#1 For Awhile ~ Arizona & My Grandbabies

Well as you probably all know we DID BEAT Memphis and became #1 in the polls but then turned around on Tuesday and lost to Vandy. Hopefully the boys will bounce back from this and put it into high gear for the tournament. GO VOLS!!!

We had a fabulous time in Arizona. It was so nice to get away from the cold. Platinum treated us like royalty. A different gift was waiting for us in our room every night when we got back. I couldn't wait to get back to the room each night.

We went to the botanical gardens and it was so neat to see all the different cacti and how they flower. Our guide was a very nice looking older man ~ hubba hubba.

And the awards dinner is always fun because you really get to dress up and act all important ~ haha. It was a grand time, but never long enough.

Here are a couple new pics of our grandkids. We are leaving for Tennessee on Friday after work and going down for the Kentucky game on Sunday at noon and driving back after the game so we can be to work on Monday. Wish us luck, we are way too old for this kind of thing but we need a grandchild fix really bad. And of course we want to see those VOLS!

BIG DAY FOR THE SHAY'S

Well tomorrow is a "Big Day" for the Shay family. John and I fly out at 6:00 am (that's right 6 am) for Scottsdale AZ. Warmth here we come!!! I can't wait, I'm sooooooooo tired of being cold.

And of course the "Big Game" is tomorrow. GO VOLS!!!! Let's beat those Memphis Tigers. Zach is going to support his brother. As a matter of fact he is on his way to Memphis as I write this.

I'll let you know how our trip went when get back along with pictures. Take care ya'all.

SWEET #2

The Tennessee VOLS got their highest ranking yet, #2 in the nation!!!!! Whoppee what a season. Let's keep it going boys!!

The VOLS take on the Memphis Tigers this Saturday at Memphis, 8:00 p.m. central time on ESPN. Memphis of course is ranked #1, so it should be a great matchup 1 vs 2.

Please root for those VOLS, it is going to be a very tough game but hopefully we can come out on top.

GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!

Grandkids videos

I was just playing with how to download videos on this site and I figured it out. Here are 2 videos I recorded when we were at the NCAA tournament in March of 2007. These are 2 of my favorites. The innocence of children, there is nothing like it.

Joah in the swimming pool

Peija & Joah swimming

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASON SHAY

Today is Jay Shay's birthday, it seems like yesterday he was just a little boy. It was a wonderful day then and he has made us proud every day since. Enjoy your day son!!!

Those VOLS won again on Wednesday over Arkansas. I could rest a little easier this time they won by 22.

My sweet babies Peija & Joah called us last night to thank Papa and me for the Valentines Day gifts. What precious children and how sweet they were in thanking us. Joah always talks to me awhile but then wants Papa to talk about baket-ball (somehow the "s" is missing). He loves when Papa plays with him. Peija sounds so grown-up, I hate it. She was telling me about her party at school. We love you both soooooooo very much.

Zach is apartment hunting and getting ready for the Spring game. College football never ends, there is always something to keep you busy. It is nice when all of your hard work pays off in the fall. It is nerve-racking when your future lies in the hands of 18, 19 & 20 year old kids.

Beau is doing an externship at Cook County Hospital right now. He was there for a month last summer and enjoyed it. He is getting ready for his last time of boards next month. Beau and Jen are keeping busy with her basketball season and with all their friends in the Chicago area.

John and I leave next Saturday Feb. 23rd for Scottsdale AZ. John won the trip through his job. We are so looking forward to getting out of this cold weather for awhile. It is always nice when it is on someone elses money too.

Lastly, our thoughts and prayers go out to those families who lost loved ones in the NIU shootings. They go out as well to the students who witnessed such horror. We pray that God watches over all of us in these times of such turmoil in our world.

MOVIN' ON UP

The VOLS moved up in the rankings yesterday to 4th place. They had wins last week over Florida and LSU. The LSU game was really scary, they won on a last few seconds steal and layup. Zach was able to go to this game so that was nice for the 2 brothers. Wednesday (Feb. 13th) they play Arkansas, Jason's scout again. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

This Friday Feb. 15th is Jason Shay's birthday!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON, WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SIGNING DAY, A HUGE WIN & A BIRTHDAY!!!

Today February 6th is "Signing Day" for college football, so needless to say it is a busy day for Zach. They will have a party at a resturant to announce the class of 2008. It is an exciting day for young men all over the country who have committed to colleges of their choice. It is also an exciting day for the "Recruiting Coordinator."

Last night the VOLS had a huge win against Florida 104-82. It was really a close game up until the end and then the VOLS just exploded. Chris Loften had 26 pts., JaJuan Smith 23 and Tyler Smith 23. This was Jason's scout, we love when they win when it is his scout. He only has 6 of the last 10 games left. It is definitely his forte.

Yesterday February 5th was my birthday and oh what a birthday it was. My family and friends made it extra special. My friends at work (Mary, Joanie, Peggy, Diane, April, Lindsey, JoAnne, Mary Ann and Darlene) put together the most fantastic luncheon for me and were way too generous with their gifts. Thank you so much girls!! And to top the day off Mary & Joanie took me to Applebees for supper. I wish John could have been here but work calls. He definitely made up for it with gifts.

BIG WINS, RECRUITING, FUN IN CHICAGO & DINNER WITH FRIENDS

The VOLS are still going strong, on Tuesday 1/29 they beat Alabama and yesterday 2/2 they beat Mississippi State. Both were road wins which is always a plus. They are now 19-2, one win away from that magical number 20 to go the "Big Dance."

Zach has been all over recruiting. He has been to Georgia (his old stomping grounds), Tennessee and all over the state of Mississippi. He has commitments from quite a few players and is pleased with his results. We hope it turns into big points come Fall.

Beau is home from New Jersey. He had a good experience out East. Jen was glad he was back in Chicago. Beau & Jen teamed up with Aunt Debbie, Uncle Jim, Nathan & Carly this weekend and had a great time. They all went to Jen's game and then celebrated the win all night long.

John and I had a good weekend, we went to dinner with friends Mary & Gary Buckingham on Friday and watched the VOLS on Saturday and of course today is the Super Bowl. A simple life but one that us old folks really enjoy!!

We miss and love you Peija Lee and Joah Thomas!!!!!

Have a good week one and all!!!!

GETTIN' READY FOR THE "BIG DANCE"

CAN'T WAIT UNTIL FALL!!!!!!

TAKING CARE OF FEET

DINING WITH FRIENDS