New Years 2011

The day after Christmas we packed up our bags and drove up to Topsail, NC to enjoy a week at a lovely beachhouse (rentabeach.com/1082614) with my brother, Dan (thanks Dan and Dan's inlaws!), and his family and my sister, Shantel, and her family. It was a BLAST. Granted, it was too cold to enjoy the beach in its most traditional manner (with the exception of a couple of crazies who dared the freezing cold water one afternoon), but playing in the sand is just as fun when its cool outside as when it is hot. We also enjoyed long strolls along the shell and sea-glass filled shores. We brought back memories and lots of beautiful beach rocks and shells.

She seems so comfortable up there on the stage.

Josh and Nathan - Friends forever.

My AWESOME siblings.

Well of course we played Settlers!

Averi and Nathan figured out the best way to enjoy the beach.

A two-headed mermaid in the sand.

Kaili and Brooklyn warming up in the jacuzzi tub, bubble bath style.

Christmas 2011 - Better late than never, right?

The Christmas holidays 2011 were a blast (minus the colds we had to get through). First of all, I got most of the Christmas shopping done within the first week of December... way to go me! This year, Brooklyn really wanted to get Mom, Dad and even Josh a present, too. She truly enjoyed the spirit of giving there. We decorated a gingerbread house and ate it. Brooklyn's preschool had a wonderful Christmas party with a cute little program for the parents, too. Brooklyn got to try out ice skating for the first time. We had a church Christmas party. We went carolling to our neighbors. We made and decorated Christmas cookies for Santa. Made and ate our traditional, Christmas morning, made-from-scratch, cinnamon rolls (yum!). Enjoyed a wonderful Christmas church service, wherein I was priviledged to sing a solo. We then enjoyed our intimate Christmas at home with our little family. :) Hope everyone else had as lovely a Christmas as we did.

Our little gingerbread house.

Brooklyn's preschool Christmas program -
she's playing the triangle... and very well, too.

The Christmas party after the program.

Brooklyn ice skating for the first time. She really is a natural, too.
After just an hour, she was skating on her own.

Josh's cookie for Santa.
He couldn't help himself - he had to taste it.

Brooklyn's cookie for Santa.

Just after Santa left.

Brooklyn excited about putting the star on the top of her Christmas countdown tree.

Brooklyn was a VERY good girl this year. :)

Joshy was a VERY good boy this year, too.

My cinnamon rolls - they are getting better every year, too.  Can't wait till next year!

Happy Holidays!

We hope all our friends are having a wonderful and merry Holiday Season!

... cause we are!

I had to be in this year's Santa photo again (thanks Josh!). I should've known better and been prepared with makeup on and my hair done. :P

Vacation in the Mountains with the Moores

Shantel, my baby sis, and her family joined me and mine on a little weekend vacation in the NC mountains just outside of Asheville. We rented a beautiful mountain house that had the most spectacular views. We truly were blown away. And, because we were literally in the middle of nowhere, we got to see lots of stars, too. We played, went for a hike, star gazed, cooked good food and just enjoyed each other's company.

Brooklyn and the big stick she found.

The house we stayed in from the backyard.





Josh and Nathan getting along, now.

... and even having fun together!



On our hike to the waterfalls:

 

 

I love this picture of the the Moore family.

We made it to the waterfalls.
Not as big as we expected, but still
very beautiful.

I love this little family, too!

Star gazing at night... it was COLD!

Some of the views we had from the house:

This says it all! We really enjoyed ourselves!

Trip to Huntsville, AL

Matt's work sent him to Huntsville, AL to train some people on what he's doing, and we, of course, had to go with him since his wonderful parents live there. We were there a whole week with Mom/Grandma and Dad/Papa. We went to church, went on walks, went to a house of bounce, went to an awesome park (twice), picnicked, went bowling and just plain enjoyed the company. I LOVE spending time with my in-laws. I feel so lucky to have such a fantastic mother-in-law and father-in-law who love me, my children and of course Matt. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for letting us come stay with you. We can't wait to see you again. We love you!

Josh found a snack on our trip there.
I learned that Matt used to do this when he was little all the time.

Ready for church in their Sunday best!

One of the perks living with Mom and Dad Mayberry for a week - GOOD FOOD!!

Hangin' out at Grandma's, colorin' and snackin'.

House of Bounce fun!

This was the gorgeous park/playground we went to... twice!

My kiddos LOVE swinging!

 

So ticklish!

My little gymnast loves the balance beam.

Pickniking at the park.

Napping after a long, fun day. So cute!

Brooklyn has become an avid bowler, now.

She's also developed a taste for something else.

They really liked taking a bubble bath in Grandma's big, jetted tub.