More Changes to my Blog!!!

After seeing how cute some of my friends blogs are, I decided to investigate http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/ to see if even I (technologically behind the times-Martha), could figure out how to make my blog more "finished" looking!

After a bit of "messing" with my test blog, I figured it out!!!!!!! I LOVE the Cutest Blog on the block site because they explain how to get your background changed easily! The only other thing that I found to be helpful was on the http://www.simplychicblogs.blogspot.com/ site....there, I found out that it helps if the template for your blog is the "minima" one. The very first one you can choose on your Template preference screen. Other than that!!!!! You just follow the directions and there you have it!!! Yippee!!!! Now I'll really go crazy for all of the months, holidays, special days, and other stuff!!!! Whoo Hoo!!!! So THANK YOU all who are currently using the CBOTB!!! You have all created a monster, but that's o.k! I'll have a MUCH Cuter blog now!

I also added a "Blinkie" to the right just above my counter button!!! Oh!!! I'm soooo excited!!! It's late, and ANYTHING is going to tickle me pink right about now........just bear with me. I'm going to bed now and will get some much needed sleep and all will be right with the world tomorrow!!! Night everyone!!!

Zachary is Home!!!

We all got together this evening to visit with Zachary before he has to leave again to go to Camp Geiger on Monday morning. Pretty much the whole family was there. This was our first family get-together since Grandma passed away, so it was a little strange for me, but we all had a good time together.
This is Zachary's "Official" Marine picture. He looks so handsome and grown-up. He's 20, so he IS grown up, but I could sense a difference about him that made him actually seem a lot older than he is. I suppose that is what Boot Camp will do for you. We love him greatly and wish him all the best as he leaves to go on to the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger. I asked him when he'd get to come home again and he wasn't sure. He also stated that he would probably be heading for Afghanistan before the end of the year. He really seems to want to go and I believe he will be an asset to the Marines! (I'm partial!).

I've always been partial to Zachary. He's my cousin, but is only 10 days older than my niece, Melissa, so it's almost like he's my nephew! He made it through Boot Camp and will make it through the rest of his training with flying colors, I'm sure!!!

Here is a link to the Camp Geiger School of Infantry website.... http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/soi/home.shtml

Any single ladies out there,.....he's single! I'm sure that he would LOVE to be someone's pen-pal!!! If anyone knows of anyone who would like to write to him or any of the guys in his group, let me know and I'll get you some addresses and names!!!! (Always the matchmaker!)

Mackie's FIRST Barber-Haircut!

We had to go to Boone on Tuesday to drop off a bunch of clothes for the Wee-Cycle Consignment Sale, and on the way out of town, decided to get Daddy & Creston's hair cut at the Barber-Shop. While there, we figured that we'd see if Mack would sit still long enough to get his hair cut too!

As you can see....he did. He sat good and still and had a good time. Pretty neat for a first-timer, huh? We didn't have the camera, so I had Mark whip out his phone camera. They turned out pretty good!!!

Our Fun in the Snow!!!!

We were FINALLY able to get outside with the kids and play in the snow a bit! Since we've all been sick, we kept telling Creston that he couldn't go "sweddin'" because he was still icky-sick. The weather warmed up and out we went down on Nana and Paw-Paw's front-yard hill. There was STILL about a good 8-10" on the ground!

I made a slide-show of the rest! Enjoy!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Reading is Fun! See????

Here are my two little fella's reading together before bedtime! They got all quiet and I went to check on them (since as we ALL know....quiet isn't always good!). There they sat....sweet as could be.....just reading away!

Creston is looking at a book by Richard Scarey(?) "What do people do all day". This is a really good book if your little person won't tear the pages out and will actually sit and look at all of the pictures! It's filled with neat pictures that are jam-packed with activity that your little ones can find. Creston LOVES this book!!!

Mackie is reading about fruit! The book shows the picture and lists the name of the fruit in English AND Spanish! It's never too early to pick up that second language!!! Now....if he'd only pick up that first language first!!!

Bath Time!!!

O.k.....bathtime is usually a 1-kid-event. This is partially due to the fact that a few weeks ago, CRESTON decided to create some floaters (if you know what I mean) WHILE Mackie was also in the tub. I about died! CRESTON even about died! There were several "boats" floating around and he started screaming "Ooohh!!! Aagghhh!!! There's somethin' in the water!!!" That's our smart boy! Oh my! So.......anyway.......we tried it again the other night.....aside from Creston dumping water down our heating vent, all went well......the vent....not so well, but it dried out.

This is Mackie basically saying "Yippee!!!"

Lovin' the Bath!

You do it like this, Mackie!

Now, this one has a small story......this is Mackie crying and pointing up to where his washcloth is hanging on the peg. I don't give him his "Washie" because he tends to get it all wet and then "wash" the outside edge of the tub, which results in LOTS of water in the floor....I know-I know...he's a little kid, but I still can't stand all the water to be in the floor.....so......NO WASHIE! He hates me.....

This is Mackie crying to Daddy that he wants his Washie......mommy is mean, Daddy! I want Washie....pwease??? Boo hoo....I won't tump water in the floor! I promise!
This is Mackie with the washie...................................Daddy is loved......mommy is still hated.

Now.......this one is showing how we take "Multi-tasking" to a WHOLE new level......While in the tub, Mackie washes his body AND brushes his teeth! But note......he's got two brushes....and each brush is brushing the upper or lower teeth! Hey! May need to get a patent for one of those!

Zachary Brandon Sheppard ~ Marine Boot Camp

My cousin Zachary has been in Boot Camp at Parris Island since before Christmas. He was planning on joining after Christmas, but an opening became available in the area that he wanted to be a part of, so he went in early. He will be graduating on Friday (3/6/09). We are all so very proud of him. He is truly an amazing young man to have gone and done all of this while we are in a time of War. I know he will do great things and serve our country well!

Below are some pictures that a Church-member of Zack's families Church was able to take at a ceremony this past week. The Church-member is a retired Marine and was able to attend this ceremony that other family members can not attend. These pictures are very special to Zack's parents and to all of his family!


The Elizabethton Star has this thing "How far can you take the STAR?", and the picture below will most likely be in the Eliz. Star sometime soon showing where the paper went. Good looking group of young men!

CONGRATULATIONS, ZACHARY!!!!! We LOVE you!!!!