Michael

I mentioned my 14-year-old nephew at the end of my last post. His DNA results were the only family members' DNA still not reported. Well, those came in finally so I will post them along with pictures I found on my computer - or I downloaded this morning off Facebook.  Enjoy seeing my sweetie - and some of his family!

Me and Michael

Checking out Uncle Daniel

my brother, Michael's Uncle Daniel

First Halloween - 8 months old

Michael's mom, my sister

Ninja Mike

Bagel and Michael

Michael with his dad and dog

Will''s brother Juan visited the family from Venezuela five years ago

Tia Mari

He wanted to sleep on the balcony at the beach

The best cousin picture I could get - 2015

at Myrtle Beach with us in August 2016

With the prop Will made for VBS at their church

My nephew is the one with the horse head

Michael at church camp 2016

DNA Results


Africa 3%
Trace Regions 3%
Africa North 3%


America 14%
Native American 14%


Europe 77%
Iberian Peninsula 35%
Europe West 24%
Italy/Greece 8%
Great Britain 6%

Trace Regions 4%
Ireland 4%
West Asia 6%

Trace Regions  6% 
Caucasus 4%
Middle East 2%

'Twas December

We had a great December for the most part.  Weather-wise it was weird - much warmer, quite a bit of rain some days/weeks, but, thankfully, several nice, sunny days and evenings! 

I could highlight several other things from this month, but I focused more on Christmas stuff.

First we went to see the lighted Christmas trees which Zach grew to really enjoy once he figured out how those trees could sing, blink their eyes, and such. 

Andrew and I were tickled when he asked us "which one is the girl?" because a few solo parts were definitely sung by a feminine voice.  Here is a minute of Zach's favorite part of the Hallelujah song.  He especially likes the "lu!" part towards the end. 

We also took him to visit this light display in another part of Graham.

We stopped by the lighted Christmas tree on the municipal building's lawn.

Zach posed for a few pictures, but then he was ready to play tag!

I noticed these blooms while we were there.

One evening we went up to see the synthetic ice-skating rink which was in town for about three weeks.

Since some of the family travels for Christmas day to see the other sides of the families, we celebrated with everyone who could make it on the Saturday before Christmas (the 19th).

Here are a few pictures from that day:

The ones of us in town on the 25th met for supper and to hang out for a while.  News 2 aired an Andy Griffith Christmas special which we enjoyed.

One episode made a few folks crave pickles.

Several Days in November

1 -- to CiCi's' with the family to celebrate my dad's birthday; Daylight Savings Time ends

2 -- what a dark, dreary day!  The rain didn't help!

3 -- Zach is 4 and a half

4 -- woke up to the news that former Congressman Howard Coble died -- I used to really enjoy and be involved in politics, and he was someone I met a few times over the years

also, today my Aunt Bett would be 80....she died in her fifties from pancreatic cancer; she was Mema's baby sister so they celebrated Bett's birthday together in heaven

two years ago today Andrew and I were in Paris; we met David from Seoul there (I heard from him recently on Facebook, and he's still in the military; hoping to get out early next year)

5 -- played with Sophie and Zach

sat outside and enjoyed the evening - finally had blue skies for the first time all week!

6 -- new blocks at the children's museum

7 -- Fun with Zach at my house

10 -- THE SUN CAME OUT!  Zach, Bagel, and I went to Purple Penguin for frozen yogurt, and then enjoyed a few minutes at a local church before going to my house, and then for a visit with Steph and Michael

"You know who fell off a wall, don't you?"

He thought the ones in front of the pews were foot rests

12 -- enjoyed the blue skies and sunshine!

13 -- Sophie came for a visit

13 -- terrorist attack in Paris

photo from our visit in November 2013

17 -- to the children's museum with Zach

Leaf Art

he sounded out "by" all by himself :)

I heard him saying his phone # to Emma; they got along well

having fun with Leah

18 -- to Tanger and Walmart with Zach

He insisted that he needed a stocking

19 -- to Steph's house

he loved decorating these trees

20 --  to Gibsonville's Lighting of the Greens

but first, we must sit and watch the sunset (his idea)

Thomas!

waiting to ride the train

Zach refused to look at me and smile

22 -- Zach wanted a small Christmas tree for his house

Trust me, he decorated it beautifully

23 --  to the Bounce Around place at the local mall - first time going

Not sure what the rest of November will hold, but Thursday is Thanksgiving so there is that!