More fun Hilton Head Memories....

What a sweet little face!!!!

There are so many memories that my family has of Hilton Head. Every year we go there after Christmas with Ommie and Granddaddy. We have such a great time. Even though this isn't the most traditional time to go it is such a relaxing time for my family.... especially after coming off of Christmas Holiday's and Birthdays. All of the pools are heated so we still have a great time swimming and we even take a trip or two to the beach... it is usually too cold to get in the water but we still get some great pictures none the less. There is something to be said for not having to take out all of your gear to go to the pool or get all sun screened up to go outside. We truly just have a relaxing time going into Harbor Town, eating at the Crazy Crab, and or course it wouldn't be a trip to Hilton Head without going to the top of the Light House. This is another great memory that my children will share for a lifetime. We can't thank you enough Ommie and Granddaddy for making us a part of your trip!!! We love you so much!!!

Christmas Morning....What a Joy!!!

Christmas morning..... What a fun time!!! I love love love seeing the kids faces when they come down the stairs!!! For me the excitement starts on Christmas Eve when they are just so silly with excitement. Tom and I weren't real sure what would happen this year with Carsen as far as the magic behind Christmas but believe me it was not lost at all. He couldn't be a BIGGER BELIEVER which makes my heart so happy!!! For those of you who know my family well you know that my children get 3 gifts a piece just like the wise men brought to Jesus... We have been doing this since Carsen was a baby and couldn't be happier with the way it has turned out. Starting around Thanksgiving when all of those lovely advertisments come out tempting our children with what should be on their Christmas list my kids keep it to three things and if they change their mind about something they update their list accordingly so there is never more than three things each. This helps our family to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and not get lost in a sea of toys. My mom and dad always come over on Christmas morning and bring breakfast and we sit with the kids and eat and play with their new toys and just enjoy this time as a family!!! Later in the afternoon we go and visit Tom's family and have dinner and enjoy the holiday with them. It couldn't be a happier day!!!!

Presley's class Christmas Party

Presley and Carsen's class Christmas parties were on the same day.... So I basically went to the school at 9:00 am and left at 3:00 Ha!Ha! It seems like all of their events at school have fallen on the same day. Of course I wouldn't miss either one of them for the world!!! Presley's class decorated Christmas cookies and sang some Christmas songs.... Plus they also brought home some home made ornaments for the tree my favorite thing in the world!! After each of their parties the school had a Santa Shop set up in the Gym for the kids to go and shop for their parents and family members..... this was their favorite part!!! They each picked out stuff for their baby brother and grandparents.....and mom and dad too!!! They loved the idea of being able to shop on their own. After they paid for their gifts there was even a wrapping station for them to wrap them!!! What a cute idea!!!

Carsen's Christmas Party at School

The Christmas parties at school are always so much fun. The kids are so excited about Christmas that they can hardly stand it so the party is just the icing on the cake before their brake from school. This year Carsen's teacher is so sweet and always does such fun things with them. Some of the parents brought in treats and snacks. The kids made gingerbread cookies and lots of little crafts..You know the ones that us Mom's keep and display around the house. I will say that one thing I miss now that my kids are in public school is the focus on Christmas and it's true meaning... I guess I miss all of those cute little manger sets and angel hand prints that they did in their church preschool classes. I wish that I could just bottle up that preschool age and keep it in my pocket!!

One Big Family Christmas!!

Camden enjoying Presley's gift!!!

Pretty soon we are going to run out of steps!!!!

How can words even describe what this get together means to me..... What a blessing it is to be involved in such a wonderful Christmas memory!!! Every year we get together with 5 of our closest friends and their children and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Of course, as the years have gone by the group has grown much BIGGER with children!!! Between the 6 families there are 15 children. We let the kids draw names for gifts according to the age group and then we all bring cookies to exchange. This is one of my favorite Christmas memories. Even though it is not easy getting all of these children in their pj's and gathered for a picture it is something that they will look back on and be so blessed by!!! I am not sure who has more fun with this the parents or the kids..... I hope that this is a tradition that will last long into middle and high school years I can't wait to see the picture then!!! Of course we will have to loose the pj's....... Ha! Ha! I am not sure if our children are even aware how blessed they are to be surrounded by such wonderful families and friends who all share the same love for Christ. I know that for Tom and I we are so happy to be a part of such wonderful memories and are prayer is that it will begin to shape our children lives and continue to grow these friendships for them as well.

Making Christmas Memories!!

Take a look at these gingerbread houses!!!

Little Camden just wants to play with his truck!!! Notice Mommy still has him all dressed for Christmas though!!!

Crazy old elf makes a special appearance!!!

Every year at Christmas we get together with my mom's side of the family to decorate cookies and make gingerbread houses!! Now for those of you who know my family well know that this time of the year couldn't be crazier for us!! We have two birthdays and Christmas in December. So you can imagine that it is difficult to get these kind of things organized with every ones schedules!! With that being said these are the kinds of memories that my children and I will remember for our whole lives and hopefully will one day be passed down to their children. I love to see my kids faces and the little creations that come from this family get together!!! Of course, it wouldn't be Christmas at our house without CRAZY OLD ELF (yes that is his name it has stuck since Carsen was a kid!!!) He stays around and gets into everything until Santa comes to take him home on Christmas eve!!!

Little P Pie Pony turns 6!!!

The dolls get their own seat at the table!! I mean why wouldn't they!!!

Presley picked Julie!! One of mommy's favorites.

This was by far one of my favorite Birthday parties!!! We let Presley pick three of her close friends and we had her party at the American Girl Doll store at North Point Mall. WOW what a place. This is like a little girls dream come true. Presley's present from her mommy and daddy was to pick out the doll she wanted so she could join us at her birthday party. As many people know Presley is not really the doll type but she loves these dolls. After picking out a doll the girls sat down to dinner with their dolls. How cute was this....The dolls got their own menu's and place settings. The girls loved that!!! They got to pick an meal and have cake afterwards!!! Tom could not believe all of this and of course wished (along with every other dad in America) that he had come up with this idea!!!! Presley we love you more than words can say and we know that God has great things in store for you. My and Daddy's prayer for you is that you will follow his path always and stay to true to yourself and your love for Jesus!! We pray that he will continue you bless you with wonderful friends who will always be good role models and that you will not stray from the path that God has laid out for you!!! We couldn't be more proud to be your parents. You are and always will be Mommies little P Pie Pony!!! We love you Sweet Girl!!!

Our little boy turns ONE!!!!

What a face!!! I could suck those cheeks right off!!!

Well, the time came even though I tried to deny it all along. Camden did turn one!!! It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital to celebrate Christmas!!! As you can see from the pictures he wasn't the biggest fan of his birthday hat or his cake. This didn't surprise me at all. None of my kids are big sweet eaters and none of them like cake or cupcakes!!! However, all in all his birthday was a big success!!! We invited all of our friends with their children and had a wonderful celebration. Camden was the first one to go to bed!!(He is still just a little baby in his mommy's eyes anyway!!!) I can't put into words what a blessing this little boy has been to all of our lives. Each and everyday when I wake up and look at his curly hair and big brown eyes I fall in love with him all over again. His big brother and big sister can't get enough of him and as time passes he is really starting to develop his own little personality!! I am so thankful that God blessed us with this baby boy. I couldn't imagine our lives without him!! We love you Camden!! Happy First Birthday!!!

Not one of my children have liked the cake. I have always had high hopes that they would like it and it always ends up with them crying!!!

This is one of the cutest cakes I have ever had!!! I took a picture to the publix up the street from my house and as you can tell they did an excellent job!!!

Camden's first birthday was a cupcake theme if you want to call it that. I love all things with polka dots and all things lime green and blue!!!

The cutest little one year old alive!!!( In his mommies opinion anyway!!!) I wish that I could bottle this age and take it out again when he is a teenager!!