Christmas Day Post

Merry Christmas!

We hope your day is full of peace and love, and that you enjoy the gifts God has given you and yours.

    Here are the pictures I promised.  I'll comment very little, and save my true blogging for another day.  I always think in terms of what the younger ones will want to know about when they're grown and looking back into the family archives through our history.  So many stories to tell, so little time!  

These two are inseparable.  When I leave the house, I call Charles to tend to Cash.  They are big buds.

Cash and Eugene....a growing duo.

Charles is all sorts of willing help wherever I need him.  When the dryer went out this spring, and Sears was their typical 5-7 days out, he came with me and Maggie to get it all done.

The thrill of your own cup.

Smiles for Granny, or Grancy (a family name for Grandma).  

Springtime in the garden with Daddy.

Blackberry groves are new this year.

Miriam organized the shoe bin on the porch for our spring clean out.  She did a great job. 

Cash, Daddy, and I took the boys to Houston with us for the first time ever.  We swam while Daddy conducted his meetings.

The biggest news of the year for our family was Madison and Joel moving to Texas!!  She's back!!  And with the greatest brother/son-in-law anyone could ever have.  Now the fun begins!!

We greeted them upon arrival at their new apartment with flowers and lunch at Rosa's Cafe.

Eugene's first time at Aunt Jan's pool.

Shopping with Maggie....and Cool Breeze.

Toddlers and puppies don't always make the best combination.

"If I don't look at them, they won't know I've taken the toffee almonds for myself.  Just play it cool."

Deer in the neighborhood.

School time with bro.

New barn cats from Canton.  The rat and mice population is growing.

Baby boys getting a bath.

Second haircut.  Wasn't much more fun than the first one.

Todd is so good with the little ones.

Handsome man.  Reward, lunch.

Nerf gun war vets.

We had a baptism last year at Jan's pool, and this year a very good friend asked for Curtis to baptize her, too.  We were thrilled, and had a reception afterward.  

Trim Healthy Mama is doing the trick.  Weight loss journal photos.

More trips to Houston.  Early departure of 6:00am makes for a napping baby.  Quiet trip in.  I enjoy that time with Curtis.

Two boys driving the girls' car.  Soooo darn cute!!

Meredith's first haircut ever.  She's now been initiated into Salon Day!

Descending on Walmart.

Meeting a new neighbor on the way back from the pool.

Christian has Type 1 Diabetes, and has been in the competent care of our beloved Pediatric Endocrinologist, Dr. Willcutts for 14 years.  A bittersweet day was our last appointment with Cook's.  Christian, now 19, has officially aged out of the pediatric system.  We all came to greet Dr. Willcutts and wish him our best.  It was a teary eyed meeting, and we posed for some pictures with the staff.  Our room was a little crowded that day.

The girls wanted me to model my pen, their gift for me on my 47th birthday. Notice the ring on my right hand, the children bought me a birthstone ring including all 12 birthstones for Mother's Day this year. Maggie's idea, she is so incredibly thoughtful.

For Meredith's birthday we took the girls to the carousel at the mall. First time ever.

T.V. Time for our little buddies. 

Maggie launched her Mary Kay business this year. This photo is with her director at a Dallas meeting. She's doing incredibly well and is super knowledgeable of the products. I should look ten years younger by next June!  

One of our last days at the pool this summer.

Loving yet slightly terrifying relationship.

Relocating the playhouse.

Out with the girls.

We discovered a new park at the lake!  After the floods from two years ago, all of the lakeside playgrounds had to be rebuilt, and most are not functional still.  We've now located a private park, with no fees, and open access to the lake.  Our first day back in years!!

Madison landed a job at Buon Giorno's Coffee Shop, and we've made it a practice to visit often. She's only been employed there for three months, and has already been promoted to shift lead, with more opportunity soon to come!  Amazing.  

Milly has been saving since she started working at the dairy three years ago, and on this day bought her own car.  Her first, and in keeping with Parnell tradition, a convertible.  

Maggie rode back with Milly and her new car so Mom and Dad took the grandman out to lunch and home again. We don't normally have him all to ourselves nor does he have us to himself. It was a fun day.

Madison wanted to meet the new neighbor, too.

The girls came with Curtis and I to see about the Ashton Hotel in Downtown Fort Worth as a venue for our up and coming 25th wedding anniversary celebration. We had a blast enjoying lunch downtown and making plans. 

Waiting for my little mama while holding her sleeping baby in the car.

Getting ready for our second lake day, but this time we're bringing Daddy!

Birthdays at Jump Street with EVERYBODY.  Dodge ball can get interesting.

This year we broke out the breakables and went all out for Christmas.  So much to celebrate.  Curtis Wade will be leaving for Full Sail University in Florida in January, and Madison and Joel are here to celebrate with us for the first time in 5 years!!  Woohoo!!

The last trip to Houston for the year.

Much more to say about this pic.  It was taken in Georgia when Curtis and the older six went to Judith's funeral.  Mimi passed away on April 29th, and deserves a story of her own. It will be told soon.  This is the best man at our wedding, Curtis' best friend from childhood, Wilbert Roller.  The two haven't seen each other in more than a decade.  

One of the pictures Madison sent from Europe.  They took the month of August to see the world.

Until later, know we'd love to keep in touch.  Let us know how you are, and feel free to come see us!!