Life is Good

It maybe too hard to read but the sticker is a butterfly and it says, "Life is Good!" - I love this sticker, I need one for my car. This one was spotted on our first evening at Eya and Poppy's - a good sign for the fantastic time we had.

You can't have too many noodles!

The water was still a little chilly but that did not slow Alyssa down.

She had the pool to herself and enjoyed every minute of it!

What is she thinking now?

Taking a ride in Eya's new car, in ten years it may go to Alyssa - we'll see, anyway we love it! Here's Alyssa doing her new favorite saying, "Peace out, suckers!" At least she is promoting peace, right?

Alyssa and Eya in "their" car - probably not the last time I will see her head sticking out the sun roof!

Alyssa and her Poppy checking out the river - let's hope she did get her height from him. Yes, Life is Good!

Lordy, Lordy

I hate having to blog about turning 40, but I guess it's a significant milestone. Drew decided to use this old photo on a few signs announcing to the neighborhood I was now one of the over the hillers. This is a classic - in my red-head days and covered in fresh throw up from Alyssa. Thanks Drew for pulling this one out of the archive!

Eya and Alyssa icing my 40th Birthday "Cake" - Yummy Pumpkin roll.

I still can't believe it - My brain apparently stopped at 14. I clearly remember when not only 40 but 30 was old!

Dinner at Moms - me trying to get the new numbers right. Thanks Mom and Dad for such a great dinner party, thanks Drew & Alyssa for the embarrassment and thank you Lord for letting me enjoy this year. "Grow old along with me, the BEST is yet to be!" - Browning

Folly Beach Christmas

Whew, the last Christmas post, I think! Eya and Poppy stayed at Folly Beach for Christmas. A photo of the lovely couple in front of their hotel. Alyssa sneaked into the picture before the photographer was ready so that is her pink hood. It was quite chilly at the Beach, which did not stop the surfers!

The girls on the Folly Beach Pier with that wind-blown look :)

Alyssa is like her Momma and just has to touch the water whenever she comes to the beach, so even this day was no exception. Alyssa dancin' a jig.

The cold didn't stop the surfers - Merry Christmas from the Beach!

County Park Lights

On Christmas Evening we went to see the James Island County Park Festival of Lights. We were fortunate to see a beautiful sunset along with the lights.

This year we rode the Train for the first time.

Then, of course, it's Marshmallow roasting time.

Alyssa took this one of the adults - Merry Christmas Y'all!

Christmas Eve Pictures

Christmas Eve Tradition - photos under the Christmas Tree while everyone is still dressed up from Church. The Ellisons - We missed you Brad, AA and Holt!

PEACE!

Not sure what this is about?

Sweet girl with her Poppy.

Christmas Pageant

Alyssa played the part of an Angel in the Christmas Pageant at our Church on Christmas Eve.

My inside pictures had a lot of red eye, but this one shows most of the group practicing. This is the Cherub Choir ages three and up and the Elementary Choir that starts in the first grade. Elisha and Julie have a special place in heaven for working with these kids!

Alyssa did a great job and loved having her Eya and Poppy there to see her sing!

A family shot post-performance. We love our "Angel!"

Mrs. Genie

October was a really busy month for us. Two days after we returned from Disney World my sweet grandmother, Mrs. Genie, passed away. It really was a blessing. She had Alzheimer's Disease and had not been doing well for five years. The finality of the Funeral made me sad. Realizing that I would not see her nor the small town in Georgia where she had lived most of her life again brought plenty of tears. Above is the Church that she attended as well as the Church where my parents were married.

Although I prefer weddings, at least funerals give you a chance to catch up with family. Alyssa had a great time playing with Uncle Mike, my Mom's brother, and Aunt Gail. And hey - they made the Blog!

The flowers sent by family and friends were gorgeous!

So I've buried my last Grandparent, I was lucky to have them all for so long!

This is the picture of Mrs. Genie I keep on the fridge. Four of my most favorite people on Earth all looking pretty darn good! This was taken the last Christmas Mrs. Genie was able to come to our house and say "I've just never seen so much Christmas!" We love and miss you Nana!

Too Much Christmas!

Here are some more photos of Christmas 2008. As my grandmother, Mrs. Gennie, used to say we definitely had "too much Christmas!" We traveled this year and had 3 Christmases but we all feel it was one of our BEST Christmases ever. We want to thank our families for all they did to make this Christmas so special. I think I finally understand "too much Christmas!"

Christmas II

We arrived in Morganton, NC at Eya and Poppy's for Christmas II on Saturday afternoon the 20th and stayed until Thursday, Christmas Day. On Tuesday, we ventured up to Jonas Ridge, about a thirty minute trip, so Alyssa could experience snow and tubing. Seeing the excitement on her face as we raced downhill in our tubes was one of my BEST Christmas presents ever! Alyssa was my little sleep magnet in Morganton. No matter where I slept, she was snuggled up right beside me. It was sweet but made for several nights of poor sleeping for me. We had lots of home cookin' and checked out a few restaurants. Our BEST meal was on Christmas Eve after the candlelight service when we had a special treat - LOBSTER! We had to wake Alyssa up at 8:30 Christmas morning to open presents. Alyssa had asked 2 Santas for "tethascopes" and she received 3 stethoscopes at Eya and Poppy's. We had chocolate cake for breakfast (thanks Kathy!) and had the sleigh loaded up again by 10:30 on our way back south for Christmas III. Definitely too much Christmas!

Eya, chief cook and finest hostess around, chatting with her prey - "Is it me, or is it HOT in here?!?"

A family photo session after church - Alyssa refused to pose with us, so here she is with the junior Ellisons, Brad, Holt, AA and Alyssa, kids?!?

Add Eya and Poppy and Alyssa making a face!

A pre-supper shot of my favorite Christmas Decoration of Eya's - glass Christmas trees, candles and snow - so sparkly!

Poppy after opening hedge trimmers - he actually looks pretty excited about this! Eya works him pretty hard in his retirement!

Alison reading "the book" the one we can't even talk about without crying. Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury, mother of 6, who dedicates it as "a treasure for anyone who has ever loved a child." My favorite lines: "Silly, scattered images will represent your past. I keep on taking pictures, never quite sure of your lasts . . ." Get it, a MUST read, you won't regret it!

Alyssa and Holt opening their Doctor dress up clothes. Alyssa later said to me, "Poppy wants everyone to be a doctor, we gotta keep our eye on him!" At this Christmas, even after receiving 3 stethoscopes, Alyssa does not want to be a doctor, she wants to be an astronaut. And we're OFF . . .

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.