All just memories now...

Sadly enough, Christmas 2011 is simply just a memory now...lots of good, exciting memories.  We took all our decorations down yesterday.  Caroline walked through the house last night, after we got home from the party, granted she walked through after her nap, and said "woooo, wait a minute, how did you do that?  it's missing, my tree, where is the tree and look at that (pointing to the mantle), it's gone too! (long sentence)  Yep, until next year!

Kids New Years Eve Countdown

Tonight one of our local restaurants had a kids countdown to New Years Eve party.  It was so much fun, even in the chaos of lots and lots of little kids!  They had a DJ and an area for dancing.  Caroline wasn't too sure at first but once Jules and Laura were out there, she and Sally (her baby) wanted to go too!  Andy and I enjoyed catching up with friends while she enjoyed playing with her friends.  It was a great evening!  Maybe the very best part of the entire evening is that it was from 4-6 so the kids were in great moods and we got home before too late!

Tara, our event planner, and her family

 Tara and Jules

 Mommy and Caroline

 Angie and Tyler

 Laura, Weatherly and Jules

 on the dance floor having a blast

 seriously enjoying the music

 watching the balloons and waiting for them to drop

 daddy and Caroline ready to toss some apple juice at 6, when the balloons drop

 the kids had to stomp on the balloons to see if there was anything inside...some had $1 and some had $5!!

 Tyler and Caroline going for a ride

 the kids in our bunch, minus one

We had a great time!  So blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and family.  Already looking forward to next year!

Caroline's New Running Gear

Caroline got a ski bib for Christmas because someone didn't want me to have an excuse not to take her running during the cold winter months...maybe someone knows me pretty well...Anyway today we tried it out and she loved it.  As soon as I said we were going running, she immediately went to her closet and got this out.  Here are some fun pictures of her!

being silly

 once I added my hat, she had to add hers and of course baby wanted to go as well

 after our run, we decided to head out in the yucky, rainy weather to pick up a few things.  she dressed herself, too cute!

Happy 80th Birthday Mema

Today we had the privilege of celebrating Mema's 80th birthday!  We started with breakfast this morning and ended with a surprise party this afternoon.  We actually decided it might be best to give her a little heads up so we told her about the party at breakfast.  I forgot my camera at home so I will have to get pictures from others to post.

It was an absolute joy to celebrate Mema's 80th.  She is by far one of the strongest, sweetest ladies I know.  She loves her family and above all else, she loves the Lord!  Caroline thinks she hung the moon!  She goes above and beyond to love on our family and it's nice to be able to return the favor.  I pray that at 80 I am still going as strong as she is and look as amazing as she does!  She's got more pep and spunk than I do and she is always DRESSED TO A T!

Thanking God that I have had the pleasure of knowing this sweet lady for the last 11 years and even better, I get to call her Mema!  Happy Birthday!! :0)

Christmas Day Fun

We enjoyed a fabulous church service this morning!  It was very relaxed and extremely family friendly!  The kids wore their PJ's and brought their favorite toy from the morning.  The kids sat at the pastor's feet while he sat on a stool to deliver the Christmas message.  The associate pastor led us in singing and incorporated ringing bells. The kids LOVED IT!  As soon as we got home from Church, we changed into our fun clothes and headed outside to play!  Caroline had a blast and so did mommy and daddy! 

 her rain boots were slowing her down so she decided to run barefooted!

 I was amazed at how quickly she went up the wrong way...

 Caroline's swing set has a "babysitters" swing and this mommy loves it!

 having a picnic in her "camp out"

 Pop headed up for some picnic fun in the play house

The year after Caroline was born we started our annual low country boil on Christmas Day.  We invite friends and family to come over to celebrate Christmas.  It's nothing formal but it's lots of fun.  It's a great way to end the Christmas day celebration.  Unfortunately it started raining mid afternoon.  My sweet, dedicated hubby stood in the rain to cook for all of us.  Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of our guests having fun...

 Another great Christmas...so thankful to be blessed with such amazing people in my life!

Santa!!!!!!

Santa came!!!!  He ate all our cookies and drank all the milk!  We had one excited little girl when she woke up!  She was so excited to see presents and to finally be able to open them!

 Her stocking was the first she wanted to open, she was excited to find a Dora flashlight

 and some new paint!

 Mommy and Daddy gave her her very own umbrella

 A ski bib to wear when mommy and C go running on COLD, winter mornings

 She also got some pots and pans for her kitchen 

 concentrating

 silly face

 a good friend sent this to Caroline

 love how she is using her shoes to help her hold the present

 Our birth mom B, sent Caroline a cute pair of rain boots, a Hello Kitty necklace, a scarf, hat and gloves set as well as a hot pink Columbia jacket.

 letting Lucy out to potty

 Of course, Caroline walked in the opposite direction of her swing set...I asked her to look at me for a picture and when she did, she said "LOOK AT YOUR BACK MOMMY, IT'S MY SWING SET!"

 "And look at the big red bow Santa left on my swing set!"

 Here she goes

 One very excited, happy little girl

 helping daddy

 such a perfect gift!

 helping mommy

 while trying out her new paint set, she accidently painted her nose red, like Rudolph

What a wonderful morning!  Now we are off to church to celebrate Jesus' birthday with our church family!