The last Saturday of 2011

Sunny and the low 70s so one last trip in the boat.More Riding than fishing, but a lovely afternoon.

Trying out my new camera. I need to read the owner's manual.

Engaged!

Mr. and Mrs. Jack E. Taylor,
       of Charleston, SC,
announce the engagement of
          their daughter,
       Caroline Marissa
                to
Wesley Spencer Jacobs, USAF
            son of
Mr. and Mrs. Toney L. Jacobs
         of Dallas, GA

On the 4th day of Christmas

We split a scrumptuous farmer's salad and pistachio pesto pizza at Evo this evening then a ride around and a walk through the lights display at Park Circle.

Merry Christmas!

Charlotte let us sleep in to 8am! She is still a believer so Santa did deliver a stocking each for the girls and Wes.

Breakfast then off to mass. The choir's rendition of Angels We Have Heard On High was so beautiful that the parishioners had to applaud.

We spent the afternoon and evening at my brother's house West Ashley. My youngest niece enjoyed dance and Connect video games with her brother and Carrie. Carrie and Wes stretched out after the shrimp boil.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Maddie spent Friday night with us after Wes and Carrie took her to the James Island Christmas Lights. She colored nicely for a while this morning.

Jack enjoyed rearranging the manger scene. I think Baby Jesus got to ride in the back of the pick up truck as well as the back seat of the police cruiser.

We had our family Christmas lunch today and let the children open their gifts. All enjoyed a nice afternoon except Carrie who had to work! Such is the life of retail on Christmas Eve. Wes joined us as he is now part of the family as he and Carrie are engaged! Wedding probably in spring of 2013.

Amy Grant - "Breath of Heaven" ((CMA Country Christmas 2011))

Merry Christmas Eve!

"I Grew Up On Gospel" - by Joey and Jeanie

Thank you to my sister-in-law in Fernandina Beach, Florida for sending me the link to this video. It features the Praise and Worship team from the UMC. What makes it special to me? A favorite niece is in the video as well as her dad. Olivia is the young lady on the bench at the train station. She looks so grown up in the video, but will only be 15 in January. Uncle Mark plays guitar in the background at the train station, but has a brief closeup.

TGIT?

Yes, TGI Thursday! Seems like two weeks packed into 4 days. Hooray as all of work youth are taken care of, parties over, presents delivered, etc. Today is last work day this week! Monday's party in Charleston was for about 150, but had help of staff so only about a 12 hour day. Only one staff member to help in Beaufort so long days Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cloudy and warm on the way back to Beaufort from Hilton Head and Bluffton on Tuesday.

A view of the Broad River on 170 bridge.Had to finish shopping, help separate gifts and bags, label, pack in cars and off to Golden Corral for party for about 70. I really didn't know that children could eat that many plates of sweets and not throw up. Crashed at hotel about 10pm after leaving home before 7am.

Scenes from hotel on Wednesday am before check out.This is winter in the lowcountry: warm, a little rain -enough to make you sweat even if only in upper 70s.

A favorite activity: bike delivery to three lucky boys. But then again, shouldn't every boy and girl have a bike? We take so many things for granted, but these bikes made foster parents cry and will make these boys so happy on Christmas morning.

Shopping on a Saturday

This was a very busy day as we shopped for the majority of Christmas presents today. Left home about 9am and back about 7pm. I don't like to shop so the best part of the day was the hotdog with jalapenos at Johnny's next to the Ace Hardware in Mt. P. I need to get a few things tomorrow and that will be it for this family.

Of course,work is another matter. Charleston youth and foster families party on Monday, Beaufort youth and foster families party on Tuesday night. Luckily, it is a 4 day weekend and I am not on call next weekend (just the back-up) for the first time in 22 years.

Thursday in Beaufort

Another beautiful day in the lowcountry even if it is a workday. I pulled over on Bay St. as I left the office and took some cell pictures that only begin to capture the beauty of the landscape.

This is the nicest view from any of the SCYAP offices. The girls are rubbing off on me so I visually documented my appearance on the scene - no, no smirks or signs by me, just happy to be here.

Sunday with a sweetie

Maddie spent the night last night. We took Carrie to work this morning, then to mass, to the battery, and the children's museum.

We finished up the day by visiting Grandma Nancy, picking up Carrie from work, then taking a tearful Maddie back home.
Cheer up Maddie only one more week of school. More fun next week if you earn a few stickers instead of a meeting with your teacher!

Mandolin Orange - Darling Girl

My Ocracoke discovery. Best of 2011

Happy 2nd Birthday Amelia!

Time is passing so fast. It has been two years since the birth of Amelia and our new family. Amelia is so loved by all of her family.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

The Daughters of Pauline hosted their annual Happy Birthday Jesus Party on Saturday. These two were so sweet the entire time they were at the party and in the store. They made up for it later at Charleston Place.

Taking the cat for a ride

Jack visited for a little while on Sunday, but not before taking his cat for a ride. Maddie had a "princess party" to attend. Already the socialite.

Happy Thanksgiving

Mr. Turkey Trotter with his $35 tshirt and tag.

So, I left him as he lined up with 6000 other trotters at Marion Square. I walked down King, crossed over Broad to Meeting where I waited on the runners. 20 minutes after the runners began to pass, I saw Mr. Trotter flash by in a blur. I walked with the walkers down the rest of Meeting to the Battery, back up King to Broad, crossed back over to Meeting, up to Charleston Place for a bathroom break and to check out the decorations, then back up Meeting to Marion Square. Same distance and didn't pay $35.

One of the many trees in Charleston Place.
Then it was back home to wake up the kiddies. Charlotte actually helped rake the neighbor's yard.

Carrie eventually got up in time for a 4:00 pm meal.

The trotter had great fun using his new smoker on a turkey breast.

Working girls ...

Carrie has been working at Wilson's Leather for a couple of weeks now at Tanger Outlet.

Hold the presses, Charlotte started work at Haggar Men's Store at Tanger Outlet yesterday! A few hours of learning the operation of a steam press. Best of all this is a job Charlotte got on her own (with a lot of prodding and threats to fill out the application and take it back to the store).

Both will be working black Friday and I will be off work. God is good.

Adventures @ Bee City

We were able to spend a lovely fall day with Jack at Bee City.