Party Like It's 2011!!!

So this is the last post for 2010. It has flown by and it is hard to believe we are on the brink of a new year. We are not big New Years Eve people so we are spending a quiet night at home with take out food and some sparkling white grape juice- I know everyone is jealous. We are also suffering through a pitiful performance by the Gamecocks in the Chick-fil-A Bowl-typical. Kevin and Murphy are sick so I am holding down the fort and hoping for some SLEEP! I figure it is already 2011 somewhere so I don't need to stay up until midnight! Good Night and Happy 2011!

Look What Santa Left!

This is what we woke up to this morning- A Winter Wonderland! I am not a BIG fan of snow- I guess I am just like the HEAT MISER (from my favorite Christmas show) and I like it warm- that's why I live in the SOUTH! But I pulled out all of the snow gear and got all the kids bundled up and ready to head out into the snowy outdoors (quite a workout). We ran around and built a few snowmen but 20 minutes in to our snowy fun the first kid was ready to go inside- this is why I will NEVER live where it snows a lot! One by one they trickled inside to warm up. After a warm-up they wanted to venture out again. Thankfully they lasted a bit longer the 2nd time thanks to a game of snow football. Now I am left with a huge pile of wet coats, hats and mittens- OH JOY! But the good news is that it warmed up enough for the snow to melt and by Friday it is suppose to be 68 degrees! YEEHAW!

Merry KISS-mas (Whit's lingo)

Christmas Morning

Griffin opening his 500th piece of DUKE logoed merchandise

Murphy enjoying the wrapping paper

Murphy helping Brett open a present

Whit opening "Elefun" that he won't let anyone play!

Reese's haul

Brett's Hot Wheels

Carson and her new ipod touch

Fireman Whit

Reese's new NORTHFACE coat

Hanging out at Gram's

Too Much Christmas

Hadley modeling her new leo and boots- what a combo!

Christmas Dinner

Over all we had a good Christmas. The kids seemed happy with their gifts and actually got along most of the day- a great present for me. Christmas is nice but exhausting and I am always thankful when it is over and I can reclaim some sort of order in my house- and yes that means the Chrsitmas tree was out of here right after lunch! I know it is kind-of a SCROOGEish but it is always so cathartic to get all of the holiday clutter put away. Hey, at least it will give my kids a funny story to tell their kids about how "Crazy" Grandma Kelly hauled the Christmas tree away as soon as the presents were opened. My favorite thing was Whit everyone a "Merry KISSmas" all month long!

Merry Christmas to All & to All a Goodnight!

Hope your Christmas is Merry and Bright! And here's hoping mine doesn't start too early!!!

Christmas Art

Here is a sampling of our Christmas art that the kids have made through the years. We have lots more but only so much would fit on the wall.

It's Gone to the Dogs Around Here!

Trying to contain the excitement around here! The dogs are even getting into the Christmas spirit- of course the promise of "COOKIES" will get them to do almost anything. Here's hoping your Christmas Eve is "PAW-some"!

Please pass the SALT!

Yes. Whitaker has done it again. Turn your back for 1 second and this is what happens.   The entire shaker of salt emptied on to his plate!!!

Murphy @ 8 Months

High Chairs, Cheerios and Sippy Cups

My 1st Christmas

Starting to pull up on things! OH NO!

Murphy is 8 months old! He is getting very BUSY (code word for TROUBLE)! He moves at top speed across the floor, has started pulling up on things and has even taken a step holding on to the play shopping cart. This is NOT a good thing in my book. He LOVES to eat- especially CHEERIOS and is good with a sippy cup so he will lose his bottles soon. He is still waking up most nights- another NOT so good thing in my book! But he is very happy and content most of the time. He loves to scream and mimic the big kids noises. His favorite "toy" is the dogs water bowl and it usually gets spilled at least once a day. He has 2 bottom teeth and has experimented with biting once or twice. He is a chubby guy but still not as chubby as Griffin was. He is a sweetie and always has a smile to share.

Greenville Meet

Hadley on the HIGH bar

This is what the bars do to your hands. OUCH!

Hadley had her 2nd meet last weekend. She Got GOLD on vault, BRONZE on floor and BRONZE all- around. She still has lots of room to improve but she got better scores than she did in her 1st meet so that is GREAT!

Heirloom Christmas Hat

Carson 1998

Reese 2000

Hadley 2002

Brett 2005

Whit 2008

Murphy 2010

Here are most of the kiddos in the infamous Christmas hat. Sorry the pics are not great but I had to scan a few and the quality is not so good but you get the idea! I can't locate one of Griffin yet because it is in the archives of pre-digital photos. I am still in search of it so if I find it I will put it up. If not maybe I can get him to model it for me this year- YEAH Right!!!