Thanksgiving 08

Happy Thanksgiving Babies! We spent the day at Mammy Tines for Thanksgiving this year. Uncle Jerry is home from Seattle and what a treat to spend Thanksgiving with him. Almost all of the family was there this year except Spence (he was home with a stomach virus:-()It is so amazing to see how big our family has grown over the years. Within the last 2 years, we have had 3 new babies (all girls I might add) and a new wedding proposal - Congrats Nikki and Chris! We are still waiting on Matthew and Jess....we will keep praying! Getting to spend time with our family is always chaos and lots of laughter. There is always someone cracking jokes (usually Uncle Mike) or doing something silly (most of the time Nana, Mommy or Jessica). This year, we caught up on our family portraits. Ally Brynn, you loved baby Shelby so much. You kept saying "Hold it, Hold it." When we put her in your lap, you gave her kisses and said "Hey". Aunt Lydia and Jess even said that you pointed to Shelby and said "I want one." Ha Ha Ayden, you loved playing in the yard with Harley, Zack, and Clay. Ava tried to tag along with you guys but I don't think she could keep up. I know that Mammy Tine especially loves all of us being there and this year she made sure to point out to all of us that our HUGE family all started with just two people. Ayden and Ally Brynn, you never met any of your great grandfathers but this Thanksgiving I am sure they are smiling down on us and saying how precious you both are. I asked Ayden and Daddy what they were most Thankful for this day and Daddy's response was "My Family...most definitley" and Ayden your response was "That God gave me Ally Brynn." I am most thankful this year for each of you. I am thankful for our health, I am thankful that mommy and daddy have jobs, I am thankful that we have a roof over our heads and food in our mouth. I love you with all of my heart and feel so furtunate to have been given all of the blessings that God has given us.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Happy Birthday Daddy! Today is your 32nd birthday and the kids and I wanted to let you know how special you are to us. You are the best daddy and husband in the world. After 14 years together, I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else. I love you more and more with every passing day. I asked Ayden a few questions about you on the way home from school/work yesterday. One was "How do you think Mimi and Papa came up with the name Andrew Steven for daddy when he was born?" Ayden's response was "I think they had some ducks they names Andrew and Steven and maybe that is where they named daddy from." Then I asked "What is your favorite thing about daddy?" Ayden's response was "He loves me!" Next was "What is your favorite thing to do with daddy?" Ayden's response was "I love riding four wheelers with daddy." One other thing I asked was "How much do you love daddy." Ayden's response was "As much as the whole wide world." We made these video clips for you to tell you how much we love you. You almost caught us with one but we were able to finish up before you came in. Ayden wouldn't quit chopping on the beef jerkey that you gave him and Ally Brynn wouldn't take her eyes off of it! Too Funny :-)

Smith Thanksgiving

What a busy weekend! The holidays have arrived (faster than ever) and we had our first Thanksgiving meal today at Sommer and Keith Judy's in Summerville. Dad, Aunt Camie, Uncle Greg and I had your cousin Jantz' wedding in Charleston on Saturday night and we stayed in Charleston. Ayden, you and Ally Brynn spent Saturday night with MiMi and she and Grandmama brought you to Sommer's Sunday morning. Ayden, as soon as we arrived, you were eager to show daddy and I that you could pet Reeces' dog. He was a bigger dog and you were not afraid at all. Ever since you were small, you have not liked dogs. The past few months however you have really come around. You, Reece, Kayla and Conner spent most of the day in the yard playing. At one point, you guys came in with a dead frog to show everyone. You guys were throwing it on each other and just laughing, laughing, laughing. It reminded me of the poem...Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails, thats what little boys are made of. I almost painted your nursery in that theme. I enjoyed watching all of you play so good together. Daddy and I talked tonight about how close all of you will be growing up, since ya'll are all so close in age. These times are so precious and I know you all will be grown before we know it:-(



Ally Brynn, you spent the day inside getting lots of attention. You and Aunt Camie played on the floor, you and Kendall did each others makeup and everyone just loved squeezing and getting kisses from you. You and grandmama even negotiated some kisses for chewing gum. Grandmama was getting her lipstick out of her purse and you immediately started saying "Gum,Gum." You know what is usually inside a pocket book Ha Ha! We had a great day with exceptional food and fun times. It was great seeing everyone and just spending time together.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Uncle Jerry's Home

Today Uncle Jerry, Nana's brother, came home to spend the holidays. Mammy Tine, Aunt Shirley and I went to pick him up at the Charleston Airport this morning and then met Aunt Lydia at Mammy Tines for lunch. We had such a good time just talking and spending time together, something we don't do enough. Tonight, Aunt Shirley, Ava Minus, Chris Minus and fiance Nikki Dukes, Zackary Bozard, Nana, Mammy Tine, Uncle Jerry, Andy, Ally Brynn, Ayden and I all went to eat at Antley's BarBQ for supper. Uncle Jerry loved their BarBQ the last time he was home and wanted it to be one of the first places he ate this time home. Ally Brynn, you and Ava are so cute! Both of you fought over who Aunt Shirley was going to hold. Ayden, you had such a great time with Zach. Your intellectual conversations at supper were so funny. Zach would ask you different things like what 2 plus 2 was and 10 times 29 and you would just make up a number. Nikki, Daddy and I just enjoyed you two so much.

Duck Calling Contest

As most of you know, I have a HORRIBLE memory. That is one of the main reasons for this blog. I don't want to forget the special things the kids say and do throughout the years. I want to capture their experiences and the memories so that I can look back on them forever. Memories of my childhood are very few and far between. I can't remember alot but the memories I do have, are very special. Some of my favorite memories are of my dad teaching my brother and I how to blow the duck call. We would listen to duck calling tapes and go outside in the freezing cold and practice, practice, practice. Every year there was and still is a local duck calling contest held in different parts of SC. Varying age groups can compete to go to the world competition. As a young adult, dad won the local competition, the state competition and made it to the world duck calling contest. I can still remember him going around the house singing "God Bless America" because Lee Greenwood was at that competition and because he LOVES to sing. He had a photo album with all of his pictures from the contest. I remember that album was the type you put the pictures on the page and they stuck to the backing. After a few years, the backing would yellow. The pictues were covered with a clear protective sheet. Do you remember those? Dad has always been an avid outdoorsman and duck calling is one of his loves. I think it is because duck hunting was a past time that he shared with his dad and brothers. Ken and I would always compete against each other and of course he would always beat me. However, at a very early age, this taught me competition and showed me what drive was all about. I can remember being soooo determined to beat him (mostly because I was a girl)and I loved all the attention I received from being one of the only girls to blow in the tournament. If only I could have perfected the feed call, I know I could have beat Ken:-) Regardless of the competition, the time we spent together was priceless. Even today, we all still enjoy blowing and now Ken and I have passed that love to our children. Dad is a judge in the yearly local tournament along with some of his old hunting buddies and the kids have started to compete. Clay (10) has been blowing since he was probably 4-5 years old. He has won all of the competitions he has blown in. Last week was Ayden's second year blowing and he came in second (we didn't find out until 2 days before about the tournament and Ayden was sick). His first year, at 4 years old, he won. Here are some of the pictures from this years duck calling contest at Black River Marine here in Orangeburg. Ayden, Clay and some of Clay's friends had so much fun showing off their duck calling skills and watching dad (Pa) show off his.

Soccer Awards

Well, we have officially wrapped up Ayden's first year of soccer. We attended the awards ceremony Sunday November 16th. Coach Matt Hiatt had pizza and trophies for the boys. Here are a few pictures of The Blizzards 2008 Orangeburg City League and their tropies.

Sunday 11-9-08 Mountain Trip

Sunday 11-9-08

Well, this was the last day of our trip to the mountains. I once again got up early to try to catch some pics of the deer and the sunrise. I never saw any deer but heard them all around the house. As soon as I walked out of the door that morning, a doe blew very close to me. I enjoyed just sitting on the porch in quiet serenity and listening to the sounds of nature. I was so in awe of the beauty of the area. We all got up, dressed, packed, and had some breakfast. Ayden you and daddy headed back to the vine swing for a little more swinging before it was time to leave. Ally Brynn you played with Kylee, Carley and Jake while we cleaned the house. When it was time to go, we headed for town to get Ayden another slingshot. Daddy said that Ayden's broke while they were playing with it the day before. We found a new slingshot and decided to walk down to the river and climb on some of the enormous boulders in the river. Ayden this was amazing to you. You had so much fun jumping from rock to rock and would have never left. Your daddy had just as much fun as you did (maybe more). The two of you are so much alike and enjoy so many of the same things. When we were making our way back to the bridge to leave, we tried to cross a small creek area full of rocks. Ayden your right leg slipped off the rock and you slipped into the water. The water was only a few inches deep but you were devestated. Thank goodness the car was close by and you had clothes to change into. The water was COLD. We talked about the trip a little later and you still said that the swing and the rock climbing at the river were your two favorite parts of the mountain trip. Your daddy and I had sooo much fun this weekend creating memories and new experiences with you two and our friends. We are so thankful to Chuck and Parrish for inviting us.

Saturday of the Mountain Trip

Saturday November 8th, 2008

I started the day dark and early; before the sun began to rise. I wanted to take a walk and hopefully capture some pics of some deer and the mountain sunrise. As I headed down the trail to the house, I rounded one of the corners in the road and there was a doe crossing the road. As soon as I snapped a picture, she jumped in the air and took off. I did get a pic but she is in motion. The sunrise was worth my early awakening and you can see by the pictures. While everyone was waking up, Parrish cooked a big breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast. We decided to take you all to Chimney Rock park for the day. While we were getting ready, Ayden you and daddy decided to head into the woods to hike up the mountain beside the house. You weren't gone long when you came running back in the house...so excited. You and daddy had made a vine swing in one of the trees on the side of the mountain. We all came out to try it and it was sooo much fun. You kept wanted to show everyone how to do it. You were so proud. You later told me that that was one of your favorite parts of the trip. We later headed to Chimney Rock park. It was a beautiful day with temps in the high 60's and full sun. We took the elevator to the top of chimney rock so that we would be full of energy for a one hour hike to and from Hickory Nut falls (a waterfall). The view was magnificient of Lake Lure and the beautiful fall foliage from the top of Chimney Rock. I was so scared to be up that high and especially scared of you Ayden because you were so unafraid of being that high. You were bouncing all over the rocks. You, daddy, Chuck and Kylee decided to hike on up to Devil's head and look out point to get a higher view. Due to the steep staircases that led up there, the rest of us waited below. Daddy got some great shots of you and Chimney rock from up there. We all had a snack and then headed for our hike. Ayden, you were so full of energy. I told your daddy that if there is one thing about you that I learned on this trip is that you are a leader. You always want to lead the pack and very seldom are you at the end (unless you are tired...like you were on the way back down the trail). Webster defines a leader as one who guides and that was definitley your role on the way to the falls. You ran most of the trail and just about put me into heart failure. The trail followed the side of the mountain and there were extreme drop off's. Mrs. Chi came up with a great way to keep you and Carley from getting too close to the edge. Whenever someone said BEEP BEEP BEEP, that meant you were too close and needed to move closer to the mountain. It worked and you and Carley loved making the BEEP BEEP sound up the mountain. Mrs. Chi always has wonderfully creative ways to keep you guys in line and keep my stress levels down. We made it to the falls and it was so breathtaking. We took some beautiful pictures and stopped for a rest. Once everyone caught up, we headed back down the mountain. Ally Brynn, we borrowed a hiking backpack from Mr.Vernon and Mrs Leslie Smith for you to ride in. We new you would never make a hike and we would never survive carrying you. It was a godsend. Chuck and Parrish rented one on the mountain for Kylee and you two were snug as bugs. All the way back down the trail, you sang and jibber jabbered in daddy's ear. You flashed us cheesy smiles all weekend and they are so cute. You have both your right and left molars coming in on the top of your mouth and they are giving you a fit. You also had a bad cough this weekend which started clearing up Saturday but in spite of all that, you were in such good spirits. We all made it back to the cars and decided to head down to town to do a little shopping. Ayden you got a slingshot and bow and arrow and Ally Brynn you picked out a little black bear and some Caracha's. The women went to pick up steaks while the boys took the kids to the house for naps. Ayden you were too excited about your new toys and spent the afternoon shooting the bow and arrow and sling shot. I think the daddies had just as much fun as you did. Saturday was a day filled with adventure and new experiences. I loved seeing things for the first time through your eyes! I wish there were more time in the day.

Mountain Trip Friday 11-7-08

WOW...What an AMAZING weekend.

I have decided to break the posts up into days based on the large amount of pics I have.

Friday November 7th, 2008
A last minute decision started our weekend journey out at 7:30am. Andy and I decided to head up to Ashville to view the Biltmore Estate before joining the rest of the gang at the mountain house. We knew that we would be in for a challenge taking both of you at such a young age but didn't want to miss the opportunity since we were staying so close by (also, it was the first day of Christmas at Biltmore). We made several stops before leaving town and finally were on the road by 8:30am. It was a long ride but the car games I posted and taking the computer to watch movies on, kept Ayden entertained. Ayden, the expression on your face and excitement in your eyes when we first spotted the mountains was priceless. You began hooping and hollering with excitement. The fall foilage was breathtaking. I can't remember ever going to the mountains in the fall and I was stunned at the beauty of the leaves. I found myself thinking several times over the weekend how amazing it is that God created such beauty. Ally Brynn, you were restless and a little harder in the car. You took a short nap but the only thing that kept you entertained was the SNACKS. Go figure :-) We arrived at the Biltmore estate at about 11:30. I had planned to put you both in your Christmas outfits and take pictures in front of the house but realized quickly upon arrival that we would have a little hike to the house. I didn't want you guys to be in the outfits all day and be uncomfortable. We spent the day on the grounds of the estate, viewing the home, garden, farm and winery. You guys were so tired but were GREAT. Ayden, you LOVED the bowling alley and the indoor pool and Ally Brynn you were intrigued with the painted ceilings. By the afternoon, Ally Brynn, you sacked out and Ayden you geared up. We were so happy to share that experience with the both of you and can't wait to go back when you guys are older to do the horseback riding and biking on the grounds. The estate sits on 8,000 acres and was absolutely gorgeous.

Friday Afternoon:
We arrived in Gerton, NC (I think I am spelling that correctly) at the Whisenhunts mountain house around 5:30 Friday evening. Chuck, Parrish, Kylee, Bert, Chi and Carley were there waiting on us. The house was so beautiful sitting up on the side of the mountain at the end of a windy road covered in yellow, orange and red fall leaves. We were very tired, and after supper, called it an early evening. Saturday would also be a long day filled with new experiences and lots of adventure. Here are the Friday pics from the Biltmore Estate in Ashville NC.

Potty Time

WARNING...NOT FOR THOSE WITH A QUEASY STOMACH

"Pee Pee in tha Pa Tee...Pee Pee in tha Pa Tee..." This was the song and dance we all did for Ally Brynn Friday night (Halloween) as she successfully pee pee'd in her little potty. (We always try to potty before we have bath time.) We were so excited and she was too when she saw how happy we were. On Monday night, Ayden decided to bribe her to use the potty with some of their Halloween candy. She was sitting on the potty and Ayden was instructing her to "PUSH." Too Funny. I went and got her a towel and washcloth (for her bath) and when I got back, I tried to check the potty. She wouldn't get off of it for me to check. It didn't take long for the smell to inform me of what happened. Ally Brynn had POO POO'D in her little potty! Pee Peeing and Poo Pooing all with a few days...YEAH!!!! Ayden was screaming and hollering with excitement. She finally got up and when she saw the poo, she was PETRIFIED. She started screaming and crying. She did not understand and would NOT sit back down to try and finish. It was all so dramatic yet hilarious. My little girl is trying so hard to be grown up and I am trying so hard to keep her a little baby. Oh...she did get her candy out of it all. I have some potty pics and will post ASAP. If there is any advice some of you mom's might have for me on potty training or ways to pass the time in the car, I would greatly appreciate it. We are heading to the mountains this weekend for the kids first trip. Pray for our sanity in the three hour car ride...we have never been this far before in the car but are sooo excited! I have printed car games, car scavenger hunts and coloring pages.

Trick or Treat 08

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Trick or Treating at Nana and Pa's has become one of our yearly traditions. It seems as the world becomes more and more dangerous trick or treating is becoming extinct. Many of the churches and schools are now having Halloween carnivals to keep the children out of the streets. We are very lucky that Nana and Pa live in a wonderful neighborhood in which all of the neighbors know each other and it is VERY safe. Ayden you and Ally Brynn had such a great night trick or treating with Laken, Clay and Ryan as well as some of the neighborhood kids. We loaded up two golf carts and headed out. Ayden you were concerned with the dogs but did VERY good. Ally Brynn you weren't too enthusiastic but the last house of the night, you got down and walked to the door and said "ick o eat." You stood by yourself and got some candy. Everytime someone gave you candy you would say " More Candy." You are so funny and LOVE the sweets. We were also surprised when Macky (Cocky), Zach (The Hulk), Papa and Annie came over for a visit. You guys were so excited and wired on candy we could hardly contain you. We had so much fun watching you guys and can't wait until next year!