100 reason why I am thankful for you

Around the first week of November I saw this cute printable "101 reasons why I am thankful for YOU!"  Each spouse was to think of 101 reasons during the month of November of why they were thankful for their spouse and share on our around Thanksgiving day.  So I printed 2 cute little sheets and asked Andy if he would like to join me.  He said "sure, put it right there and I will get it."  (there being his dresser)  The days went by and of course, I the rule follower, made notes about why I was thankful for him.  Every time I put his clothes away, I noticed the sheet hadn't moved...So I thought "hmmm, he sure is gonna feel guilty when I show him my sweet list and he has NOTHING in return for me."

On Wednesday as we were leaving for my mom's, he handed me an envelope.  Inside was his own sheet, one he created with 100 reasons why he was thankful for me.  He said "I know how you think and I left that sheet there so you would think I hadn't done it...ha I've been working on it and created my own sheet."  I laughed so hard I cried...I guess after 10 years of marriage, he really does know how my mind works!!

I never know what I am gonna find

This morning I started putting away our Thanksgiving dishes and found this...looked like a zoo in my cabinets!  Ha, I love this girl and her creativity!

Celebrating Thanksgiving-Day 2

We had a fun Thanksgiving day.  It was packed with fun all day long!  Our Wednesday night small group had the opportunity to help with the local Turkey Trot.  The money we were given will be used to help a family at Christmas.  Not sure where we will use it but thankful to be a part of it.  Loved that Caroline was able to go with us...it was a whopping 28 degrees.  She started out strong helping cheer the runners on but quickly resorted to cuddling up in the chair with the blanket!!

We went home, got a little rest, took a warm shower and then decided to work on Christmas decorations.  I can honestly say that I was not excited about getting started but I am so THANKFUL it's done. :-)  Caroline loved decorating the tree and was so excited!  She talked non stop about the ornaments and who made them or when she made them, etc.  My heart was so happy watching and listening to her!

Just as we were finishing decorating, Peep stopped by to bring us a hot pan of her mac and cheese...oh my word it was YUMMY!  Shortly thereafter, we headed over to Tomi Jean and Greg's to celebrate Thanksgiving with Andy's family.  Caroline and Great were so excited that Uncle Greg built a fire...they enjoyed sitting by the fire most of the evening.  After dinner, we sat around the den, while each member talked about what they were thankful for.  It was such a special part of the evening!

Uncle Greg's Thanksgiving Tradition

Uncle Greg LOVES Christmas lights...every year he adds a few extra strands.  Most lights don't go up until the first of Dec but it's a tradition that he always decorates this tree and lights it for the first time after Thanksgiving dinner.

Caroline asked me to take a picture of her with her tree

and she wanted one with her daddy

and one with mommy

thankful for another wonderful year...I take all too much for granted and don't truly take time to think about the many blessings that the God has given me...I pray that in 2014 I will do a better job thinking about and recognizing the many gifts the Lord has given us.

Celebrating Thanksgiving-Day 1

Tonight we celebrated with my family.  We went down a little earlier than usual because my brother Daniel had to go to work tonight, poor fella.  We had a great time, enjoyed yummy food and hanging out together.  The kids had a blast as usual.  Sadly, poor Wilson had strep throat and wasn't able to come...so sad to miss our time with him.  Several years ago we started the tradition of meeting the night before Thanksgiving and putting up the Christmas tree at momma and daddy's.  For years it was me, Jared and Jenna.  As the kids have gotten older, they too look forward to putting up the tree.  This year the kids started working on the tree before the rest of us had even finished dinner.  I loved watching them get so excited and working together.  I do believe they had a WONDERFUL time.

getting started

 love this sweet girl!!

 s

 stringing the popcorn and cranberries on the tree

 Caroline LOVES Carson and didn't leave her side the entire evening

 Jenna helping Mary Claire who didn't want to be left out

 the most favorite part of decorating the tree, putting the candy canes on and getting to enjoy one

 being silly

 Mary Claire enjoyed Granny's peanuts

Thankful for family and our time together!

Happy Birthday Kate

BBRRRRRRRRR...baby it's COLD outside!!!  Overnight the temperature decided to drop drastically and today's high was around 45 degrees!!  WOWzwers...but we wouldn't let a little cold weather keep us away from our friend Kate's birthday party.  We layered and bundled up and had a great time!!  Kate's party was at the zoo and everyone-young and old-had a wonderful time.  Many of the zoo animals were hiding keeping warm.  But the kids loved it just the same.

birthday girl blowing out her candles

 drinking hot chocolate to stay warm

my silly girl working on her leaf collection 

 sweet Bailey and her sweet momma

 ready for the adventure to begin

 Caroline, Thomas and Freeman

 Alison and Henley

 What a difference a year makes...the last time we fed the bids at the zoo, Caroline wasn't too thrilled with them.  Today she was like the bird lady/whispera...they loved her and she loved them!

trying to get the birds for her friends

 feeding the goats

 the best part of the day...it snowed!!!!

just kidding, it was bubbles that looked like snow

 the zoo is decorated with lights for Christmas.  I was SO thankful to see the lights come on early...not sure I could have made it another 45 minutes!!

What a fun, whirlwind of a weekend!  Thankful for family fun and memories but this sweet momma is gonna sleep WELL tonight!!

Our FIrst USC Family Game

We got the VERY best surprise on Friday.  A friend thought about us when his brother in law/sister had a few extra tickets AND a parking pass for today's game.  We were so excited that there were enough tickets for all of us to go to the game.  Andy had taken Caroline two years ago when our sweet neighbor game us tickets but we had never ALL been together.  It was a cool, damp morning.  It rained on us the entire way there but thankfully the rain moved out for the game.  Of course we got to the stadium early and got lunch.  Caroline was having a great time until they started the pregame show.  Our seats were awesome but really close to the scoreboard which has very LOUD speakers.  Also the crowd was on their feet, cheering, etc.  She FROZE!  She got a panicked look and held on to Andy.  As things got going she felt more and more at ease!  We played Coastal Carolina and sadly it wasn't much of a game 70-10, which our 2nd and 3rd string..but we had a blast!  I loved getting to enjoy the game with my sweet family.

ready for the game

 this entrance never gets old

 Caroline LOVED watching Cocky

 it was military appreciation day...love ths so much!

 the two loves of my life!!!!

Thanksgiving Play

Yesterday was Caroline's school Thanksgiving Play.  The play is put on by 3k-5k and it is always so cute!  It's fun to watch my girl go from a cute little turkey to a precious little Indian Woman.  Their costumes were adorable!!

class picture

 sweet friends

Caroline and Great

 Caroline with Pop and Peep

 Caroline and Aunt Delores

 sweet church friends

Gray, Caroline and Jude

 Jude and Caroline