Babies new and old...

Our friends, and Meg's godparents, Jonathan and Tracey Van Hook, welcomed their first child today. Andrew Tate Van Hook weighed in at (prepare to wince) 10 pounds 11 ounces. Mom and baby are doing fine after the C-section!

Our little one went mobile the Saturday before Memorial Day, and isn't too far from going to just 2 wheels.

Our daughter is at her first sleep over camp, from yesterday until the 6th. House is oddly quiet. I'm enjoying that, but still miss her.

The saga continues...

Continuing the water theme, we went out on the Vinsons boat for a short excursion, then docked at Calhoun's on the River for dinner. That's where we had our rehearsal dinner.

Goober says "hey"

Meg was in a skit at Tate's Camp last Friday.

They've started the destruction of the Jumbotron. The new one will be much bigger, in fact second in size to only (and this pains me) the one at Texas. The old screen was about 1/3 of the board, the new one will be the whole board.

New fascade, too. Lot of work to do in 2 months.

Beach pics 2009

I'd hide my stomach behind my kids, too, if I could. Need more kids.

Meg's friend Grace came along to keep her entertained.

Matt wasn't sure about the ocean, but he liked the sand. Tasted good, apparently.

Cruisin' for babes

We're Back!

It's been a hair-raising month and a half! This is actually Meg, on a field trip to the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge. For once that mussed hair was useful!



We finally had a service for my mother on January 31st, with a nice group of family and friends in attendance. She was cremated, and her ashes put next to those of my sister Barbie in the Columbarium of the Church of the Ascension, where Hope and I were married.

I'll post some more pictures, just as soon as I find the camera!

Mary Millener Mitchell 1933 - 2008

Mom passed away Sunday evening at 10:15 at Hillcrest West Nursing Home. We had just moved her there Friday, another step on the journey to hopefully getting her home. I had been looking forward to having her so much closer to us and her friends. She did live long enough to see a photograph of her great-grandson Brett, which meant so much to her. We appreciate all the offers of love and support from so many of you. We'll get through the next few days (no memorial service, per her wishes), and try to get a grip back on the "reason for the season". Many of our holiday plans have been side-tracked by the events of the past few weeks and months, but we hope to be back to normal early in the new year.

Matt has continued to get better, and is starting to look like a somebody, losing the baby look! Hope and I are so happy to have him as a reminder of all that's good.

Merry Christmas to you all!

from meg

Matthew(bitsy)is the cutest thing ever! I can make him smile!!!!!!!!!!!!! He will giggle for me and get the best look on his face. He is getting soooooooooo big! But, it is still the same thing, he will be all nice and quite and I will want to hold him, I will pick him up, walk into another room, set him down, walk away, and he will start crying. I am so excited, this is Bitsy's first Christmas! His first holiday was Halloween, his first event was the UAB game. He liked it, he came out all red and hot!

from Meg

I am so happy that my brother is home safe and sound! I hope that does not happen agin!
So far he is the best brother in the world.I love him soooooooooo much!Like i said,i am glad he is okay.I thank every doctor that helped my little brother!