HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY!

Our beautiful granddaughter Annika is 16 years old today, so I want to wish her a very happy birthday! I don't know where the time has gone, but all of a sudden, here we are!

She loves to cook, and even loves reading cookbooks! I see cooking as part of her future, perhaps as a chef. She's friendly, outgoing, loves to laugh, and just loves life. 

Happy birthday, sweetie! We love you to pieces.

GRANDSON'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Clark and I recently attended our grandson's 8th birthday lunch at their new home in GA. Since the family has only been in their new town a couple of months, they had just a family birthday this time.

Asher requested a cookout at home in lieu of going to a restaurant, so Papa Clark was happy to oblige. Asher also wanted a Lego Ninjago themed party as well. If you have younger grandchildren, you know what that is. We had a fabulous time with our family! The only downside was that Kurt and Bethany couldn't be here from Arizona.

Holly (our daughter) always decorates the birthday kid's
bed with balloons after they go to sleep the night before
their birthday. Here's Asher's bed moments before Mom
awakened him ~ he's in there somewhere!

Granddawg Sunny "helping" Papa Clark
grill the burgers and hot dogs

Loading up the plates!

Lego Ninjago mask for the theme of
his birthday party

Holly made him a Lego Ninjago cake! That's
his dad Philip clowning around with him

Eight candles for the birthday boy ~ Mom
did a great job on his cake! (And it was
chocolate, so that's a plus)

Remote control car, one thing he wanted

Opening another gift

Money is always the right size and color

Clark and me with the grands

Grandchildren grow up way too fast, don't they?

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES, HINTON STYLE

I'm b-a-a-a-ck! It's been quite a week in the Hinton household! The stomach flu went through our ranks, so that was not fun, to say the least. We were all recovered by yesterday, which was good, because last night we had a tremendous birthday par-tay for our youngest daughter Bethany, who turned 34:

Duke: "How come I didn't get any
cake and ice cream??"

All in all, it was a fun evening, and we enjoyed each other's company.

By the way, on Tuesday, Clark and I will celebrate our 46th wedding anniversary! Our other daughter Holly and son-in-law Philip will celebrate their 16th anniversary on the 30th--so we have plenty of activities around here during the holidays!

Here's wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas! I'll be back posting a few times before Christmas. 

Until then,