St. Patty's Day Week

There is more to write about than show for our St. Patty's Day week. I only took a few pictures of the action but Carrington and Grayson had fun making several themed crafts; shamrocks and Mickey's St. Patrick's treasure hunt coloring. Eating a rainbow of colors for dinner one night;red-pepperoni, orange-carrots and sweet potatoes, yellow-bananas, green-cucumbers, blue-blue cheese, indigo-didn't have anything on hand, violet-purple candy heart leftover from Valentine's. Needless to say, I was trying to throw something fun and quick together for dinner that night. Grayson would only eat the purple candy heart, go figure. On Sunday night we went to our monthly neighborhood supper club, appropriately themed for St. Patrick's. Shepard's pie and Irish Soda Bread were served in spirit of the holiday.

A trip to the beach, oyster roast with family and friends, and lawn work were also part of our week. Not that it has anything to do with the holiday but they were fun activities to include.

Rainbow of food.Sun and sand is the life for us!
Using her new gardening gloves to help with yard work.I can assure you she would not pick up the leaves if she didn't have gloves on. She is not one for getting her hands dirty.

Trip to see the Buttrick Family

My very good friend, Amy and her family, live in Shelby, NC. We visited them at their new home to spend a little time catching up and to meet their newest addition, baby Austin. They live on the family cattle farm overlooking the beautiful mountains of NC. It's a wonderful house/location and close by is the family barn with plenty of farm equipment, and a winery. The kids enjoyed riding on the tractor and ATV farm vehicle. The weather had us outside most of the day so a trip to the park was a must. This park was very cool as it had a train and carousel for the kids to ride. We all loved our time with the Buttrick family and look forward to seeing them at the beach this spring/summer.

Carrington, Austin, Grayson, Brian
Take two

looking for the cow

choo, choo ride! check out the red cheeks. they played very hard.

Grayson taking in the scenery

Happy 1st Birthday, Grayson Walker

Grayson,
A year ago this month you were born on a snowy day in Pennsylvania. A little baby boy was placed in my arms, and at that moment I was blessed with a brand new kind of love. The love of a mom, and her son.
You gave us a new look at the color wheel; blue was added to the overflowing pink. Trucks, cars, and playing ball have been added to the baby dolls, dress up clothes, and princesses.
You are our cuddly baby; content to be held and snuggled. Your thumb sucking has become a constant. It's terribly cute and makes you that much more adorable.
Sissy is your best buddy. You are on her heals every minute of the day, trying to learn all you can, including being loud to ensure you are heard. Your heart is as big as Carrington's. You are never short on kisses, hugs, or willingness to share your food and toys.
You are not afraid to voice your demands. It can be hard to keep up with your every want and need but I'm thankful to be needed by you.
I am thankful that I was able to spend everyday of your first year with you. To watch you change from a newborn, to a growing baby, into a toddler.
Happy 1st Year, my sweet little boy!
Love,
Mama

Grayson's 1st Birthday Party

It was a family affair for Grayson's 1st birthday. My side of the family came in for the weekend, and one of those nights we headed to Myrtle Beach to have a birthday party. The location was GameZone Pizza; with pizza, wings, chips and dip, and birthday cake on the menu. It was a junk food, junkies delight. Perfect for our family! Grayson enjoyed being the center of attention, eating lots of yummy food, opening presents, and taking in all the action. Thank you to our family for making it a special 1st Birthday for Grayson!!

The Birthday GangGrayson begging for a sour faceCarrington obligingSOUR PUSS!Having a good time opening gifts"What is this funny looking thing, sissy?"Under there, somewhere.Happy Birthday to, Grayson!!Make a wish!Helping himself to MeMe's Banana Split Cake. A favorite for those in our family with a February birthday.Cherry-delicious!Madison is saving some for later!Game time...

Feb-tastic Birthdays!

It's time to kick off the February celebrations with back to back weeks of birthdays. Starting with Meredith (7th), then Grayson (13th), then Emmy (16th), then Michelle (22nd), and ending with Kelly (23rd). February is birthday-palooza for our family!

We spent the first weekend of February in NOVA. The babies, Grayson and Emmy, are less than a week away from their first birthday! It only made sense to have an early birthday party so the two could be together to help each other celebrate.

Grayson is eyeing the cupcakes!Big sister's making lots of noise.

ONE!!Happy Birthday to Grayson!Starting slow with a little lick of icingFollowed by the attack...Emmy diving right in too.Present time. Sisters love to help!Opening a cute book that spells out his full name along with a story about each letter.Emmy's turn

Saturday morning was play date in the de Windt playroom.

Fairy PrincessesBaby Super Hero and Baby FairyJust the beginning. He'll spend many more years chasing after girls. Saturday afternoon the girls got all dressed up in cupcake outfits for a friends birthday party.The hardest pictures to take but definitely the cutest! All four best buds together!We were also in NOVA for a shower for Baby Myers. My college girlfriend, Sarah, is due in April with a little boy. It was nice to visit with college friends, and sprinkle Sarah! Tira, Wendy, Sarah, Amanda, Michelle, Alicia

On the way home we stopped in Fredricksburg to have birthday lunch with Meredith. Today is my sister's birthday! Happy Birthday, I love you!

(I forgot to take a picture at lunch so I went to the catalog for help)

December's Merry Moments!

My lack of posting in December was not because we had little going on, or because pictures weren't taken. Very much the opposite! Our days were full, starting with the very first day of December and the move back into our house in Winnabow, NC. So, the first weekend in December was spent moving. A big thanks to Aaron's parents for their help! It was also Aaron's birthday weekend. I took pictures of the kids holding up D-A-D and then framed them for Aaron's gift.

We found time in the middle of our move to see the Wilmington Christmas parade. We met up with a couple different families to take in all the action together.Maaike and CarringtonKids with Granny SimsMost of the gang. Parents, definitely outnumbered (8-11).The Man of the Hour - Santa!

Saturday, December 10 we had our annual neighborhood Christmas party. The same families that participate in supper club get together to have dinner, exchange gifts, and cookie swap.Kids decorating cookies

Gift exchangeSupper Club kids minus The Mercer's
Decorating the Christmas Tree in her skivvies!

Pictures with Santa - The classic "crying baby" photo

We had a girls night at "Dancing Girls on Ice" (as Carrington called it) with Melissa, Katy and Kelly. I wish I could have taken a video of Carrington dancing and spinning around during the entire, two hour, show. She was enthralled with the ice skaters, singing, and Santa.

A few days before Christmas my mom's small group had a Christmas party for the kids. I hosted the celebration, and was very excited to have friends over to the house once again. There were six moms and thirteen kids ranging in age from 6 months to 6 years old. It was very much a celebration about Jesus' birthday!

The youngest two. Grayson, 10 months old and Sam, 6 months old.Carrington and MaaikeGroup Shots

Sandy the Elf was loved by Carrington this year. She would wake up each morning and go on an elf hunt to see where Sandy landed for the day. Each night Sandy would fly back to the north pole and give Santa an update on Carrington's day. On Christmas eve, Sandy flies back to the North Pole to live with Santa until next Christmas. Carrington still asks daily where Sandy is, in hopes he'll come back and stay all year long.

Silly Sandy!Sandy left Carrington a note and gift on Christmas eve morning. He told her how much fun he had spending the month with her, and what a good girl she is.Saying good-bye to Sandy on Christmas eve night.

Christmas eve we spent together as a family, went to Christmas eve service at our church, had dinner at our house, and the kids unwrapped their one, Christmas eve present. It was the start of a tradition to spend Christmas at our house, attend our church's Christmas eve service, and have Santa come down our chimney.

How could I not love these two silly babies!Daddy loves them too! Including, Bear Dog.Christmas eve jammies. My parents did this for us each year so I'm carrying on the tradition with my kids.Reindeer (Sprinkles) Food!Leaving cookies for Santa. Grayson was already asleep so she covered for him. Notice, Sandy is patiently awaiting Santa's arrival.Santa's Late Night Delivery!Christmas tree with presents waiting to be opened.The children were nestled all snug in their beds. While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And, glow sticks shined bright in the night!

Christmas morning started with a photo on the steps. The silliness starts early with these two, and the excitement to see their gifts was over flowing. Santa enjoyed his cookies, Sandy was not left behind, and the reindeer ate all their sprinkles. So...it was time to see what Santa left.

A tonka truck and books for Grayson. A jumping baby, jewelry box, earrings, and scooter for Carrington.Trying out her new wheels.Ready to start reading.Loves his truck!Ready to ride!Christmas morning with the kids and dadChristmas morning with the kids and momCarrington the Red Nose Reindeer!

Around lunch time on Christmas day we headed out for the first of many Christmas stops. Roanoke to see Michelle's family was first on the list. Brett, Meredith and Madison met us at mom and greg's house for Christmas dinner and gifts.

Christmas presents!Cousins

Next stop, Aaron's parents. It was a low-country kind of Christmas complete with an oyster roast and fire pit.

Final stop, Myrtle Beach to spend time with Michelle's Aunt, cousins, and grandmother.

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. Happy New Year and many wishes for a blessed 2012!

Love,

The Sims