Santa Claus Comes Tonight! (12.24.10)

What has become a dear tradition for our family is to have our big celebration with family Christmas Eve night. This is nothing out of the ordinary for most families, other than our own memories being made with Nana, Daddy Joe, Omi (and her sitter, Latorya, who is afraid of all things that bark), Andy, Mandy (and their dog Henry), and the four of us. Papa was with us in spirit and gave us good wishes by phone (we missed you this year, Luther!). Lloyd’s mom influenced our caroling, with German lyrics. Andy, Lloyd, and Harrison played some sort of instrument (including Harrison’s version of “Oh Holy Night” on the B-3) while the harmonies made by those of us who love to sing (Omi, Nana, Mandy, me, and this year Grayson’s sweet voice) filled the music room. Our meal was enjoyed so much, that we failed to have room (or time) for dessert! The kids took part in the adult present opening that followed dinner before leaving out crackers, cheese (Santa can’t have all cookies, you know), and reindeer food for our visitors this night.

'Stille Nacht'

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!



This video was taken in Helga's apartment during a visit with the kids. She had just sung "Stille Nacht" on stage the week before at The Parkview's annual Christmas party. Always the performer, she is known among her friends in Montgomery for this song. She wishes all her friends there and her family far away happy holidays.

Carols and Cookies (12.15.10)

We’ve hosted a neighborhood Christmas party with the Whiteheads, our neighbors, for the past six or seven years. It’s a fun time where we get together for about an hour to visit and for the last 20 minutes or so, we gather around the piano to sing Christmas carols. Although we host about 40 to 50 adults, we have about twice as many kids running around, including the boys who played football outside this year although it was near 32 degrees (cold for a Memphis Christmas)! Lloyd makes a guest appearance at the piano (Liz is our preferred very talented pianist) to play “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (Bruce Springsteen version, of course). And, we end the night wishing all a very Merry Christmas! (From the Whiteheads to the Finks: “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”).

Canon in D (12.7.10)

Harrison waffled somewhat on whether or not he wanted his dad to play with him at his guitar recital. He had fired Lloyd at one point, but then relented and ultimately the two stole the show! Take a listen.

Cumberland Gap (12.4.10)

My mother grew up in Speedwell, Tennessee, in the valley of Powell Mountain. At least yearly the 5 remaining siblings (of 8 original) get together, but the Christmas gathering is especially special. We gather in the house where my mom and her siblings were raised; the house where my aunt now resides. There’s always laughter, storytelling, eating, and caroling (and occasional snow!). (This was Andy and Mandy’s first trip to East TN together and they arrived relieved that Andy had defended his dissertation and witnessed the signing of his PhD papers. Way to go Dr. Willhite!)

O Tannenbaum (11.28.10)

The tree was carefully chosen, trimmed, then decorated in full at the Finks house the weekend after Thanksgiving (always to Lloyd's dismay). Helga came over to play a part in the festivities. Let the Christmas carols and the Advent Season begin!

Willhite Thanksgiving (11.25.10)

We are so thankful for being blessed with such a wonderful family (which includes, by the way, the Jim and Joe Willhites who we had the privilege to spend this Thanksgiving Day with, and many many more). Not only was it a fun reunion to be with family in Murfreesboro, but, it was my mother’s 73rd birthday (Happy birthday, Mom). Earlier in the week before traveling, we had a Thanksgiving feast with Helga at our house. Wishing all a year of blessings and thankfulness ahead!

Grandparent's Day (11.23.10)

St. Mary’s Grandparent’s Day was celebrated the week of Thanksgiving, and Nana and Daddy Joe traveled to Memphis to spend this special day with Grayson (a lot of travel for them this week, which made this time especially sweet). The senior kindergarten and 4th grade girls sang songs and provided a chapel service before gathering in the girls’ classrooms. I helped by taking pictures of the morning’s events.

Star of the Week (11.17.10)

It was Grayson’s turn to be Star of the Week at St. Mary’s. For an entire week, the girls celebrate the Star, from learning about her interests (a box is filled with things she likes) and passions to learning about her family (including pets) and extended family. The week concludes with a family visit, and Grayson introduced each of us to her class and told about our jobs and talents. Each family is encouraged to share a craft or something the girls can learn specific to our family. We each played an instrument (Lloyd, guitar; Grayson, violin; Harrison, ukulele; Shannon- well, my instrument was my voice) and sang songs plus taught the girls to count to ten in German. The finale was Lloyd handing out tongue depressors and learning a little about doctoring. Say “Ahhhhh”.

Jet Setting (11.15.10)

My neighbor and friend Lane turned 40 this year, and for a present, her boss gave her his Lear jet for the day and told her she could go anywhere she wanted as long as the craft was returned to the hanger on the same day. I was a lucky one of 7 invited to share this fun trip to New Orleans with her. Our plan of attack was simple: eat, shop, and eat again. And if we have time, shop some more. Once on the ground we headed straight to Café Du Monde for beignets. We shopped in the French Quarter, then ate again a few minutes later at Commander’s Palace, back to shopping, then ate again before picking up shrimp Poor Boys to bring home to Lloyd, Daniel, and Harrison (who ate up their fill!). The Lear averaged just over 500 miles per hour on the 45 minute flight home. Laissez les bon temps rouler! Love NOLA!!

House Guest

After randomly meeting a physician's assistant student at Henry County Medical Center this summer, Lloyd came home to tell me that he had invited (a total stranger) to live with us for six weeks. Daniel arrived on our doorstep this October and turned out to be from Martin (where I grew up) and is dating Michelle, who happens to be my parent's neighbors niece and goes to church where my parents attend (are you following all of this?). Plus, I went to high school and graduated with Daniel's older brother from Martin Westview. Talk about a small world! Anyway, Daniel was a trooper: he loved the dogs, put up with Lloyd, and even let the kids dress him up a time or two. Good luck to you Daniel in your future! You'll always be welcome in Memphis.

Memphis Fall 2010

For Mother’s Day this year Lloyd gave me a photo session with Hal Jaffe, a talented photographer here in Memphis. We had hoped to take these photos when our tans were rich, just after our trip from the islands, however, this fall has been so busy that we missed that opportunity. It turned out to be just fine though, because we were able to document Memphis fall and have leaf fights with the kids and dogs. Deacon was the worst behaved of us all, and I am blown away by Mr. Jaffe’s ability to capture what appears to be a very lovely (and calm) family. Don’t be fooled. Just after the first shot, Deacon jumped up on Lloyd, so look closely for the paw prints on his crisp white shirt.

Most Improved (11.6.10)

Today was Harrison’s last soccer game. After the big win, the team went to Old Venice Pizza Company for celebration and presentation of awards. See for yourself how Harrison did!

Trick or Treat (10.31.10)

Trick or Treating in Chickasaw Gardens is an experience in itself. Fun for all—with block party after block party plus trying to keep up with the children as they run from house to house. This year, our posse included Melissa and her daughters as well as Corrie, Jen, and theirs. Grayson begged to be a “candy corn” up until the last minute when she decided she would be a cat instead of “something cute”. (See for yourself who won that battle. I’m so glad her friend Caroline was a bumble bee. They could commiserate together.) I still can’t tell you exactly what Harrison was, but no matter. All he cared about was the candy.

Picking Pumpkins

Usually my dad’s garden yields many choices of potential art mediums to work with, however, this year the heat and drought took out his crop. So, the kids and I stopped off at a farm on our way to the lake that was buzzing with people picking out their fall decorations. You could just feel fall in the air (the spirit, that is, not the breeze—it was near 90 degrees). What’s turned out to become one of our most favored family fall traditions, the kids carved pumpkins several times in the last few weeks. The first was freehanded by the kids; the second time was improved with the help of those very special tools found at Walgreen’s. We devoured pumpkin seeds until we could eat no more. Out of all our carvings, only one lone pumpkin made it to Halloween.

Memphis Shelby Farms Greenline

Where once there was a railroad line, now there is Memphis’s newest urban park. A growing movement all across the country known as “Rails to Trails”, from Midtown to Shelby farms is now a paved path for walking, running, biking, that spans seven miles. The first time the kids and I rode, we rode 14 miles! On it, we saw friends and neighbors (and even a student or 2!) pass by. Maybe Memphis is not the unhealthiest city in America after all.

Soccer Season

Harrison’s coaches (Kyle and Chris) played a huge part in his growth this fall as a soccer player. But, there’s nothing like sporting with your good friends, either. Ari Campbell, George Metcalf, Kyle Koester, and Matt Michaels were all on Harrison’s team. USA rocked!

Argentina (A.K.A Team St. Mary’s) only lost 1 game this season. Powerhouses included Elaina Santos, Grayson (of course), Lily Graham, Georgia Carls, and Katie Craft. Go girls (those boys didn’t stand a chance)!

First Campout (10.22.10)

Imagine over 10,000 boys and their dads camping near Tunica, MS. While Lloyd had to work and couldn’t share this first Boy Scout experience with Harrison, we watched as our boy walked down the street to leave for the night. Thanks to Benjamin’s dad, Jamie, for offering to take Harrison along. It ranked on his “Top 10” list of life experiences.

Space Derby (10.19.10)

The Rocket Race is a longstanding tradition within the Cub Scouts. This is Harrison’s first year to compete, and he had both his dad and Daddy Joe with him in support of the big night. The theme for the competition was Space Derby, and the boys (and their dads) had to craft a ship that was unique in style and in functionality. Lloyd and Harrison started off building a traditional WWII fighter, but then noticed that their work was beginning to resemble a whale as it took shape. So, WWII fighter became “Whale Wars”, and proved itself to be the fastest rocket of the evening. Unfortunately, Dad’s misguided attempt to lubricate the rubber bands with Italian Olive Oil resulted in elimination in the first round. With a minor adjustment they were back in the race and easily won the consolation prize and defeated all other challengers.

Puppy Love (September 2010)

Now, before you think that we’ve adopted yet another animal to our collection, know that we haven’t completely lost our sense of reason yet. Our friend and sitter Katie was puppy sitting and brought the little guy by to show the kids. Let me tell you, there was lots of puppy love going on at our house on this day!

And the Braids Came Down (September 2010)

Hmmmmm......

Sunsets (9.4.10)

There's nothing like the sunsets in the Caribbean. At least, that's my opinion. I leave with you these final views from our trip with hopes for many more sunsets to come.