to the never-to-be-forgotten wedding in the Salt Lake Temple on August 4, 2006-- Monday, June 29, 2009
Grandbaby No. 22 On the Way!
Yes!!! Some very exciting news--Craig and Cassie are expecting a baby, and everyone in the family couldn't be happier! From the beautiful engagement in May 2006--
to the never-to-be-forgotten wedding in the Salt Lake Temple on August 4, 2006-- 
now to the fantastic announcement of a baby on the way!
We haven't been able to say anything until now because they wanted to make sure they told everyone themselves, but on Fathers' Day, they told us they wanted to take some family pictures. George and I were at Jeff and Amy's home. We all got posed, and then Craig who was standing by Cassie who was taking the picture, said, "Say, 'Cassie is pregnant'!" We all just thought he was joking, but then suddenly realized he wasn't and we were first stunned, (more like shocked!) and then so very happy! Cassie will finish with her Masters' in Business degree in December, and they will have the baby in January. Craig will finish dental school the end of April. Lots of great events ahead in the Craig and Cassie family!
to the never-to-be-forgotten wedding in the Salt Lake Temple on August 4, 2006-- Saturday, June 27, 2009
Okefenokee and the Gators
George and I decided we wanted to get away for the weekend and decided it was a good idea to go north with all the heat we were having--bad idea, it was hotter north than here in Jacksonville! But with that said, we had a fantastic time even if it was over 100 degrees in Georgia. Jeff and the boys came along while Amy stayed home with little Lola--much too hot for her. 



We also walked under a fake waterway to see what it looks like under water with gators and birds reaching down to get fish. It was really life-like.
Then we took an hour and a half boat trip down the river channel.


Because it was so hot, not many animals were out, but we did see a turtle who the river guide pointed out had probably been chomped on by a gator because of his jagged shell.



First we went to Folkston, Georgia, to the train viewing stand. I had to reminisce when Natalie and I took Ethan and Ella there.
It was an adventure we had looked forward to the whole time they lived in Gainesville, only to find that we could see as many trains go by if we just went to the caboose park in Green Cove and watched for them there. But it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun as watching all the people bringing their computers and timing all the trains, setting up their tri-pods, and taking pictures every 10 minutes when the trains roll by. I mean, how many pictures of trains can you take? I guess a bunch, because those people were settled down for a good long time to just relax until a new train came by to wave at and take pictures of. You know--Folkston is the train capital of Florida, America, maybe even the world!
Then we went about eight miles into Okefenokee State Park. Did you know that Okefenokee means "trembling earth"? That's what the Native Americans called it when they saw the earth moving which was really sediment of decomposing plants and animals.
We went inside the little museum there and learned about the history of the area from an "old timer."

We also walked under a fake waterway to see what it looks like under water with gators and birds reaching down to get fish. It was really life-like.
Then we took an hour and a half boat trip down the river channel.
Then we finally got to see a gator. We were so happy to finally see one!

After getting back in the car, we saw a bunch of people by a little lake, so we stopped and George started doing his gator call. I have actually seen a gator come near to us by George doing it. Well, it happened again. Not only did the little 4 or 5-foot gator come toward us, he started hissing at us. 
Seriously, I saw how the gator was coming nearer and nearer and hissing, so it was definitely time to go. I didn't want to ruin a great day!
Moral of the story: No "Georgia Gator" is going to get the best of a "Florida Gator"!!!!
Moral of the story: No "Georgia Gator" is going to get the best of a "Florida Gator"!!!!Monday, June 22, 2009
Happy Fathers' Day!
There were many reasons that this year was a great Father's Day. First of all, George got to spend the day with two of his children. Some years, we haven't been close enough to have any of our children there, but he had two this year!
George with Amy and Craig.
George and I with Craig and Cassie.
Jeff and Amy with Garrett, Isaac, and little Lola--who is tired of all the pictures.
George and I with Jeff and Amy and their family.
Jeff on Father's Day with his little family.

Then George, Amy, and I took Garrett and Isaac to their favorite train park as requested by Garrett. We had such a great time. Even though it was 100 degrees, that didn't stop the boys from loving the outdoor time a little after the sun starting going down.

The other thing that made the day so special was the fact that after about 32 years out of our 41 years of being married, I am finally getting a husband back to sit by me at church. With his church callings which required him to be at various wards or on the stand, I have basically sat alone with the kids or just myself for all these years. George was released Sunday as the 1st Counselor in the Jacksonville West Stake after 9 years. He was in the Gainesville Stake Presidency for over two years before that. We loved the nine years with President and Sister Austin and Connie Tilton, and President and Sister Tommy and Minty Jensen. They became just like family and are very special to us. We will miss the association very much, but we look forward to new callings and new assignments in the church. We have been so blessed through those callings. It is difficult to say that we have had to sacrifice at all.
Finally, it was a special day as I think about the wonderful father I have. He is now 86 years old--a Stake Patriarch for 14 years having given nearly 900 blessings. He still goes to the law office for five and sometimes six days a week. He has never retired. My mother passed away seven years ago, yet he continues the family traditions and always remembers everyone in the family. He is and has been such an inspiration in my life, and I love him dearly. I barely got to talk to him on Fathers' Day because even on that occasion, he was giving blessings.
My dad with his seven children. He has taken us all (including our spouses) on a cruise for the past two years so we can all have some together time. We love all being together!

George's brother, Dwayne; his nephew, Jeff; his dad; George; and his brother-in-law, Malcolm
We had a lovely dinner at Jeff and Amy's house which Amy prepared. Afterwards, the guys and Lola watched a little of the U.S. Open. Amy, Cassie, and I basically just mingled during that time.
George's father passed away several years ago, but he was also a mighty man who inspired so many. With only a seventh grade education, he managed to be a very successful master plumber who also was a great businessman. He loved the gospel and made a wonderful home for his children. He was a great influence on George for which I am very grateful.
So, you see, it was a great day. George got to talk to the other five children on his special day, so it made it all so special.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
A Happy Anniversary
June 5th was a very special day forty-one years ago--it was the day George and I were married. George was so sweet and made sure it was still special forty-one years later. He got a 3-bedroom condo in Orlando and Jeff & Amy and their kids, Craig and Cassie, and George and I had a great weekend together.


Wyatt Brackett with Garrett & Isaac.



A group-shared ice cream and brownie sundae! Yum!

Little Lola couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. She is always the quietest one!

George was getting the car, when I snapped these pictures, because it was starting to rain.
Friday night, we went to City Walk at Universal Studios and ate dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. Brad and Wimberly Brackett were also there for the weekend, so we had a great big table and all ate together. What fun! That's a great place for kids--it doesn't matter how noisy they are, the crowd is noisier!


On Saturday, it was our stake's Spirit of Elijah Day at the Orlando Temple. George and I, Craig and Cassie went. The temple was so busy! The people were lined up outside the door to even get to the recommend desk. We have never seen that before! While we were at the temple, Jeff and Amy took the kids swimming at the condo, which they loved.
When we all packed up, we were all sad to have to leave so soon. The weekend must have been a success because Garrett said, "I don't want to go! I wish I could live here!"
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