready for the wedding, Dawne and I watched the kids play in the pool and took them to Steak 'n Shake for lunch!
My boys weren't exactly thrilled with being dressed up and dressed up in matching clothes! But they all looked so nice!

Peyton nearly stole the show in his little suit

Bryson and Peyton

Travis and Peyton

Me and my 3

They think they're cool...

Me with Travis and Ryan

Dad and Sharon

Introducing Allen and Abigail Dill!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Dill

Me and my little brothers.

I really kinda like these 3 guys. They're pretty cool...

Dad a.k.a. Popeye and Peyton.

Dad making us all cry when he welcomed Abby to the Dillbilly family and remembered Trevor
Mother/Son dance

Sweet little Peyton asking his Aunt Abby for a dance.

Bryson dancing with Allen during the dollar dance. Lucky for her it turned out to be a salsa dance!

Dad dancing with Abby

Bry dancing with her Uncle Travis

Allen bustin some moves

Mother-in-law saying goodbye to her new daughter-in-law

We started Monday morning off with breakfast at Dad's. He made his famous biscuits and gravy. And we ended the day at Mom's for a Memorial Day cookout. Perfect ending to a fantastic weekend!

The Maryland Dillbillies

Dusty and Peyton saying goodbye

The kids at Mom's house on Memorial Day