Tis the Season

We started off the Christmas season with our 1st band concert. We have a child in the band!!!

It's Benny. He's the 2nd row clarinet.

We are so proud! It's been so amazing seeing him learn to read music and play recognizable songs in just a few months.

Work has been a crazy headache for Josh and I the last few months. But thankfully, our staff Christmas party was a bright moment for everyone. And things are running smoothly again.

My favorite picture! Terra, one of our hygienists, putting bling on Josh's head. She's so fun!

Josh's dental assistant Wendy is on the left. She's fantastic! They make a great team and have been working together for almost 10 years.

Over the past few months, I have become very attached to all of these people. They are each so unique and important. I love them all.

Christmas Eve service at Greater Life Church, only 5 minutes from home.

We met friends for our 1st candle light service.

Blessed. Love them all.

Christmas morning! Two kids still in onesies makes me very happy!

This year was the latest we've ever waited to get gifts. Glad we pulled it off.

We had the kids pick out most of their gifts to help us out.

Aaron in his new Attack on Titan sweatshirt. So cuddly and taller than me!

Next stop Mimi's house!!

Joyce spoils us by cooking the entire meal plus snacks. I appreciate it more than any gift.

Our game of choice this year was TriBond from Beloit, WI. Addy and I won!!!

The kids decorated a few days prior. Note the pickle cookie! Love them.

Addy was asked by one of her favorite teachers to paint a picture of his daughter as a gift. This is the original photograph.

And THIS is Addy's painting she spent many hours perfecting. WOW!

We have so many artists in our family. Here is Jackson's current art project. So cool!

Addy's 18th BIRTHDAY Camping Trip

For Addy's birthday, she really wanted to go camping. After thinking of how cold that would be at the end of November, we remembered the mild weather of South Carolina is not away.

So we drove 4 hours to Huntington Island Beach State Park.

What a fantastic camping spot!!

With the beach only steps away, I don't know why we hadn't thought of this before.

After setting up camp, we walked the beach.

The guys had fun with this random retention wall along the way.

Addy looking for treasures.

Postcard worthy.

This lighthouse is a famous landmark on the island.

Not many people were around so it was a peaceful stroll.

Sunset on the way back.

Exploring a small inlet.

What a gorgeous place!

View of the beach from the dunes.

Back at camp for dinner.

The fire kept us warm, although temps were mild in the 60s.

The beach was extra fun in the dark. Mostly because of the crabs!

Extreme closeup. So cool!

Bedtime at only 8pm. What are you going to do when the sun sets so early in the winter?

We were supposed to get raine but thankfully it held off. We were greeted by this beautiful view the next morning. Addy slept in the green tent while the rest of us shared the big one.

Addy found so many treasures on her early morning walk.

Cloudy skies were coming for us.

After breakfast, we took a short hike to a boneyard beach nearby.

We couldn't explore much at high tide since most of the driftwood was under water.

Then we took another short walk along the marsh boardwalk.

Just as the fog was rolling in. We hope to return to this area again when the weather is nice. Next time we want to stay on Fripp Island right next door.

Fall Festivities

Our Sunday Funday crew...

Usually, they all play ultimate frisbee but this day we played Disc Golf.

What a fun bunch and beautiful fall day! I LOVE these people.

We only lost one in the lake.

I've been practicing my photography in portrait mode.

Blessed to live right across the street from this beautiful course at Idlewild Park.

The 1st of the fall birthdays.

My 44th birthday! Thank you Mimi for taking us out to Bonefish Grill and making homemade cookie cakes to celebrate.

Josh and I went to Greensboro, NC for the day to cheer Jackson on at the state cross country meet. Yay Jackson for making the cut. He ran the 5k in 20 minutes. Phew!

I finally found an endless field of cotton! Now we know we're in the south.

Aaron's 14th Birthday!!

Annual friend sleepover party.

The best Happy Birthday Song!!

The party mostly involved video game playing.

Aaron's new DK onesie gift.

The guys playing outside the next morning.

Mimi's 70th Birthday!! We went out to eat at Dunwellz to celebrate this special lady.

Aaron's good friend Cam was Peter Pan in the school play. It was so entertaining.

Addy's 18th Birthday!! She celebrated by having her school friends sleepover.

We had a family pizza party with gifts another day. The choice gift was a camping trip, see previous post for details.

Mimi made a special ice cream oreo cake.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Mimi's house. Thank you Joyce for hosting and cooking ALL the delicious food.