Happy New Year!

We had a fun New Years celebration with friends at Lake Martin. Rhonda and Jimmy invited us to join them along with Missy and Tim and all of the kids to ring in the new year.

Steven was so kind to share his Nerf guns he got from Santa this year (and last year) and the kids had a blast playing with them.

Benji got to come too!

Brook and Austin sure do love their Steven

all the girls

and the boys...I had to do a little persuading to get this picture

Happy New Year!

the kids all stayed up and we rang in the new year together...so much fun!

having fun with safety glasses...

Hope everyone had a safe and happy new year!

Here's to a great 2010!

Merry Christmas!

We all had a wonderful Christmas this year at Mom and Dad's house. Mom, Dad and I went to the Christmas Eve service together...in the pouring down rain and horrible winds. We came back home, to get ready for Santa's arrival not to mention I needed to get started on some cooking for the next day (since the power was off for a good two hours before we went to church....ahhh!!)

Take a look at this little gem that Kristen is holding! So pretty, right?

There's a story behind this beautiful sand dollar, but Kristen gave it to me several years ago, and I intended on giving it back the next year, but missplaced it. I came across this lovely piece several weeks before Christmas and I decided it was time for the sand dollar to re-surface.

Everyone showing off some of their loot...

Isn't he cute?

Matt admiring the Bama print that Kristen gave him

Kristen decided to jump right in the middle of the wrapping paper trash...not that was surprised at all by this!

playing a little wii

Scottie, Steven, Matt

Kristen on dish duty...

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Here's to a great 2010!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Yesterday was dear ole Dad's birthday. We had dinner together and then went back to Kristen's house for some presents and cake (cheesecake).

I didn't get very many pics, so head on over to sista's blog to see the festivities.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

I am done with my shopping, but for some reason, I feel like I need to make one last trip to the store...just in case I see something for someone.

First Christmas Gathering

We got together with all of the aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents (from my mom's side of the family of course, since my dad is an only child) this weekend to celebrate Christmas at the lake.

Where can you go for live music, great food and a Christmas cow all at one place?

Chick-fil-A in Cullman, AL of course!

I will have to say that this is the first Chick-fil-A I've been to where I listened to live music while I ate. Now I love me some Christmas carols and all, but Chick-fil-A is only so big, and their voices were kinda loud....and we were clear across the restaurant from them.

Anyways, Mema LOVES Chick-fil-A as does the rest of us, so Steven and I met everyone in Cullman Saturday morning for some shopping and lunch.

After dinner, everyone gathered around the tvs to watch the Heisman ceremony, and I will have to admit, I was jumping up and down screaming when they announced that Mark Ingram won! Quite an exciting moment!

We then moved on to opening some presents.

Here are all the boys modeling their Christmas ties from Mema (no joke)! It's so funny to see how everyone tied theirs so differently. I can hardly wait for our Christmas parties next year when Steven can wear his. I will be on the search for a coordinating sweater and/or vest for myself.

Don't you love this cute hat that Kristen picked up on our shopping extravaganza in Cullman?

I hate that she has already done her Christmas cards, becuase this would have been a perfect picture! There is always next year!

SEC Championship

I know I am a little late on this post, but I couldn't skip the post on Alabama beating the Florida Gators to win the SEC Championship!

Steven and I watched the game in Guntersville with Steven's parents and some friends. We had a great time and of course were so proud of the Tide's win!

Here are a few pictures from the celebration...

Domino

As many of you have heard by now, we lost our sweet Domino last night. He has not been doing well for about a year now, but the last few months have been pitiful. The vet said he had congestive heart failure and had put him on some medicaiton he needed to take twice a day. Domino is quite stubborn and was no dummy to know that Mom and Dad were putting his pills into cheese, chicken, bugles, peanut butter, whatever he would eat. Needless to say, it was rare Mom and Dad were able to get this down him once a day, much less, twice a day.

Last night he had one of his "spells" and he just never came out of it. Mom was with him while he took his last breath. All of the family went over to Mom and Dad's last night to say our goodbyes and then to bury him.

Not long after we got him...it's hard to believe he was that small

This was taken at the beach in August, and I think this is the last picture that I have of him.

He will definitely be missed!

So thankful...

We had a great time in Ft Lauderdale again this year for Thanksgiving.

I have so much to be thankful for this year...especially being able to spend this holiday with a wonderful family (and I did miss my family too while I was gone).

Steven and I arrived in Ft Lauderdale on Monday afternoon and we were greeted by his family and a delicious meal at his cousin's house. We had a nice evening relaxing and hanging out with everyone.

Tuesday morning we went to see The Christmas Carol in 3D and it was really good (except for the few minutes that I dozed off). I just have a hard time sitting still for that long, but I was proud of myself.

Carson, Nik and Jen posing on the chipmunks

Don't we look cool?



Later that night, we went to Dave & Buster's for dinner and to play games. Skee Ball is my favorite...I could have played this all night!

The kids showing off all of their loot they got with the tickets they won! Can you believe those huge teddy bear?? Probably could have gone into Wal-Mart and purchased them for $15...

After D&B's we headed over to Jaxson's for some ice cream. This was such a cool place. I am not crazy about ice cream, so Steven and I split a milkshake and it was so good.

Nik and Abi digging into their ice cream

Jen and Bailee sharing a sundae

Steven was really into this picture, can't you tell?

Wednesday night, we had our big Thanksgiving dinner with all of the family. We had quite the spread and everything was delicious!

Had to move the party inside because the patio was getting a little wet from the blowing rain.

Thanksgiving Day was pretty laid back. We went to visit Steven's aunt that morning and then headed down towards the beach that afternoon. Of course not much was open, but there were quite a few people out on the beach.

We walked around Las Olas Riverfront and stopped at this restaurant to watch some football.

We also drove down several streets off Las Olas. I found a few houses I could probably tolerate livig in...

THE BIG GAME

Friday was of course the Alabama/Auburn game. While I did do a little shopping on Friday morning, it was most important that I was in front of a TV later that afternoon.

About time for kickoff...


Steven sporting the "lucky" shirt...couldn't go to FL without that!

Carson cheering on the tide

Steven decided to take a quick dip during half time...

...not really, the water was a tad cold. A cool front did come through on Friday morning...but it was perfect weather for us Alabamians.

Hoping Bama is going to pull out a win

Yea...they did!

Carson was so proud of this little tree that he decorated