Sod Throwin'

A few weeks ago RG, Matt, Daniel, and Pete came over and helped us throw some sod.

Thanks, y'all!

Some of the Men--Daddy, RG and Dan

Matt

Sod 'layin Buddies

Pedro

WOW, Deeda--Sod from Heaven!

Takin a Rest!

Posted by Mary Noelle

Olustee and Trip to the WHIDDONS!!

Olustee?? Hmmm... Wasn't that in February? Yes, yes, it's the Stricklens again -- a day late and a dollar short as Mr. Stricklen would say. Well, maybe we will catch up someday.

We had a nice time in Olustee. We made the trip to see the Miller boys in the battle (the first time for Matt and Dan). Unfortunately, where we were all seated we could not see any of "our boys" fighting, we didn't even get to see them in uniform. It was still fun cheering on the rebs!! Yeah, Dixie!! We got to hear a nice fife and drum band!

Well, anyway -- the highlight of the trip was that we were able to go up a little farther north into Georgia and visit our dear friends, the Whiddons. A delightful Christian family with 9 children. Our children have become very good friends with theirs over the past few years.

We spent the rest of Saturday, all day Sunday and part of Monday with them. We had home-church together and then all 15 of the children went to the local assisited living facility and 14 of the children sang or played an instrument for the older people (can you guess who didn't??) He just sat there looking cute :)

It was a really nice time. We felt like we were at a Bed and Breakfast, they took such good care of us! Hope you enjoy the pictures! Molly

Our first time at Olustee

Ashley and Jason came over for part of the day

Little Miss Savannah Frodge -- Jason and Ashley's daughter

Chris and Callie with Jason and Savannah

My friend, Cathy Stokes and her brother, David (I think I am remembering right?) also Julia her niece

Sweet smiles, sweet girls

And some more sweet smiles!

Look sister, the Yankees are a comin'!! (I am being very foolish!)

Little Lindsey and Little Margaret

The Patriarchs

ALL those children and ALL those instruments!

The song was beautiful!

Stricklen sisters do it again!

And so does the Twiz!

Little boys being good

Abby and Nina help in the kitchen -- Maidens of Virtue

CJ had a ball with all the boys!

Mommy's angel boy

Mary and Laney -- 2 of a kind!

Oh, all the things young ladies have to talk about!!

What gentile little things they are?

The Whiddons have such lovely daffodils all over -- I'm jealous!

I don't quite know what he was supposed to be

Bye!!

Youth Fair 2008

Just a few pictures from the Polk County Youth Fair. The children always enjoy participating. Their interests have changed over the years, except they have always shown plants and been involved in Horticulture. They used to enjoy showing chickens and Callie showed her rabbit. They always like entering the baking contests. Callie usually sews something. This was Margaret's first year, it seems like just yesterday that it was little 8 year old Callie's first year! It was alot of fun! CJ and some of the Miller boys did the "Top Ranch Hand" competition for fun and each got a bag of candy as their award (to them there could be no better prize!). Sorry I have no pictures from that :(

Abby surprised us all and was the Champion in Jr. Horticulture Judging, which is something Callie and Mary have done well in.


Margaret told the story of "The Tater Family" in Storytelling and won 1st place! She was so excited. We all enjoyed Whip Popping -- that is the highlight of the week! We are proud of all of the children. They are creating memories that I am sure they will carry with them for many years. Molly

Abigail -- Champion of Horticulture Judging!

Margaret - Jr. Storytelling Champ!

Callie won "Considered for Tri Color" for her Coffee Cake

Which one are you? Emma - Tater? Dick- Tater??

Grace won Sr. Storytelling!! (Again!!)

Mary during Horticulture Judging

Did Deeda know it was a Daylily?

All Smiles!!


Just a few more years and we'll see CJ whip popping!?


Markie won 3rd in Junior Div. Whip Popping!! She was so surprised!

Sarah and Ariana enjoying the show

Rose and CJ enjoyed the working booths on Friday (CJ obviously has stuffed some sort of treat in his mouth!)

Our Memories from Brooksville

I know MUCH has been said and posted about the GREAT event!! No, I'm not talking about the reenactment!! The other great event -- the beginning of the courtship of Anna Kathleen Discher and Ben Gabriel Pollock. I also realize that it happened 2 months ago -- but we have some pictures (not all having to do with the courtship -- just sweet pics of everyone) that we just have to share from that day.
It was a joyful day for all of us. Enough said.

Molly

The Stricklen Family

Callie - 16

Mary - 14

Mama and CJ

Real Men!!

Hmmm... There must be something very interesting over there! Some of the Miller Clan

The little Mother :)

The Happy couple - almost 20 years later

Sisters

The sweet Sykes Family

Anna is relaxing

Good Friends

Is that good Willie?

More Good Friends

Great smile, Callie!

Hmmm... see anything interesting yet?

The Confederate icon

The lovely ladies of leisure

Sweet Cousins

Now this is the most precious picture -- these 2 boys pushed Abby's wheelchair a LONG way. They didn't quit even when they were tired. Future men of God with such character! They were her TRUE FRIENDS!

Aunt Katie is so much fun!

Awwww!!

How sweet!

In the heat of the battle

The whole gang!