2011

I am not even sure where to start. Overall 2011 has been a great year. Hannah started kindergarten and loves it. Hunter started real school and loves it. Derrick has had lots of work and also enough time off to spend with us. I have started really working out and love it, I am not sure why I waited 31 years to do so. We have been able to visit with family and friends a lot this year. I am so blessed that I can't even began to list all of them. I hope our 2012 will be even better. Happy New Year!

friends

I am so glad that we get to visit with friends when we come to SC. Last night we went to the Hayes' for dinner and to let the kids play. The kids had a great time playing and we had a great time talking and catching up. We were so busy talking that I did not take any pictures of the kids at all. The other day I was able to eat lunch with Miranda and her boys. I had not seen her in about three years. It was nice to visit and catch up with her. I also went by to see Paige. I remember when her boys were my kids age and that makes me feel old. I am always happy to see Paige but feel like it is never for long enough. Today the kids and I met Jennifer and Micah for lunch. Jennifer has always been able to make me laugh and that has not changed. It is hard to believe we all have kids now. Tomorrow I will get to have lunch with Dawn. We are not taking the kids so we can just sit and talk. I have not seen Chrissy this time, but I talked to her not to long ago on the phone. I miss Melissa not being close to eat with Jennifer and I, but I am glad I got to visit with her while I was in Charleston this summer. I am so thankful to still be close to all of my SC friends.

our sweet children and Christmas #4 in SC

 A sweet moment of sharing this morning. I love when they are sweet to each other.

 Hannah put on her new ballet clothes and did a little show for us. 

 Hunter is enjoying sleeping in his new bed at Mike and Nene's.

 Hunter was very happy to get a new Thomas shirt.

 Barbie make up to play makeover with.

 Kamdyn sat beside Derrick and watch Hannah and Hunter open their gifts from MeMe and Pop Pop.

 Hannah was excited to get a Rapunzel dress. 

 The packing peanuts proved to be the most fun.

 Cheree was putting makeup on Hannah so she could put on her Rapunzel dress and do a show for us.

 Two little monkeys jumping on the bed.

 Our very own Rapunzel.

 Cheese balls were their favorite gift I think.

After playing with Marla for a little while they all decided they needed to watch Barney. I did not get any pictures of Case. Thanks MeMe and Pop Pop for a great dinner and for great presents.

Christmas #3 in SC

 Two peas in a pod.

Best buddies!

We went to Papa and Nana's for dinner and to give them their Christmas. Papa brought the kids Christmas to our house when he came for Christmas. Nana cooked us a good dinner. It was nice to visit with them and not have to be in a rush. Thanks for our gifts.

Christmas #1 and #2 in SC

 We went to to Nannie's for our first SC Christmas. We were all just happy to be out of the car. All the kids played really well together.

 Hannah was very happy to see Nene.

 Opening more presents.

 Hunter moved to a cleaner spot. He said there was too much stuff to open his present where he was sitting.

 Thomas was a huge hit for all the kids.

 Hunter quickly became friends with Jordan who he called George all night.

 After eating and having Christmas at Nannie's we came to Mike and Nene's to have Christmas with them Aunt Lori and Aunt Kim.

 They were opening presents faster than we could take pictures.

 Hunter was very excited to get more train tracks. We will be able to built a huge track on his train table when we get home.

 Hannah was waiting on me to get something open for her and give it back.

 Hunter had to put on his Thomas pj's as soon as he opened them. He went and got his Thomas blanket and then wanted to work on his computer for a little while.

He decided that Aunt Lori and Aunt Kim needed a little help getting their gifts open. He was pretty excited that Aunt Kim got coffee. Thanks everyone for all of the wonderful gifts for all of us.

Christmas Day

 Santa brought Hunter a train table.

 Santa brought Hannah an iPad.

 He also left a mess in the fireplace and on the carpet. Hunter was a little concerned about the dirt in the house.

 I love how unsure Hunter looks and how excited Hannah looks.

 I think she liked it!

 Hunter decided he was more concerned about eating the crumbs Santa left than playing with trains.

 He asked Dad and Papa to move the train table so he could have more room to play. Then he decided that he would just play with Cookie Monster instead. He loves feeding him the cookies.

 Pancakes, bacon, sausage and hot chocolate with marshmallows for breakfast.

 He wanted coffee like Papa but he had to settle for hot chocolate. He looks so cute drinking out of a mug.

 Polar Express day got Hannah hooked on hot chocolate. She is a girl after my own heart. I drink hot chocolate every morning.

 Hunter was not in the best of moods this morning. Not long after breakfast he said he was going to get in his bed. This is how we found him about 10 minutes later. I still love to watch both kids sleep.

Hannah and Papa enjoyed playing her new Scrabble game before dinner. We had taco ring for Christmas dinner. We had a great day just spending time together. I am very blessed and my heart is very happy at the end of this wonderful day. Happy Birthday Jesus!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

 Here are pictures of the mittens and candy cane cookies. Derrick took better pictures and some of the Christmas light cookies. I will have to get them from his camera.

 Meet the newest member of our family. I am kidding. This dog showed up this afternoon and is still here. He is sleeping on our back porch right at the door. He is really sweet and the kids love him. Papa went and bought him some food when we got home from church, dinner and looking at lights. We will see if he is still here in the morning. I am sure his family is missing him because he is a really great dog.

 Hannah helping bake cookies for Santa. She wanted to make the cookies we made at Chrissy's house when we went to visit her Thanksgiving a year ago. She calls them the college mate cookies. I am sure Santa will thank Chrissy for sharing this yummy recipe.

 Hannah and Kylie were excited to see each other at church this afternoon. Funny story about getting to church. I was in a panic that we were going to be late. We did not leave our house until 3:40 and I thought the second service started at 4. When we got off at the exit, almost to church, Derrick asked if I was sure that church started at 4? I told him not really, but I thought so. Well, I was wrong. It did not start until 4:30. Good thing we were there early because there were not seats left. It was a really good service. I think it is so special to get to go to church and celebrate on Christmas Eve. It makes me realize how blessed I am to have a relationship with Jesus. I am thankful he came as a little baby to die for my sins. It was also nice to have Papa with us to celebrate.

 We decided to have dinner at Logan's before going to look at Christmas lights. It makes me happy that the kids love looking at lights and get so excited.

 Hunter takes his shoes and socks off all the time in the car. I think he has the cutest little feet and love that he sits with his legs crossed in his car seat.

 Our sweet children.

 They were so excited to put our their reindeer food.

 I love that they both have gingerbread men on their pj's.

 We are a little sad that Tinsel will be going back to the North Pole tonight until next Christmas. We have had fun with her and look forward to her return next year.

 Hunter was checking out Santa's cookies. He said, "Yum, these smell delicious!" He is too sweet and says the funnest things.

Hannah was showing Hunter where Santa would come down the chimney.

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas Eve! We are looking forward to a wonderful day tomorrow.