Rachel's Scrapbook

Congratulations, Travis!

2009-07-28T23:28:00.002-05:00

This is a picture of Bethany and Eric's brother, Travis, relaxing in the shade at a bluegrass festival. Travis finished Basic Training last Friday. Way to go!!!

20 2-liters

2009-07-24T11:32:00.001-05:00

This is the Sprite and 7up for the wedding punch.
We got all of it on sale and saved quite a bit of money.

Pretty Blue Dresses

2009-07-24T11:19:00.003-05:00

bridesmaids dress
(Doesn't Esther look thrilled about trying it on?)
Rebekah is making the bridesmaids' dresses.

Elise looks beautiful in her flowergirl dress.
Mom made this one. Didn't she do a great job?

Shelling Peas

2009-07-24T11:18:00.001-05:00

631 Ears of Corn

2009-07-24T11:06:00.002-05:00

'Bunny Ears'

2009-07-24T10:57:00.002-05:00

Me and Eric

2009-07-22T13:36:00.000-05:00

What a nut!

2009-07-15T17:16:00.003-05:00

I am going through my pictures and putting them all on a flash drive instead of CDs. I keep finding pictures that are funny or cute. This is a picture of Seth that I took in April last year. I thought it was really funny.

Daddy's Boy

2009-07-15T16:32:00.000-05:00

Busy Sewing Dresses

2009-07-12T14:34:00.002-05:00

A Few Random Pictures

2009-07-12T14:18:00.005-05:00

I really haven't had much time to blog in the past couple of months, but I have taken a few pictures here and there.

Bethany and Abby having a tea party.

"Yum, yum!"

Looks like she got her hands full!

"Don't take a picture of me!"

Micah, Elise, Bethany, and Garland playing our favorite game, Dutch Blitz.

Making Strawberry Jam

2009-07-12T14:12:00.002-05:00

Congratulations!

2009-05-15T12:33:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, Rebekah and I went to a graduation ceremony for a good friend of ours. Way to go, Lydia!!

Bethany and Kayley

2009-05-13T15:56:00.004-05:00

After church, a couple of weeks ago, I took a video of Bethany and her friend, Kayley, singing "Jesus Loves Me."

More Old Pictures

2009-05-06T13:22:00.002-05:00

Rebekah

Bethany

A Few Old Pictures

2009-05-05T21:01:00.002-05:00

Bethany

Abby

Picture of Hannah

2009-05-01T13:41:00.001-05:00

Rebekah requested that I put a picture of Hannah on my blog.

Our 'Pig In A Pen'

2009-04-30T11:36:00.000-05:00

A Day In the Country

2009-04-30T11:24:00.005-05:00

Tuesday, we went to Eric's house and planted some corn. Since we had so many people helping, we got done quickly and had time to do some other things. The girls got to ride horses and we got to shoot some. Abby and Bethany really enjoy playing with Micah, Elise, and Garland (Eric's brothers and sister).

Planting Our Garden

2009-04-29T15:42:00.005-05:00

Bethany and Little Ann, Hannah's puppy
(All Bethany wanted to do was play with the puppies.)

our first garden
(We planted tomatoes, green beans, and peas.)

our second garden
(We planted squash, cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelons, cabbage, and okra.)

Plowing the Garden

2009-04-28T20:15:00.002-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, Eric and his dad came and plowed our garden spot. We have two gardens this year.

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

2009-04-26T12:34:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday, Esther!

2009-04-22T16:54:00.001-05:00

Southern Gospel Group Pose for the Ward Family

2009-04-22T16:45:00.003-05:00

Here's a pic that we took back in February. We were being silly and decided to do a Southern Gospel Style group pose. Hannah thinks that it should be Hannah and the Ward family. Notice how she is standing in the front. :)

Random Pics

2009-04-22T16:23:00.009-05:00

Me and Eric

Abby, Bethany, and Seth

Sarah and Hannah

Granny and Bethany

Eric and Me

Abby, Me, Papa, Bethany, and Esther

Eric's sister, Elise, and Bethany

Flowers!

2009-03-26T20:41:00.019-05:00

More Blue Satin

2009-03-24T18:15:00.001-05:00

I got some more satin a couple of weeks ago. I am going to use it for my maid-of-honor's dress, the best man's tie, and Eric's tie. I really like it! I got this material for only $1 a yard!

My Youngest Sister, Bethany

2009-03-24T18:12:00.001-05:00

My Silly Little Brother

2009-03-24T18:01:00.003-05:00

Snow!

2009-03-01T16:37:00.018-06:00

Last night, it started snowing and by this morning we had 4 1/2 inches! The girls got up early and played in it before church, but Seth wasn't up. So, I took them out this afternoon so Seth could play some. I took a several pictures and decided to post a few (since I haven't posted in several weeks.) I was surprised that it snowed... I thought it was almost spring. But I'm glad the girls and Seth got to enjoy it.

Ain't he cute!?!

snowball fight

It's getting kinda rough.

"I got hit with a snowball!"

"Look, we made a snowman."

This is what happens when a snowman gets hit in the head. Abby wasn't too pleased with Seth after he did this.

The snowman was finally put back together again.

Abby and Seth playing on the trampoline in the snow.

Seth trying to make a snow angel.

Seth enjoying a cup of hot chocolate after playing in the snow.

Party Time!

2009-02-11T23:52:00.001-06:00

Last Sunday, after the evening service, we had a going away party for a dear lady in our church that is moving. Rebekah and I made a cake for her. We had somewhere to sing Sunday afternoon between church services and we also sang somewhere on Saturday night, so we ended up staying up very late to make this cake. I am surprised that it turned out at all... we stayed up till 4:00am!

Dutch Blitz!

2009-02-06T12:38:00.002-06:00

This is a video clip of one round of Dutch Blitz played by my sisters, Sarah, Hannah, and Abby, and Eric's brother, Travis. It is the funnest game I have ever played and we play it all the time. Sarah had a great time blitzing everybody else on this round. She was also the winner of the game.

Decision At Glady Fork

2009-01-27T17:51:00.000-06:00

Blog Anniversery

2009-01-27T08:44:00.002-06:00

Wow! I can't believe that it has been a year since I started my blog! I have really enjoyed blogging and I wish I had time to post more often. But, as many of you know, we stay pretty busy with going places and singing and playing. When we aren't gone, we need to be practicing. In a little while, we are going to be heading down to AL to sing at a senior's meeting at a church. I hope to be able to post some new pics in the next couple of days (maybe even later on today) and a video or two of the other girls playing their instruments.

Eager and Anxious

2009-01-27T08:43:00.002-06:00

El Cumbanchero

2009-01-27T08:43:00.001-06:00

Flop- Eared Mule

2009-01-27T08:41:00.000-06:00

Old Rugged Cross

2009-01-27T08:40:00.000-06:00

Videos. Finally!!

2009-01-26T19:38:00.004-06:00

I finally uploaded some new videos to YouTube. It took all day to upload them. Our computer is really stubborn!

"Eileen's Waltz"

BLITZ!

2009-01-05T12:43:00.007-06:00

I bought the game Dutch Blitz at CBD before Christmas. It is really a lot of fun to play. You don't take turns... everybody goes as fast as they can at the same time. I took these pics last night when they were playing. Sarah, Abby, Bethany, and I played the first round and Dad, Rebekah, Hannah, and Esther played on the second game. And the winner is.....ESTHER! Yall will have to guess who won the first game.

our scorekeeper, Sarah

Move as fast as you can!

My card was there first!

I've been blitzed!!

20 Yards of Light Blue Satin

2009-01-04T15:00:00.003-06:00

Friday, Rebekah, Mom, and I went to Fayetteville to Sir's Fabric store. I got the material that I needed for the bridesmaid and flower girl dresses. It was remnants off of other bolts. We had to search to find enough of the same exact color, but it was worth it. The satin was only $1.49 a yard! I am so glad that I found what I wanted and got it so cheap.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T15:38:00.002-06:00

Hope everyone is having a great day. Just wanted to write a quick post and tell yall what we are doing. We are having services at our church an hour earlier than usual. Right after the service we are leaving to go to a watchnight service in Athens. Us girls will be singing and Dad is going to be preaching along with a couple of other preachers. It is not very hard for us girls to stay up till midnight... it's normal for us! (We stay on a pretty late schedule because of our singing and it's hard to get out of a routine.) What are yall doing for New Years?

My Family

2008-12-30T00:23:00.003-06:00

It is hard to get a good picture of our whole family. There are so many of us that we are rarely all looking the same direction at the same time! This picture is an exception. This was took when we were on vacation in Arizona. We used it for our Christmas cards this year.

l to r- Rebekah, Me, Sarah, Esther, Abby, Hannah, Mom, Bethany, Dad, and Seth

Fun with Friends

2008-12-30T00:02:00.008-06:00

Some friends of ours came over for the evening. We fixed bbq sandwiches and potato soup for supper. We all had a great time.

Esther, her friend Hannah, Rebekah and Hannah's friend, Sydney

Esther's friend, Hannah

Hannah and Sydney

Esther and Hannah

Samuel and his girlfriend, Sarah

The younger girls and Seth got a trampoline for Christmas. They all had a lot of fun jumping on the trampoline. That's a lot of people on there at once. It's a wonder they had room to jump!

The Decorating of Our Lovely Christmas Tree

2008-12-28T22:37:00.005-06:00

We couldn't get a tree until we got back from Arizona, so there were only a few left to pick from. Ours looked really bare!

Esther, inspecting our tree.

Hannah, putting the star on top. She really can't reach, but at least she's trying.

Seth got to help put the ornaments on the tree this year.

Up In the Air

2008-12-28T22:30:00.002-06:00

On the way home, me and Sarah got to sit in seats that overlook the left wing. I took a couple of pictures, but I'm not sure where we were when I took them. It was my first time to fly and I really enjoyed it.

I'm Back to Posting!

2008-12-28T22:13:00.008-06:00

We went to Arizona at the first of December. I took a lot of pictures while we were there. We got to go see the Grand Canyon. It is awesome! Here is some pictures from the Grand Canyon and some mountains. The sunset is so beautiful!

More Old Pics

2008-12-03T14:58:00.006-06:00

Thought yall might enjoy looking at some old pics I found today. Don't we look a lot different?

Papa and Dad (and Rebekah)

Papa reading a book to me and Rebekah.

Papa and Rebekah

me, Granny, and Rebekah

Me with Granny and Papa

Papa holding Bethany

Guess What!

2008-11-16T13:24:00.003-06:00

Just wanted to write a quick post to let everybody know that me and Eric are engaged. You'll probably be hearing all about the wedding plans in future posts. I want to make my wedding dress, the bridesmaids dresses and the flower girl dresses. I should have plenty of time to get it done. If anybody has any tips on planning weddings, I'd be glad to get some advice.

Pics From Our Visit To Florida

2008-11-05T16:44:00.008-06:00

Doing what we like to do best... eating! LOL

Riding bikes in the dark.

Watch out!!!

Playing Spoons

Uncle George and Bethany playing Chess.

Aunt Jennifer and Abby trying to figure out how to play a game.

Story Time In the Beginners Sunday School Class

2008-10-20T11:10:00.006-05:00

I help out in the Sunday School class for 3-6 year olds. I really enjoy it. They are always saying something to make you laugh. Before telling the story, the teacher goes over what they have learned about in past weeks. Yesterday she was reviewing the story about when Jesus went to visit Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Here' s a little of the conversation we had.

teacher: There were two ladies in this story and they were

sisters. Can anybody remember their names?

girl: I know! I know! Adam and Eve!

teacher: No. I'll give you a hint. One was named Mary.

boy : Mary and Joseph!

another boy: Jesus! It's Jesus!

A Newspaper Article from March 1936

2008-10-07T11:59:00.005-05:00

This last week, we went to visit our grandparents. We had a great time! One thing we usually do when we are there is look at old pictures. While we were looking through the pictures, Granny and I found a copy of an article from a newspaper. I thought it was interesting and yall might enjoy reading it. It is about Granny's family.

Covington County
Man 32, Wife 30, Have 12 Children

(Reprint from the Covington County Star Newspaper, March 1936)

Mrs. Dell O'Neal Hart, in charge of the Covington County Welfare worker told a representative of The Star of a most interesting case which came under her observation this week. The case in point was that of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Thomason who live on Andalusia, Route 4, on a small farm which they rent from the owner who lives in Opp, Al. The husband is 32 years old and the wife 30.

Twins born to them on Feb. 29th, making twelve children in the family, the oldest of which will be twelve years of age on March 16th. Three of the children were to young to walk.

The father owns a cow and as ox, with the latter he does his plowing and cultivates his crop. He has managed to keep the wolf from the door and Mrs. Hart says he has not been on the relief rolls for the past two or three years. This does not mean that they have an abundance or even a reasonable plenty of anything. In fact, Mrs. Hart reports that none of the children have had shoes or stockings for the whole winter. Some of the children have attended the neighborhood school fairly regularly, Mrs. Hart stated, but she was at a loss to know how it was managed.

The mother is 30 and who looks to be much younger, according to Mrs. Hart's report she has given birth to ten children in the last nine and one-half years. Mrs. Hart has stated that Mrs. Thomason has not been attended by a physician at the time of the birth of the last six children.

On visiting this home, Mrs. Hart carried clothes for the children along with groceries and canned goods which she felt would supply a need that the parents would not mention.

Mrs. Hart states that the roof of the house leaks and that the beds have to be moved when it rains.

A roster of the children shows their names and birthdays as follows:
Clyde Maxwell, born March 16,1924
Randolph, born April 25, 1925
William Earl, born July 7,1926
Sybil Louise, born April 28, 1928
Jessie Lee, born May 1, 1929
Lillian Mae, born May 6, 1930
Ennis and Dennis (twins), born April 24, 1932
Edna Merle, born October 23, 1933
Eugene, born January 12, 1935
Mabel and Mavis (Granny) (twins), born February 29, 1936

Children born after this article was printed:
Gerald, born March 6, 1937
Ernest and Bernest (twins), born July 31, 1940
Elizabeth, born August 10, 1941
Margaret, born September 3, 1942
Gail, born July 15, 1946

a total of 18 children

Me and Eric

2008-09-22T23:42:00.008-05:00

Sarah put 'bunny ears' on me in this picture, but unlike Bethany, I was nice and didn't hurt her. (If you haven't read Rebekah's story about Bethany and what she thinks about 'bunny ears' you ought to!)

Just Jamming

2008-09-22T23:39:00.001-05:00

The Banjo Pickers

2008-09-22T23:38:00.001-05:00

Sarah and Joshua

2008-09-22T23:30:00.003-05:00

Cutting Hair

2008-09-22T23:22:00.003-05:00

Last Thursday, I had a lot of stuff to get done. One of the things I needed to do is trim hair for several of my sisters. I had cut hair before, but I had never done any layering . I just trimmed Sarah's and Esther's hair, but Hannah wanted me to layer her hair. I really didn't want to do it cause I was afraid that I might mess it up. I took a picture so yall can tell me how you think it looks.

Workin' Hard

2008-09-18T14:22:00.004-05:00

This is a picture of Esther making some southern style sweet tea.

Abby is working hard to make her bed up. It's hard to make a full sized bed all by yourself. :)

This is Sarah working hard on her school work. She is trying finish soon so that she can graduate in November.

Random Pics

2008-09-17T12:14:00.012-05:00

I guess most of yall are wondering why I have been putting so many post on here lately, so I'll explain why. We have a lot of computer problems. We have several computers, but something is wrong with every one of them. Rebekah swapped the computers out for a short time so it makes it a lot easier for me to post. I don't how long this will last, but I'm going to try to post as much as I can. This is just random pics that I took yesterday. This is a picture of Seth. Lately, he has been closing his eyes really tight when I try to get a picture of him. He thinks he's really funny.

Hannah picking on her little sister, Esther.
Look at how calm Esther is, even though she is about to get it.

Rebekah doing what she likes best.

Hannah copying her big sister.

More Fall Decorations

2008-09-17T12:14:00.011-05:00

Yesterday I posted pics of the flower arrangements at the church. So today I decided to post some pics of the arrangements that I made for the fellowship building. This is one of the smaller ones.

This is the big one. I put it in the center of the serving table.

Old Pics

2008-09-16T14:13:00.007-05:00

I thought some of yall might enjoy seeing some old pictures of us girls. This is Abby and Bethany in January 2005.

Here's a picture of me practicing mandolin when we were at our
grandparents house in March 2005.

This is Esther at Mule Day 2005.

Sarah and Bethany
June 2005

Hannah
June 2005

Beka
April 2005

Happy Birthday, MOM!

2008-09-16T14:02:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was Mom's birthday. Beka and I made a birthday cake for her. Actually, she did more of the work than I did. She baked the cake, made the icing, and frosted the cake. All I did was decorate it. As you can tell from the pictures, I have a little ways to go on getting my vines to look exactly right. The roses didn't do to well cause they didn't have time to dry before I put them on the cake. The writing was so easy this time. I usually take a long time and still don't get the writing like I want it. This time I got it on the first try!

Fall Decorations

2008-09-16T13:42:00.008-05:00

Last Sunday was Homecoming at our church so we thought we it would be nice if we got some new flower arrangements and fall decorations for the church. A lady in the church bought the supplies and I put them together with the help of some of my sisters.This is a small decoration on one of the shelves.

I made two of these arrangements. They are at the front of the church.

Then I added leaves around the base. Here's a picture of the finished product.

Cakes

2008-09-08T23:18:00.005-05:00

.

I thought yall might like to see some of the cakes that me and Rebekah made this summer. I think we made these back in June. Both the ice cream cone cake and the baseball cake were for children in our church that were having birthdays.

What In The World!?!

2008-09-08T20:32:00.002-05:00

Can anyone guess what type of fruit this is?

I'm Posting Again!

2008-09-08T17:35:00.005-05:00

Hey everybody! Sorry I haven't posted any pictures in a while. I've started courting since last time I posted and I've been busy. : ) I don't have a lot of time right now, so I'm just gonna post one picture of me and Eric. (Maybe I'll get around to posting more later.)

A Video! Finally!!!

2008-06-20T23:05:00.002-05:00

Birthday Cakes

2008-06-18T22:28:00.005-05:00

I am posting some pics of the cakes that Rebekah and I made for Hannah and Bethany for their birthday. They didn't look near as nice as when I finished them cause we had to cover them and some of the frosting was smashed on Bethany's cake and some strings broke on Hannah's guitar cake. I didn't have time to replace the strings before we ate it, but it was delicious anyway.

Pictures of My Sisters

2008-06-18T22:07:00.006-05:00

We went to sing at a church in Fayetteville in between services at our church. The church building was really pretty on the outside and Sarah wanted me to take some pictures of her. I ended up taking as many as I could before it was time to leave.

Freedom Is Not Free

2008-05-25T21:21:00.003-05:00

Our soldiers work hard
Day after day
Serving our country
Not for the pay
But for freedom that's not free

For them we must pray
So faithfully
Because they all fight
Very bravely
For freedom that's not free

Many give their lives
Unreservedly
Knowing some don't care
And folks don't see
That freedom is not free

We should have respect
And much honor
For all those who fight
And remember
That freedom is not free

-Rachel

Pickin' the LouZee Banjo

2008-05-23T15:47:00.003-05:00

I made this video a couple of weeks ago, but I just haven't had the chance to post it... until today. This is Sarah playing "Train 45." It's one of the songs that she likes to play in banjo competitions.

Esther Fiddlin' Around

2008-05-11T20:55:00.002-05:00

Actually, I think she did a pretty good job. Sorry it took so long for me to post it. Hope yall enjoy it! I'll get the video of Sarah posted in a couple of days...hopefully.

Pictures of My Silly, Little Brother

2008-04-10T21:16:00.004-05:00

I took this pic the other night when I took the videos. Seth was exclaiming about something and when we started laughing at him, he really played it up.

I took these pics when he was playing outside the other day. When he plays outside, he hates to come in for a nap. Sarah was pulling him around in his trailer and wagon. She didn't even notice that he was asleep until I pointed it out. He sure enjoys playing outside! The first thing he said when he woke up was, "My stick!" I guess he was worried that he had lost it.

Bethany Playing Her Mandolin

2008-04-10T20:51:00.003-05:00

I also took this video of Bethany playing her mandolin on Sunday night. She played "The Girl I Left Behind Me." I have no idea why she picked this song to play. She rarely ever plays it... at least that I know of.

If yall like for me to post videos, please let me know by leaving a comment.

Abby Playing Her Guitar

2008-04-10T20:36:00.002-05:00

I took this video of Abby playing her guitar last Sunday night. She played "Red Haired Boy." She has played this song in several of the guitar competitions that she has entered.

The Children Sing in Church Again

2008-04-06T15:38:00.003-05:00

The children sang in church again this morning. They sang "Alive, Alive" and "Mary's Little Lamb." I taped this song today because I didn't get the whole song on Easter. I took this one from the other side of the church so you could see all of them, but you still can't see the girls very well. I might try a different angle next time they sing.

Seth Destroys a Building

2008-04-03T10:11:00.003-05:00

A block building that is. This is really funny. I guess he didn't see me video taping him. I was just going to try out the black and white video setting on my camera and I was going to delete the video when I was done. I usually don't have my camera when he does something funny. I cut it off to soon, also. Right after I cut it off he sat back and said, "OH NO!" Abby and Bethany weren't to pleased when they found out what happened to their building.

Easter pics

2008-04-01T22:52:00.003-05:00

Rebekah and I both tried to get some good pics of the girls and Seth after we got home from church. It was a hard thing to do. All Seth wanted to do is ride his bike. In this pic he is saying that we can take just one more. He wouldn't quit acting silly. The other girls told him that if he was good for the pictures that they would give him marshmallows. He loves marshmallows!

Singing "Mary Had A Little Lamb"

2008-04-01T22:31:00.002-05:00

I took this video of the children singing at church on Easter. I think they really did a good job on this song.

the little songleader

2008-02-17T19:47:00.005-06:00

Finally, after much trial and error, I have a video of Seth!!!
It took a long time to load. Hope yall enjoy it as much as I do.

Seth Has A Mustache

2008-02-17T15:25:00.003-06:00

My little brother has a mustache already and he's not even very old!! LOL!! It only happens when he eats Oreo cookies. He knew from the first time we gave him an Oreo that you are supposed to open it up and eat the creme out first. And no one showed him how to do it! We give him one and he'll say, "Open it up, please."

A Game of 'Go Fish'

2008-02-17T15:09:00.004-06:00

I'm sorry that I haven't posted anything in a while. I've been trying to get a video of Seth on here. I'll figure it out one of these days. Here's some pictures I took when our grandparents were here a few weeks ago. Bethany and Abby were playing a game of 'Go Fish' with Papa. Bethany thought she ought to win because it was her game. LOL.

Snow

2008-01-30T22:13:00.001-06:00

It snowed here several weeks ago (before I set up my blog). It wasn't very much, but the girls enjoyed playing in it. Everything was pretty much melted by the next morning, except the snowball that Bethany made.

Abby

Bethany

Seth

Seth's Birthday

2008-01-27T15:19:00.001-06:00

Here are a few pictures that I took of Seth on his birthday. He was too excited to sit still for a picture. : )

First blog post!!!

2008-01-27T15:07:00.000-06:00

I am so excited to have a blog! I'm planning to post a lot of pictures on here and maybe some videos, too. (If I can figure out how to do it.) LOL! So I hope yall enjoy it...and please leave a comment.