Banquet and the Beach

Welles and I had a wonderful time at the Sandestin Hilton beach resort once again. This year Welles was recognized 3 times- pictures of his plaques are below. I am so proud of him and all of his hard work over the last year! It was a beautiful weekend- chilly and windy, but gorgeous none the less. Enjoy the pictures!

A party kind of day

Daniel had 2 birthday parties today. The first party at the zoo for Graham included a visit from Birmingham Bill- the groundhog. the second party was at the skating rink for Katie and Logan. Below are some pictures. We had a fun day!

Pictures from January

Time flies when you are having fun! Below are some pictures from the month of January. It's been warm...it's also been really cold. If the temp goes above 50 degrees, Daniel wants to wear shorts. He's just like his Daddy!

Christmas 2012

December 2012

I will try to do better at posting in 2013.  2012 really seems like a blur.  Today Daniel started Preschool - 3.  To mark the occasion, we had his 3 year check-up and found out he has an ear infection.  Poor buddy!  We are relieved that he now recognizes ear pain and can tell us what hurts. 

We celebrated Daniel's 3rd birthday with pizza at Salvatores and a family party at the Birmingham Zoo - Zoolight Safari.  It was a fun way to celebrate that Daniel is now 3!

Below are some pictures from the first half of the month of December.  I will update Christmas Eve and Christmas Day pictuers later this weekend-  there are too many to include in one post.  Enjoy!




He was asleep when he arrived and it took a while to warm up. :-)




Opening gifts





Happy Birthday to You!



1 - 2 - 3!!!



At a Christmas Party at Gigi and Pop's house



Picture with Santa





Hi Ernie!





Missy! I got a car!





Ladybug Class Party





Daniel Wreath - Artwork from school

Robert E. Pigford

Welles' dad passed away a little over a month ago.  He has definitely been missed.  Welles gave the eulogy at the funeral, and I think he did an excellent job, so I wanted to share it here...

Dad was born with a servant's heart.
Dad served hi God, his family, and his country.

Dad served his Savior, Jesus Christ.  Dad was such a strong believer in Christ that he taught us about God from an early age.  I can never remember a time that I did not know about God.  he took us to church every Sunday.  He always had his Bible on the end table next to his place on the couch.  If there was ever anything he did not think was appropriate for us to see on TV, he would quickly change the channel.  He led by example; I never heard him cuss, saw him drunk, or go to bed in anger.  Whatever his sins were, he hid them very well.

He served his family.  He was a faithful husband and dedicated father.  He was always there for us and sacrificed his wants for ours.  He worked so hard so that Mom could stay home with us.  Every birthday and Christmas was filled with gifts and joy and family.  He was always there for my mother, sister and me.  We played sports, went on church and school trips, and he always provided.  He was a faithful husband.  He was devoted to Mom for 45 years.  I could see them grow closer year after year.  His last act on earth was serving by taking his son-in-law and granddaughter to church.

He served his country in the Korean War.  He left his family as a teenager off to a strange land and faced challenges that only few of us could imagine.  His faith was very important there.  I remember him telling me a story that when they were being over-run with enemy forces, he was sure he was a goner.  He said his prayer, "If it is your will, Lord, then I am coming home."  He told me of a peace and comfort that took hold of him.  He said no matter what happened, he knew he would be OK.  He told me that story after he had open-heart surgery.  I asked him if he was scared going into the surgery.  He said, "I was really afraid, and then I said my prayer to God about His will and His plan and if it was my time - I am OK with it."  Again, he felt the Holy Spirit comfort him and Dad knew he would be OK either way.  I know in my heart that on Sunday night, when he collapsed, he did not even have to say his "God's will" prayer.  I know that he was comforted and knew everything would be OK.

He loved life.  He fought every day against diabetes and heart disease.  He took his medicine routinely and walked every day - rain or shine; hot or cold.  He was not going to give up.

He loved every holiday.  Each holiday will come with its own Dad memory.  Christmas night driving around with our new favorite toy looking at Christmas lights - we would drive all over the city!  Fourth of July, we would eat watermelon, homemade ice cream, and at night, watch the big fireworks display over Red Mountain.  Easter we would wake up to a chocolate bunny and off to church then Easter lunch with the Helms' and Sheffield's.  Halloween, he would play scary ghost stories and Halloween sounds on his record player and borrow candy from our plastic pumpkins.  Many of his traditions will live on in my family with my son Daniel, who loved seeing his Grandpa.

Dad loved music and books.  He had so many records, tapes and books that if you expressed an interest, he would lend or give you one.  He was so well-read that he could talk about anything.  He also had a love of sports.  He was the only man I know that could listen to a football game on the radio and another on TV and keep up with every play.  He loved his Mississippi State Bulldogs.  May they go undefeated this year!  Sorry Bama and Ole Miss fans...Go State!

He was a hard worker and took God's commandment of resting one day of the week, but he sure worked the other six days of the week.  Saturdays were not for naps and golf, but yard work and honey do's.

He was such a kind man.  I do not know of any enemies he had.  Every one that met him liked him.  I cannot name one person that he had a grudge against or contempt for.  He loved his country.  The last few years, every prayer he said included one for our nation.

And I would be in trouble with my cousins if I did not mention that he would always entertain them by his impression of..... Donald Duck!

Dad - we know you are in heaven and in a better place.  But, we will sure miss you and we thank you for your example, your sacrifices, and your faith.  If more people had your qualities, this earth would be a much better place.  Thank you.