Happy Birthday, Captain!

Lonnie just kept insisting that his 70th birthday was going to be "just another day." But Barbara and I had other plans. We've been scheming for two months to surprise him. Sooo... on the Monday before his birthday, I took the afternoon off from work and drove to Longview to pick her up at the airport. We timed it so that I got home about my usual time. She jumped out of the car and hid around the corner of the house. I walked on in, just like always, and in a couple of minutes, there was a knock at the door. I told Lonnie, "It's for you," because there's always a neighbor coming by to see him. He walked over and opened the door and there stood his baby sister, just grinning from ear to ear!


On his birthday, Barb and I took him to Johnny Cace's restaurant in Longview. Several guests from both sides of the family were there to surprise him.


Barbara was having the time of her life. It isn't often you can sneak one by the Captain!


I accused him of telling dirty jokes. I don't know what he said, but our waitress couldn't stop laughing.


On Friday, the last night of her visit, Barbara joined us for the firm's Christmas party at my office. Don't she and "Bub" look elegant?



I told Lonnie he'd better be on his toes... We have 10 years to plan his 80th birthday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's hoping you had a wonderful Thanksgiving today with family and friends. And hoping that you remembered to thank God for what you have received, whether material things, health, family, or peace of mind.

We drove down to Mother's for the annual gathering. I counted 51 folks there. Carrie and Phillip didn't make it because they both have strep throat. Eugene and Judy Lynn didn't make it because they're moving. But I understand they're coming next weekend, or at least Eugene is coming, so we may have to make another trip then too.

We had the usual pies, cakes, etc., along with a fried turkey (courtesy of Lonnie), a ham, a brisket, smoked sausage, a baked turkey breast, lots of different veggies. The only thing that nobody thought to bring was a supply of Alka-Seltzer! Lonnie spent most of the day washing dishes. Mother said he was a life-saver. Have you ever been so full that you were just lethargic?

The kids were having a blast running and playing outside. It was just cool enough to keep them from overheating.

We had three new babies this year, but I let Leiland get away before I got his picture. But here are the other two. Aren't they sweet?
Here's Gail with her granddaughter, Kaitlyn. Can you believe that kid's 14 now? But I guess that has to be right because she and Dylan were the new babies at Thanksgiving in 1995. That's Kaitlyn's mother Lisa on the left in the background, and Cindy (Durand's wife) on the right.

And most of Amber's bunch made it. Amanda and Kylie were the only ones missing. It was really good to have Jon back in the picture.
Laura called while we were at Mother's. They were having Thanksgiving at their house, and Tripp's parents and brother were coming over. I'd love to have them come to Thanksgiving at Mother's. I doubt Tripp has ever met such a bunch of rednecks! Oh, well, maybe next year...

Kylie's birthday

Last weekend, we drove down to Amber's for Kylie's birthday party. She's 4 now, can you believe it? I forgot to take my camera, so I had to wait for Amber to post these on Facebook. They're a little small, but maybe you can make them out.

Anyway, she loved the fuss, loved the cupcakes, loved the presents...
... but the best part was playing in the mud with Phillip!

Connor's 5

Yesterday afternoon, we drove down for Connor's 5th birthday party. They had it at the Boy Scout park.

Stephanie made the football cake. Didn't she do a great job? One side was chocolate and the other white.

Connor really liked his moon sand. Of course, he liked the wrestlers and the wrestling ring too!

This sweet little princess is just learning to walk. I thought I could catch her in the act, but she wouldn't let go of the park bench.

Response from Congress

In response to a letter I wrote a while back to my Congressman, Rep. Hall sent me this email yesterday:

Thank you for writing regarding H.R. 45, the Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009. I always appreciate hearing from my constituents in the Fourth Congressional District of Texas.

There has been much misinformation regarding this bill, so please allow me to set the record straight. H.R. 45 was introduced in January, referred to the House Judiciary Committee, and has had no action since then. Furthermore, this bill has no support in either the House or the Senate, and as a result will not likely ever make it out of committee. As a staunch supporter of the 2nd Amendment and individual gun rights, let me assure you that I am opposed to H.R. 45, and in the highly unlikely event that it does survive through the committee process, I will do everything I can to make sure it does not succeed on a House Floor vote.

You will be pleased to know that I have cosponsored several pieces of legislation that will protect our citizens’ rights to bear arms. One of these important bills is H.R. 17, the Citizens’ Self-Defense Act, which protects the right to obtain firearms for security purposes and use them in defense of one’s self and family. Two others are H.R. 197, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009, and H.R. 1620, the Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2009, which both allow any person with a valid, state-issued concealed firearm permit or license to carry a concealed firearm in any other state.

Again, thank you for sharing your views and concerns with me. If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. With kind regards, I am,

Sincerely,
Ralph M. Hall
Member of Congress

And, yes, I am very pleased to know that Rep. Hall is still the man I always thought he was.

The kids in Georgia

We made the run to Atlanta, Georgia and back this week. With stops for gas, food, and potty breaks, it took us nearly 12 hours each direction. The weather was absolutely gorgeous all the way over there on Sunday, but on the way back, it was hit-and-miss. It rained on us in Alabama and then started again in Louisiana. Just east of Shreveport, a tornado had gone across I-20 and the trees looked as though someone had played pick-up-sticks with them.


A newborn is an amazing creature. Just imagine, if you will, when Pawpaw's hands were this tiny and soft.




Laura and Allison.


Here we are, fawning over Allison.


Caroline, clowning around in Pawpaw's hat.


Tripp and Caroline, reading her new Tinkerbell book.

Talledega Super Speedway

We had to stop and take a few pictures of the Talledega Super Speedway when we drove through Alabama. They're having a big race there this weekend, and RVs were already starting to gather on Thursday.