Happy New Year 2011

1/1/11

First Day of the New Year 2011

We celebrated the year's end, New Year's Eve with friends & family. Our parents, Mark & his kids, The Thompson family, and neighbor Brady & his girlfriend. We had a lowcountry boil, appetizers, and marshmellows to roast on the fire. The kids ran wild, jumped on the trampoline & played the Wii, while the adults enjoyed the company, sitting around the fire & for the Gamecock fans -a ball game on TV.

SNOW! December 26, 2010

The weather man was calling for snow, but you can never count on it around here. But we woke up Sunday morning to some. It wasn't much, but the girls went out for a few minutes or until they had enough. I love snow, so it was a nice birthday surprise - it's my 34th Birthday.

We made it to church. Watched it snow all day....it was so beautiful but hardly any of it stuck. It was a nice way to spend my birthday & a Sunday afternoon. Then Ron took me to the movies to see Lil Fockers that night.

Christmas Day

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Christmas Day was full of family!

On Christmas morning, Am-Ma, Grandy, Jon, Ammy & Papa, Nana & P-Pa came over for breakfast - our traditional Great Grandma Lee's Sausage Biscuits, Breakfast Casserole & Donut-holes. Since we were up so early, we took a nap after everyone left. Then it was off to Nana & P-pa's for lunch & presents. Then back home to jump on the new trampoline and then we were off to Am-Ma & Grandy's for dinner. We had a crowd! On Grandy's (my daddy) side of the family was Uncle Charles & Aunt Janice, Aunt Donna & Uncle Rock, Cousin Pebbles & Jack and their daughter, Summer. On Am-Ma's side was Ma-Ma Jinx & Mr. Lloyd, Aunt Frank & Cousin Matt. And friend, Mark also joined us. The girls (Sophie, Summer & Emme) said the blessing for us & it was so sweet. All the food was so good. Then we played the chinese gift exchange by the fire. Grandy bought fireworks! We enjoyed the beautiful display and playing with the poppers & sparklers. After the crowd left we opened presents with Am-Ma, Grandy & Jon. We had a great day of love & family and then all sacked out early!

Santa Came!

We left Santa a Coke & some cookies...which I think he enjoyed.

And we found Roxy, with the most important thing on this Christmas Eve morning...holding baby Jesus, from the manger scene.

Sophie reading Santa's note telling her about one more surprise outside.

A trampoline!

Christmas Eve

The first half of Christmas Eve was spent at Doctor's Care with Sophie since her peditrician was closed. When we finally got home, we had to get the house ready for Santa and company for Christmas morning. So Ammy came and picked up the girls to entertain them while I cleaned house. Then we went over to Aunt Frank's - we have been going there Christmas Eve since I was about 2...about 1978.

Grandy & Jon brought giant sparklers to entertain the girls. Emme chased us all around with hers!

A Special Visit from Roxy - December 22, 2010

Roxy the Elf dropped off a special treat. Sophie seemed to have a cold and started running fever so Roxy left a little get well gift, a Junie B. Jones Christmas book -Sophie's favorite. And since Emme's behavior has been so much better, she got a surprise too - a coloring book, her favorite!

School Christmas Parties - December 17 & 18, 2010

For the girls Christmas Parties, I made these guys....

and they were a big hit....but never again! 50 snowmen take way too long to make...then they all start to lean.

Sophie's party was Dec. 17 and I made it by to help out with the party food & games.

Emmeline's party was Dec. 18th - the parents don't go, so I made these to give to her classmates.

Happy Birthday Am-Ma! - December 12, 2011

We celebrated Am-Ma's (my mom) 60th Birthday a day early because of Church Christmas programs & Christmas Parties....Since she wasn't too excited about 60, we didn't make it too big of a deal. Sophie was at one of her best friend's slumber party & Ron was hunting, so just me & Emme went - Just Am-ma, Grandy, Jon, me & Emme celebrated. Grandy cooked steaks and after we got our bellies full Am-Ma opened presents & blew out her candles...then we hung out in the living room by the fire. It was a nice & relaxing time.

Then on Sunday (Dec. 12), the girls were in the Children's Christmas Program at our church -Union UMC. Sophie was Gabriel, the angel. Her hair do' is courtsey of "Sparkles" from her friend's birthday party. Emmeline, was a dove. After the program, they had a birthday party for Jesus and brought food for the local food bank (CAP - Churches Assisting People). What a joy to see the kids celebrate our Lord!

Tree Decorating Time - December 7, 2010

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Tree Hunting - December 6, 2010

We got a late start this year on the tree, since we moved. We went to Crabtree Nursery this year to get our tree. Am-ma came along to get her's too...Sophie & Emme were not too interested because it was soooooo cold! We made it quick & got back in the warm truck!

Now, where are the lights & ornaments??! Still packed up somewhere!

Children's Christmas Program - December 5, 2010

Sophie was in the Children's Christmas Program at Trinity United Methodist Church - the church I grew up in and that my family goes to - she goes to the children's program "Big Fish Club" on Wednesday nights. The kids did wonderful and looked like they had a great time praising the Lord!

Sophie, you had a lot of people there just to see you: Momma & Daddy & Emme, Am-ma, Uncle Jon, Ma-Ma Jinx & Mr. Lloyd, Aunt Frank, Cousin Ellen, and Aunt Martha & Uncle Carlisle were here from Los Angles, CA.

Then that evening, the kids sang with the adult choir in the Christmas Cantata at Union UMC.

Moving Day......Again -December 3, 2010

Our new place is ready (except for a few things to still do) so here we go again. I wanted to get in before Christmas, so Ron has been super busy to make this happen! He is the best! Makes for a extra busy Christmas.

We Have a Visitor.....December 1, 2010

Roxy the Elf has returned !

Happy Birthday to an Inspiration

I have been following a blog "Life in Grace", for a little while now. Edie's wisdom, humor, insight, spirituality, and rawness of life brings a renewing, inspiration, and awakening to me. She brings me back into focus on Jesus, the one true importance of life. So, thank you Edie for sharing your talents & wisdom, your feelings & your life. You do so much for so many. God is truly using you as a witness and a shepherd.

I have never talked to you in-person or the internet/blog, but when I read of your tragedy, my heart ached for you. I felt pain for you & your family, like I have known you a lifetime. I recently lost my home that my husband built with his own hands, due to the economy. I know it is not the same, but it brought great pain. We throw ourselves into the arms of our Lord and take his hand....he will bring healing and direction, and comfort....I admire your strength....and that your did not cry for your material belongings & house, but you cried in thanksgiving that your family was safe & unharmed...Thanks be to God!

Happy Birthday and a Big Hug to you! You are a beautiful blessing to many and what a lucky family to have you. You and your family are in my prayers.