SJ's Party Day~

When we have BC we stay home from church and spend it with family.

Everyone was fine with that since Mimi was tired from her trip

and Rosie was home from first days of college life.

The first moments of the morning with BC are some of my favorites~

Isn't he just the most precious baby in the world???!!!

It wasn't long before the birthday girl was up and ready for her party day.

We made lunch for everyone and the celebration was on~

SJ wanted a dog cake but no one could make to her standards so

I ordered from Publix and dad picked up a little cupcake dog from Ingles for the final touch.

Added some candles and balloons~

 Sang Happy Birthday for a super sweet birthday girl!!!

We also celebrated having Mimi home and three Originals back together!~

 and this sweet couple back together!!!~

 My sister Sissy and family were back in town and THAT was perfect too~

 The best part of the day for SJ was opening all her gifts~

Everything from legos and teasets to books/games and a swing plus new dog and swimsuits!!!

I think she would rank it right up there with some of her favorite days!!! 

Happy 8th birthday SJ...

We couldn't love you more and look forward to many more!

Sissy~

My sister has been here for a week helping take care of my mom after surgery~

I'm not the only one that has loved having her here.

PLEASE move home and be with us ALL the time!!!

We love and adore you!

A Wedding Weekend~

My niece Jessica and Peter got married today and Savannah was in the wedding

so we had the great joy of keeping BC for the night.

He was perfect of course~

Once everyone was ready we headed to the wedding.

It was so wonderful watching Jessie become Mrs. Verdin

and take photos of our families~

My mom & dad, The girls with their sweet guys, the big family~

 Jason's family, Marcia's family, My sister and I~

 My siblings, My family, Marcia & Chris~

 Mom & Dad, Us, Savannah, Josh, & BC~

Family is everything and we are very happy to celebrate Jessica & Peter!!!

Shower for Jessica~

Our Saturday was spent hanging by the pool with Becca and Sam~

 Then we headed to the shower for Jessica and Peter~

 It was such a fun evening especially with my sister, Chris, and Savannah~

Together two weekends in a row and another coming!!!

Can't wait for the wedding coming this Saturday!

A Graduation Weekend~

My niece, Rebecca, graduated from high school last Saturday

and we were so excited to be there to celebrate!

Rebecca (Becca) had a very big class~

 We were so very proud of you Becca and can't wait to see where God leads you!

On Sunday we enjoyed Chris' parents' beach house on Folly Beach~

 Jason and Amy with kids stayed the weekend too and all the cousins loved playing on the beach together~

 New creatures were found~

 Lots of running across the wide open beach~

 Jumping waves and digging in the sand was the best~

 When it was time to go, we hosed everyone off and headed home for pizza.

Thank you Marcia and Chris, Becca and Sam for a wonderful weekend!!!

We can't wait for our next visit... THIS weekend! :)

Thanksgiving Two~

The weekend brought more family to our house for Thanksgiving Two on Saturday.

Evie was SO excited my sister was home along with her family~

{A sweet bond I wouldn't change for anything!!!}

Out tables were full once again~

LOVED having BC here again too~

Such a happy little baby~

 Crawling and sitting up everywhere!

Having my big girls home was the best part of all~

Best thing about Thanksgiving being over...

Won't be long until Christmas when everyone will be home for a longer time!

Bring on December!!

The BEST time of the Year!!!

A Sweet Last Day @ the Beach~

We were SO excited my sister Marcia and family were able to come spend the day with us~

They live about two hours away in Summerville!

We all enjoyed visiting~

Laughing our heads off~

 Catching fish~

 Jumping waves~

 Getting photos made~

Perfect end to a perfect day~

Dinner out for 16! Fun!!

LOVED this day!!!

Christmas W/ Marcia's Family~

My sister and her family are home for a few days so we celebrated Christmas with them last night.

We made dinner and had the kids open presents before~

 LOVED having Josh and Savannah home too!!!

 IS there any time sweeter than that spent with family?

Thankful we are spreading it throughout the holidays!!!

Thanksgiving Two~

Our second Thanksgiving was spent Saturday evening with the addition of my sister and her family.

It was also the day we had planned to shoot our Christmas card photo.

Amelia shot this of Scott and I~

 

Josh was on his way back when he got a call his dad had been taken to the hospital with pneumonia so he turned around and headed straight back to him. Please be praying for Mr. Ben and their family!

Since Josh wasn't in photo Savannah wasn't either {She shot our photo!} and they will be featured on the back along with sweet Abby.

I did get a very sweet shot of my beautiful children~

I also took time to shoot a few senior photos of Rosemary~

 The last to the right so symbolic of her week applying to colleges and wondering where God will plant her for His plan!

As we crossed back over the street, I was struck once again by how wonderful Home is during the holidays~

 Thankful to have a houseful once again~

My Grandfather~

My Parents~

My Sister, Marcia and her family~

My brother Jason and his family~

 {Missed you Jessie, Peter, and Josh!}

And wasn't God so AWESOME when He painted the sky with such beauty~

 Even three little boys were awe struck~

Thanksgiving Two... a Huge Success!!!

Thankful Day 7 {Family and Home}~

I grew up in this small town on the lake {well actually on a beautiful dairy farm} but still in this area

and actually said when I went to college I would never come back

{Just a great place to be FROM}.

Six years ago we were living in a suburb of Atlanta raising our 4 girls.

We felt the pull to move back home not really knowing why it was God's will.

Many things confirmed this call on our family and it has been the best thing we could have ever done for our children {Bigs and littles}~

It is also a beautiful blessing that we live only 5 miles from my parents and my brother's family.

I am SO thankful for my parents who are always available and love our whole family SO well~

 And my siblings that bless my life so much~

{I tell mama all the time they are the best gifts she ever gave me!}

I LOVE you Daddy, Mama, John, Marcia, and Jason.

We are very blessed and I'm thankful for each of you!!!

So today I am thankful for Family and Home!

 

Exodus 20:12 

 Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.