NUMBER 19 HAS ARRIVED!

Happy Holiday's to everyone!

This Christmas season is once again eventful. Last week, the 10th of December Tammie, our youngest daughter gave birth to a beautiful 6 lb. 4 oz. baby girl, Alexis Jan Booth. This now makes a combined total of 19 grandchildren. It always makes me think of what we did before grandchildren. Raising children was always a challenge, but grandkids are just plain fun. In our family we have most of our grandkids in town but some employment situations have moved 4 to London, but none the less we stay in contact and through computer technology we video conference with them as often as we can, which helps grandma cope with not having everyone together at our monthly birthday celebrations. Little Lexie is struggling a little with her new earthly life and is not yet able to join in the festivities. She will be at University Hospital for the next few weeks as she continues to get stronger. Tammie is doing well and Alex is fully recovered from his tonsillectomy a few weeks ago.

ReNae and I spent yesterday doing some last minute shopping and I really think this year we will be completely done before the big day arrives. We will be getting together once again this year with as many family as wish too and can, but we realize as our family gets bigger it becomes more and more difficult to schedule a day that everyone at one time can be together. The spirit of Christmas is celebrating the Saviors birth, and it can be so easy to forget just why we celebrate Christmas season. Holiday & Christmas traditions are something our family has tried to keep from year to year, but as circumstances present themselves we find ourselves not being able to have them, and that is always a real disapointment. This year is no exception, and we would hope that our families and friends know, that whether or not we are together in celebration, we love and think of you often, even those we don't see, as often as we would like. To all our beloved family and friends, ReNae and I wish the Happiest Holiday Season, and a very Happy New Year.

For more pictures of baby Lexi you can check Tammie and Alex's blog www.theboothfam.blogspot.com

32 Blissful Years

Well, 32 years have gone by, who would have believed that going on a blind date so long ago would have given me so many memories. To remind some, and to let others know, I will summarize how ReNae and I started our lives together. On September 20, 1976 a close friend of mine lined me up with his cousin that was reluctant to go out with me, (imagine that) but with some further coaxing was convinced to give it a try. Well, we went to pick her up and she was more than I ever imagined, and a redhead too. I had only dated one other redhead in my life, and we won't go there. On our first date we went to dinner and a movie. Dinner was at the Moonraker Restuarant where I first felt this relationship was going to succeed. I could go into some of the experiences there, but I would not be celebrating any further anniversaries. We went to a movie called Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox, and during the movie, I could not help but keep looking at ReNae. I was trying to figure out why it took so long for us to get together. After the movie I took her back to her apartment, took the babysitter home and then I returned to spend some more time with my new interest. Now is where I had to turn on the charm if I was going to have any future dates. I decided to tell my whole life story that evening keeping nothing out. We (I) talked all night long and around 5:00 am when she was the most sympathetic, and tired, and just wanting this guy she just met to go home, I asked her out of blue if she believed in love at first sight? That woke her up. I really had her attention. She looked stunned and had that deer in the headlights look, and then ask me just what I meant. Well how I proceeded from here is still a blur but I ended up asking her if by chance she would consider marrying me....this really set the discussion into maybe we should not see each other for a while and discuss the possibilities at a later time, to which I somewhat agreed to. The following evening she was over explaining to her cousin why my car was parked at her apartment all night, when I phoned to see if he had heard from ReNae, and as a good friend should, told me she was there and I told him not let her leave. Knowing what I had waiting for me, made me trust I was on the right track, but didn't quite know how she would react to another story session. None the less, I arrived and when our eyes met, I was convinced my searching for a companion was over. We went for ice cream, where I whispered if she had thought of what I had said earlier, and she smiled and said she had, but felt we really should take some time to get to know each other. I asked again what about the marriage thing? Her answer to me was" I think it could work". I was on cloud 9. the following Wednesday she had a ring and we set a date of November 22. I had two girls and she had one and we eventually had two more, and as you can see our family has grown. ReNae is a great wife, companion, but most of all a great Mother, and a superb Grandmother, someone who I am extremely proud to call my wife. We have not always agreed on everything, but she has always been fair, and honest, except when she explains some of the costs of party items she orders, but then I play golf once and a while, which in her eyes must off set, and balance out somehow. I am a very lucky guy. It was a once in a lifetime find. Thanks, honey for "32" Blissful Years, Happy Anniversary!

Halloween Party

This past Saturday we had our annual Halloween party. We had our usual traditions with our homemade stew and chili and decorating sugar cookies. This year we added some fun games for the grandkids. We had a pumpkin bean bag toss that even the adults seemed to get a little competitive with and BOO Bingo that was such a hit. We all had so much fun getting together and enjoying each others company.

My mothers new BLOG!

My mother has decided that she wants to be part of the blogging world. I have tried and tried to talk her out of her insanity but as you can see it didn't work (Thank you TerryLynn :) She now has the responsibility to update on a WEEKLY basis.