Happy Birthday, Archie

Our family just celebrated my brother's birthday at Red Lobster. We had a great time and enjoyed one another as Archie turned another year older. We were planning on celebrating with Mom LaRue; however, she and Dad had been sick and just couldn't make the trip. Happy Birthday Archie and we wish you many happy returns. And to you to, LaRue. Hopefully, you are on the road to full recovery. Cora and her grandson, Blake, along with Archie's daughter, Cheryl and her family were there and I think the staff at Red Lobster was the best ever. We tried a fairly new appetizer, Lobster Pizza, which by the way was very tasty. When Rhonda and I first got married, they had a wonderful appetizer called Lagistino Nachos and our family just loved them. I can remember how my mom thought they were the best; nevertheless, they discontinued them and haven't had anything like that since. So, to bring back some good memories, we thought we would try the new pizza and it was very tasty. We enjoyed seeing Blake, Cora, the birthday man, Archie and his lovely wife, Linda, Cheryl, Daniel and of course the main attention went to my great niece Alexis (AKA Lexi). She steals the show everywhere she goes. We always enjoy her at our parties and gatherings and I think Archie had a really good time enjoying all the cash and cards he received, along with blowing out the candles. Of course, Lexi had to help and did a great job at it. We really missed Dad and Mom LaRue, though.

The other pics are some right at Christmas and afterwards. With our families being so spread out over North Texas, we can hardly be with everyone on Christmas Day, so we have to juggle it around to be with everyone. After celebrating Christmas Day with Rhonda's family, we travelled to Mineral Wells on Christmas night, and enjoyed Christmas with my nephew, Mac and his family, along with Cora and Ronnie. We had lasagna instead of the traditional ham & turkey and had a great time watching Mac's choir perform at their last concert. Mac is the choir director for the Junior High in Mineral Wells and does a fantastic job directing the choir. He also is the Minister of Music at First United Methodist Church in Mineral Wells and does a superb job at that. Mac and Dana just moved into their new home in Mineral Wells and wanted to show it off to everyone on Christmas. I know they are very proud of it since it has so much room for their children and more room for them also. We're really excited for them and happy they were able to find such a beatufiul home.

On the 28th of December, we were able to meet our best friends Charlene & Jerry Vincent at La Hacienda Ranch Restaurant in Dallas. If you haven't tried La Hacienda Ranch Restaurant in the Dallas area, you are missing a treat. I thought On The Border was the best, but I think La Hacienda just moved them from First-Place. I used to work with Jerry and he is such a great person and wonderful friend. A few years ago,he moved to Temple and he and his wife are a realtor in Temple. Charlene is also employed at Scott and White Hospital as a Computer Geek. (Sorry, I can't think of your job title). She does an excellent job supervising the computer programs in the hospital and we love her dearly. We always enjoying getting caught up with their lives and being with them whenever we can. Afterwards, we went to North Park Centre Mall and Collin Creek Mall. We really enjoyed ourselves.

It's a pretty quiet day here at the house and my sweet "baby luv" is taking down our tree. She said if I studied, I could get a reprieve. Plese don't tell her I've been blogging for an hour or so. Maybe she won't find out, because if she does, I'm in the doghouse. LOL.

P.S. On another note, I received a text message from our nephew John, who won the 5K race at Luke AFB, AZ. Way to go, John. He's an excellent runner and we're really proud of his accomplishments. Miss ya, buddy!