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!

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!"

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!

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!

2nd Honeymoon - Gatlinburg, TN

My Spring Break at school allowed Drew and I to do something we had not done since Alyssa was born, five years ago, take a marvelous vacation together! We chose Gatlinburg, TN due to the proximity of the kid sitters and because Drew had never been there before. It turned out to be just the right mix of nature and city life. Look out, Eya and Poppy, we might make this an annual thing!

Our cabin, "Love Nest" included an outdoor hot tub and an indoor jacuzzi, both were enjoyed thoroughly along with the gorgeous Smoky Mountain view.

Morning view, nice back porch with rockers.

A Baptist Church in Cades Cove. There was a Baptist church on every corner in Gatlinburg. One of Drew's coworkers who had suggested we see Cades Cove said we would be "so far in the back woods that even the Presbyterians would be handling snakes!" We did not see any Presbyterian churches. We did see a funny t-shirt that read: "Paddle faster, I hear banjo music!" We really were in the back woods!

I liked the fences/gates.

A cool old barn, still don't know what the square holes are for?

The red bud was blooming in full force, made for many nice shots.

Photographer extraordinaire (giggle) !

Downtown Gatlinburg - I was attracted to the extra large chocolate bunnies - they were plastic! We made a secret wish and threw our penny in the fountain behind the basket!

Riding the Sky Lift, too cool in our shades - PEACE!

The tulips were also festive!

Ripley's Moving Theater - moving seats and so much fun I lost my voice screaming!

We had a SERIOUSLY good time!

Thanks so much, Eya and Poppy, for keeping our girl so Drew and I could have a fantastic vacation together! Alyssa had a GREAT time at Camp Butterfly and obviously missed us terribly - ha!