Briley's First Vacation at Myrtle Beach

Thanks to Estie and Richard Bennington we were able to enjoy Spring Break at their wonderful beach house.

First night at Sticky Fingers with Papa!

Look, all you can eat crab legs! Stacie come join me.

Briley wanted to go swimming with the fish in the tank!

I think this one is friendly!

Hanging out at the mall on a rainy day!

Mom, I think I see a BIG BUNNY!

No fear here! She was entertaining everyone going by!

Mom says I can have a treat from the bunny because I was so very cute.

Dad and Briley getting ready for bed!

Don't I look cute in a bikini!?!

Turtle and I are having great fun!

Mom, Dad, and I had fun in the sand!

Look Mom, there's a lot of water behind us!

Mimi and I sharing fun at the Beach House!

Women's Retreat Pigeon Forge

March retreat! Fun, Fellowship, and Shopping!

Barker Animals and February Snow

Cold Turkey

About 2 inches of snow and 4 days off from school

Bob's non-snowy spot

Morgan says just give me a tennis ball!

Ernie's Retired from the State of Virginia

As of January 1, 2009 Ernie retired with 42 years of service credit from the state of Virginia. Some of these years were with the Division of Parks but 25 years were with the Division of Mined Land Reclamation. Wow--what a ride!!!

Retirement Party December 8, 2008

The delicious celebration cake! Besides Ernie, Bob Stimpson and

Greg Bolling retired too.

Marie came to enjoy the festivities! What fun!!

Parting gifts included Cabelas wading boots and waist high waders
to help him enjoy retirement fly fishing!

Carolyn and Cathy have been his efficient right hands for many years!

Jared and Jon came by to wish Ernie well.

Still backing Ernie up is his good buddy, Jackie.

Rita shares a laugh with the retiree!

Ms. Pat is a fantastic friend! She can fly fish too! I think she is putting in an order to Santa in this picture.

Ernie's last, of many, DMLR inservices.

The Office

Carolyn and Cathy gave Ernie a singing fishing bear!

Scroll down for a video of it singing to Briley.

Here is the office Ernie has occupied for 13 years
at DMLR in Big Stone Gap, VA.

Papa's Retirement Fishing Bear--Baby's Going Fishing Too!

DaDa at Christmas

Welcome to San Juan Puerto Rico

This was a great place to spend Halloween and Election Day with my wonderful sister and brother-in-law!

Isla Verde--San Juan

The first tall building on the left, on the 16th floor Penthouse is where Rusty lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Pool on the top

Living room looking toward the ocean

4 upstairs bedrooms and 3 baths--very nice!!!

Views from the Penthouse Balcony

Ruthie relaxing watching the beautiful ocean view

Motels, Condos and Restaurants

Old Town San Juan

It was a busy Sunday in old San Juan.

Lots of color and wrought iron--looks like New Orleans

Ruthie and Rusty exploring shops on the cobble stone streets.

Beautiful San Juan Bautista Catedral

Touring around San Juan

El Morro--the fort that defended the island

since the sixteenth century

A big Carnival cruise ship in port.

Sunday outside the city is a time for gathering and eating at the roadside diners.

Look Stacie--A Carson Newman colored Mini

El Yunque--Puerto Rico's Rainforest

El Yunque is the only Tropical Rainforest that is

owned and managed by the US Forest Service.

Plantain bananas growing--I ate plantain banana chips.

Coffee beans