Farewell to Chris-Bud

We just returned from a great trip back home to New Canaan where we attended my little brothers mission farewell and spent a few days with him before he leaves for Portland, OR! It's very hard for me to believe that our little 'Chris-bud' is old enough and mature enough to be going out on his own! But he is, he really is ready and we are so proud of him and so excited for him. Someone who worked at a sandwich shop he likes to frequent told him last week to have a good time on his 'secret mission'. We all got a chuckle out of that, but it really made me think that he really does have a great secret to share... the gospel. He is going to do a terrific job sharing that 'secret'. We enjoyed attending the Manhattan temple with him, took him out for his last lunch at 'Made it Myself' Deli, listened to him speak in church (very sweet yet comical), and helped Mom host a fantastic open house for friends and family. We stayed a few extra days in the chilly New England temperatures and found every warm place for the kids to play including Stew Leonards (The worlds largest dairy store), and the Maritime Center Aquarium. All in all, a great trip- Farewell Christopher! We Love You! Serve with Honor!
The Man of the Hour
Nate- having a little fun at the world's largest Dairy Store! Having a fun time at the Maritime Center with Grandma BG

Family Fire Safety

We had a very exciting playgroup today... a visit to the local firestation for a tour, some tips about family fire safety, and a fun demonstration. The boys loved it! Their favorite part was hearing the sirens!

I thought this photo was so funny of all the kids plugging their ears before the sirens went off. (Nate was playing tough and didn't feel the need!)

SNOW for the Snow's

Our first SNOW of the year! We don't usually get alot of snow here in the Carolinas, but when we do it's quite an ordeal! First of all, everything comes to a halt- schools are closed, businesses close, people lose all driving ability etc... It's quite funny. Growing up in the northeast and spending quite a bit of time in snowy climates doesn't cause me to even bat an eye at 2 inches of snow. We enjoyed a sledding playdate with friends and a hot chocolate snack! Later in the day, Nate and I were reading books and he asked 'Mommy, how are we going to get all that snow out of the grass??'. Nate was already thinking about the 'clean up' that would be involved after such a fun day!
Grant hated getting dressed to go out in the snow! He hated the coat, the gloves, the hat, the boots, everything!!! He was so upset, he wouldn't calm down to even enjoy the snow!

The first snow since we have lived here. Certainly not enough to make a snowman!

Maybe next time.

A Child's Prayer

Tonight, Grant said the prayer at dinner for the very first time. He had never really showed interest in saying it before, although he has always been very disciplined when it comes to folding his arms. In fact, Grant oftens sits at the table and folds his arms waiting for all of us to be ready. Tonights prayer(with mommy's help)- 'Father, bless Daddy, bless Nate, bless food, bless drink (followed by a LONG drink of milk from his sippy cup- I guess the prayer reminded him he was thirsty) then he resumed.... bless Jesus. Amen!!'

Our 'Rockin and Bouncin' New Year's Eve

With New Year's on a Sunday this year, we were in for the night. But that didn't mean we couldn't still party! We invited our friends, Justin and Michelle Gatlin, and their 3 boys up from Charlotte for a New Year's sleepover. We celebrated the 'british new year' at 7PM so the kids could see the fireworks in London on TV and scream 'Happy New Year'. Then the party really got started when the Gatlins brought out their 'bounce house' that Santa had brought them. Never in a million years did I every imagine that the high ceilings in my new house would be perfect for a 'bounce house'??!! But let me tell you- the kids loved it, and the adults got to eat dinner and enjoy some chat time. Now to give you a little history, we have known the Gatlins since our time in Boston where Justin and Scott were classmates. Neither of us had children, we spent many a weekend dining out, seeing movies, travelling on spring break trips together, and staying up until all hours of the night playing Settlers or watching movies. So here we were... now with 5 boys between our two families, spending our New Years Eve with a 'bounce house' in the living room, toys scattered everywhere, children covered in ice cream sundaes, bathtime, storytime, bedtime, bedtime 'take 2' (for Nate and Tucker who were having their first sleepover ever and were way too excited to sleep), bedtime 'take 3', ..... you get the picture. And when we finally sat down to play Settlers and enjoy some adult time, there we all were, checking our watches and yawning, wondering if we should even stay up to watch the ball drop or just TIVO it and watch it in the morning!! Rockin New Year's Eve huh? How times have changed! Hope you all had a Happy New Year too!

A Merry Island Christmas!

'All I want for Christmas is a real good tan
Take me to the islands, Put my feet in the sand
Rockin’ to and fro with the rhythm of the ocean
Singin’ silent night with the palm trees a blowin’
-Kenny Chesney

We just returned from our trip to St. John where we spent a a very un-traditional, but completely relaxing and stress free Christmas. Really, I think I have become a believer in 'Christmas Memories' instead of 'Christmas Presents'. I just wish I could convince my children of that! We were there with my Mom, my brother and sisters, spouses, baby Andrew and Fely. We stayed at a fantastic villa that rivaled many nice resorts we've been to, and had sweeping views of the islands. It was wonderful to wake up early every morning (and believe me my kids were up EARLY) and step outside the door into perfect 85 degree weather every morning! We enjoyed exploring the beautiful beaches on St. John, befriending the wild iguanas that layed by our pool each afternoon, morning and evening workouts on 'the hill' that lead to our villa, wonderful food, heated games of Phase 10 and Apples to Apples at night, and plenty of laying by the pool and soaking up the sun. We marked Christmas Eve with a lovely program and white elephant exchange and woke up Christmas morning for an early Christmas Snorkel at the famous 'Trunk Bay' beach. No Christmas rush or stress.... just a wonderful time with family on 'island time'. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas wherever you were!

HO HO HO! Preppy in Paradise... We all matched Christmas Eve in our 'Vineyard Vines' Jammie bottoms from Grandma BG. The boys refuse to go to sleep in anything else now! Christmas Day before dinner at Caneel BayTrunk Bay, St. John- a favorite snorkel spotNate's 'Sandy the Snowman'
Chillin in the pool- a favorite afternoon activity

Happy Birthday Scott!

We celebrated Scott's 32nd Birthday 'island style' with a boat trip around the British Virgin Islands with all the adults and Nate. Scott's spent his day snorkeling, sipping virgin 'painkillers', lunching at Marina Cay, a private island, and enjoying the amazing scenery of the BVI's. A highlight was a trip to The Baths on Virgin Gorda where Scott and I spent our honeymoon. It was definitely a little surreal to be there with our 3 1/2 year old! (How times have changed!) We ended the day with a great birthday dinner back at the villa and Peppermint Brownie Sundaes! Happy Birthday Scott!