Merry Christmas
Wow what week this has been. I have been working from home since Monday with Audrey in tow. She is out of school all week. Thankfully Mary Catherine has been here with us to lend me a hand. We are getting ready for Santa to arrive at the Fendley house. Audrey is so funny, she is so excited. She has told just about everyone she has come in contact with that Santa is coming to her house.

I somehow pulled or twisted, or I don't know what, but I have really hurt my knee. I'm limping around everywhere I go and Audrey now says her knee is hurting and is limping right along with me. She calls hers a boo boo.

Ward and I have been working on getting everything ready for our first really big Christmas morning with Audrey. She has agreed that Santa will need all of her bottles tonight in order to get them back to the North Pole in time to prepare them for all the babies that will be born tonight. She placed 3 cookies on her snowman plate and poured Santa a cup of milk. We decided that since this will be Santa's third visit to our house, 3 cookies would be great. She was very eager to get to sleep so that Santa would be sure to visit.

Tomorrow morning we will blessed to see the excitement on our precious baby girl's face. We are having family over for dinner tomorrow afternoon, and then my sister and I are going to my Aunt Renee's house to visit for a while.

Today as I was cleaning and dusting pictures I showed a picture of my daddy to Audrey. This was our conversation:

Me: Do you know who this is?
Audrey: No I don't know who he is.
Me: This is your Papa Tom, he's my daddy and he loves you to pieces.
Audrey: Where does he live?
Me: He lives in heaven with Jesus.
She smiled the most prettiest smile and said Papa Tom loves me to pieces? With a really tight hug, I said he really does.

The picture I am talking about was taken at my grandmothers house 12 years ago. It was Christmas Eve, and our last Christmas with him. He passed away one week later. My conversation with Audrey gave me a really large lump in my throat, but I was able to hold back my tears for her sake. I miss my daddy everyday, and this time of year really amplifies my sadness. I know my daddy is happy and I know that he is with me, just as I felt him with me today while I was talking to Audrey. I sang "Silent Night" to Audrey after our discussion. This is my daddy's favorite Christmas carol. It was almost like I could hear him singing in heaven. I love you Daddy, and I miss you so badly, Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends. Our Christmas wish for all of you is a safe and wonderful holiday season. Our family is so very blessed for the family and friends we have in our lives. We have a new year approaching us, and pray all of you will prosper with riches of love in 2009.

Love to all,

The Fendleys

Audrey loves her swing, need I say more?

My Whole World

Nanny's Christmas

I hosted our "3rd Annual Nanny's Christmas Party" at my house this past weekend. For years my grandmother did this every Christmas Eve at her house. Now she has past the reins to me, and I am so honored. My party should never be compared to Nanny's...she really did it up great. Growing up having our Christmas' at Nanny's is a childhood memory I am so thankful to have. We were all little boys and little girls, and now we are all men and women with families of our own. The crowd isn't nearly as big as back in day, but with each year, it gets larger. Our extended family is gigantic and with all of us having our own obligations, like the block parties, school functions, that thing called work, etc., it is nearly impossible for all of us to get together at the same time. But, this year the crowd was more than last, and who knows, next year could be bigger.

Ward made is almost famous chili. This was all his idea, and by every body's reaction, this will perhaps become a tradition. Everyone brought a dish that somehow, everyone loved. We had a lot of food, but hardly any left overs. (i must confess, I stashed ME a bowl of chili for later.) Kathy I never did find Nanny's famous fudge you were looking for I wonder who gobbled it up?

Audrey was on her best behavior, I think because my cousins little boy Aiden, not yet two, was in full swing. He is the cutest thing, and appears to be on a mission with every step he takes. He is truly a boy. He fell, he climbed, he slid, he banged his head and never cried the first tear. I heard my sister say to my cousin Chris, "You don't have to worry about him not being able to fend for himself...he is tough." That he is. He finally tired out and fell asleep in Audrey's bed.

Dummy me, I left my camera at the office, and was in a complete panic, but thankfully Mary Catherine had hers and snapped some pretty good pictures of everyone. I should have my camera surgically attached to my side somehow.

We had the best time this year. We ate a lot, we laughed a million laughs, we heard the same stories again, and enjoyed watching Nanny open her presents. The party came to an end, and I must say, I was kind of sad. I wasn't ready for everyone to go home. I'm already thinking of things to do next year.

Merry Christmas to all of my wonderful family. I am so blessed to have you in my life. I love all of you so very much.

Happy Birthday Mary Catherine
Mary Catherine is now a teenager. She turned 13 this past Saturday, December 6. Ward, Audrey, and I took Mary and two of her friends to lunch at San Miguel's. The waitress' put this big pink sombrero on her head, and smeared her face with whipped cream while singing Happy Birthday to her. I can remember the day Mary was born, and all the funny things she has done and said throughout the years. She has really grown into a beautiful young lady. Happy Birthday Mary, I love you.

Making Daddy Pretty
This is what happens when a 2 year old is bored. While I was cooking dinner last night, Ward was in charge of entertaining Audrey. Her interest in make-up is apparent as you can see. I'll give it to Ward, he was a real sport. I had no idea this was going on, but imagine my out burst with laughter. Audrey came into the kitchen, grabbed my hand, and said she made daddy pretty. Such a funny little girl.

All in the Family

My niece and nephew both attend Little Flower Catholic School, and are in the 7th grade together. Their school project this year was a "Geography Project." Each student had to select a country and create a tri-board, with lots of graphics and information. Mary Catherine chose Italy, and Thomas chose Ireland. I am so proud to announce that they both placed and won ribbons for their projects. Mary took first, and Thomas took third. Now I am certain that with this bloodline, Audrey will ace this in about 10 years. Check out these prize winning projects...

Thomas'

Mary's

Happy Thanksgiving 2008

This is truly my favorite time of year, my favorite holiday, the beginning of getting together with family and friends, hearing the same stories all over again, and making new memories to be shared next time.

We started our Thanksgiving holiday Tuesday by celebrating my nephew's 14th birthday. At his request, we gathered at "Shogun" a hibachi bar. This is always fun. We watched and applauded as our chef showed off is incredible skills in cooking the best ever Japanese food. Thomas got a set of drums for his birthday. A full set of drums, big drums, loud drums. I can't wait to hear his music.

Thanksgiving Day-We had our family over for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Our group was smaller this year, but still fantastic. We had all the trimmings. After dinner, we went to the cemetery to wish my dad a happy holiday. Later that evening, Ward and I decided that we wanted to have a date. Lindsay, came over to play with Audrey. While I was primping, Audrey got into my makeup without me realizing...just look at the picture. I think she was right on target. We had a blast dancing the night away.

Friday the three of us went for lunch and a drive around town. We both were in agreement to skip shopping. After our drive we headed home for a well needed nap. My sister and I went to my Aunt Renee's house to play cards and visit with Nanny. We had wine and snacks, and whole lot of fun.

Saturday, Ward cooked us breakfast, and afterwards we took Audrey in for her Christmas portraits. She was absolutely beautiful. She was right on target with her smiles. She wore a gorgeous red velvet dress, with cream tights and matching bow. She was out of this world precious.

Look out War Eagle's, here we come. Was that just the best game of the decade or what? Go Bama!! Ward joined a few of his friends for the game and fun. I opted to stay home with Audrey. After all the festivities, I was pretty tired. I believe they call this a total "Shut Down".

Sunday, nothing exciting, we just stayed around the house for most of the day and did a whole lot of nothing. We needed get ready to get back to work.