Christmas Recap III (Scott's side of the family)

As of Saturday after Christmas, we headed to Scott's parents house. Our first night there was fun catching up with all the family, eating Nana's Brunswick stew and getting into Mira's much appreciated Chocolate Rum Apple. Wow! That apple is good! The kids had fun with the traditional fireworks outside that Scott and his 3 brothers do every yr. They did it to the tune of the University of Florida's song. Elizabeth videoed it & put it on facebook.

The next day, Anna arrived in time for Nana's delicious spread for Christmas dinner. Scott and his brothers pleasantly surprised us by doing the kitchen clean up! That was a treat. Aunt Doris dropped in for a short visit and then everyone got into presents. Once again the chaos of helping 5 children get into their presents made me put my gift to the side. I usually get to mine last. Well this leads to a funny that Vivian and I enjoyed. On our way to our traditional shopping spot, Vivian asked what I got for Christmas. I was embarrassed that I could not quite remember, but responded, "Well, give me just a second and I will remember." Then after a minute or so I remembered that I never opened my present. We got a good laugh and I had something to look forward to when getting back home. :-) It was my soft pink robe. Oh, and I was so glad to hear how much J. Anne loved her Narnia bracelet that D12 picked out. D12 and May wondered how they got each other the same gift. They still don't know. Ha ha. (moms went shopping together)

We were so excited to get a visit from Scott's cousin, Ladd and Meredith and their boys. We had our traditional night of pizza and the kids had a blast together. We found out that Ladd and Meredith like snow skiing and now we have all sorts of plans up our sleeves.

Teri, the kids and I went to visit Jon and Elizabeth's beautiful home. We saw their closets that will make anyone jealous and the kids watched movies, played on the new swingset and enjoyed a fire. Somehow I missed the fire. OK, Jon & Eliz, I forgot about our new traditon of eating dinner there with the bonfire. How did we forget? Next year!

Vivian and I secretly got Teri all set up on Facebook. 30 seconds after asking someone to be friends, she got a note from her friend. That was wild. Before we could even get Teri in there she had messages. It was fun.

Most everyone enjoyed college football EVERYDAY! I am only a gator fan, so I ran off to other things while they watched that. Like, right now, they are watching football and I am redeeming the time to journal about our Christmas at Nana's. Yes, Papa, it is Nana's house. "Papa will be there too." I still love the story of the twins singing that song. "We're on our way, we're on our way, on our way to Nana's house." Repeat that. Then they added the "Papa will be there too." Wow the twins are now 16 and driving. Do they still sing that song on the way to your house? :-)As usual, all the 16 cousins had fun for 4 days running in and out doing all that they do and us adults visited and ate and ate some more.

Christmas Recap II (Kim's side of the family)

Off to FL with Grandma & Papa Steve. On the way, we stopped by Nana & Papa's to let Ali visit and stopped by to visit with the Bakers and Taltons in LAke City. They played football (of course!) and decorated cookies, fed the fish, took a wild ride on the polaris & more.

Once at Gma & PaSteve, we got to visit with Nanny & get settled in. Christmas Eve we were blessed to visit w/the twins. Oh and Jason! Ha ha. They were so much fun. We of course made our traditional Christmas cookies. NO ONE would let us get away with skipping that! We tried something new this yr that we all loved. We opened all our presents that night! We started out with PapaSteve reading the Christmas story. (Photo is M8 hugging PapaSteve after story.)D12 was excited to see that Gma found Narnia toys that he did not even know about! I can not even mention ALL we got, but it was fun & exciting. We got a good laugh out of mom opening a giftbag that I had stuck things in for other people & should've gotten it out. As she kept pulling things out of the bag, I would say, "Wait! That's not for you!" The last thing she pulled out was a card that said,"Steve". She said, "I guess this is not for me either." It was funny!

Christmas Day we set off to Uncle Steve and Darla's (Darla in photo w/1 of her many Christmas hats) for a visit with Dad's side of the family. Uncle Mike & his family arrived after us so that was the only sad part. Steve took Dad, Scott and the boys down the river on the boat while Aunt Betty and I tasted everything, I mean helped in the kitchen. Dad enjoyed seeing how much N3 missed him. The boys also enjoyed a ride on the golf cart. It was a short but sweet visit.



Later Christmas day, we headed to Bev & Craigs for dinner with Mom's side of the family. I really enjoyed this visit b/c the last 2 get togethers there, I was in the ER with my foot or A6's ear. We had a fun looking at that calendar (I expecially loved Burts picture in the calendar) & playing with Devin's new puppy, Buddy Lee Hatcher. We enjoyed time with the twins again and laughing at Gillian's 6 extremely different faces in 3 seconds after seeing Angie aim the camera at her. Buddy Lee Hatcher and Spencer also put on a show in the kitchen when Buddy treated Spencer's crawling around like his big brother puppy. I loved Sarah's reaction the the puppy name.Dillon loves writing books. This photo is Aunt Beverly giving him a ton of blank books. Thanks for a great dinner as usual & having us all over Bev!

The next day we headed the Papa Steve's side of the family to Sherri's house. It was so nice as usual. We enjoyed a great dinner followed by the much awaited present opening and then out to the front for skateboarding/football. D12& M8 really enjoyed the riding skooter. This it the part where the kids really start begging for more time. In fact we left N13 this yr for a while longer while we headed to see the awesome area our niece Anna works in and her beautiful apartment. That place is better than Worth Avenue! Way to go Anna!
Well, I am gonna save the Scott's side of the family for another post. Whew!

N3 Gets the Concept

I am having fun listening to N3 sing upstairs on the balcony. "He knows you when your driving in a car. He knows you when your on a Christmas tree. He knows you when you're opening a present. He knows if you've been good or bad." OK, so he is not the best with lyrics, but he gets the concept! I have found that is a good thing. I may not know who Jesus met on the road to ???, but I know he can meet a man on a road and completely change his future to following Him. I may not know what book John kept saying he was the beloved disciple, but I caught that I can call myself His beloved. The concept is what counts most!

Now, I just have be sure N3 knows it is God who really knows when you are driving in a car, on a Christmas tree, opening a present and most important when you are good or bad. :-)

SS Christmas party

We had a Sunday School party here Saturday night with our class. This a class of singles ages late 20s to 40s. They have been such a blessing to us and have challenged us in ways we never dreamed. These folks have such a desire to follow God and to reach out to the community with the love of Jesus. When Scott was asked to teach, I really hesitated due to too much on my plate, but they have just enhanced our lives in such awesome ways. So glad we are a part of this awesome group!

One of M8's Best Buds

One of M8's best friends, we'll call him A8, mailed us these pictures today. He and M8 became friends on the school bus last year. The two of them are the silliest things you have ever been around! And they are just alike. They live close by, so that has been fun. A8 is the one on the far right in the football picture and in the costume picture, he is Luigi, from Mario video games, in the middle. The costume picture fits him well even out of costume! A8 went to VBS with M8 and their silliness can be seen on the VBS video posted on Sat. June 28th (3:04 on the video).

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my niece & nephew's Christmas picture!

Aren't they adorable? Having Grandparent photographers THAT LIVE NEARBY really helps! Grandma told me that the twins were having the best time. G especially fell in love with that big teddy bear. I copied it from Facebook and pasted it here. That was easy.

Picture Day

We took some pictures today to maybe come up with a Christmas Card. I am not showing the ones that I sent to my magical mother to possibly fix up for a card incase we get to mail you one. But here are a few that did not make the cut.
This picture shows one where 2 boys are not really ready, so should we throw this picture out? Absolutely not! Look at D12 in the middle with his dog that shares the sweet message of trusting in Jesus. Let's see... how can we use this?

How about we crop everyone else out? But now we see the brothers we cut out. That is not so swift. We don't want them asking, "Why did you cut me out?" Then if you look at the next picture, you will see the final product from this ameteur.


Here was one of our first tries at a picture. Where is the spunk? Where is the thrill? A6 is playing the part, but the others forgot we were so happy. We'll keep trying.
Doesn't it look like N3 is saying, "How long is this going to take?"

America ~ Are We Sleeping?

PAUSE JUKEBOX BEFORE VIEWING THE VIDEOS

A new song by Casting Crowns.

Recap of Thanksgiving

A fun time with cousins!







This photo is of Jon & Elizabeth and their kids. On one of our ventures away from the cabin, we got this photo of Scott's brother's family. We stayed in a cabin just around the corner from Scott's oldest brother, Stuart, and his family. Nana and Papa were there too and stayed in another family member's cabin. The kids had a blast walking from cabin to cabin, fishing, etc.

N13 and I enjoyed playing with Papa's new car and GPS on the way over.

Elizabeth and I had fun realizing how much our husbands are alike.

I sat in a chair that did a split when I sat down. I got the bruise to prove it, but you don't want to see it. Yes, I am on a diet now! :-)

Anna, Stuart's oldest, was missing because she had to work. :-(

Scott's other brother, Bruce, and his family were missing too. :-(

My kids want me to get Nana's recipe for Brunswick stew. It was a hit for all my kids; I gotta have that recipe!

Mrs. Reynolds, Stuart's mo n law, was such a pleasant addition this year. Mrs. Reynold's kindness shined the whole time we were there. I hope I am like that one day. We celebrated her birthday while there.

Cousin Caleb was the biggest highlight for M8 and A6. Caleb is such fun and has such patience!

All the girls went shopping on Fri. in all the little shops. I found a new favorite coffee, got some Christmas shopping done, and had a great time.

Vivian was ever so sweet to take the kids for a walk to the lake.

The kids discovered and explored the tunnels for the dam.

I now see why Teri's kids did not want to part from her dressing. Yum!

Stuart's smoked fish and turkey make me want a smoker!

I realized my mom has got to teach me how to use her old camera. She made an award winning album with it, but my pictures make it look like I need a new camera.

My dad stayed home and was blessed by my friend, Goldie, and her family by them sending him a meal he just raved and raved about. Thanks Goldie! I luv that name!

C2 is growing up and becoming N3's buddy. So cute!