Cmers

The girls had Winter Break in February and we headed to Texas. We were able to spend time in both Midland and Fort Worth. The girls loved seeing their extended family and familiar friends. While in Fort Worth we headed to our favorite Zoo! It brought back so many memories for us. We had family memberships to the FW Zoo since Ansley was a toddler. It is a place that we will always love. The gang watching the monkeys...not sure who the monkeys were.....

Ansley was able to spend some good time with her forever friend, Nathan. They have such a sweet bond. They can play and laugh and then argue like an old married couple, then play and laugh again. You can't really tell, but they are both toothless...too cute!

On the March 1st we came out of church to find SNOW. The girls were thrilled. It was the first snow of the season so they had lots of snowman making to do!

Check out Charlotte's pink cowboy boots...born a Texan...always a Texan!

We had a "first" this year with girl scout cookies. Ansley loved the door to door sales, but she really loved selling outside of Walmart! Who could resist, though! They sold ALL of their cookies in 1 hour!

Charlotte goes to preschool M/W/F so on Tuesdays we take advantage of Char and Mommy/Daddy time! We love to go to the park and we tried out a new one in Serenbe, GA. It is an awesome little community. We will be visiting often!

Happenings...

I wanted to put this picture in the last post, but ran out of town looking for it! Isn't it amazing how much they have grown!!

Craig brought back cute, colorful sweaters and hats from one of his trips to Quito, Ecuador.

Ansley is playing Upwards Basketball and is loving it! She is an excellent defensive player and makes her daddy proud :)

Ansley had a random day off from school and Charlotte still had preschool that day so we had a "mommy" day. We painted our nails and went to a tea house. So girly :)

January

Ok, I must admit that I have really slacked off on the blog. I have a new time waster..Facebook! I do promise to update every other week or so because at some point I want to make a blog book for my girls...because let's face it, this blog is truly about them :)

On Dec. 30, we headed to Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga for a festive garden and light tour. It was so beautiful and the girls really enjoyed the 45 minute tour of lights.

We also celebrated Barkley's 1st birthday. It is amazing how much he has grown in only one year. He has such a sweet disposition and the girls absolutely love him. I could have given him away several times during his early puppy days, but we persevered through puppyhood and now we can't imagine life without him. He continues to love running with the golf cart, barking at the deer and wrestling with the girls. He has never shown any aggression towards anyone even when Charlotte tries to ride him!

Christmas, 2008

We had a first here at the Cmer house...Craig was home on Christmas AND my family drove to PTC to celebrate Christmas with us! We had a total of 15 people staying at the house. The unfinished basement served as a bedroom and we had people in every other room of the house, except the kitchen. It was load of Fun! The TX crew had planned on driving a RV to PTC but, unfortunately it broke down an hour from Midland. They regrouped and left the following morining in two vehicles. We were thankful they made it!
The guys played basketball...


We split up into teams and had Gingerbread decorating contest. Each team thought they were the winners!



We headed to Shane's Rib Shack for some yummy pulled pork sandwiches...that's some good southern bar-b-que!

Lots of puzzles were put together... (but this one was especially challenging).






Lots of games of 42..

Santa came and visited and was so good to everyone! The girls were so excited to see so many presents under the tree.

(more to come)

December

We have had a busy December! Parties, parties and more parties. Charlotte had a Christmas program at her school and it was adorable. The kids sang Jingle Bells and other fun songs. Charlotte participated and loved waving to us in the audience!

Ansley had a party in her class and read a Thank you note to her teacher that brought tears to everyone's eyes. She has wonderful teachers and class this year.

Craig got his Christmas present early this year so we have had a couple of Karoke parties. His Karoke system is really nice, and everyone has really enjoyed it so far. We see many Karoke parties in our future!

I went to a cookie exchange and it was really fun, too!

Christmas Golf Cart Trail

We bundled up and headed out for our second year of the Christmas Golf Cart parade. Nana came for a visit and was able to go with us as well as one of my high school friends, who recently moved to PTC, three children. It was REALLY cold, but we enjoyed all the lights around Lake Peachtree and ended up at the PTC Christmas tree lighting. We came home and had hot chocolate, popcorn and watched a Christmas movie. Very fun night!

In Loving Memory

Pat Monroe Yocham, my sweet, gentle dad went to sleep and woke up in the prescence of Jesus. We are all shocked and deeply saddened, but have comfort knowing we will see him again in Heaven.

Pat Monroe Yocham, 76, of Midland, passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at home. Visitation was from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, November 20, 2008 at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 21, 2008 at the Golf Course Road Church of Christ in Midland with Ronnie White, officiating. Interment will follow at Rankin Cemetery in Rankin at 2:00 P.M., Friday, November 21, 2008.Pat was born February 24, 1932 in Rankin, Texas to Charlotte and B.F. "Pat" Yocham. He married Mary Alice Bean on December 31, 1953, in Carlsbad, New Mexico.He received a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Sul Ross University. He worked as a geologist/engineer in the oil and gas business, with time spent in Andrews, Kilgore, and Midland Texas. Pat and his family moved from Kilgore, Texas to Midland in 1977. Pat was always known as a faithful, dependable, fair, and trustworthy boss and employee, retiring in 1997. He moved from Kilgore, Texas to Midland in 1977. Recently, Pat was a member of Midland's Downtown Lions Club, Hospice and Senior Citizens. He loved playing bridge and dominoes, especially, in his words when he had some good competition. Most of all, he loved his grandkids and attended all of their activities. He was a member of Golf Course Road Church of Christ.In Pat's high school years he was a star athlete participating in football, basketball, and track at Eagle Pass High School. He had amazing toughness and speed as a star halfback and quarter-miler. Upon graduation from High School, his family moved to Rankin, Texas. Pat met the love of his life, Mary Alice Bean in Dallas, when friends from Rankin were visiting her.Pat and Mary commenced to working, and raising their five children. This was a life-long dedication for Pat and he never wavered from being a living example of Christ to his family and all those he came in contact with. Pat exemplified many fruits of the Spirit and he will truly be missed.
Survivors include his wife, Mary of Midland; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Jim Benson of Midland; daughter and son-in-law, Patti and Tim Prude of Midland; son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Becca Yocham of Midland; son, Scott Yocham of Midland; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Craig Siemer of Atlanta, Georgia; brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Modene Yocham of Rankin; brother, Norman Yocham of Rankin; brother and sister-in-law, Biff and Judi Yocham of Houston; sister-in-law, Cleta Beeman of Cleburne; 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild: Tiffany & Brandon Benson, Will Prude & Amanda Collier and her husband Jared; Ryan Yocham and his wife Shelly, Jason & Katie Yocham; Ansley & Charlotte Siemer; and Caleb Collier.Pallbearers will be Todd Yocham, Scott Yocham, Jim Benson, Tim Prude, Craig Siemer, Brandon Benson, Will Prude, Ryan Yocham, and Jason Yocham. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Yocham, Norman Yocham and Biff Yocham.Memorials may be directed to Community and Senior Services in Midland, Midland Christian School, or Golf Course Road Church of Christ.

We thank you for all your love, support and prayers.