New Years

[WARNING: long post]

Pretty much every year since we have been married (all but one I think), Ted and I have spent New Years at Grey Rocks.  There is always different company and there seems to be more nad more kids each year, but we always have a great time (except for 2007 when we had friends down, Ann Park was a baby, and Ted was so sick with the throw up bug that he had to leave and come home).  We rarely make it to midnight, but always have a great meal, great drinks, and great company.  That is all that really matters anyway, right?  (I try to tell myself that since the girl I was in my early and mid-20s would really think that our New Years are pretty lame!)

And this year was no different.  Jeanne and Martin also like to spend New Years at Grey Rocks, and they were here this year as well.  Tripp was a blast, as usual, and was a little shadow to Ward most of the weekend (but also latched on to Ann Park some which I think that she liked.)  Ashton is so easy-going that I forgot he was there at moments!  Also, Jeanne's best friend, her husband and their 5 month old came down too.

Cute Tripp!

My kids had so much fun.  Ward got a lot of "guy time" which he could not get enough of.  He pulled skeet for daddy, and I think that he went duck hunting at least 3 times (waking up at 5:30 AM for one of those hunts) and got to see two deer gutted which he also loved.  Full camo all weekend --

Ann Park also had a great weekend. I think that she went in the hot tub at least 4 times (and is swimming like a fish!) Jeanne and Martin brought a jumpy house that occupied a lot of her time.  She also spent a good amount of time with me, which she just loves.  One-on-one time is her favorite - a true sign of a middle child!

But Sam was the hit of the weekend, I have to admit.  His little personality has really turned on and he is non-stop fun.  He put every hat he could find on his head, pretended to "shoot" people and animals, and just stole hearts right and left.  He and Cher Cher have a special bond that I love to see.  He literally lights up inside and out when he sees her.  It is so wonderul.

our little cowboy

loving it in the jumpy house

riding in style in the bad boy buggy

hands up!

giving Sue a kiss

giving Papa a kiss

Whew.  That was a long post!!  How any stuck around for the whole thing??

Sneak Peek

I had some pictures taken of Sam a while back in November with my favorite photographer, Heather Swanner.  We went to this old railroad museum and Sam had the best time playing around in and among the old trains.  I really just wanted to capture him at that age since it was around the same time I got some great ones of Ward and Ann Park.  Since it was her Christmas-rush time, I told her to take her time and not worry about getting them to me until after Christmas.  Well, she isn't finished with them yet, but she gave me a sneak peek on Facebook and now I am just dying to see them!

Christmas Wrap-Up

We were, as always, so blessed this Christmas.  First and foremost, we were blessed by the birth of Jesus, without whom none of all this stuff would matter in the least.  We really tried to focus our kids on the real meaning of Christmas, which is so hard when they are so young and Santa is so much on their minds.  But I kept on iterating that the real reason for the parties, decorations, yummy food, etc. is to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  I think that some of it sunk in  . . . at least I hope.

But here are some pictures of the not-so-concentrating-on-Jesus moments:

Christmas Eve at Cher Cher and Papa's.  Sam was OBSESSED with singing Santa and would not cooperate for a picture.  Ann Park was thrilled too.

Gazing lovingly at singing Santa

Ward and Daddy

I think that this is my favorite picture of Christmas, even though Ann Park has a fake smile!

Let me go Mama!!

Oh yeah, more singing things!

Ann Park got matching clothes and pajamas with her doll, Bitty Baby!

Such a happy girl!

Light sabers!!

Ann Park's loot from Santa

Ward's loot from Santa

And Sam's too!

Oh yeah, and I can't forget the air hockey table!

Ann Park discovering what Santa brought . . . another doll!  And she talks!

Ward with his snake and bow and arrow - his two favorite presents!

Hands up mommy!

Oh yeah baby!  (That is a knife made out of a deer bone and arrow head - yes, it is real and I am crazy)

Cowboy shirt from Dollywood care of Aunt Kit and Uncle Ryan.  All three got one.  Ward would not take his off and wore it on Sunday and Monday!

Ann Park opening a special present from mommy . . . 

What is it?

My first real necklace - silver with an "A" pendant!

Sam joins in the fun!

a guitar!

so much to look at!

Look at this!  My very own scooter!

two musicians

hard at work . . . the noise was unbearable at times, but they were having so much fun!

And just when we thought things couldn't get any better on Christmas, we were wrong.  It started SNOWING.  Snow in Alabama on Christmas?  The last time we had that was in 1909.  At first it seemed like it wasn't going to stick at all (which was very disappointing for the kids), but just enough stuck, a good Southern "dusting" and the kids had a great time.  We couldn't get Sam to come inside!

Sam was all smiles at Uncle Bill's house!

Here comes Ward to join the fun bow and arrow in hand!

Love me some CapriSun!

Nice pose Ward!

"no" (a.k.a. "snow")

"Ho! Ho! Ho!"

Catching snow on his tounge!

later that afternoon Ann Park joined in the fun (but wouldn't smile for the camera - typical)

Sas is really happy here, huh?

Merry Merry!  Although we had a great time, I was exhausted . . . and to be honest, glad to have it behind me.  I am really looking forward to a relaxed weekend and New Years at Grey Rocks with mom & dad, plus the deLaureals.  We will miss the McCaffreys though!

Jewelry-lovin girls

What girl doesn't love herself some jewels?  I used to think that the answer to this question was my sister, Kit, but I would be wrong.  Over Thanksgiving even she was sporting some pretty looking necklaces (way to go Kit!).  I mean, accessories make an outfit.  Oh and shoes too, but that is a whole other topic.

One of my best friends in the world is this amazing wedding planner in Charleston.  She has this fantastic blog that I like to stop by every now and then (no, I am not stalking her, but I like to see what creative things she is up to).  This afternoon, while very bored at work, I went a-browsin' on over.  And she had this post on the coolest cuffs designed by Courtney Prince MillerI have seen in a while.  I guess that they are technically for brides, but what girl wouldn't want to wear these any day of the week?  I see them jazzing up a boring ole black dress or with a white t-shirt and jeans.  Gimme some of these PLEASE! (As an aside, I think that besides getting them through http://www.etsy.com/, Anthropologie also sells a limited collection.)