UPDATE

Lori got home Friday morning and is feeling better; however, she's still taking pain medication. She is not supposed to lift more than 10 pounds, bend, etc. for a month. Their new puppy weighs more than 10 pounds, so she is having to stay in her cage a lot. I'm trying to go up each day and help with the puppy and do some lifting, etc. Jason and Jessi will be there this week, so they can do things for her and watch the puppy. She sees the surgeon in about 10 days and he'll give her a date to return to work. We're hoping she has enough short-term disability to allow her to work half days for a week or so.

Surgery Again

Lori had surgery on her back this morning at Riverside Hospital. She'd been suffering with pain in the lumbar 5 area since October. She had tried steroids with no improvement, so when she went to the surgeon yesterday he decided it was time to do something to aleviate the pain and hopefully take care of the problem permanently. This surgery was not as invasive and the recuperation period should be about 2 weeks. Since we're on our way back from LA, Scott updated us saying everything went fine and she might come home this afternoon or evening if she feels up to it; otherwise, she'll be home tomorrow. She's had this particular pain off and on for about 7 years, so hopefully this will be the end of neck/back problems. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Will update later.

On The Road Again!!

Greetings from near White House, TN!

We're on our way to Saint Francisville, LA. We're staying in Memphis tonight and driving on in tomorrow. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights we'll be at Butler-Greenwood B&B. See http://www.butlergreenwood.com/. Charles doesn't normally service River Bend Nuclear Plant, but had to pick it up this time for Kevin who is unavailable. Going south when we're having a week of snow showers can't be bad!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

GOODBYE 2008 -- HELLO 2009
Wow! It's hard to believe 2008 is at its end and 2009 is ready to take over. We've been blessed with a good year and are ready to ease quietly into the new one. We wish all of you a very Happy New Year full of new and wonderful adventures!!!

Christmas Day 2008

Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you!

Both Mike's and Lori's families came to our house Christmas evening. It took convincing for the kids to eat dinner before opening gifts. But wait they did and were pleasantly rewarded by the size of their stacks of gifts. Jason got a guitar from Lori and we provided the amp. Another possible rock musician? Even Pepa got in on the action. Both Andrew and Jacob wanted video games and Allie wanted a cupcake maker for her kitchen. Jessica wasn't sure what she wanted, but now that she's 15, clothes, makeup and jewelry top her list.

Mike wanted a new lawn mower and if you take a look at the picture, you'll see we got him one! He may want to exchange it for the one in the garage. Actually, part of it is for Jody, too, but I'm sure she'll let him use it whenever he wants.
Christmas is such a fun time. Watching the kids enjoy the day brings back wonderful memories. We hope your Christmas was a good one and hope your New Year is the best one yet!

Family Christmas

AMERICANA

Saturday, December 13th was the 2008 family Christmas held at our house. Where the weather was snowy and icy last year, this year it was nice and sunny. None of the Johnson's could attend because the Morrow family Christmas was the same day. We hope they'll be able to come next year.

Our theme this year was July 4th or Americana, whichever you prefer. Lots of red, white, and blue and hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and baked beans. Add potato chips and deviled eggs and you've got everything but the ants. If you have to cook, you might as well make it fun!

When you want to get people to the table, just ask Rose to get them going! We're not sure if she was just hungry or completely organized. The chair was under the table and she got it, sat in it and put the tray on as best as she could! Good job, Rose!









For Emergency Only!
There was some excitement, however. While the adults were playing cards, some of the kids were in our bedroom playing, when a call was made to 911 and a policeman came to our door checking it out. I won't mention who made the call, but I don't think they will do it again! All's well that ends well.

Euchre, Anyone?

We had a couple of games of euchre going on in the afternoon and winners Jean and Andrew played winners Ralph and George. Don't know what happened, but Andrew and Jean won! Just good card playing, I guess. Might be a rematch next year!

It was really good to see everyone and to have such a nice visit. We're posting this last picture to compare with a new one next year to see how much they're grown. It's amazing how the kids keep getting older and we adults don't!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Worthington Open House

Worthington has its Annual Christmas Open House the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. Allie,

Jacob and Andrew asked if we could go to it again and, of course, we said yes. Businesses open their dooors to customers and potential customers alike. Each one provides food, drink, or both. We sampled champagne, fruit drinks, carrot cake, hot chocolate, cookies, candy canes, punch, and more cookies. The florist shop gives everyone a carnation and the kids get a balloon. Brook, the horse, took us on a horse-drawn carriage ride around the block

which involved traveling on St. Rt. 161 for a block. After our ride, we were cold and hungry(?) so we stopped in at Cafe Danielle for a quick bite. When we came out, it was raining harder so it was time to go home. We're not sure who had the most fun -- the kids or Mema and Pepa!