Visit with Santa

Santa came to visit at the Capital City Club on Sunday, and we had Brunch with Santa. Braceland went over his list with Santa which contained only 3 items, a Hans Solo Ship, sleeping bag, and a new bike horn. He has not realized we have passed his bike down to someone else, because he outgrew it. I dare not mention it. He may add a bike to the list. He does have a 3 wheeled bike, sort of like the old Hot Wheels bikes with wide tires. I guess he could use a horn on that one. He is so excited about the Holidays and Christmas. He really gets into the lights and all the decorations. I baked about 30 dozen cookies this past weekend for clients and friends. I know what some are thinking, but it really was fun.

Braceland loses his first tooth

This was exciting! Braceland pulled his tooth or shall we say wiggled it out during nap time at school last week. Now that we lost the second tooth this week, I thought maybe I will download both pics from last week and this week. Ther permanent tooth was directly behind it and fully in. I must say the 2 new teeth are far from straight. I am hoping they straighten out over time.

Tooth No. 2

We lost tooth No. 2 this week. Sister Maria (St. Joseph's private Dentist) assisted with this one. Braceland was thrilled. Another visit from the Tooth Fairy.

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My sister, Lea, her daughter, Mary Evans and my brother, Jay, came over. Jay spent a few days with us, and by Saturday he had enough family and headed back to Wilmington. Braceland was so excited this year about Thanksgiving. He made a lamented placemat, buffalo skin and Indian head dress for decorations. He decided we did not have enough decorations, so he drew the turkey you see and placed it on the table for our center piece. He took charge and said the blessing for everyone. It is amazing how much he has grown up. I spent a lot of time cooking the traditional dinner with all the fixings, but as you see, he chose the mashed potatoes and a roll.

Fall Soccer has come to an end

Soccer has come to an end until Spring! We are not signed up for anything until Spring, maybe a golf lesson here and there. Fun season and the kids were so cute and tried so hard. We ended the year with a late afternoon pizza party and trophy awards at the park. We got the TROPHY!!!!!

St. Joseph Saints Walk today

Today was the Saints walk at school. The kids could dress down and wear a "silly" hat for the walk. We went with the Gamecock theme. Go Gamecocks!!!!!

Boo At The Zoo 2008

Last night we went to "Boo At The Zoo". Riverbanks Zoo does a great job for the kids, providing stops throughout the zoo for candy, a maze, spooky carousel ride, a magician and lots of lights. Elizabeth Berg and I took Emily, Braceland, and his cousin Joseph. The Kitty Cat, Indiana Jones and GI Joe had a great time! Tomorrow is the St. Joseph School carnival and Friday is a Halloween get together for families and trick or treating in our "new" neighborhood. More to come. Happy Halloween!!!!

The Corn Maze

Braceland loves adventures. I thought it would be a fun to go to a farm in Lexington that I saw advertising a corn maze quest, hayrides, etc. Off we go. There are spots in the maze which ask questions regarding government that give you answers for the sheet you are given at the beginning. Very deceiving. What they should give you are hints to let you know if you are going in the right direction or you need to turn around. I can say that it was a beautiful day!!! After one hour and thirty minutes ( who's counting), Paul was losing his "sense of adventure". They give you a flag to hold up if you are lost and need help. I wanted to do just that, but Braceland insisted we do not give up. We didn't. The last picture was when we found the exit to the maze.

USC vs LSU

Unfortunately, we did not win the game, but we had a great time tailgating before the game. I always seem to take my camera and forget to pull it out. I managed a few on Saturday. Braceland and Emily before the game. Too cute!!!

It's that time of year

Poor Braceland caught the stomach virus at school. It has been spreading like wildfire through the 4k and now I guess 5k. He came home Friday and just wasn't himself. He woke up Saturday with fever and not being able to hold anything down. Of course, with Paul and his weak stomach, it has been somewhat of a nightmare. I can't remember if I slept this weekend. The worst for Braceland was that he missed his playdate with Emily and Katie King's birthday party. Braceland told us, "he does not like this time of season". He understands enough to know, it is germ season. He said "he wished it was summer". This weekend so did I. As of about 1:00 this afternoon, he seems to have made the turn. We are hoping and praying. They are so pitiful when they are sick.

A Day Out With Thomas

On Saturday, after early morning soccer pictures, we hit the road for our Day Out With Thomas. Our ride was scheduled for 11:30. This is our 4th year in a row. We keep saying this is probably our last year, but we are here again in Spencer, NC. He still gets so excited about Thomas and still loves Sodor Island and all his trains. We listened to the Gamecocks on the radio and made it back home for the last hour of the game on TV. Great game!

St. Joseph Bobcats

Team pictures were taken this past Saturday morning at 7:45am. That was an exercise to get us all there on time. I am the only morning person in our group. Aren't they cute as can be.

Soccer Season has begun!

The St. Joseph Bobcats had their first soccer game this past Saturday. What fun! The little ones are so cute and try so hard. In the picture, the 3 muskateers, Emily (5), Braceland (5) and Peyton(5). These are the 3 that have been together since the infant class at USC. They were in 4k together and now 5k.

Wedding Pics

Julie and her grandmother (Connie Degenhart)












Jay Degenhart (Bill and Jan Degenhart's oldest son)











Paul and Braceland Degenhart












Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Bob and Connie) Degenhart

Wedding Pics

Will and Karen Degenhart












"Hang in there William for just a few more pictures and we will get those bribes we were promised"










Joseph Degenhart and Braceland Degenhart












Mr. Degenhart speaking at the reception.

Julie & Miller's Low Country Wedding

Wow what a week. Paul, Braceland and I went down to Pawley's Island for Labor Day Weekend and stayed for the week trying to give Braceland a vacation, since we did not take him on one this summer. Hurricane Hanna threw several kinks in the wedding festivities, but by Saturday morning, the sun was shining and the sky was blue. Here are a few pics from the wedding. I meant to take more, but I was having so much fun I forgot to take more pics. It was a beautiful wedding and the bride and groom were beaming. I did not quite get all the wedding party in my picture to the right. Braceland and William (cousin of the groom) were ring bearers. Braceland in the "Carolina" bow tie, William in the "Citadel" bow tie. Julie wanted each of their alma maters represented, and they did a fine job. I will attach some more pics.
Paul's daughters Gail and Lara and their families were not able to make the trip due to the hurricane which was very disappointing. Paul's son Will and his wife Karen made the trip from New Orleans, I guess they could not get enough of hurricanes.
It was beautiful and the setting at Litchfield Plantation was perfect among the old mossy oaks and creeks.

The Sleeping Cap

Well, since I made the Lion costume, Braceland put in his second request. He wanted a sleeping cap just like Thomas the Tank Engine wears when he goes to sleep in his shed. He mentioned it, and I somewhat laughed to myself and thought this will pass. It didn't. He reminded me every other day about it. I picked him up from school and he asked could we go pick out the fabric. He chose the fabric (had to be soft and blue) and the pom poms on the end. We went home and "Martha Stewart" whipped out the sewing machine. It really was fun to do. He was so excited and has worn it the last 2 nights, all night. He thinks it is the best!!!! Of course, that smile for me makes me so happy and thankful for the simple things in life.

Taking care of Brownie

I downloaded some pics that I took over the weekend. The little brown dog is Braceland's Webkinz "Brownie". Brownie became sick Friday evening. Braceland went to bed with an ice block on Brownie's head and insisted that he was still sick on Saturday morning. Braceland was playing games on the computer and taking really good care of Brownie. He took him to visit Dr. Quack on the Webkinz website and the Dr. said he should start to feel better Saturday afternoon. With techonology, there is endless entertainment. The imagination can go on and on.

First Day of School 5K

Braceland was great. The second picture is Braceland and his new teacher, Mrs. Kinsey.
He did not even turn around to wave bye to me and all the other Moms left behind.