White Christmas in Bham 2010



Doug was examining his new backpack when he turned and said, "Hey, it's snowing!



Doug at the back of the house in the snow.



We couldn't believe that it was snowing on Christmas morning in Birmingham. It is 12:45 pm and still snowing!  The front of our house in the snow!

We've had snow every winter we've been in Birmingham, but it usually comes in February or March.  So unusual to have a white Christmas.  Hope that you and yours are warm and happy whereever you are and whatever your weather. Merry Christmas!



Bruce, Sheryl, Ernie, Doug and Pepper



Doug's First Day at College

I have a picture of Doug on his first day of kindergarten. He is this tiny little boy with a red and yellow back pack looking kind of scared but excited. Well, here's a picture of him when we dropped him off at Univ of Alabama last Saturday. All grown up and looking like he can take on the world. I sure miss that little boy.

St. Augustine Vacation

We had a wonderful time staying on St. Augustine Beach and got to see all of our neighbors from Cimarrone. Doug went surfing and Marsha joined us for a few days too! We all got together at Caddy Shack and celebrated Bruce's birthday a little early. Miss these folks so much. Can't believe how the kids have grown!

Going Away Soon

The day gets closer and closer. We are hoping to have dinner next Wed with all our old friends from Cimarrone. They aren't old, but boy we are. Bruce turns 60 in Sept. Never thought I'd be sleeping with a sixty year old man!

Doug moves into his dorm on the 14th of Aug. I never thought I would be so attached to another human being that I would feel this way. I'm sure it will get better, but ...

Really looking forward to the beach and walking and reading and just being for a few days.

UA Student & Parent Orientation

What a great place to go to college! I went to a very small school U. of W. Florida in Pensacola. While it was only 20 minutes from the beach it also had only 3000 students. Of course, this was in the dark ages so much has changed even there. We went to Bama on Wed and Thur for Doug's orientation and our edification into life on campus. It was exciting and wonderful! The campus is beautiful and big.

They separated us from Doug right away to let him know that he didn't have to hang with us for two days. He went to his programs and we went to ours. They spent a lot of time talking about letting go of our kids. Helicopter parents are not needed or wanted there. I guess I'm not the only one who wants to go with him. One Mom admitted that she was moving to Tuscaloosa to be near her daughter! So, I'm not so bad!

We got to see his Dorm, classrooms and hear professors speak. He got information about how to arrange his schedule and on the second day, got his final schedule from the on-line system. Back in the day, everything was paper and standing in line. No more, all done from a computer that spits out one piece of paper with your 1st semester on it.

We had dinner in the "dining hall" read: cafeteria, but the selections were amazing. There is an oriental station, a southern cooking station and of course a pizza bar. Wonderful barbque chicken pizza. Doug had met an Asian boy and they ate together, so Bruce and I were on our own. My favorite part was the warm apple pie with ice cream, I splurged!

After dinner, Bruce and I were sitting on a bench taking in the people walking by. Doug had gone to a pool party with his new friend, Andy, that was hosted by the welcoming committee. I looked up at a woman coming down the side walk. I knew right away that she was from Jacksonville, Fl. I accosted her with "Where are you from"? She said Jax, of course, so I told her that her son had gone to Swiss Point Middle School with Doug and that I had been Pres of the PTA there during there 7th grade year. She was very nice and her son said he remembered Doug.

Bruce was amazed at the kids and parents we met who said they had been to U of AL once, loved it and just had to go to school there. We met parents from VA, CA, WA, ID and Conn. When they asked for a show of hands of out of state parents, more than half were. It surprised us.

So another great Heen adventure is over, but we all had a wonderful time. Bruce and I are very excited, Doug rolls his eyes, and I have a "BAMA MOM" sticker on the back of my car.

Graduation 2010!!!

Doug and David had a great graduation party and then the final ceremony! We're so proud of you Doug. I remember the first day of kindergarten so well. How could it have gone so fast!

Senior Prom

Doug and Ashlyn made a very handsome couple last night. All the parents gathered at one house to take pictures. It is so hard to believe that all this high school stuff is winding down. I will miss it!

March already?

Dad is doing really well. Got good reports from the hip surgeon and the oncologist. He is back home in FWB and Gail is visiting. We had a great time in Biloxi with Doug's last travel hockey tournament. Got to see Mick and Marlene and enjoyed lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Judy and I went home to FWB for my high school reunion. Had a great time seeing some of my old classmates. Have to say that some had really let themselves go and that made me look pretty good.

Bruce and Doug leave for Lexington tomorrow to SETC. His theatre group will be performing their state winning play in the regional competition. Hope Doug has a great time. Enjoying my new job, lots of flexibility in the hours which helps.

New Year's Eve

Bruce and I were in New Orleans for New Year's Eve and the Sugar Bowl. We found this place on Canal Street where they had many Christmas trees and were making snow. The white dots in the picture are snow! Happy New Year!