New Year's Eve

Today was our first day in a LONG time not to leave the house. We played pool and video games. I finished setting your room up with your TV, Xbox, Wii and Directv (yes it is limited). We watched lots of football and stayed up too watch the ball drop and the moon pie at midnight. We celebrated the New Year with a few little fireworks.

Basketball Practice

Today we both slept late. We played pool and video games. I worked on getting your room and TV setup. You also had your first Basketball practice today. You are playing on the Silver team. You coach is Laura Beth (Roberts) Bailey. Some of your team members include BP, Owen, Zach, Aaron. You did very good. That night Sam enjoyed us being at home we stayed in the basement playing pool and just having a good time.

Return Home

Today we stayed at the cabin playing games until about 3. We left and started home. We stopped and you picked out this bear statue that you said reminded you of us

You slept from that store until South Pittsburg. We stopped in Scottsborro for supper at Walmart's subway then Dairy Queen for dessert. Mawmaw and Pawpaw brought Sam back to the house for us and you were surprised when we got home around 8. We were so tired we went to bed early. 

Cades Cove, Abram's Falls and The Dixie Stampede

Today we went to Cades Cove. I got you a motor tour book and you enjoyed reading about all the things. We hiked a trail right inside the cove for about a 1 mile round trip. Then we hiked from the Oliver place to Abrams Falls for about 7 miles round trip. Because I had mixed the times up in my head we had to do this in 2 hours 20 mins. We did not have a chance to rest nor stop anywhere on the way back to the cabin. This is where the chocolate bar and popcorn saved us. 

We had to be at the Dixie Stampede by 4:39 and we got back to the truck at 2:20.

That night we went to the Dixie Stampede with the whole family.

After a very competitive dinner show (we won) we went to the UnderArmour outlet and got you some clothes and basketball gear. We then took Lolo back to the cabin with us for a while. I took her back to her place later around midnight.

Dollywood

Today you, Alex, Beth and I went to Dollywood. Before we left you opened presents from Ralph and Joyce. You got a Marvel DS game and a game called Sets that you played in Mrs. O'Steen's class.

While at Dollywood we rode the thunderhead, mystery mine, blazing fury, and the wild eagle. We also ate the giant pizza again in the wilderness area.

That night we went back to the cabin where you and I played games and watched movies with the family. 

Traveling Day

We traveled to the Mountains today. We stopped in Madison and bought Christmas decorations for next year and some popcorn and chocolate that helps us, more on that later. You rode with David, Beth and Alex. We got stuck in bad traffic before Chattanooga. We took the Maryville exit for the first time and got to the Purser cabin around 6pm. You started playing with all the kids. It was the movie room lodge at yourcabin.com. I went to the grocery store and to get supper with David and Beth while you stayed and played.

People at the cabin:

Scott, Suzanne, Christina, Katherine, Victoria, Elizabeth McPeak

Ralph and Joyce Purser

David and Liz Hester

Adam, Tina, Dylan, Noah and Ty Hester

David, Beth and Alex Purser

Jamie, Mandy and Leah Purser & Alex and Caleb Burrows

Donna Purser

Chris and Connor Porter

Lolo and Matt stayed in Pigeon Forge with his family

Justin, Jimmy and Joanne were the only ones not attending this year. 

Christmas Morning 2013

Today we were blessed to have Pawpaw Roger, Mawmaw Kathy, Mawmaw Brenda, aunt Lolo, Uncle David and Uncle Matt spend Christmas day with us.

 It was the first year Granny Porter was unable to travel to our house and she wanted Uncle Royce and Aunt Rose to spend the day with her so they were not able to come either. I cooked breakfast (eggs, sausage, biscuits, and bacon. Brenda fixed chocolate gravy) then we opened Christmas presents. Santa brought you the Disney Infinity Characters for the game Granny Hampton got you and a pool cue stick. I got you a TV, Madden 25 and NCAA 2014 for xbox. I also got you the sound track to Frozen.

Then we had lunch. I fixed dressing, ham, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole,  corn casserole, and a marble cake. Brenda fixed mashed potatoes and Kathy fixed baked beans. 

After lunch Lolo and Matt left to go to the mountains and Mawmaw and pawpaw took Sam home so we could go to the mountains with the pursers. We packed and went to bed early for our trip. 

Mawmaw's Birthday and Christmas Eve

Today we celebrated Mawmaw Brenda's birthday. She had a beach themed cake. 

We got her a pan with her name on it to cook in. We then celebrated Christmas with her, Lolo and Matt. You got an xbox for Mawmaw's house and a flash player. Lolo got you some proof quarters and early 1900 money. She also got you NBA live for Xbox.

 After this everyone came to our house for Christmas Eve night including Mawmaw and Pawpaw Porter and Uncle David.

Porter Christmas

Today we had the two Porter Family Christmas's. We began by exchanging gifts with Mawmaw, Pawpaw and Uncle David. You got camouflage clothes and a pumpkin launcher from Mawmaw and Pawpaw. Uncle David got you a Lego city set. We then went to granny Porter's and played BINGO where you won an Auburn Oaks picture and an Auburn bird feeder. I won a yard of cookies. We had a wonderful time with our family and enjoyed the time we spent with granny Porter and Uncle Royce and Aunt Rose. I decided tonight that I really wanted to go to Auburn during the championship game.

Hampton Christmas

We had yet another busy day today. You were supposed to have basketball practice but the coach canceled it. We still went to Muscle Shoals to pick up some fruit I left at school. I also needed to get some medicine refilled, get the oil changed and mail a package. After we finished in town we went David and Beth's house for lunch. You and Alex played Xbox while David and I fixed a wireless thermometer. We went home home to pack and load for our Christmas party at Aunt Brenda's with Granny Hampton. That night we had our party. It was the first time in a while that everyone was able to attend.

Maria, Tony, Dilian, Julian, and Tristian

Brenda, Wayne, and Whitley

Dewayne and Shawna

Ory, kassidy and 

Ross and Blair

Julie

Mamaw Hampton and Norman

Mamaw, Pawpaw and Uncle David

Last Day before Christmas Break

You did not have to go to school toda. Instead of going to school you went to work with me.  After I had given all my exams Mrs Crunk Mrs Moore you and I exchanged gifts.  Mrs Crunk got you a turtle that match the statue that I had won for the having the ugliest sweater.

After school we went to see catching fire from the hunger games. You were supposed to have basketball practice today but BP had the flu. So we went home and I wrapped presents and you played.

Purser Christmas part 1

David Beth and Alrx got you a pool table for Christmas and today was the only day that was not going to rain. So they had to bring it to the house. What was supposed to be a few minutes of installation took 2 1/2 hours to put it together. We all played pool and exchange gifts you also got RockSmith which teaches you to play the guitar in 60 days or less. We got Alex Call of Duty for Xbox. You were very surprised.

Frozen

Tonight mamaw Brenda took you to see the movie Frozen. This is when you fell in love with the soundtrack and had to have it for Christmas.  I had already seen the movie on Monday when we took our kids on the field trip so while  you and mamaw watched the movie I went Christmas shopping for presents gift bags and nother last-minute things. We also went to McDonald's and found out they had Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys.

Christmas Play

This year we had three different youth Christmas plays. The little kids listened to a story and interacted by placing ornaments on a Christmas tree.

Then your age group read lines that spelled out Merry Christmas

Finally our teen boys did a silent play using cards depicting their thoughts of what the people of the nativity scene would have been thinking. 

Earlier today we had our adult Christmas Cantata and are lunch with the Funderburks. We had a blessed day.

Vestavia Hills Math Tournament

Today you stayed with Mawmaw  and Pawpaw Porter while I took my seventh grade math team Vestavia Hills High School for a math competition. We placed first and had several students get individual trophies.

Lego Robotics & SEC Championship

Today I took the Lego robotics team to Arab Alabama to compete in a robotics competition. We placed second overall. Today was also the SEC championship game were auburn played Missouri. It was a hard fought game but Auburn won and gets to go to the national championship in January. You stayed with Mamaw and Pawpaw Porter. You met us at backyard Burger because uncle David was nice enough to drive you to Cullman.

Iron Bowl

Today Auburn shocked the nation by beating number one ranked Alabama. It was unbelievable. The last second of the game Auburn caught a missed field goal attempt by Alabama and ran it 100 yards back for the win at the last second. It was phenomenal.

Carnes Thanksgiving

Today we had close to 100 people from the Carnes family show up at the family life Center for Thanksgiving. Everyone came including uncle John, aunt Janie and uncle Rick from up north. It was a great time of fellowship and seeing the family.

Zoo

Today you went to the zoo with the seventh-grade students on a field tri. John and Tucker took you to feed the lorikeets. You had a lot of fun and especially loved the turtle exhibit.

 

Brayen is Here

Today Connor and I left school just in enough time to make it to ECM to hear the birth of Brayen.  Julianna and Chris' baby.  He was so sweet.

Auburn vs Ole Miss

Today we took you to Auburn versus Ole Miss ball game in Auburn. You were so excited it was a hard fought game but Auburn ultimately won.  We all had to drive back through the night so that we could be at church tomorrow. Mamaw Brenda, granny Janie and I took you we had a very enjoyable day. I got pulled over by state trooper for failure to use a turn signal when I turned in Moulton we got home about 2am.