ThANNksgiving

More than anything, people like to be remembered by those they love.  When you are only four years old, it's easy to be overlooked during the madness of Thanksgiving preparations.  "Go watch your cartoons" or "Play with your toys until time to eat" are common things that little ones may hear during these times. 

But not here.

At the busiest time of Thanksgiving Day, that final hour in the kitchen when everything is timed just right to finish cooking, roasting, baking, simmering, etc, River's Great Grandmother Ann called River into the kitchen to help her with a most important addition to the meal; Pigs in a Blanket.

Never mind that the dish was unconventional and has never been prepared for Thanksgiving here (or perhaps anywhere), it is perfect for the moment.  Yes, more than anything, people like to be remembered by those they love. This is a memory that River will hold on to forever.

Thank you, Ann.

Virginia Beach

We took River on her first vacation last week away from home. It felt like our first vacation as well since it had been eleven years since we have taken one. Simply put; the wait was worth it. We all had a wonderful time.
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Naturally we were concerned how River would take the long ride in her car seat but she traveled the distance like a pro. On the way home we stopped only once in nine hours for River to enjoy a Happy Meal. Perhaps the next time I will ask her to drive.

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Don't let the Surfer Girl image fool you; River didn't really care for the ocean itself but she LOVED the beach. It was all about the sand as far as she was concerned. The boogie board saw more action in the hotel room with me dragging her back and forth on the carpet while she giggled uncontrollably.

. You don't always know at the time when you are making a cherished memory.. but sometimes you do. This is one of those times when we knew for certain.

. River was lucky enough to have her picture taken with a good lookin' lifeguard. Oh, wait a minute.. that's me.

. One of the many seagulls who either wanted you to give them food or just get the h#ll off of their beach.
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We kept hearing an odd thumping sound in the trunk for the first 200 miles but it eventually faded away. We had originally thought that the luggage was uneven but, much to our surprise, Memaw Marti popped out of the trunk at a rest stop in West Virginia. As it turned out, she was a godsend and a blast to vacation with. (She rode in the backseat on the way back home.)

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Jo: The Planner, The Budget Maker, The Navigator. The.. Everything. Thank you Sweetheart.

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She worked really hard to get those toes in the sand.
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River took her sand construction work very seriously.

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Naval vessels were always just offshore and military jets always overhead. Virginia Beach must be one of the safest stretches of American coastline. God Bless America.

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There is nothing more comfortable.

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Hurricane River destroys a beachfront town! News at Eleven!

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Sunrise on Virginia Beach, 09/09/10, 06:44am.

It is easy to forget how blessed we are to live in such a beautiful country. Remind yourself once in a while and just get in the car and drive. Our land is a treasure that I hope River never takes for granted.

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Welcome to the Internet

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Granny Collier is now online! Welcome to the Internet! So glad that you can follow River's Blog anytime now!
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8 Seconds

While staying at her Memaw's house last week, River began her training as a future champion bull rider.
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Photos and video by Memaw Marti.

March Photo Round-up

River graduated to a "big girl swing".

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Bruises and bumps are sure to follow. Such is childhood.

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It's true! Pets and their owners DO begin to resemble each other. Jo and Daisy have the same stare!

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Lunch with Granny Collier.

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Mmmm, chicken fingers and fries!

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Playtime!

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Daisy must endure the "cone of shame" after getting "fixed".

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Have you ever seen such pitiful face?

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River LOVES to Swiffer! (I added this one for Gretta.)

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Happy Birthday Lonnie

Happy Birthday to a wonderful Mom, Mother-in-Law and, of course, Granny Collier!

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Happy Birthday Marti!

Happy Birthday to a Great Mother, Mother-In-Law and Memaw!

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Labor Day Down on the Farm

River (as well as Jo and I) spent the Labor Day weekend in Eastern Kentucky with her Memaw and Pepaw. The farm is a nice place to say goodbye to the season as the last bit of Summer ebbs away to make way for Autumn.

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Here are some photos of River's weekend:

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"Just let me know if you have any farmin' questions, Pepaw."
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"Sorry. Please tell Elle and Vanity Fair that I'm far too busy now. I'll have my people call their people later."

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Relaxin' is catchy.

."Moo."

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Sharing watermelon with Mamaw Ann.

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A Day at the Pool

Here are some recently taken photos of River with her mommy and memaw at our neighborhood pool. River is really movin' up! This is quite a bit bigger than her little inflatable pool and her hillybilly hot tub!

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Splashing with mommy!
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"O-kay lift me up if you see shark-fishies ONLY! That way they bite you and not me, K? Udderwise, you no lift me ups Memaw!"
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Mmmm, junk food by the pool.

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(photos courtesy of Memaw Marti)

Saturdays with the Grandparents

Is there anyone more fun than a grandparent? They always have cookies and candy and are pretty lax on all those silly rules that Mom and Dad are hung up on. Yesiree, grandparents are the best and here are some pics from a couple of recent Saturday afternoons with the Grand Folks: .

Granny Collier has some pretty cool toys just waiting to be played with.
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"Granny, it's for you. Shall I take a message?"
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"Mmmm, mac and cheese is even better over here!"
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River lost in thought.
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"Wow. I didn't know there were so many pictures of people other than me!"
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We met Memaw Marti and Pepaw Scottie at Natural Bridge State Park for lunch.
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River was pointing at a squirrel robbing a bird feeder just outside the window. .
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. . and was shocked that no one was calling the police or anything!!
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Memaw Marti and Pepaw Scottie posing for a photo with The Doodlebug at Natural Bridge State Park.

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[Later that same weekend, local news agencies became inundated with Sasquatch sightings. . but I'm sure that had nothing to do with Scottie.]
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