SEVEN.

the masked man approacheth
(you can just hear the Imperial March, can't you?)

ATTACK!

this picture makes me laugh every time. Jamie...or Bill Cosby?

S turned SEVEN last month and since we eat, sleep and breathe Star Wars around here, how else to celebrate but with a Star Wars party?! S and G dressed as Obi Wan and Yoda and greeted the guests at the bridge of the park with a light saber, which was each guests' party favor.

we then had Jedi Training led by Jedi Master Jamie...

each Jedi was trained in Balance (carrying an egg in a spoon across a narrow ledge), Light Saber Fighting (hitting bubbles a.k.a. "Droids" with their light sabers) and Blaster Target Practice (Nerf gun used to shoot a poster of Darth Vader).

after each Jedi was awarded his certificate, there was a surprise visit by Darth Vader himself (a rather good sport, he was).

a fun time was had by all!

to see photos of the birthday boy at his photo shoot at Sloss, check out my other blog!

what's been goin' on...

on the front porch

heading out to see Wicked!

out on the front porch being social

my saint patrick's day baby

not a technically great shot, but he looks so mild mannered and at peace there in his room ( a rarity these days, let me tell ya) that i had to post it :)



lots of change going on around here...mainly a change of address! we moved over spring break and are slowly but surely getting settled. we LOVE our neighborhood and community and are humbled by the graciousness of friends, family and new neighbors...and grateful to be HOME.

the boys are excited because we can walk to their favorite pizza parlor. i'm excited b/c i can walk to the school, library, grocery store, the kids clothing consignment store...and most importantly, the Creamery-land of Only 8! :)

thank you to all you sweet friends and family who brought us meals, who kept our children, helped us move and were excited for us through this transition. we truly mean it when we say we couldn't have done it without you!

we hope you'll come see us!

one year

i've been a bit negligent of both the blogs lately. mainly due to mr. mobile pictured here.
he is giving me a run for my money! but, isn't he delish? i just can't get enough of his hugs and kisses and giggles. i never dreamt when i was young that the Lord would grant me 1 boy, let alone 3 boys to love. what a sweet, sweet surprise He had in store for me! i cannot imagine my life without them nor this 3rd little man to round things out. he is a true joy. seeing him through the eyes of his brothers has been even more special than i anticipated. i love it when they are overcome with giggles by his little baby ways. they have a special love for him that is a blessing for Jamie and I to watch and I can't help but be excited about what they will mean to each other as they grow up.

i took these photos a couple of months ago when he turned one. at the end of the shoot, which was done downtown, the big boys wanted to take a photo of me with each of them. not a bad job, huh?

AVL

statue at Biltmore

at our B & B

there is nothing like seeing this place during the holidays at night

i love these lions!

chestnuts roasted over an open fire
no sight of jack frost, though

mr. chef at the cooking demo

tasty shrimp and grits
at the cooking demo

on the porch of our B & B

a libation enjoyed by the roaring fire at Grove Park Inn

we took our anniversary trip to our tried and true favorite~Asheville, NC back at the beginning of of December to celebrate 9 years of marriage. we just love this town. and this year, in addition to all our standard favorites, we had the help of the Kesler's and their local insider suggestions ;-). we could have eaten our way through Asheville. there are some chefs with seriously mad skills in that town.

so, if you are ever headed that way, let me go on and on about what all to do there :)

Breathe In (huh? you ask...)

I have been tagged again. This time by my friend Mandie :)
Do I have time for this? No! But, it was too funny to pass up.
Especially toward the end...
Here's what ya do:
1. Put your music playing device on shuffle.
2.For each question, press the Next button to get the answer
3.Write the song name down.
4. Tag friends who you think would enjoy this.


IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
City Love (Live in Birmingham)-John Mayer

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
The Bad Actress-Josh Ritter

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Life Is Just a Tire Swing-Jimmy Buffett

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Untitled-Interpol

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
New Hymn-James Taylor

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Boplicity-Miles Davis

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Message In a Bottle-The Police

WHAT IS 2+2?
Karolina-National Skyline

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Ants Marching-Dave Matthews Band

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face-Coldplay

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
When Doves Cry-Prince

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Miracle-David Wilcox

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Haiti-Arcade Fire

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Home Within Your Heart-David Wilcox

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Jonah Was a Prophet-Veggie Tales

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For-U2

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Falling Slowly-Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova from the ONCE Soundtrack

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Rain-Patty Griffin

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
I Stand Corrected-Vampire Weekend

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Free Fallin'-John Mayer (I kid you not!!!!!)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
The First Song-Band of Horses (I guess this means I regret City Love?? no way, Babe ;)

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I Would Be Sad-The Avett Brothers (again...no kidding!)

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Help My Unbelief-Red Mountain Church (ok...it's a little creepy how this is working out...)

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Didjital Vibrations -Jamiroquai

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Inside and Out-Feist

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Is It Any Wonder?- Keane (hahahahaha!)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
In the Palm of Your Hand-Alison Krauss (oh dear...)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Holiday-Madonna (i am seriously cracking up!)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Breathe In-Frou Frou



Well I only know of 2 friends who truly love lists and they share the same name. One tagged me so I will tag the other...Amanda Skinner.

December

the boys always enjoy decorating a gingerbread house

next to Big Al at Zoolight

S was extremely excited about being a Shepherd in the school play

getting ready to throw their reindeer food in the yard

M was interested in things other than the Christmas story

Brother Sandwich!

M paid more attn to his brother's gifts. For some reason, he got SO excited about these lap desks and markers. I love his expressions in these...

gift from Aunt Molly & Uncle Jonas

our sweet baby cousin R snoozing

with his newest baby cousin

it was a STAR WARS Christmas!

beautiful Jenny sporting that cute baby bump that is our newest cousin to be!

M loves his uncle

cousins blowing out the candles on Jesus' Birthday cake


Some family photos from our December. We hope you had a blessed holiday season!