Okay folks... I've avoided this whole blog thing as long as I could... but the time has 
come for me to join in the fun! This first entry will serve as my Christmas letter this year (at least to those of you in the internet-savvy world!).
come for me to join in the fun! This first entry will serve as my Christmas letter this year (at least to those of you in the internet-savvy world!).This year, as most of you know, has been a roller coaster ride with many high peaks, but some low valleys too. Sadly, January 1st started off with the shocking news that my Mom, Mary-Jo Daughtrey passed away at the 
young age of 61. She struggled for many years with arthritis and diabetes, along with many other health issues. We know that she is in a much better place, free of pain, and for that, I am grateful, but we miss her more than words can say...
young age of 61. She struggled for many years with arthritis and diabetes, along with many other health issues. We know that she is in a much better place, free of pain, and for that, I am grateful, but we miss her more than words can say...
March brought much happier times with our first trip to Disney World with the girls. We stayed at a Disney Resort - Coronado Springs and packed in as much excitement as we possibly could in 7 days! The kids were right at the perfect age to thoroughly enjoy everything all the parks had to offer!
We also moved my brother back to Greensboro from Houston. I have SO enjoyed having him nearby. I feel that we've really formed a closer bond and hope that he stays put here for awhile.While at Disney, Jessica asked when we could take our next vacation... a cruise! Well, that got us thinking seriously about a cruise vacation and we decided to go to the Western Caribbean aboard a Carnival Cruise Ship in just a few short weeks in January! We can't wait! I'll post a blog update about that when we get back!
Let's see... other events through the year... Colby (7) continues to jump rope with the Bouncing Bulldogs Jump Rope Team. She longs for the day when she can travel and compete with the team (you have to be in the 3rd grade and she's in 2nd this year). Jessica (9) found a new/re-visited love of horseback riding and ha
s started taking lessons at a small farm in Mebane with a fantastic instructor, Liz. Both girls are singing in the church choir and are involved in Girl Scouts.We still have a good number of pets... Emmy, our only remaining dog is 11, Jasmine (3) and Chloe (2) are our cats, Boots the bunny, and a new small tank of fish.
As for Ted and me... we're doing pretty well. Ted's still working at Capital Ass
ociates as their Building Maintenance Engineer and I've been at Duke Medical Center for 4 years now, working as one of many assistants to the Director of the Brain Tumor Center. I squeeze in photography when I can and even took up a home-study course through the New York Institute of Photography. I'm hoping that I'll learn some new tricks and maybe one day turn this hobby into a possible paying gig! Ted has many side jobs including another building he manages, as well as his balloon and magic business (http://www.tedstwistedballoons.com/). This year, for Halloween, he made me the most beautiful Cinderella dress made out of BALLOONS! I was (and probably still am!) the talk of the neighborhood! It took him an entire workday to finish his masterpiece!
ociates as their Building Maintenance Engineer and I've been at Duke Medical Center for 4 years now, working as one of many assistants to the Director of the Brain Tumor Center. I squeeze in photography when I can and even took up a home-study course through the New York Institute of Photography. I'm hoping that I'll learn some new tricks and maybe one day turn this hobby into a possible paying gig! Ted has many side jobs including another building he manages, as well as his balloon and magic business (http://www.tedstwistedballoons.com/). This year, for Halloween, he made me the most beautiful Cinderella dress made out of BALLOONS! I was (and probably still am!) the talk of the neighborhood! It took him an entire workday to finish his masterpiece!Other family news... I'm having a hard time watching from a distance my Grandparents' health decline. Grandpa's 95 and Grandma's 87. I just focus on the good times.... all the trips to their house in the summertime; learning how to bake, sew and make mud pies!
My Dad and Jan still live close-by in Durham and are available to watch the kids when we ask.
Ted's brother, Tim and wife Diane and family live just down the road. Their 
youngest daughter, Sarah, started Kindergarten at Jessica & Colby's school this year (New Hope) and has the same teacher that her older sister, Rebecca, had, as well as Jessica and Colby. Speaking of Rebecca... everyone clear the roads because this 15 1/2 year old now has her Learner's Permit!
youngest daughter, Sarah, started Kindergarten at Jessica & Colby's school this year (New Hope) and has the same teacher that her older sister, Rebecca, had, as well as Jessica and Colby. Speaking of Rebecca... everyone clear the roads because this 15 1/2 year old now has her Learner's Permit!
We went to Louisiana for Thanksgiving this year. We enjoyed 
visiting with all of Ted's 
family. Colby had a blast pretending to be a little Mommy, carrying around her twin 20 month old cousins!As for other family members... well, they can write their own stories, but all-in-all, everyone is doing well.
I'm sure there's lots more to write, but you're probably tired by now. So I'll close this blog with a Happy Holidays to everyone and to all a Good Night! Love, Heather
