Santee Christmas

Our Christmas celebrations started this year in Santee, SC with a gathering of Drew's Mom's family. With three photographers in the family now we have LOTS of pictures to share for Christmas - hope you don't get bored, we tried to break it up as best we could! Above Aunt Lisa and Alyssa trying to get Miller to smile at the camera - he is more interested in Ho, ho!

Great, Great Aunt Lynda, Alyssa and Granny Lynda trying to solve the money puzzle game. Alyssa finally solved it Christmas Eve!

Great Aunt Missy and Kim cheesing it up for the camera.

The whole gang! Uncle Jim and Aunt Missy, Kim, Drew and Alyssa, Clay, Lisa and Miller with Uncle Chevy, Granny and Aunt Lynda. We all had a great time, good food and made some new memories!

Thanksgiving Journey

The A Team's Thanksgiving Journey started when we picked up "Flowering Meadow" from school on Tuesday, the Kindergartners in her school looked adorable and Alyssa was another of the cutest blond hair, blue-eyed, Native Americans running around James Island! We spent the evening in Saluda at Nana and Vuvva's which always includes feeding the goats in the morning . . .



Alyssa petting Chocolate Chip

Alyssa petting Nana :)

Then we decided to have lunch at the Beacon, we thought Alyssa would enjoy the experience and trip back through time. She just thought it was loud!

Drew's Heart Attack on a Plate, so much for eating healthy this holiday season!

In Morganton, we feasted again and were honored to have Flowering Meadow join us and say the blessing for our Noon meal.

Flowering Meadow "testing" the desserts.

Our feast was delicious and called for all of us to take a nap shortly afterwards. Once we were all awake (does this kid ever sleep?) we helped Eya and Poppy decorate their Christmas Tree.

Beautiful photography, Drew.

Lots of time for sweet hugs.

On Friday, Alyssa was Chief in Charge of constructing the Gingerbread House.

Is that green frosting on her lip?

On Saturday we said goodbye to the Ellisons, including Tipper, and headed to Granny's.

Sweetheart Alyssa picked Granny some flowers. they were dandelions but the only thing blooming close by, it's still the thought that counts, right?

Granny is ready for Christmas! We had such a nice journey and though we traveled quite a few miles it was wonderful to get to see all the parents and grandparents. We are thankful indeed for such sweet times!

STAYcation July-2009

We are back from STAYcation 2009 in Merry Mo-town! We had a wonderful visit with family, friends, cousins, swing sets, pools, McDonald's, Poppy's Garden, boiled peanuts and the homemade ice cream churn! Above Holt and Alyssa play with Uncle Brad in the pool. Such FUN! AA is working on her photography skills and she took this photo.

The Messenheimers came over for a swim and homemade ice cream. Alyssa loved swimming with Molly. Kelly and I have been friends since junior high school.

Holt is such a sweet boy - here he is giving his daddy a "Hand Hug" - I had to get one too before we left for Charleston.

We went to visit the Jacumins and Eisens in Rutherford College - Donna and I have known each other since we were Freshman roommates together at UNC. Now her and Joseph have three girls - Julia, Elena and Leia. Alyssa had a great time swimming with Elena and Joseph.

Many trips were made to the swing set and many mosquito bites acquired!

Can't forget Tipper - she didn't seem like such a good dog until Jovi showed up!

Jovi drinking from the pool - no wonder there were so many "accidents!"

Alyssa and Marley had fun playing together and here Alyssa is showing how good she can eat (this never happens at home!).

Our second visit to a McDonald's where Alyssa had a blast playing on the indoor playground. We attempted a quick visit with Uncle Chevy and Granny on the way home to Charleston but the noise level was something else - Chick-Fil-A next time!

And last but certainly not least - a photo collage thanks to Drew's photography and Eya's beautiful flowers. Just a small sample of the beauty that surrounded us. Our STAYcation was wonderful - thank you Eya and Poppy for hosting us and having such a fantastic place to visit! We love you and hope to come back again very soon!

Weekend in Columbia, SC

We had a really nice weekend in Columbia. We had lunch with Clay and Miller, took Granny to the Edventure Children's Museum and swam in a pool for the first time this summer. Above Alyssa is either giving or stealing sugar from her Granny.

Miller is getting so BIG! It was a special treat to have lunch with he and Clay.

Granny with her two Grand kids, Alyssa and Miller. Then it was off to Edventure . . .

Big Eddie - it's hard to capture his true size, but he is HUGE and Alyssa had a great time crawling inside his stomach, heart and brain. A really neat display!

There is no containing the energy of this girl - she was all about action and this Children's Museum was a great place to unleash her! She's playing music by hopping around.

Granny and I watching Drew and Alyssa climb to the top of the Energy Tower.

Alyssa's favorite thing was this slide (Don't they have these at McDonald's?)

Slide down then jump - what fun, oh, to be young again!

Then it was off to the hotel where our girl took a two hour swim and is getting better at going under.

Then, dinner at guess where?

Finally, a video of Alyssa playing with Granny and Chevy's kitty, Lilly. We had a really fun weekend and can't wait to see you guys again soon!

Oh HAPPY day!

Alyssa in full birthday gear - Butterfly crown, butterfly necklace, #5 Birthday Girl shirt, and pink & green socks. All ready to take on Chuck E. Cheese's.

Chuck E. Cheese chaos, how FUN!

Morgan and Lillian . . .

Riding the roller coaster ride with her boyfriend. A portend of things to come?!?!?

The Columbia Andersons - Miller, Clay and Lisa

Alyssa and Chuck E. Cheese - look at that smile!

I just couldn't get over the Butterfly cake, exactly like the invitations. Thanks SO much Mrs. J!

A brief computer graphics lesson by Great Aunt Missy.

Oh yeah, I know I'm talking about happy days (oh happy day)!