Happy New Year's 2011

This year we spent NYE at home, just the 4 of us. It was great. The kids had a special count down at "midnight" (or 9 o'clock), and they had hot chocolate with New Years crackers and we had homemade boiled custard thanks to Walter's Mom. It was so fun. Needless to say we didn't make it until midnight, but the night was still really special!

Christmas Fun! 12/25/2010

This Christmas was really great. Once of the best that I can remember. We were home and had snow on Christmas night. It was wonderful! The kids really enjoyed it and truly understood the real meaning of Christmas. Christmas Eve we went to church at Carmel Baptist and had Walter's parents with us. It was great to be so relaxed on Christmas and have everyone together!

Christmas Eve at Carmel Baptist Church!







Kids dressed up in a natvity scene at church.


Sweet friends...Carson and Payton Ethridge


Brekfast with Santa at Del Frisco's


This guy sealed the deal this year...priceless!


Gigi & Boppy with the grandchildren
Ann Elizabeth-7, Jon Paul-4, Walter-4





Santa gift. Thank goodness it didn't start snowing until later that night!


Our sweet family!


SNOW!! It started on Christmas night and this is what we woke up to!















Me and my sweet hubby!!

Kiawah Marathon!

I did it!! 26.2 miles. Finally complete after training for 4 1/2 months. It felt great to complete it. Once I was finished I said that I would never do it again...however, I would love to do it again before I turn 35 and beat my time from this one!

Walter and the kids came and stood in the rain and cold for 5 1/2 hrs. They were at every turn and spectator spot cheering me. I couldn't have done it with out them!

Here is come....across the finish line. I actually finished in 5hrs and 10min chip time!

Us all after the race.

My gift from Walter and the kids when I was done!

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving was so fun this year. We had parties at the kids school and then traveled to Atlanta to be with W's parents. It was great to get together with family and friends and celebrate all that we have to be thankful for.

The kids brought their own "costumes" to wear for Thanksgiving dinner and they were a huge hit. They even gave all the guest a little lesson on all the fun facts that they had learned in school: pilgrims, food they ate, Indian's, Mayflower and Plymouth Rock. It was great and of course Walter and I were super proud.

A Little Jesus for my pocket

Today has been a day of trials for sure. I just found out that best friend is moving to Japan next year instead of back to the states, the kids were soooooo testing me on the way to school (and on the way home for that matter) and Little W had to sit in the "thinking chair at school (the comment from his teacher was..."we have had to use his name more today than we have all year.") What an exhausting day. Seems minor but with big W out of town it just escalates everything.

Then...this happened this afternoon.

Me: "Walter what do you have in your hand?"

W: "Baby Jesus."

Me: "Why are you carrying around baby Jesus from the nativity set?"

W: Because I love him and want him with me all the time."

I think that just took the icing on the cake and made all the memories of the bad behavior wash away. He is so sweet and has such a sweet heart.

Wouldn't it be great if we could fit Jesus in our pocket and carry him around with us? This really made me refocus and rethink that we need to be more in tune with Christ so that he is with us all the time. What would I do without him? Was me running late this morning Him preventing me from being in the wreck at the front of the neighborhood? What does He do all day that I don't even notice?

I want a little Jesus to put in my pocket and carry with me! Yes he is in my heart, but it would be so cool to have a mini one to have in my pocket to pull out on days like today!!!

My baby Girl is 7!!

Wow......7yrs have gone by so quickly. I cant believe that my sweet precious first born in now 7. She is such a joy. She loves the Lord. has a heart of gold and one of compassion. She is energetic, funny, silly, sassy, can hold a conversation with you like a 30yr old, reading chapter book in 1st grade, loving dance and cheer and makes friends like crazy. She memorizes bible verses in 1-2 days, aces all her spelling test, has lost her 5th tooth the night before her birthday and loves sleepovers with Mommy and Daddy. She is our pride and joy and one very determined little princess. We are so blessed to have her and have enjoyed every minute of the last 7yrs with her. She is such a joy and a pure blessing!!!

Halloween 2010

Halloween was great this year. The kids had a wonderful time and were able to celebrate with our friends and family.

We had friends over Halloween night to trick-or-treat with us. The weather was great and the company was even better.

We even went over to Riverbend Farms this fall! Even Big W had fun!

Walter's first day of 4yr old Pre-K

Walter is ready for 4yr old Pre-K!

Walter is very excited to start school this year. He has 2 great teachers, Miss Kathy and Miss Karen. He is in the 4 day 4's and is very excited about it. He has a friend from last year in his class this year and he gets to see everyone else on the playground. His class does science and goes to the library which he is super excited about it. This is his last year of preschool and he can't wait to be in Kindergarten. Our little guy is getting so big it is hard to believe.

Carolina Panthers Game!

A few weeks ago we took the kids to their first NFL football game. They love the Carolina Panthers and we have cheered for them for years so they were super excited to be able to go. Walter and Ann Elizabeth were dressed in their panther best and away we went. Ann Elizabeth's favorite part was the football shaped donuts and Walter's favorite part was the cheerleaders, of course!!! We all had a great time and it was great to be able to share with them something that big W and I love to do!