We're Home!

Caroline got almost everything for Christmas EXCEPT she said she forgot to ask Santa for her two front teeth!


We just got home from a fun filled week of adventure. We started the week with a trip to the cabins with my family. My folks arrange and do all the work for a weekend trip around the holidays every year for our family. Even though it is just my brother and I...it is so hard to get together. I guess maybe because we have 10 kids between us!



We got in on Friday. The Hale's were coming from the beach and we were planning to leave the cabin and head straight to GA so we all had completely full vehicles. The kids didn't want to wait so we opened gifts after dinner.
Sat. we had a family game of basketball and some other game I can't remember. Next lunch and hang out time. All the kids were linking together their hand held game things! They thought it was so cool! I actually thought it was neat too! Then we did some family pictures without the parents. So Nana and Papa with the 10 kids.


We had a great time visiting with our family. The kids loved it. I think Papa felt ok. I am sure we totally exhaust him but he always keeps really good fun spirits.

Thanks Nana and Papa for a fun week-end



Lucy trying to show her sweet face!


We left the cabins on Sunday and drove down to Atlanta for Zach's mission farewell and to bring in the New Year with the Solomon's
Sunday night was the mission farewell. Cheryl and Donnie opened their home to friends and family to say good bye to zach who will be leaving next week for Africa.
Aunt Chrys decorated the table and food. She has an amazing knack to put things together.










We have a family tradition to bring the New Years in with the Solomon's. I can't remeber how many years it has been...but a lot! The guys always go out and grab lots of fireworks. We bundle up and bring in the new Year with a bang. Each year it seems that something goes wrong. I'll try to reflect and share this.
1. Fireworks came out the wrong end. This sent all the women and children running, hiding, screaming.

2. Fireworks hit the neighbors home...window, car, hmmmm
3. Fireworks burn one of the dads

I am so sure there is more but I just can't remember. You would think that we would stop the fireworks but we all love it. The kids love it more than the adults.

This year we were a little sad nothing happened. Chrys bought us matching glow in the dark sweat shirts. We were so cute.

We finished out fireworks-Cheryl, Chrys and I cleaned up the trash. Simple right? We just picked it up and put it in a trash bag. The guys carried the trash bag down around 20 minutes later. We went indoors and just sat around for awhile. Ryan (a nephew) had to go out to his vehicle and yelled FIRE! I guess the trash caught on fire. We had a full trash fire.....major fire. Seconds away from catching the cars, house, oh my gosh it could've been so bad.
We watered it out and steve got a battle scar on his thumb. I am so glad Ryan went out when he did.
Still no talk of cancelling fire works!





We ended the night with hours of Karoke. Cheryl, Chrys and I sang until oh 4 AM. My voice is still hurting.

New Years Day we said goodbye especially to Zach. He is such a good boy. I know 2 years is a long time for a 19 year old. I know it will go fast and he will make a huge difference in the lives of so many. We are very proud of him.