Saturday, December 29, 2012

Sand Shadows

We are at the beach and it's been warmer than expected. We have taken a few walks. Barefoot even. This is also my first attempt at posting via my iPhone. We'll see if it works!



Thursday, December 27, 2012

Merry Christmas!

 

We had a very Merry Christmas.  I dropped the ball this year and failed to send out Christmas cards so the above is our family photo.  I feel kind of guilty about not sending cards, but I will get over it.
 
 
We still were the recipients of beautiful cards and photographs of those we hold dear.  I truly hope to be more on top of it in 2013.  My excuse for this year is that I turned 40!
 
 
We got together with family at Jake and Kelly's on the 22nd.  We gathered for lunch which worked out well for my dad, who seems to get tired quickly when we get together in the evenings.
The cousins enjoyed time together!
 




 

Here's my attempt at all the cousins together! The days following our family Christmas were joyful and relaxing.  We attended the Christmas Eve service at our church and pretty much stayed at home the next two days. It was kind of nice to not have to hustle and bustle!
 
 
 
The only place I went in 48 hours was to the nursing home for a visit with my dad.
 
 
 
 We got some nice gifts but made an effort to focus on the greatest gift of all....
our Savior, Jesus Christ!
 


The boys got ipod touches and Corinna received a Kindle Fire so they enjoyed fiddling with their new devices. 
 

 
JJ fried us a turkey for our Christmas feast.
 
 
Indeed, our Christmas was a blessed one.  Hope yours was too.
I will end with a picture of the family from Saturday.
 
 
God's peace to you as we head into 2013.  I will be ringing in the new year at the beach!
 
 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Look Who's Eleven!


Drake turned 11 on Thursday!  In the busyness of the season, it's often a challenge to celebrate birthdays of those who are born in December.
 


But we celebrate Drake's life!  He continues to do well in soccer, always playing hard the entire game.  He does not quit, much like his daddy.
 


He enjoys hunting and is quite smart and kind to others.  He is fun to be around and likes to goof off, but also has a serious side.
 


We are grateful for the 11 years we have spend watching Drake grow and mature.  We look forward to what God has in store for his life.  We love you, Drakester!
 


Friday, December 7, 2012

Nine is Fine

 
 Our baby girl turned 9 on 12/03/12.
 
 

It has been a joy watching her grow up. 
 



She is smart and loving and kindhearted.  But it's her vibrant personality that will get her far in life.
I mean, how many people could actually pull off such an eccentric hairdo?
 

 
This girl can!
 

Make the most of your last year in the single digits. 
We love you Rinna Roo!


Thursday, November 29, 2012

Thanksgiving at the Beach

 
For the past several years, it has been my tradition to go to the beach over Thanksgiving.  It has become JJ's tradition (and now Drake's) to spend several days in the woods deer hunting.  Although we choose to spend Thanksgiving apart, we are very grateful for our many blessings.  Being able to head down to the beach for Thanksgiving is a luxury to me.

 
Corinna was excited that her friend Laci and my friend Beth joined us this year.  The Broom boys stayed home to hunt too.  They all were invited to skeet shoot and eat Thanksgiving lunch with a very hospitable family from church.


We had a pretty good Thanksgiving meal ourselves.  Some of it came from Cracker Barrel-to-go and the other sides we fixed ourselves. 

 
 It was a beautiful day to eat our meal overlooking the ocean.

 
We also spent our afternoons frolicking on the beach.

 
Corinna practiced cartwheels and became quite proficient.  I even did a few cartwheels myself!



 
 
 Water fight!
 

We remembered the pumpkin pie!
 


 
On Thanksgiving night,  we saw a movie and had popcorn and soda for supper.
 
 
 
 
On Black Friday, we resisted the urge to go shopping and took the ferry to the aquarium at Fort Fisher instead.  Another lovely day.
 
 
 
 Corinna and Laci make a fashion statement by repurposing their 3D movie glasses.
 

 
Into the hurricane simulator they go!
 

 
 
Beth treated us to lunch.
 
 
 



 
And we all headed back to the beach.
 





 Relaxing on the beach, reading, watching Hallmark movies, eating....
 
 
witnessing glorious sunsets.....
 
I am so thankful!