Christmas is upon us!

The St. Joseph Choir did an excellent job at the Lessons and Carols. Braceland is so into Christmas and can hardly contain himself. With sleeping cap on, he is ready for Santa.

Halloween 2009

Star Wars seems to be the theme at our house lately. Halloween was fun again this year. We carved the X-Wing Fighter . We were even able to talk Paul into dressing up. Braceland provided us with the weapons/props we needed. We went to the neighborhood Halloween party then to Grandpa & Grandma's and then onto Cathy's house. Grandpa had a surprise for us. Braceland asked "that's Grandpa, right?" several times. Grandma just laughed at all of us. It was fun!

Boogie Board Boy

Well, he finally got it this summer. He tried the Boogie Board last summer, but he could not balance on it and control it. He must have built some muscle during the school year. The waves were great this past weekend due to the storm brewing in the Atlantic. Waves were about 5feet, but we did not go past my knees. Riptides were so strong. Made for a good wave ride.

July 4th hanging out at home

Braceland and Max chilling Braceland, Max and Joseph hanging out in the hot tub.

Our friends Kevin and Laura came to visit for the weekend and brought their son Max who is the same age as Braceland. They had so much fun hanging out. It was amazing that we did not hear anything from them unless it had to do with hunger. It was great to catch up with Kevin and Laura after being gone 6 years in Alabama. We had our own little 4th celebration. Family and Friends came over Friday night for a low country boil with the best Shrimp (Alabama reds) I have ever had. Laura promised it would taste like lobster and it did. Saturday we had another day of grilling and gathering again. Fun! Fun!

USC Little Gamecock Basketball Camp

Braceland went for his second year to Coach Horn's basketball camp and had a blast. The players and all the coaching staff were terrific.

He still loves Cocky the best I am afraid, sorry guys.

Go Gamecocks!

Big Boy in his New Bedroom

Braceland still gets scared at night, so we are always playing musical beds. Unfortunately for him, our room is on the other side of the house which makes it a little more fearful. Paul decided to help out. Braceland insisted on sleeping in the sleeping bag next to Dad and not in the trundle. The "Big Boys".

Easter

O.K., I am finally adding some new pictures to the Blog. Between moving and working and all the other in between, I have neglected to update. These are some pictures that we took in our back yard. After church, we went over to Jeff and Janet's and enjoyed a great brunch with all the family that could make it. Braceland was the only egg hunter we had, but he loved it. Finding treasures is so much fun!!!

Monster Truck Jam

The Monster Truck Jam was "awesome" as stated by Braceland. Paul, Braceland, myself, Denice and Joseph Degenhart went on Saturday. Poor Vince was on call. It was loud, dusty, and a little scary. I had never been to a Monster Jam so I was not even sure what to expect. I ordered the tickets 6 months ago when I heard about it. I always try to get the best tickets and closest tickets (remember I have never been to one) at the event. Well, I did. We were in the 3rd row where the seats started. They had marked off several rows, and I believe could have marked off a lot more for my comfort level. The boys had a blast and I now know where I want to sit at the next Monster Truck Jam!

Big Snow Day in Columbia

Well, we finally got a little snow. Braceland was so excited, because he has never witnessed snow. He went on the back deck in his pajamas and caught a few flakes in his mouth. We went outside and we were able to get enough snow off the cars to have a snow ball fight He loved it. I would not want to live where it snows all the time, but we sure would love one good snowfall a year. Oh well, maybe we will get some more this season and enough to build a snowman.

Cabin Fever

With the cold weather and rain today, we have been inside most of the weekend. We have played and dressed up with Star Wars, Ninja Turtles and now race cars are now racing all over the floor as I type. It has been fun and I was able to watch a "girl flick", Duchess today. I never get to watch DVD's of my choice, so it was a real treat. All I have to do is tell Braceland that I am watching a girl flick, and he will not enter the room. He comes to the doorway and talks to me from there. I don't know why, I guess it is a guy thing. I have never told him he could not come in! He just doesn't.

What we read?

Well, Braceland has become quite the little reader. We were in Barns & Noble picking out a book, and we ran into a lady who had 2 identical twin boys around the age of 9, I'm guessing. She suggesterd the "Captain Underpants" series. She said her boys loved them. I was a little reluctant. She said the worst word is "poop" and if you are o.k. with that, they are silly nonsense boy books. We purchased "Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets". Braceland read the entire book Saturday afternoon which was around 100 pages. He insisted we go back the next day and get another one. We did go back and buy 2 more, and he has read those. My thoughts on it, if these books make reading fun, then I am o.k. with them. "Silly boy humor"