Traditions of Christmas

Our most favorite part about the holidays are traditions. Some traditions we have from our childhood and others have been created later in life. One tradition that has occured for about 8 years is our "Fundue" night. When it was just Mimi, Papa, David and I, we used to get out fancy dishes, make a pretty table, make everything from scratch, and have a nice dinner. Actually, it was called "Fondue night" at that time. Three kids later, it has changed a lot. The boys coined the phrase "Fundue night" and it really is. Lots of laughing, lots of kissing, lots of eating, and lots of mess! If you drop your food in the fondue pot, you have to kiss someone. The boys love it! No more fancy tablecloth, fancy dishes, etc. While it has changed a lot, it is a ton of fun and something our kids will always remember!

Another tradition that has started since we had kids is going to the Galleria to see Santa. Camryn didn't love Santa so much! It's always a fun day and this day, we topped it off with dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

Sampson Seahawks - Superbowl!!

The boys rode to the superbowl in style!! It was such a treat for the kids to play at the Berry Center. Although it was FREEZING - it was really cool! They had a lot of fun and played hard. They unfortunately didn't come out on top but they had a super season! Jackson had such a blast and although he was disappointed to lose the big game - he would do it all again in a heartbeat!

We spent our Thanksgiving in Chattanooga at the Siragusa's. We had a super fun time and loved it there! The weather was beautiful and there was so much to do. First off, this is the back of their house. They have plenty of room for my boys to run around!

They loved the trampoline and all of the leaves in it! Unfortunately, a lot of those leaves came inside with them in their clothes!

On our first day there, we headed up to a place called Rock City. Now I really didn't know what to expect and I really don't know how to describe it. It's a gorgeous set of pathways that were cut into giant rocks. It's up in Lookout Mountain so the views are amazing. There is a path called "Fat Man Squeeze". They had lights set up for a special Christmas Night that night. Hey Melissa, how come we didn't go at night? That would have been really neat!! (ha, ha)

At the park for a picnic...

...and at Rock City.

Camryn and I enjoying the view.

I loved this...

The next day, we went downtown to check out the city. We ate at a cute hot dog place called The Good Dog and walked across the 1/2 mile bridge to the other side of the town. After some yummy ice cream for the kids, we walked back. There was a great park that the kids could play ball in.

All the fresh air wore Camryn out. She never took a pacifier but had no problem falling asleep with this shoe in her mouth!

We went to the Chattanooga Aquarium which was very nice. The exhibits were the best I've seen at an aquarium and the kids loved the butterfly exhibit too. David learned what a docent was and poor Melissa got stuck talking to that sweet talkative docent. At times it seemed that even though it was crowded, people really left our group alone and often gave us plenty of space. (Why do you think that was Bry?)

On Friday night, we went out to eat and fought the crowds at the boat parade and lighting ceremony. It was cold but a great way to get us excited for Christmas.

And finally, I had to post this sweet, on accident picture of Maddie. Isn't she just gorgeous! I love this picture of her and yes, she is as sweet as she looks!

Thanks Siragusas for lots of laughs, lots of yummy food, and lots of great outings. We had a great time and love Chattanooga!

Halloween Fun!

What fun it is to have a whole day of Halloween! We started out the morning with a soccer game but quickly got home to start the fun. We carved the pumpkins and they were our best ones yet! The boys did a great job cleaning them out and David did the carving. If you know my boys well, there is no way they can be around each other with a knife so Daddy did all of the carving! We had some friends over for chili and mummy dogs for dinner. I didn't get any pictures of that unfortunately! When the sun went down, we headed out! After the last treat was handed out, we hung out with our neighbors around a fire pit and let the kids run WILD! A great night!

Jackson was a dirtbike rider, Charlie a UPS man, and Camryn a 50's girl.

My boys...

Me and my girl...

Our spooky pumpkins!

Dear Time: Please Slow Down!!!

It pains me to say that my little girl has turned ONE! She has been such an easy little girl and has been so much fun. She loves to dance, laugh, watch her brothers, kiss her puppy, love on mommy, and swing outside. I can't imagine life without Camryn and although it's been interesting adding a baby to our crazy household, she has given each of us a joy we would have never had. We love you sweet Cami girl!

On her "real" birthday, we met Daddy at the mall. (isn't that where all girls want to spend their birthday?) She rode on the carousel for her first time and wasn't quite sure about it!

On to her party! We had a fiesta complete with fajitas, cake and a pinata. We had lots of fun and were so glad to share the fun with friends and family!

Two of her three great-grandmas were there too!

Cake Time! She was much more dainty than the boys were. She loved it though!

Pumpkin Patch...

I have to settle for 3 separate pictures at the patch this year. It just wasn't going to happen to get them all 3 together. That requires one of the boys to hold her and look anywhere in the vicinity of the camera and well, it doesn't happen!

This picture is on here simply because I love the back of her dress!

Major Catch-Up

I have been horribly bad at updating the blog. Here is a major recap of what has been going on since the start of school. Quite frankly, it's been pure chaos! We have literally been at a practice or game every day of the week. Thankfully, the rain has given us a little break lately. The boys have done well but are tired! I think they will enjoy a little break when football is done in the next couple of weeks! Camryn is doing great. An absolute joy and quite a trooper as she spends way too much time at some type of sports field. I will post our pumpkin patch and her birthday pics tomorrow!

Jackson is playing soccer. His team is the Pumas. They have played together for many seasons. They have done really well and are undefeated so far this season. They are also playing up an age group so that is quite an accomplishment!

Jackson has also played his first year of tackle football. His team is the Sampson Seahawks. He is the smallest little guy on the team but he doesn't care. He plays mostly noseguard and is usually up against the biggest guys on the other team. He's tough and has made some good tackles. He is having a blast with it!

Charlie is of course still playing baseball as this is his love. The Cyclones had another great season and made it to the Championship game again but unfortunately didn't end up on top. A second place finish isn't too shabby!

Charlie is on the Sampson Seahawk Flag team. He has had fun even though the team didn't do all that well. He has learned quite a bit about the game and that's what is important, right?? Well, winning is much more fun but...

If the above is not enough, somehow they find time to sneak off to the track too. They finished Round 1 of the "Mini Wars" and came home with some hardware. Dad is happy!

Cam is crawling, laughing, spitting, getting close to walking, and eating a ton. She's still a peanut even though this little girl eats and eats and eats. More on her in the next post as we just celebrated her first birthday!

Camryn's Baptism

We celebrated Camryn's baptism on Sunday. We were joined by Mimi, Papa, Gramps, Kimmy Lou, Mops, Pops, Jaime and Michael. I was hoping that maybe they could run the boys through again - I think they need a baptism booster!! We had a great time and enjoyed some laughs, food, and yummy cake at home. We love you Camryn!!

99 years!

Our "Nonnie" just turned 99 this week! This is Ron's (my stepdad) mother. She does so well as you can see. The party was at the Walden Yacht Club and the singer had quite a group dancing for her. The kids loved it. Nonnie and Ron danced to "The Way You Look Tonight". It was sweet. The Kiehl's were in town for the party and it was so good to see them. They are all three so absolutely delightful and so grown up. Happy Birthday Nonnie! We can't wait for the big 100!!

Sister Beach Trip

We just returned from our every other year beach trip with my sisters' families. We had a great time! Now I have to start working off the extra weight I gained. We ate like crazy!!

Lots of Boogie Boarding

Camryn

Claire

My Boys

Maddie

My nephew, Nickie, hates to have his pic taken but I think I got a few cute ones.

Our 3 beach bums!

Good Times!!