snow in North Augusta???

This morning, we woke up to a dusting of snow! We don't get much snow here in North Augusta - so any is worth celebrating. There was just enough snow to make a few snow balls before heading off to school. (we were scared that it would all be gone if we waited until afternoon) It continued to snow lightly most of the day but didn't stick.

a dusting on the back deck
so excited about the snow

making a snow ball to throw at his sister

Molly's flip flops that had been let out on the deck

like father, like son...

Jeff & Carson in their matching Carhart overalls

snow tubing...

Beth & Jennifer G met us near Hendersonville, NC to go tubing at Moonshine Mountain. It was a shorter trip than we expected - just 2 1/2 hours. And it turned out that we escaped rainy weather in North Augusta by heading north. We had pleasant tubing weather - never got too hot even though some of us had on our skiing gear. It was a BIG hill - 300 feet according to their website - but the kids didn't even blink an eye. (And I can't say that much about some of the adults). We had a great time and are looking forward to going tubing again when we go to Park City, Utah in a couple of months! group picture (minus photog Beth) Molly with Beth and Jennifer G

Carson & daddy

self portriat while waiting in line

Carson watching the tubers from the bridge

Molly riding the "lift" up the hill

Molly at the end of the hill

checking out one of the old ski lifts they had there

New Year's Resolution...

My New Year's resolution is to go out with my huband and friends more (without the kids)! I'm going to start getting a baby sitter and/or sign the kids up for a parent's night out at least once (if not twice) a month. This will be good for my whole family.

Maybe I'll start a laid-back supper club or Jeff & I will just go on more dates (or both!). Either way - it will encourage us to make nice dinner plans more often and spend more time with our friends.

Goodbye 2008

2008 was a busy, busy year but tons of fun!

Molly - turned 6
graduated from 5 year old kindergarten
loves roller coasters and tubing on the lake
swam on the swim team (and made it to the All-Star meet)
learned to ride a bike without training wheels
started 1st grade
loves to play with her American Girls

Carson - turned 5
graduated from 4 year old kindergarten
played lots of soccer and golf
loves riding in the boat and skipping rocks on the lake
started 5 year old kindergarten
loves to get dirty and play with cars

Amy & Jeff - turned 33
celebrated 10 wonderful years of marriage
spent a lot of time on the lake

we all -
traveled a lot - to AL, Greenville, Disney, beach, etc...
cheered on the Tigers
went to a practice round at the Masters
spent Thanksgiving in Greenville and Christmas in Anniston

Gator Bowl

Clemson played Nebraska in the 2009 Gator Bowl and it was the kids first bowl game/away game. It was 60 degrees and windy in the sunny state of Florida so we bundled up and enjoyed a Publix tailgate just a few blocks from the stadium. There was a park nearby called Kids Kampus where we were able to check out bikes and other toys and play on the playground. Even though the Tigers lost we all had a great time!

tailgating at the Gator Bowlpicture by Molly
riding bikes at the Kids Kampus park

two monkeys

at the game

New Years Eve in Jacksonville

New Years Eve is not one of my favorite holidays in general. But this one ranked high on family and fun! We decided to go to Jacksonville to watch our Tigers play in the Gator Bowl. And the best part of the trip was staying with my cousin and her family. We took the kids swimming and went for a walk on the beach. Then headed home for pizza, sweet tea vodka and a little champagne. Put the kids to bed and then just hung out and gossiped until we could keep our eyes open any longer

(11:00 I think).

molly braved the cold water (and air) on the slide
carson -trying to keep as much of his body in the water where it was a little warmer
Uncle Shawn and all of our "ducks"

baby Kate

dancing queen - Taylor

family rock band