Prom 2012

Saturday, April 28, 2012, Taylor went to her first prom!  She was invited to go to Franklin Academy's prom.  She has many LDS friends that go to this school so she was very excited about going with them!  The day was filled with lots of stuff to do to get ready.  Pick up the flowers from the florist, mani/pedi, hair and make-up.  (She said getting ready was her favorite.)  The prom was held at The Cotton Compnay in Wake Forest. 

Taylor before prom

Isn't she cute:)

"She grew up too quickly!"

Ryan Barnes and Tay at the Southeastern Baptist Sminary

Rachel Hill, Tyler Huband, Tay, and Ryan Barnes

Walker, Taylor Despain, Tay, Ryan Barnes, Tyler Huband, Rachel Hill

The Beauties

Taylor Despain, Tay and Rachel Hill

"Charlie's Angels"

See...they have LOTS of fun together!



It's the Little Things in Life

It's the little things in life that make me smile~

*getting a picture text of Baby Blake from Sarah randomly throughout my day

*snuggling with Blake...I miss him sooooo much

*having two weeks off of work consecutively

*getting Taylor ready for the prom....I love her smile-she glows in her gown

*visiting with Tiffany while she's home from LA

*spending a quiet evening home with Greg watching our favorite TV shows

*coming home to a clean house

*putting a load of laundry into the dryer and it's actually empty

*an empty dishwasher

*walking on my Granny Stone's farm by myself (brings back treasured memories of my childhood)

*swinging

*helping others

*going out to eat

*getting hugs from my students at school

*hearing from my kids....I'm lucky enough to still have Tay home but only for another year

*looking at family pictures
(my classroom, living room and phone are filled with family pictures)

*talking with my mama and daddy anytime

*driving down our driveway from work and seeing Greg's Tahoe already home

*smelling fresh cut grass

*hanging plants on the porch in the spring

*spring~everything is GREEN

*sitting on the beach and watching the ocean

*sitting on our boat at the lake watching the sunset

*finishing a good book

*quiet moments to just let my brain rest

*reading Sarah's blog

*reflecting on my blog...it's very therapeutic

Just the little things  in life that make me happy:)

When Dad's Away...Simba and Tay Play

Simba, our lovable mutt, isn't allowed on the couch but when Greg's away.....

(shhhhh....don't tell Dad)

HaPpY Anniversary Sarah and Ryan!

Today marks the one year anniversary of Sarah and Ryan's wedding.  Most of NC remembers the date well.  It was one marked with the devastation of a tornado.  The tornado occurred in the middle of the wedding!  It's a day we'll never forget.  The day our family gained another son...we love you Ryan.  Oh what tales they will be able to share for generations about their wedding day.



April 16, 2011

Expecting Baby Blake October 2011

Alexandria Airport

The Larsens~all of them (so far)

February 2, 2012



It's a GIRL!

Saturday, April 14th, we were invited to an appointment in Durham at Prenatal Peek to witness Danielle's 3rd ultraound.  Danielle's parents, Danny and Diane, Gregory's mom, Melonie and Greg and I were there.  What a thoughtful idea of having the grandparents witness this special event.  We were lead into a room with comfy couches and big screen monitors.  We watched as the technician rolled around the wand on Danielle's baby bump eagerly watching this precious miracle move around in the womb.  It didn't take long to find out we are having a granddaughter!!!  She's beautiful already and VERY limber.  She had her leg stretched out in front of her little face!  We saw and heard the heartbeat...she even had the hiccups.

We are excited about the arrival of Hope Olivia...due date August 1st.

The little pink bear has a recording of Baby Hope Olivia's heartbeat.



The Happenings of the Dixons

Just a few brief updates of Life as the Dixons for March and April (so far):

* Sarah, Ryan and Blake got 2 new vehicles!  Yes, that's right, 2!  A Jeep for Sarah and a Dodge truck for Blake and Ryan.
*Blake is 2 months old today!!!  Sarah and Ryan are letting him sleep in his crib.  What a big boy!!
*Baby Dixon~boy or girl?  We still don't know.  That little stinker was still hiding boy or girl parts during the 2nd ultrasound.  Next ultrasound date is April 14th.  Grandparents are invited!!
*Baby Dixon name choices were announced to family today.  Little girl name:  Hope Olivia.  Isn't that just beautiful.  Little boy name...wait for it...Gregory.  Is anyone surprised by this one?  Not me.  What a great name.
*RANGER SCHOOL for Clint.  Tiffany and Clint are driving to GA.  Clint reports for Ranger school today.  Ranger status for Clint is MAJOR.  Ranger is the elite of the Army.  Tiffany will be coming to stay in NC while Clint's in school.  Yay!!!
*Taylor is on Spring Break.  She's happy for some much needed time off from school.  She's been hanging out with church friends.  She still goes in to work at the Y every afternoon.
*I had a few days off from school and spent most of it at doctor's appointments (fun).  I did get to go to Pilot Mountain to visit Mama and Daddy.  They are doing well.  They really enjoyed their visit to LA.  They even did some sightseeing at Vicksburg, GA.
*Greg and I have actually had some quality time with each other.  Just last week we went to the movies.  We saw The Hunger Games.  (I read the books this past summer...I am happy to report the movie and the book were very much alike).  We also went to a walk one evening together.  Simba and Penny tagged along.  And, we spent a whole today together eating brunch at iHOP, driving around downtown Raleigh and visiting Lottie at the nursing home.
*Lottie is in a nursing home for rehab after breaking her back from a past fall at home.  She is so ready to come home.  She gets kinda ill and ornery thinking of staying at the rehab facality more that another week or so.  Greg does so much for her.  He visits daily, goes to all the appointments and meetings regarding her treatment plan, takes care of her laundry, etc....what more could a mother ever wish for in a child???  She does appreciate all he does for her.  He wouldn't have it any other way.  As his wife, I see the stress taking a toll on him.  His job is demanding and he takes care of Lottie and Taylor and me.  What a wonder man.  Love him!!!
*Greg and Gregory went fishing at Falls Lake today.  So happy they had some father/son time!  The fish were NOT biting but I think they enjoyed getting the boat out and putting the hooks in the water.
*Danielle is celebrating her birthday on April 6th.  HaPpY Birthday, Danielle:)

I think that's all...stay tuned for more happenings as Life as the Dixons continue.