Ava's Daddy

Viva Las Vegas

Great time in Vegas!

Water and light show.

There's a girl in the blender...click picture to see.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

Fun and relaxing vacation.

Thanksgiving

Thankful for most important thing...family. Especially thankful this year that Libby is doing well and has completed seven of twelve chemotherapy treatments.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Thank you to those that traveled to be here, and thanks to Shirl for cooking our fantastic dinner.

Little E is 3 !!!!

E had a birthday party Saturday. Everyone had a great time. I got to spend a couple of days with the Grandchildren and I love that. After working all day Friday and Saturday getting ready for the party I was told we were having " family hold back" on the cheese dip. I assume that was to make sure there would be plenty for the guests. E and I got to sneak and dip nachos'''just kidding! Our family never holds back. The weather was beautiful and the kids...too many to count... had a wonderful time, The slide was certainly a hit!

The Birthday Girl! Even with her cast on she had a great time.

Ella and TuTu

Jack and Shirl

Ella and Mommy






Ella in her Birthday outfit.

The Princess Tent...Happy Birthday E

Ella and Daddy go down the rented slide. Pop Pop went down too...lucky there were no pictures.

Beautiful Birthday Cake

Little Brother with a birthday cookie. Jack has learned to say Pop Pop. He is so cute when he says it... and he repeats it over and over. I love to hear him yell for me.

Party Girl! Happy Birthday Ella. Pop Pop loves you!

November Cartoon

Now that is funny!

New Pictures

Boat beach out and campfire..

Flags still fly on Dock Holiday!

Halloween Party!

Early fog last Saturday.

Somedays you feel like the fox...others you feel like the duck

This picture was taken many years ago at Cumberland Lake, in Harmon Creek I believe.

I have no clue why I like a beer...

What no Coors Light? I wish I still had the hat!

Great weekend....

Justin came home last Friday!!!! It was so good to see him and spend some time just talking. We went to Louisville Friday night to visit Sara, Tommy, Ella and Jack. It had been a while since Jus had spent time with E and J and they were happy to see Unky. We had a fantastic visit and were up early to drive to Lexington to participate in the Team Libby Golf Outing. The golf outing was put together by friends of Justin and Libby, specifically Ryan. It was a fantastic day of beautiful weather, good golf and seeing people that I have not seen for a long time. Thanks to all of the friends who organized, and friends and family who played in the event or attended and helped make it a success. It was so moving to see friends as well as family be there for Jus and Libby. I also want to thank everyone who sponsored the event...the hole sponsors as well as the corporate sponsors. By the way our foursome was 6 under...not near good enough to win...but a lot of fun.

Friday night we went to the Kentucky game. It was a homecoming for Justin. He graduated from UK and was excited to return to Lexington. UK won a close game. It was a great game to see. Justin, Tommy, Chris and I had a great time. The place was rockin!!!!

End of the game...the fans were rushing the field.

We all went to BW3s after the game...then home to get some much needed rest. Justin had to be at the airport to return to Chesapeake early Sunday. It was a fantastic visit. I am so proud of Justin. He and Libby are so strong. Thanks to everyone for prayers... Libby is through 1/3 of her chemo.

Sunday was beautiful so Shirl and I took a motorcycle ride to Rabbit Hash and spent the afternoon there looking at motorcycles, talking, enjoying some good wine, and riding the beautiful winding Boone County country roads. Riding has always been very relaxing for me, a time to think and chill, and on this day a time to be thankful.

Sorry Shirl...this is the best my cell phone will do.

What a fantastic weekend... tomorrow back to work...for now!

83 degrees and sunny

Jack with his footballs

Jack enjoys his ice cream

Ella at the pool on the top deck

Weekend at the lake

Ella and Jack spent the weekend on Dock Holiday this weekend. They had a wonderful time and were able to get in their last swim of the year in their little pool. Nothing makes a trip to the lake more enjoyable than watching grandchildren having a great time. E and J are great kids and love spending time on Dock Holiday... They watched videos...played...swam...jumped in the jumper... visited with neighbors, and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Shirl and I had a great time as well. Thanks Sara and Tommy

C Dock cove out bonfire in two weeks...then winterize. I hate winter...




Jack on the top deck

Looks like Jack to me...

I can only tell my closest friends about the injury I sustained here.

The Ryders in the 80s

The kids used to work on the boat!

Check out the hair before I dyed it gray.

Who is this...and who does he look like?

Libby

Last week Libby, Justin's wife was diagnosed with lymphoma. Libby is a strong woman who has a very positive attitude, a strong faith, and family and friends who love her. I have no doubt that this is a battle that she will win and win well!

I visited with Justin, Libby and little A last weekend. Libby's strength and determination are inspiring to me. She is a wonderful wife and mother, and a fantastic daughter-in -law. Libby and Justin are so right for each other.

Sara and Tommy also visited last weekend... another couple so right for each other. I am so thankful for my relationship with my daughter and son as well as the relationship between their families. Just simply good people...loving and supportive.

Being together was comforting as well as reassuring.

I invite you to visit Libby's blog. .. see link...www.libbyryder.blogspot.com. She is keeping family and friends updated, and documenting her journey.

Libby and Justin are prepared and will not be doing this alone.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

More pictures of the kids at the lake.

Getting ready to go home...E is not happy!

Looking good!

Jack and Pop Pop chilling.

Feeding ducks

Watching ducks walk by.

E and J at the lake

A couple of weeks ago Shirl and I took Ella and Jack to the lake. It was the first time they had stayed away from home without their parents. We all had a fantastic time. They are so good, and so much fun!

Ella catches her first fish!

Jack playing ball on the top deck.

E being E

Doing the limbo at the kid's luau

Shirl swimming with E

Family Vacation

Sara and Jack

Libby and Jus

Ava asleep in her beach bag

Tommy on the beach.