2008 - What a Year!

Well, it looks like 2008 has come to an end.

This year has been a wonderful year. There are so many more things that I could have talked about this year, but I want to keep my readers entertained...not bored.

There is one thing that I never did mention in earlier blogs that I MUST mention now for fear of forgetting. I will keep it simple. Cody's Spring Break. I will not go into detail too much, but he will never forget Spring Break, 2008. We, as Corleys, will not EVER let him forget the day that he was escorted down the stairs by the police! Love you, boog. For those of you that do not know the story, he didn't do anything wrong, I promise.

Again, thanks for reading, and I do hope that you can enjoy the Corley Clan as much as I do. We've been blessed in so many different ways this year, and I hope that 2009 is as wonderful for you as it has been for us.

Christmas @ SML - The Forgotten Pictures

Aunt Corny sent me some pretty good pictures from our SML visit that were on her camera.

Gorgeous!

Uncle Sam and Uncle Winbon....they never stop laughing!

Nonee and Aunt Connie
Nonee!
My squirrel from Aunt Corny.. All Shacks have a squirrel story.

Nonee & Rachel

Rummikub

Uncle Sam and his mashed potatoes!! Yum!

Patti & Joey's 1st visit to SML

Happy 9th Birthday, Rachel

Rachel turned 9 today. It is absolutely amazing how fast the years have gone by. It certainly doesn't seem like it was that long ago that I was driving myself to the hospital...in labor!

Rachel certainly is a special little girl. I have been told that she NEVER meets a stranger. She doesn't. If you have spent as little as one minute with this little wonder, you know exactly what I mean. She's the personality of the conversation, the bounce in your step, and the joy in my heart.

I can't wait to see what you become when you grow up, little girl, but you will always make me proud. You have made me so proud in the last two years and have you have grown so much. I can only imagine what you have in store for the Corley Clan for the future!

We made Rachel go take her shower last night, and while she was in there, we all set up a Surprise Party for her. It took "the boys" nearly ten minutes to get the Happy Birthday Banner to hang on the wall correctly. Cody got his side to work, but no one else could really master the banner. Rusty ended up nailing it into the wall! Sam was very happy to get to wear the hat. He tried to keep it on all night. Weirdo. As Rachel came out of the shower, Cody got the most important task of "hatting" Rachel. She squealed, as expected, but Cody ultimately prevailed!Joey, you in there? *Insert William Shatner's singing voice here* There She Is.....Miss Rachel

Grammy got those trick candles for Rachel's cake! Even Rusty had some trouble with them. The silly string made its appearance...again. Rusty didn't realize that Santa Claus gave the kids some silly string of their own! I'd have to say that Cody won this battle by a landslide!! Yummmm... Oh, Boppy! Sam see the cake from across the room...piggy. Joey, you got something... Grammy sure got quiet once she got her cake! Quite possibly, the best picture of Rusty...ever. Thanks for the setup, Beth (Hannah Montana). Cody said that the hats were covering up Rachel's horns... That's more like it! Presents, presents, and more presents! We made Rachel hide her face for her last present. It was entirely too big to wrap.

Look at the excitement on her face!She loved it! Her High School Musical bean bag. Sam liked it too! Cody wanted it for himself even though he'll never admit it.Boppy & Emmy Chauncy came over. As usual, they all ganged up on Rachel. She loves it!

Christmas @ SML

So, we packed the kids up and headed for Smith Mountain Lake, VA for Christmas this year. It was, by far, one of the very best Christmases that I have had in a very long time. It was SO nice to be able to spend Christmas with Uncle Sam and Aunt Corny and other family that we don't get to see very often. They are so special to me. I am so grateful to have been born into the Shackleford family. What a blessing they are.

Everyone was VERY tired. We left at 3:15am on Christmas Eve and FINALLY arrived at SML at around 6:30pm. Let's just say that it was an extremely long day!

Sam brought his "Big Pooh" along with him. He sleeps with Big Pooh every night.

Rachel finally conked out around 10:30. She decided to wear her new High School Musical scarf as somewhat of a hat.
Emmy did very well considering that she is only 3 weeks old!
Cody is 15 and can still sleep anywhere you drop him!
Nonee has the magic touch. Every time Emmy was with Nonee, she was at peace. It was SO nice to see Nonee again so soon. We were just there in July, so seeing Nonee twice in one year is special! I've always said that I wanted to be like Nonee when I grow up.
If you look closely, it looks like Rachel is talking Aunt Corny's ears off (which is quite possible).

Every present that Sammy opened, Uncle Sam got to see it.

The tornado that is called Christmas Morning after the presents!

Sam's new Spider Man skates

Cody is such an awesome big brother.

Smith Mountain Lake - Christmas 2008

Miss Emmy

Rusty took the kids to hike the mountains, but it rained really bad. They didn't get much exploration time, but they sure did get a good picture!

Aunt Corny is teaching Rachel how to paint. Uh oh!

Cheese!

Can I go outside?

Clicking my heels together

*I wish I had a yard*

*I wish I had a yard*

*I wish I had a yard*

I have NO idea with this one...

No really. Smile.

Amazing food. Amazing fellowship. Uncle Winbon and Aunt Connie stopped by for a quick visit. It was so nice to see them after so long. Patti & Joey made the trek from Tennessee to join us for dinner as well as Alli, Brian, and Abigail (Sammy's most favorite cousin...ever). I cannot believe it, but in my laziness, I didn't get a single picture of Winbon & Connie, Alli and her family, and I hardly got any pictures of Patti & Joey. One way or the other, this visit topped off my Christmas like no other. I wish we could do it every weekend, but I'd imagine Aunt Corny and Uncle Sam would get tired.

Waiting for everyone to arrive. We took a walk to get some of the sugar, I mean energy, out of the kids. Elli came along for the walk.

Patti and Emmy

Uncle Sam got some newbies completely addicted to Rummikub!

Not only was this an amazing trip, but I learned so much about my family and about myself. The most dearest sides of my families met and had an absolute blast, and I became even more thankful for what I have rather than wishing for things that I want. My friendships have grown in ways I could have never imagined, and my family has grown so much that we may need a passenger van before it's all said and done! Most of all, my walk and trust in Christ has taken a new form, and I am excited to see where The Corley Clan is heading.

I can only imagine where God will be taking us in the coming year.