Sunny days and Goodbyes

After almost a week of rain, rain, and more rain, we finally had some sunny days. Bridger and McKay are getting ready to go watch soccer.

Bridger caught a skink. He must love critters!

Bethany and Rich get ready to head out to Houston and home.

Saying good-bye to the Haddock family. Halli and Maddi with Rosalia and Grandma in the background.

The Simple Life at the Badger's

Beds made up on couches with Paige and Bridger.

Cooper relaxing with his mom.

Eric sweeping the floor. He took over after Skyler left. We didn't realize how much sweeping you did until you were gone, Skyler!

Lots of dishes to do by everyone! Thanks to all those who worked so hard in the kitchen to keep it functioning. We certainly had some great meals!

Everyone did loads of laundry. I think that our machines did a whole year's worth in two weeks. It took me 24 hours just to process bedding after everyone left!

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

I was amazed at the organizational skills of my children and spouses who managed to arrange places for 45 people in our family room!

Here is a view of presents from the entrance hallway. The Fowler family presents, then Stephen's family, T.J.'s and my brother David's to the far left.

Chairs had presents with the names of the occupant and there were even trash bags under some chairs to control wrapping paper clutter. This side was for Rosalia, Jessica and Skyler, Mark and Tracy, and further on down David and Jana and their families.

Here is the view from the kitchen. The largest families were opposite each other in the room with singles or couples inbetween. All the grandparents sat on a sofa and the children were on the rug by their parents' chairs. This view shows where the Haddock family will sit on the left and Grandad on the right.

Christmas Day

The excited chaos of Christmas morning.

Breyton goes through his presents.

Drew unwraps a gift.

Jessica and Skyler look tired, but happy.

Three of our college kids unwrap presents in their corner.

Christmas in Louisiana

Here is Ted getting ready to cook on Christmas day. Since I lost my camera for most of this Badger adventure you'll have to see other blogs for other activities.

I see that I have loaded these pictures backwards, but this one was taken when we went out to lunch after our picture taking session.

Here are all the girls at the studio.

And the boys, minus their beards. Like Olive Oyl, I like a clean shaven man.

Here's the beard picture I took. I personally felt that T.J. had the Most Creative, David: The Most Theatrical (Shakespearean), Stephen: The Most Historical (the day before he looked the most like Abe Lincoln), Eric: The Most Melo-dramatic (great villain), Skyler: The Best Ninja, and Mark: The Sportiest.

Picture taking in LA

I have decided on colors for the picture of our nuclear family. I am going to wear the jacket I bought in South Carolina with the large stylized flowers. You can wear black and white or the warm colors in this jacket. Check the blog on Charleston to see this jacket. Getting ready to see everyone!

Midsummer Night's Dream in DeRidder

Here I am with my tech girl (Kirsten Rudy) and stage manager (Logan Brown) for A Midsummer Night's Dream. We are all happy that everything went well.

My parents came to support their daughter and it was even Daddy's 85th birthday! His son-in-law took him out to eat and to buy a cool tool at Stine's.

Here are Kelsey Manning as Helena, Tim Moseley as Demetrius, Ryan Hitchens with the afro wig as Lysander, and Danielle Gonzalez as Hermia. That's the rented backdrop and the old Homecoming Bridge painted and turned to the forest side.

Titania (Anna Arceneaux) and Oberon (Adonis Lewis). Adonis is currently undergoing heart surgery, but I don't know what kind or how he is doing. One of his friends said it took longer than expected, but I haven't heard since. He delayed the surgery to do the show!

Here are all the fairies with Puck (Levi Martinez) in the background. I thought Nancy's tie dyes looked great. The fairies were the running crew. I am, of course, exhausted, but happy that all went well and the audience was pleased with our performance. We even got a standing ovation! Now I just have to figure out something for next year!