Happy Birthday Uncle Fred

The birthday of the day is my Uncle Fred's. I hope you have a very special birthday!! We love you!!

Happy Anniversary

Today my cousin Jill and her husband Ben celebrate their anniversary. I don't remember exactly how long they have been married but I think it is around 18 or 19 years. I pray the LORD will bless you with many, many more years together and that each one will be even more precious and wonderful than the last. We love you!!!

Happy Birthday Wanda!!

Today is the birthday of my sweet dear friend Wanda, whom I miss VERY MUCH!!! I hope Chris and the kids make it very special!!!! I love you!!

Nathan's Birthday

Today is my nephew Nathan's birthday. He is turning 10. Man, that is hard to believe. Seems like just yesterday I was holding him in my arms at the hospital for the first time. Happy Birthday Nathan!!!! We love you!!

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

Today is the day we celebrate the birth of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank you God for sending your Son, Jesus, to us. He is the best gift I have ever received. If you don't know my Jesus and would like to meet Him, please let me know. I would be very happy and thrilled to introduce you to Him. (And I know He is waiting for you, too.)


Happy Birthday Jesus!!! I, and my family, love you very much!!!

Two More Birthdays!!!

My friend Julia and her husband have birthdays that are two days apart. So, I decided to mention their birthdays together in this one post. Julia's birthday is today, December 23. David's is December 25. Happy Birthday you two!!! Hope they are wonderful!!!!

Happy Birthday Stephanie!!

Today is the birthday of my friend Stephanie. I hope God shines down on you extra special today. You deserve it!!! Love you!

Happy Birthday To Me!!

Today is my birthday!! I love birthdays because I love the attention. It is such a fun time of year to celebrate. Everyone goes all out on the decorations, some even decorating the outside of their houses with beautiful light displays. Isn't it neat? So, Happy Birthday to me!!!

Happy Anniversary!!

Today is Dick and Daphne's anniversary. They are celebrating seven years of wedded bliss. Congratulations you two!! We love you!!!

Happy Anniversary!!

Today my sweet dear friend Stacy and her husband Barry celebrate their anniversary. I can't remember the exact number of years they have been together but I think it is about 18. Congratulations you two!!! May the years you have had together so far be just the tip of the iceberg. May you continue to grow closer to God as you grow closer together. I love you!!!

A bunch of birthday posts

For those of you who are unaware, the months of December and January have a TON of birthdays and anniversaries of family members, dear friends and loved ones. So, you will be seeing A LOT of "Happy Birthday" and "Happy Anniversary" posts on this blog. If by chance I have forgotten one (and with this many it is very possible), please accept my apology now and let me know. I will make sure it gets a shout out.

Budding Artists and an Absolute Beauty

Below are some pictures the kids drew in Art Class at school. I am amazed at how good they are. They must get it from Melanie.


This is Will's picture of a monster. When I asked him if the teacher helped, he told me she drew the black outline of the monster. He traced it in brown then filled in the rest. He even did the eyes, eyebrows and mouth. I think he did a great job.

This is Hannah's art project. It is called "Toucan." She pointed out the other animals: a frog, caterpillar, spider, butterfly, and bumblebee along with the toucan. There are also flowers, leaves, branches and a sun. Hannah mentioned that it was done in chalk pastels. You first outline the item. To fill in the item, you take your finger and, using the chalk on the outline, proceed to color in the item. (Will told me this last part.) It amazes me just how much they are learning about the different mediums. Didn't she do a great job?!

This is my niece Alyssa. She was in a pageant at school and had her picture taken. Isn't she absolutely beautiful!!

Pictures from the Enchanted Forest

Some of you may remember going to the Enchanted Forest at Goldsmith's Department Store in Downtown Memphis as children. When Goldsmith's Downtown location closed, they moved the Enchanted Forest around to a couple of different places. The last few years it has been at the Pink Palace, which I think is the perfect place for it. It was as much fun as I remembered as a child. Melanie and I would go to work with Mom on a Sunday during the month of December. While she worked, Melanie and I would do our Christmas shopping and visit the Enchanted Forest about a hundred times. The pictures below are some of the ones I took when Andrew and I went with some friends. When you first go upstairs, you are greeted by the Festival of Trees. They are Christmas trees that have been sponsored by different groups and/or companies and each has a unique theme. You then enter the Enchanted Forest area. It was great and the kids had a good time. I can't wait to take Hannah and Will to see it.

The Kindergartners at the kids' school took up money to purchase a penguin. When enough money was raised, one penguin goes on display at the Pink Palace and Enchanted Forest while another goes to a child at LeBonheur, the local children's hospital. These pictures are of the one Will's class bought.

There were a total of four penguins bought by the Kindergartners.

A sea of penguins that had been donated by individuals and local schools.
(This picture only captured a portion of them.)

Andrew

Will Gallagher looking at one of the Enchanted Forest exhibits.

Kindergartners from Hernando Elementary School were there while we were.

Another exhibit at the Enchanted Forest

This tree was called "Wings of a Dove"

This tree was called "Under the Sea"

Peppermint tree

Brownies in Wonderland

(sponsored by a local Brownie troop)

This is the tree topper on one of the trees celebrating children

We liked this one. It was entitled "God's Greatest Gift"

Mele Kalikimaka

(Merry Christmas in Hawaiian)

Andrew and me

Andrew and me as you look down the row of beautiful trees

Ruth Phan, Tracy, Will and Seth Gallagher

Santa talking to one of the groups of Kindergartners

The tree beside him was sponsored by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Happy Birthday Alyssa!!

Today is a VERY special day!!! My goddaughter/niece Alyssa turns 18 today!!!! It is hard to believe she is 18. I still remember the first day I met her. She looked like a cherub with her blonde hair and blue eyes. Happy Birthday Sweetie!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Happy Birthday Laura!!

Mike's cousin Laura celebrates her birthday today!! I hope you have a great one. We love you Laura!!!