Alyssa's First Snow

Drew has been on a quest for about a year for snow so that Alyssa can experience it. On Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 at Jonas Ridge, NC we found it, even if it was man-made. This is Alyssa's first step onto snow as she was getting out of the Highlander (can't miss any of those first steps, right!?!).

We went tubing and had an absolute BLAST! But Alyssa enjoyed the pile of snow in the parking lot almost as much as tubing. Here she is giving a big thumbs up for the white stuff.

Throwing a snowball at Dada.

Drew and Alyssa in their tubes. We will always remember Alyssa's first snow experience!

Elf Yourself Video

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Oh Christmas Tree!

This may go down in Anderson family history as our WORST Christmas tree EVER but we don't want to forget 2008. Alyssa really likes it and it sits outside her door so she can watch it at night. Next year she may be taller than it is!

Make-a-face in front of "her" tree, Drew is touching the top of it. Sometimes it's the thought that counts! :)

Festival of Lights

This week we attended the Festival of Lights, one of our annual family traditions. We went on a week night, in the rain, so therefore we didn't have much of a crowd to wrestle with. Except for the wet-haired Santa photo, it was a smashing plan! One we will probably repeat in the future. We topped it off with warm hot chocolate at home in front of our Christmas tree. We luv it when a plan comes together, photos below . . .

The old bridges . . .

the new bridge . . . excuse the rain drops!

Our little butterfly :)

Dada and Alyssa on the Carousel . . .

BIG girl on the Carousel, all by herself, she's getting so brave!

A little damp, but no line. She told Santa she wanted a "tethascope." Poppy and Uncle Brad will be so proud!

TAGGED - About Me - Now You're IT!

TAGGED – Well, I have been TAGGED for the first time while reading a friend’s Blog. So if you are reading this, consider yourself TAGGED too! :) Please leave your link in the comments so we can read your answers too. Have Fun!

What is your occupation? Pre-school Teacher, Momma
When was the last time you cried? Yesterday
What are you afraid of? Something bad happening to my child or anyone in my family (pets included).
Do you like banana sandwiches? Yes, with peanut butter.
What are you listening to right now? Pavarotti – Ave Maria
What was the last thing you ate? Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie
Do you wish on stars? YES
If you were a color, what would you be? Turquoise Blue
What is the weather right now? Sunny but cold (49 degrees). That’s COLD in Charleston!
Last person you spoke to on the phone? Alison Ellison
Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes
How old are you today? 38
Have you ever dyed your hair? I've had highlights and went with RED for a few years, now I’m back to blonde with highlights
Do you wear contacts, or glasses? Both
Favorite month? May
Favorite food? Chocolate
What was the last movie you watched? Movies- Beside 4 year old favorites? Horton hears a Who
Favorite day of the year? Christmas Eve – candlelight service. It all comes together.
What do you do to vent anger? Me, angry – ha! I think I’m one of those quiet, dangerous ones!
What was your favorite toy as a child? Dolls
Fall or Spring? Spring
Hugs or kisses? Hugs
Cherry or Blueberry? Blueberry
What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes & hangers
Who is the friend you have had the longest? Beth, then Amy
Plain, cheese or spicy hamburger? Cheese burger from Melvin’s
Favorite car? BMW convertible Z4 or Jeep Wrangler – maybe in retirement (sigh!)
Favorite dog breed? Goldens
Number of keys on your key ring? 4
How many years at your current job? Since August part-time, since 1-9-04 full-time
How many states have you lived in? 5
How many cities have you lived in? 10
How are you dressed? T-shirts and sweat pants.
How many countries have you traveled to? 8

Our First Christmas Card

This was our first Christmas card this year, received on December 5th . I'm so behind with everything that I was already dreading the whole Christmas card experience but this one carried with it an extended flurry of emotions.

You see these adorable children are the children of my best friend, Beth, my friend who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in June of 2006. I think about Beth more at Christmas than any other time of the year for two reasons. One, because she LOVED Christmas more than anyone I have ever known and two, because regrettably, that is the last time I talked to her. She always went over the top for Christmas and had just done that for Alyssa. So I called her and thanked her and I'm pretty sure I e-mailed her this photo of Alyssa in the Care Bear slippers she had sent her that Alyssa just loved! Beyond that I don't really remember much about our last conversation - so many things you would do differently if you knew it was the final time you would ever talk with someone.

This Christmas card shows two beautiful, happy children. Luke is a doll, but Mattie is stunning and looks just like Beth did at that age. Beth and I were friends from the time she was four and I was five. I was her Maid of Honor; she was my Matron in each other's weddings. Mattie is seven. A good friend told me right after the accident that these children would grow up strong and have surprisingly wonderful lives and that I shouldn't worry about them. And from this picture it sure looks that way.

But I am human and I have regrets . . . I mostly regret for Mattie and Luke and for my Alyssa that they will grow up not able to totally experience what an AMAZING mother (and Auntie) they had. I regret that we missed out on time and future plans we had together - shopping, wine and setting up Luke and Alyssa so that when they got married we would finally be related. Having the best in-laws imaginable! I regret that I have not been to Peachtree City since her funeral. These regrets make me sad.

I also find I'm forgetting things - I can't remember anymore what vehicle it was that took her life, was it a Tahoe, a Tundra, something big that starts with a "T" or did it start with a "K"? I used to remember that detail so clearly and scowl at every one I passed on the highway. Maybe that's what's called forgiveness. Or the beginning of forgiveness anyway.

Beth, I know you are in a better place but I was not ready to let you go. Like so many others, I didn't get to say good-bye and that I love you more than you will ever know. I pray you weren't in pain for very long. I pray for Mattie, Luke, Dave and both your families often. And I've still never laughed harder than we did at that Christmas gift in high school : )

So it's Christmas, a season when we all experience joy and sadness in our own ways. I am grateful for this first Christmas card; it even inspired me to get busy on mine! BUT, I miss you, Beth, especially this time of year, and I guess I always will!

Thanksgiving

This year we traveled for Thanksgiving, something we have not done since I met Drew in 2000. But I have to say, I'm so glad we did because it was one of the BEST Thanksgivings ever! Why someone who barely cooks has tried to host a family feast for the past 8 years, I'll never know. Mom did some cooking and the rest was catered so no one stressed out over cooking, especially ME! Below are some photo highlights . . .

Alyssa, trying her hand at photography.

Alyssa all dressed up to go see Annie, putting on a show for her Eya. She has entered the make-a-face stage of her life. Bribing helps but I guess it's just one of those things where you just go with it and pray it ends soon!

Making sure Eya is enjoying the show.

Alyssa and Holt had some great bonding time - Holt lovin' his Alyssa (AA).

Can you say, "Ahhhhhh!"

Dr. Brad and his babies - Jovie and Holt. One of the funniest quotes of the visit: "Your brother's dog peed on the floor! Go tell your brother!" Alyssa to Kim :)

The Dr. Brad Ellisons - Brad, AA and Holt

A special treat - Dr. Robert Sullivan and Molly (who did not pee on the floor) joining us for Thanksgiving Dinner.

We stopped in Irmo on the way home to visit with Granny, Clay, Lisa and Miller and Uncle Chevy. This is Granny with Make-a-face and Miller.