Halloween 2010

This post is SO late, but... here are a few pics from Halloween. There wasn't much to it this year. We went to the evening service at church, then rushed home to put on costumes. We thought there was a festival at the church across the road from us, but I guess we read the sign wrong. Maybe they had it on Saturday night, I don't know...whatever the case, when we drove up, the parking lot was empty. At this point, it was 7:30 so we raced over to a "Trunk or Treat" at the Lutheran church. It was a small affair- and it was all over in about 15 minutes- but the kids did come home with a bagful of candy. And they ate it all except a few pieces as soon as we got home.

Matt's Ordination

We enjoyed a short visit from the Griffins the weekend before last in honor of Matt's ordination as deacon at Providence Presbyterian. The service was wonderful, and so was the meal afterwards! Sorry it took me so long to get these up...


It's too much to ask that we all be looking at the camera, but here we all are.

Ray Jones, Reed Gilmore, Matt, Greg Eddings, Greg Berkhouse, Pastor Mike Philliber



It's been awhile since we had one of just the two of us, so here we are...

Country Time

Last weekend I took the older two kids on a whirlwind tour of Paris, TX (and surrounding communities). Matt and Viola stayed behind to prep our house for a new coat of paint.
While we were there, we visited Aunt Mildred (my great-grandfather's only surviving sister), Pyles Cemetery, my grandparents' home in Tigertown, the "dirt road" (and hay bales!), the Paris town square, and many other sites of family importance. We got together with the Roams several times, and the kids loved playing with their cousin Madison. We were also treated to a refreshing stay at James and Darenda's house just outside of town. James made his famous cinnamon toast for the kids, and they watched him work in his upholstery shop. They also went for a walk in the "forest" and did a little hunting.
The trip was a big hit, so we've decided to make it an annual October tradition.


Memaw C. and Aunt Mildred

In the barn at Aunt Mildred's house- there were chickens, ducks, and a cow & new calf

On the fence at Aunt Mildred's house



Viola Marie's grave at Pyles Cemetery

Viola Marie died on the day our Viola Marie was due.



Memaw & Pepaw with most of their grandkids.

With the great-grandkids (minus Viola)

The cousins

Our special dirt road in Tigertown

Gathering horse apples is a mjor pastime in Tigertown.

The hay bales- highlight of the trip!

Aunt Haleigh took the kids' shoes off and let them put their feet in the fountain.



A walk in the "forest"....

...and some hunting.

Vintage Viola

When we were in Abilene a few weeks ago, Matt restored a couple of my family's old photos. The first one is of Viola Marie Hicks, my great-grandparents' first child, born about 1915/16 (not sure). She died at 18 months old of diptheria. Our Viola Marie is named after her.
The 2nd photo is of my great-grandparents with their second child, Ellory Oren Theodore Hicks (aka "Uncle Ted"), born a couple months after Viola's death.


The original "Baby V"

J.W., "Ted", and Maude Hicks

Labor Day Weekend In Abilene

We had a "Redneck Labor Day" in Abilene, TX. The weekend was named in honor of Matt's lobster-red face and neck that were sunburned at the Abilene High football game on Saturday. Then we completed the picture by making S'mores in 90 degree weather while being entertained by Pepaw's water hose tricks. Good times!

Morgan & Emma found a playmate in Pepaw C.

Morgan made a helmet out of a watermelon while I wasn't looking.

Baby V assumes the resting position of every Motz child and grandchild so far.

Memaw C toasting her marshmallow to perfection.



Emma couldn't be happier with the results.

The sight of Morgan trying to get all of his food in his mouth at one time is a familiar one.

Baby V says, "What S'mores?"

Video Update- Mice in a Box and Baby V Waves

Here are some recent videos of Baby V and the kids. Baby V turned 8 months old this week, and has learned to wave.

Griffin Weekend

We enjoyed a visit from Papa Wes, GG, Aunt Kate, and Mercedes this past weekend. The kids loved playing with their cousin, especially since she can follow them all over the house now.


Baby V is now 7 months old and cuter than ever!

more of the cuteness...

Kate might not like me posting this, but it's cute...sorry Kate!

All four Grffin grandkids.

I love Mercedes' look here.

Baby V!!!