Valentine's Day

ODS Donuts with Dad was extra special when it was with Granddad!

Wells Fargo Tournament

Delaney got her first trip to see a golf tournament with the boys.  They all enjoyed it and had a beautiful day!

Lefty Star Trek Fan!

She is such a ham, she looked like that guy from Star Trek today when she put her Doc headband over her eyes.  She enjoyes dressing up and being like Delaney, but has her own thoughts and ideas already!  She seems to be left-handed too, still using it for most everything!

Hornets Game with the boys

Fun night out with the boys!!!!  Thanks Granddad for the experience you gave Blake!  He won't take the jersey off!

Christmas Day afternoon at Mama and Granddad’s house

Christmas with my family always warms my heart with wonderful traditions.  It was different being in a different house this year, especially since I was in the house we are usually in with just the four of us in the morning.  We enjoying all being together and in a new place was great!  There was a new kayak for Granddad!  A toy we’ll all enjoy at the beach next summer.  We read the Christmas story out of a new book this year, the pictures were of Lego people! 

We exchanged names for stockings and had lots of fun with that. 

We all enjoyed opening presents and of course our favorite, mom’s traditional dinner!  Glad I had an excuse to eat a lot this year!  Taylor and my kids made the cake for Jesus this year and mom and dad ended up with the baby Jesus for next year’s cake.  What a wonderful day!  An exhausting day!  I can’t seem to quit thinking of all the sweet boys and girls getting their new bikes that we helped Santa with this year though!  Many happy, happy kids!

Go Gamecocks!

Blake with his Daddy, Grandpa, and Granddad!  What a fun USC game!

A night out at the beach

We have pretty much stayed in for dinner most nights at the beach (there a month).  But one night when it was just me, the kids, and my parents we decided to clean up, put on make up (I didn’t do that much) and head out.  We went to Calabash to eat supper, see the boats, and run by a store.  I have such cute summer clothes for them and we live in T-shirts, I was ready with the camera!

Mom and Dad have been such a big help.  I have been with the kids 24/7.  They were awesome about giving me breaks and helping with stuff so I wasn’t overwhelmed with Kevin being gone.  We sure missed him during the week, but it was nice to have him come for long weekends.

A boat ride with Granddad

The kids love going on the boat this year since they don’t have to wear life jackets that are so huge they are uncomfortable like they did last year.  Delaney’s new phrases are “let me do that” and “me do that my own self”.  Today was “let. me. drive. that. boat. Granddad”.  Every word has a period after it because of the space she puts in it, very pronounced. 

Mom and Dad’s birthday celebration

Each year my parents celebrate their birthdays and anniversary in two days, June 10 and 11.  This year was their 40th anniversary, so we threw them a casual shower with some of their closest friends, so the next day we used the leftover cake to celebrate their birthdays.  Can you tell who actually blew out the candles?  She was READY and taking it all in!

Gary Williams for County Council

We are in the middle of a political campaign.  Dad is running against Britt Blackwell for County Council.  Recently Rock Hill/York County has had some bad leadership and dad is ready to get in there and make a difference in our community.  I am so proud of him and the whole family is pitching in.  The grandsons helped us put out over 20 signs in our new neighborhood (dad’s old one) today.  The race is on for the primary on June 12.  If you are in the area and want to help, please let me know.  If you see Delaney ask her what the sign says, she says, “Vote Gary Williams” so cute!

Christmas Evening

The stocking were hung…at my mom and dad’s house.  We went to their house after naps today and spent the afternoon and evening there.  Wonderful memories made…

We listened to the Christmas story from the wonderful version online that we came across this season, the kids all paid attention.  Each time we talked about Jesus or a baby or something one of the kids would chime in, I know they’re taking it all in.

We talked about what we were thankful for and who or what we missed this year and prayed together.  Then it was time to open the stockings and the presents.  We each take turns and it’s fun to see what everyone gets and their reactions, it takes longer too and we are able to savor the moment which is nice.  At the bottom of our stockings was a little box that we all opened last, we each had a letter in it and they spelled…

Then Coalson opened his and had the pickle in it, which meant, money!  He had an $11 bill meaning 11 of us were going to go to see Mickey Mouse!!!

After gifts it was time for dinner.  My mom made a delicious meal with all of our favorite things.  She was so great to do everything.  We REALLY enjoyed it.  The kids even ate a bunch, many second helpings were taken.  She had a beautiful set up in the dining room.  Take a good look at it now, it’ll be mine next year and doubt I’ll be able to make it this pretty.

A new tradition in the Williams house is to have a toothpick (was supposed to be a baby Jesus) inside his birthday cake and whoever gets it has to make, or pick, the cake for him for next year, which is an honor!  This year as Taylor was helping Delaney eat hers she found the toothpick!  Guess that means the 2 year old will be making the cake!  Hopefully Taylor will help her with that part too.  It was a great evening and we came home with excited and tired kids.  Both are sleeping now, but it took Blake a little while for the excitement to die down.  As I was putting Delaney down I asked if she had fun and said who’s birthday was it and she said for the first time, “Gees” (for Jesus).  A great way to end a great day, she listens.

I’m 31 years old, Blake is 3

We celebrated Blake and my birthdays at David and Pam’s house today.  Blake and Delaney love being with their cousins to play, we had a great afternoon!  Thanks for hosting Pam! 

No one knows why this sweet girl went from one extreme to the other, Taylor was playing with my new camera and snapped her crying, I love the face, one I see often, but never think to take a picture of the emotion.  Notice she has on two dresses?  She insisted on wearing both of them and then wanted the construction apron on top when we arrived.  Birthday and Christmas dresses, appropriate.

Peyton and Coalson get along great most of the time.  They play hard and Blake follows right along with them.  When we get in the car after being with him Blake says, “Mommy I played hard with the boys.”  He stands up fro himself now and actually is the instigator sometimes.  He’s come a long way.

Blake and I got to blow our candles out together tonight, what fun!  Naked Delaney, ready for her red icing, helped a little too.  Poor thing has watched people open presents 3 times this week and it’s not her turn yet.  She’s doing great waiting and only attempted one this year before it was time.

My dad graduates!!!!

My dad could teach almost any business class at Winthrop, yet he can’t because believe it or not he does not have a college degree.  It’s something he’s thought about his whole life.  I remember he didn’t really give David and I another choice, we were going to college and he did all that he could to help us achieve that goal.  I am so glad that he did and proud of him for pushing us the way that he did.  From what I know on stories he has told me he went to college briefly to avoid being drafted in the war.  He attended UNC Charlotte for a year or so, fell in love with my mom and was around her a lot. They were engaged her junior year and married a year later, I might have those facts a little off.  Anyway, he worked through those years and enjoyed them.  After they were married he started a Putt-Putt Golf course in Rock Hill after managing one for many years in Charlotte with help from several men that believed in him including my grandfather Caldwell, and the man that gave us the recipe for Don’s spaghetti.  The owner of the local Burger Kings gave him inspiration, Blanton was his last name.  The hours were long and money wasn’t quite enough, especially once David was born.  He took on another job at a local collection agency as a sales rep and that led to opening Williams & Fudge in 1986, I was 5 years old and David was 9.  When was there time to go back to college?

So now, 25 years after he started Williams & Fudge he is awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters by Winthrop University.  What a huge honor!!!!  I couldn’t be more proud of him.  He earns this not only for the business knowledge he has, but what he does for the community including the Boy Scouts, the school district, Winthrop University, and MANY more!

We had a 1/2 day celebration at the Winthrop Coliseum today.  His brother, Wes, along with his wife and youngest son came to celebrate with us.  He understands the honor that this is too and wanted to be there for him.  My dad is an inspiration to many and I’m so proud of him and honored to be his daughter.  I hope to be able to carry on many of the things that his does to better York County which makes a big impact on so many lives, especially of children.

Kids, as you read this one day, I want you to remember your Granddad and all he has done, is doing and will do.  Appreciate him and remember all that he has taught you, there are many things that he’ll tell you, teach you, and show you.  He is a wonderful and inspiring man, write the things down that he teaches you so you can pass them on to your children.  I love him deeply and am so proud of him!!!!