Merry Christmas Cian.

Cian had a wonderful Christmas. He loved his gifts, Especially his Rabbit.
Cian is a wonderful dog.. He is very mellow and loves kids.. He is a big dog! but most times you don't even know he's there. I'd recomend this breed to anyone who wants to get a family dog(Irish Wolfhound).
Here are a couple of pictures of Cian.


Cian and his Rabbit.


Cian and the girls.
Notice all the blanket they have on him.


Madeline, Ella and Cian.

Christmas Day @ The Rine's

Christina DS games. (Aunt Marcia gave her a DS this year)


Honey got lots of movies, and other fun things but his big gift was a trip to Myrtle Beach in Feb with 30 other guys to play golf. (What Fun!)


I got lots of fun things to go with my Cricut.



Christina with her I Pod (from Mom and Dad)


Cian with his favorite gift (his Rabbit)


This year we spent a nice quiet day at home. In years past we have gone to friends on Christmas Day and delivered Christmas Presents to them, but this year we made all our deliveries before Christmas. We didn't open presents until almost 10:30 A.M. Jim made the comment "What a difference 15 years makes" When the kids where little we would have been up at the crack of dawn opening our gifts. It's nice to sleep in, but at the same time I miss the excitement of little ones in the house. This year we didn’t put up our Christmas tree or any of our Christmas decorations. We had planned on getting our tree up but time just slipped away and before we knew it, it was Christmas Eve. Jim did pull out his fiber optic tree and put it in the living room so we could put our presents under it.
It doesn’t matter if you have a Christmas tree and lots of Christmas decorations. What matters is what is in your heart and that you are with the ones you love. We did put out John David and Christopher’s trees. We may not have a tree but the boys always will have their trees.
We went out to eat Christmas Day at the Chinese restaurant since it was the only restaurant open. It was a very mellow day. A day to enjoy our family and reflect on Christmas's of the past and dream a little of the Christmases that are to come. A son in-law would be nice :)..(Grandchildren!! Someday!!)

web kins from Becky and Family


Stephanie gift stack!


gift from Aunt Patty!


Gift from Kim and Dan!


Books from Christina! Christina also gave her two outfits.


Razor from Aunt Patty and Uncle Jerry!


Trying to open the gift from Kim and Dan!

This year we had Christmas Eve at Marcia and Doug's. Food wise we had Meatball sandwiches, Pasta salad, Hot Chicken Wings, Cucumber Canapés, and Crock Pot sausages w/ pineapple.
Stephanie had been waiting all afternoon for everyone to get there so she could open presents, poor baby could hardly eat her dinner she was so excited. And boy did she make out like a fat rat!! She got to open presents from Aunt Patty and Uncle Jerry, Kim and Dan, Becky, CT and the girls, Aunt Rhoda and Uncle Jim, and Christina. She still had more to open Christmas Day from Gabby, Rachel, Tony, Aunt Barb, Aunt Joy and Uncle Bob, and all of Marcia's family. You would think that the poor child would say enough and save some for Christmas, but not Stephie, she wanted to open them all right then. She was greatly disappointed when her mom said no.
Aunt Joy also made out well. Uncle Doug has now discovered the joy that is QVC and HSN. Every one else did fairly well, though Piper didn't get to open any of hers.

Christmas Eve.

Professor lupin!

I was thinking this morning that I have posted about everyone in our family. Then it hit me that I have not posted about Professor Lupin! So here goes. We adopted Professor Lupin about 7 years ago. We have friends that lived on a farm and their cat had kittens so Christina and I went to visit Kathy for the afternoon and came home with two kittens, Professor Lupin and Odin. Professor isn't a cat that requires a lot of attention, in fact he'd much rather be left alone. He isn't grumpy just needs his own space, and for the most part we are happy to let him have it.
This winter has been cold and the Professor is getting Old!!! So he has been spending a lot more time in the house where it is warm. He how ever is not so fond of Izzy Kitty. Izzy kitty however is like the little sister that is so intrigued with the older brother and wants to follow him everywhere he goes. They are doing a lot better than when we first introduced them.

A Hunting We Will Go!

I hope these pictures do not offend anyone.. We do eat the meat it is not just for sport.
The 1st Monday after Thanksgiving is a big day in our house! It is the 1st day of (Shot Gun) Deer Season!! I think in the 25 years that Jim and I have been married he has missed the Great White Hunt once and that was when he was in Korea. This year Jerry, Mac and Roger come from Louisiana for the week. Jerry, Jim, Mac and Doug each got a deer this year. I know everyone had a wonderful time even if it was Very, Very Cold! I enjoyed spending the week with Patty. I love my Sister in-law she is a wonderful woman and a wonderful friend to me! She has been a blessing in my life. I just wish we lived a little closer so we could visit more often.

Jerry with his Doe.



Jim with his Button Buck!


Doug and his Doe!





The Great Hunters with their Deer!

Mac and Roger



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What We've been up to.

It's been a while since I have posted anything so I thought I'd do a little catching up this morning.
Thanksgiving morning we went to the Cooper's and shot clay pigeons. I enjoyed watching everyone shoot. I tried my luck at a target or two and I can assure you I will not be going on tour anytime soon with the Olympic Skeet Team. It was really sad I think a 5 year old out shot me.
Jim, Christina and I had a nice quiet Thanksgiving dinner (Christina Cooked) at home. I find that the older I get the more I enjoy a quiet holiday alone with my family, at one time I would have been cranky that we where not going anywhere or that no one was coming over to our house.. but these days I find I really enjoy the quiet time. I am looking forward to Grandchildren some day but Today Life is Good!

Seth getting a little help from his dad!


Audrey and her Dad!



Christina's turn!



I don't think Jim missed a target!

Izzy Kitty

Cian and Izzy asleep on my bed.

Izzy!

Izzy


The newest member of our family.
We where not planning to get another animal, in fact we where looking forward to not having anything to care for except each other. Izzy came to live with us in July she was a very sick little kitten when we got her. Our vet told us he didn't know if she would make it. But with love and a lot of extra special attention she was turned into a beautiful girl. She loves Jim! But I'm the one who doesn't get much sleep at night because she wants to sleep on my head, side or in my face. Cian is very sweet with her. However!! He does want to catch her when she runs around the family room, not sure what she would look like once he caught her. Not Good I'm Sure!

The Next Generation

Bryleigh Elisse
10-22-08
Ayla Adora 05-05-08
Sage Marie 04-04-08
Gabby
02-09-07
Mykaylynn Nicole
03-24-04
Mykenzie Marie
Aug-02-01
Brentley Mason
08-29-2007
William Taylor
10-08-04
Aiden Jacob
12-27-06


I feel I miss out of so much when it comes to my Great Nieces and Nephews. I wish I lived closer so I could spoil you all. What a blessing the internet is! It makes keeping in touch so much easier. I love you all. Love G Aunt Rhoda

Kenyon College

It was a beautiful Sunday, so I thought it would be nice if we (the Family) took a little Sunday drive. I love this time of year, the leaves are turning and it is just beautiful. We ended up at Kenyon. For those of you who have never been to Kenyon College you need to make it a must to see on you next trip to Mount Vernon. It is a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours of your day, there is so much to see there,a wonderful book store, the Church of the Holy Spirit, built in 1871, the beautiful stain glass windows are something to see and the inside of the Church is just Beautiful. You might even see a famous face or two. Alan Alda went to school here as well as some of his children, Paul Newman (a graduate of the school) at one point came to the school once a year, Lid Tyler was here a couple years ago and Jamie Lee Curtis has a daughter that is attending Kenyon now. Jamie Lee has been to the college a couple of times this year. She did a Women's seminar a couple months back that was wonderful.(so i hear)
According to the Haunted Ohio books, Kenyon is haunted, but who knows. It is also said that the gateway to Hell is in Kenyon College although I have never seen it. When John David was about 8 or 9 he and his Friend Robbie Holbrook where going to go look for it. Not sure what they would have done if and when they found it.
I love to go to Kenyon and walk and explore. It is so peaceful there and I enjoy the beauty of the college old building, cemetery and all.