Christmas 2011

Per the norm, the kids were spoiled rotten this Christmas.  Check out all the loot. 

St. Pete Beach, FL - Thanksgiving 2011

What a BLAST!  We knew this would likely be the last year UB & Rui would be in their BIG house on the beach, so we decided to pack up the car and join the gang for the yearly Turkey Day tradition.  It was such a wonderful trip.  Not only did we get to see the crew that is usually there (UB, Rui, Todd, Denise, Braxton & Mom) I was also able to meet Denise's sister Olga and her boyfriend Chris - whom the kids ADORED.  However, I have to say - the highlight of the trip for me was reconnecting with my cousin Heather.  We are less than a month apart - she is OLDER!  We lost touch YEARS ago and thanks to FaceBook reconnected cyberly a couple of years ago.  As nice as that was - seeing each other and spending time together, even though it was short, was priceless.  

Some highlights of our trip:

• Playing on the beach!  We built sand castles, UB & Rui took the kids in the water (too cold for mom), we tanned, we walked, we collected sea-shells.....
• Visiting Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  Where were were able to meet Winter the Dolphin featured in the movie "Dolphin Tale".  This was certainly the highlight of the trip for Carter.  What an awesome experience for him.  He was even able to get his hands on the Prosthetic Tale that was made for Winter.  It was heavy.
• UB & Rui taught the kids how to play Domino's.  I think Chris ended up playing more games with Carter than anyone.  Thanks Chris!
• We drank....  a lot.
• And of course, the whole reason we went....  was to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family. 

To see all the fun that was had - click here.

Kenzie cheezin'

Kenzie totally love to say CHEESE! 



Happy Halloween!

This Halloween was a wash out. Literally. It rained cats and freakin' dogs just in time for trick-or-treating... however, my kids wouldn't miss it for the world. So, out we went, umbrellas in tow. Even Nana & Granddaddy ventured out with us.

Optimus Prime & Tinker Bell were troopers!

Check out all the loot.

Random phone pictures!

Having a camera on your phone is good... and bad. I have found myself using it more than my good camera. Here are some pictures from the last few months off of my phone.

I walked in on Kenzie like this one morning. Crazy kid.

Too cute for their own good!



Um, I told Carter to grab a sweatshirt as it was going to be cool this morning. He decided he needed gloves, too. LOL. p.s. he ONLY owns this sweatshirt because his Mem bought it for him. Not.a.fan!

Peek-a-boo!

Kenzie and her badonkadonk!

Cool cats!


Love you Mommy!

Time for a cleaning.

Reading a book.

Another picture, Mom?!

Sticker face!

Showing off.

Like mother, like daughter.

Perfect.

Hangin' with The Hanson boys!

Wearing her brothers shirt.

So handsome!

Thanks for the outfit Uncle Butch & Aunt Shelia... it finally fits.

Just Kenzie.

Stitch (aka Carter)

As Carter was running into the living room to tell us goodnight he tripped over the ottoman and hit his head on the corner of the couch. As bad luck would have it, a little nail holding the fabric on was sticking out and ripped his face off, ok, not quite, but it did do 12 stitches worth of damage.

He was such a trooper through the whole ER experience.

Full warning; the below pictures are quite disturbing.

Arriving at Wake Med Emergency!

Bandage to cover it up.

Waiting.....

Transformers was on... how cool.

Good thing Dad thought to bring the iPad. More waiting....


Getting ready to be stitched up!


So brave! I would have been a mess wrapped up in that thing.

Even smiling. My boy!

Starting to get a bit nervous!



I got this!

Getting all stitched up. "Guys, what is going on out there, guys?!?"

12 stitches later. Good thing girls dig scars; because, he will likely have one.