Morgan

Morgan, the oldest, and the ONLY girl in the group! you are so cherished...sometimes that comes across as "overprotective" maybe "too strict" I am so proud of you and all you have done. So artistic and talented. Thank you for always offering to run errands, take your brothers to practice and music lessons. I love your fun personality and beautiful smile. Your room is always a celebration of color and style(although sometimes it is hard to see with all the clothes on the floor!!) A great girl to take shopping or for pedicures. You never give up, you are always there for your friends and family. Keep smiling and know that you are very loved!!

Labor Day

I don't usually make a big deal about Labor Day, just not one of my big holidays. This time, though, it really evolved into a fun day. Several good things happened....

1. I slept late and had 2 cups of coffee with vanilla caramel flavored creamer, yum

2. I made shrimp salad for me and mom to have for lunch and it was really good(unusual, I am not known for my culinary skills)

3. Cathy came for the day with Maggie, Daniel, Mr Smith, Ann and the foreign exchange student, Prem. We had fun going on golf cart rides, climbing trees and playing by the creek.

4. And this is BIG for me: Cathy says I am more laid back living here because I had dirty dishes in the sink and 2 dogs running around the house and I was just relaxing in the den.

Seems like the best days are the ones you don't plan, they just happen. Hope you enjoyed the Labor Day holiday too.

more ordinary days....

here is little Cooper, can you tell we love this puppy??? Matt took the close up, pretty good I think

Well, my blog picture is my beloved oak tree in the back yard. It was love at first sight, and the reason I wanted this house so much. Bruce says he remembers when we came to look at the house, and he looked out the window, and there I was running around the back yard like a crazy person yelling about the tree.... see why??

Anyway, Michael is playing football again this year, so I included some pictures of him getting ready for practice. Looking quite grown up

Weekends after busy weeks......

The sunsets are so gorgeous on James Island. Every night it looks a littel different we try to enjoy the evenings as much as possible on the weekends, because we're busy with practices and school during the week, like most family's. Our new puppy is adorable and we are so glad to have him.....

homemade rope swings are the best......

and we cannot wait to get a motor on this.....

Matthew saved his money all summer from mowing lawns and bought a john boat. I am sure Santa will bring him a motor for it. He has a boating license compliments of the USCG boating class(go Coast Guard!!) If anyone can fix up this boat, it is Matt. Hope your weekend is relaxing. Joanne

Sunday

Sundays are great days for napping...lucky for us Bruce is putting up curtain rods in the kids rooms and unpacking the last of our boxes from storage. Today after church, we had lunch, but what was special was what we had that wonderful neighbors and friends had made for us. The most wonderful chicken pasta salad from a neighbor whom I had met a year ago at my school job, the most delicious homemade pound cake from my good friend! I so appreciate these women taking the time to bake and cook for my family.

Later after nap, I am looking forward to school shopping with Matt. School shopping is so much fun. It is fun to take each child separately and spoil them a little with lunch and shopping. For now, time for my long awaited NAP!!

Enjoy the day!

Saturday

This is my good Saturday- first i had 2 cups of coffee in my favorite chair. Then Morgan plopped on the floor in front of me to have french braids in her hair.Then we went downtown and shopped together. Looking for shade on King Street because the heat was sweltering. We also went to our favorite "Moes" for lunch, vowing to keep it a secret because Matt and Michael would be so jealous.

Tonight we had good friends for dinner along with some of the kids friends who were here. The tide was so high tonight, the highest we've seen it yet, so the kids kyacked and swam in the creek.When it got dark we ate pasta and lasangne. There were kids sprawled on couches and chairs and we watched the puppy and josie play. Then we lit the torches and sat on the patio.

now everyone is in bed, except for me. I am sitting here in my new nightgown, the one Morgan convinced me to get from Victoria Secret's.I usually get pjs from Walmart, but I have to admit this new one is comfy. The house is so quiet and before i go to bed, i love to go look at each child asleep. Isn't that such a mommie thing to do? we all do it, watch them sleep for a few minutes before we go to bed, no matter how old they get. Good night...

Along with moving into a new(old) house, we also have a new puppy. The sellers Lab had a litter of gorgeous puppies and we fell in love with them, so that is how Cooper came to be part of our family. Since the house we bought needs some TLC, why not get the puppy now before we start fixing things up. We are having soo much fun watching him and Josie the golden play together. I will post pics of the house as soon as I can get my camera charged again. For now, I am busy unpacking boxes and relying on the Piggly Wiggly Deli to feed my family. Every evening, though, I sit outside and admire the huge old oak tree in the yard. It is beautiful and completely forms a canopy of shade over the entire patio. I just love the yard and you will see why when I get some photos of the trees on here. For now, back to unpacking!