Family and Friends

We spent the weekend with family and friends. 

Fulton loves his buddy Ford. And I love Ford's mommy. She is a dear friend. They had us over for dinner and crafts Friday night. We almost didn't get to go because this little guy was a little under the weather. We made a quick trip to the doctor and found we had an ear infection. Boo.

Lisa is so crafty. She had a fun little activity planned for the boys. 

It involved paint so Fulton was all over this one. 

We painted their feet to make a nativity scene. We actually let them paint the stars and that is why Fulton's sweet star has a little green in it too. 

Our final products. Fulton's is on the left. He has a little sausage foot like his momma. Fun night. 

Saturday morning we met the fam at Chick-fil-A for breakfast. Fulton spotted someone 

across the restaurant. 

We don't really do the whole Santa thing (gasp!), but I won't get all into that right now. We did take a picture with him, but Fulton wasn't thrilled about it. 

We made our way over to the mall for two last little gifts we needed to get. Ahh... finally all finished with the Christmas shopping. These two things have been lingering over my head. Sister told us the restrooms in Von Maur were awesome, so we decided to check them out. They have a real changing table with wipes included. Matt enjoyed the rocking chair. 

All we need is a fancy restroom to get excited. 

Saturday night we had our small group Christmas party. The girls did a scarf exchange. We usually do ornaments, but I decided to see if everyone was up for something different this year. It was so much fun and I came home with a really cute scarf. Fulton actually stayed with a babysitter for the first time.

 It was a success. 

Sunday night we loaded up with the fam and headed to the zoo for the Zoolight Safari. 

It was freezing. Simply freezing. But these poor little goats were still trying to entertain. 

We did ride the carousel because the line for the train was just too long. 

It was decorated so pretty with all the lights and they even had snow coming down on you. Ok maybe it was just bubble stuff, but for a minute I imagined we were at the New York Zoo, if 

there is such a thing. 

Fulton was a bit confused as to where all the animals were. 

My people. 

This right here is what you get when you stop a random person and ask them to take your picture. I should have known it wasn't good when the lady said--I can't see anything. Yikes. 

Second time wasn't so great either, but at least you can see more than just the top of our heads. Not to get all sappy on you here, but we are so thankful for our family. I realize there are many out there that don't have family nearby or maybe they don't get along. Not to say we are always all peachy and sunshine with each other, but we have such a good time together. I am so thankful that we all love to be together (maybe I should speak for myself. ha.), but really, we are blessed. 

Full Saturday

We had a great day yesterday. We started out with a visit to the nursing home that is just a couple of minutes from our house. 

My sweet friend Claire had the idea and we jumped on board. 

We made some snacks and a few goodie bags for them. We visited and loved on them for as long as they would let us. 

We practiced pinching Fulton's cheeks all morning so he would be ready. The kids enjoyed their chalkboard and the precious residents just giggled watching them. It was a sweet time of serving with two other families. 

Afterwards we did a quick stop at a few places and tried to finish up some Christmas shopping. This guy was a good little helper. 

We came home and snuggled up a bit because brrr it was cold outside. 

Not long after that we had to get going because Fulton had a play date scheduled. He was invited over to Doretta's house to make cookies and crafts with the ladies. 

He had a blast. He made a tub full of homemade cookies, a place mat, his own Christmas tree for his room, and a reindeer. He wasn't ready for us to come back. 

Oh and while Fulton was having his play date, Mommy and Daddy got to have a date of their own. Ahh how refreshing to be with my man, uninterrupted, and actually at a place that carries steak knives. 

On the way back to get our little booger we stopped to pick up this movie. I have been wanting to see it and you can always use an addition to the movie collection. Even after the 40th time it didn't disappoint. 

A Week of Thanksgiving

Last Tuesday after school we headed South towards the beach. 

Wednesday we went to lunch at one of our favorites. Tacky Jacks. As usual, it didn't disappoint.

Fulton was a little sad on Wednesday. Early that morning we went down to one of the other condos and he touched a mirror that was leaning against the wall. Well, the mirror went falling backwards and crashed into the bedpost, shattering into a million pieces. It was a very large mirror too. Dad and Matt spent the morning getting it fixed. Precious memories, but thankful he wasn't hurt. 

Did I mention the whole family was here? There was about 17 of us in 4 different condos. 

It was so much fun seeing everyone. 

We did miss those who weren't in the country. My other two cousins are in Slovakia and Lebanon. Mema enjoyed loving on her great grandsons. She now has 4 great grandsons and one
more boy on the way. 

This technology is too much. Fulton has taken a liking to Aunt Keri's phone and gets a little possessive over it when you make him give it back. Ugh. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!  We do have so much to be thankful for. The Lord has blessed us far more than we could have ever imagined and we give him all the glory. 

We had an absolute feast to celebrate the day. We ate well the entire week and I haven't felt a hunger pain in several days now. 

The beach was beautiful. Fulton and Pete enjoyed a little after lunch gazing. 

We also celebrated Mema's 80th birthday while we were there. She had some helpers to get the candles blown out. Please excuse the fact that my child doesn't have a shirt on. 

We spent the rest of the day watching a little football and relaxing. 

Oh and then we went to the beach. It was still a little chilly, but it didn't stop this little guy.

As if we hadn't ingested enough calories, Friday morning the guys did their annual breakfast trip to Hazels. Fulton got to join in this time. He thought he was big stuff getting to go with the boys. 

After breakfast we all met up at the park. Caleb and Fulton loved playing together. 

These two are a mess. 

We met the crew at The Shrimp Basket for lunch. 

We spent Friday night relaxing in anticipation of the big AL game the next day. 

All the guys spent Saturday morning playing golf. Poor Fulton didn't get to go and he had to come shopping with the girls instead. I think he enjoyed it, but we won't tell daddy. 

We made a last minute stop at Sea N Suds for lunch, but the line was too long so we decided to head home. It was getting close to game time. 

We are going to skip over the game part. This was pretty much the look on everyone's face. At least the food and the company was good. 

We stayed up late Saturday night because we didn't want the week to end (that and the fact that we were mourning a loss). It was such a blessing to be able to get together with our whole family and be together for a week. It's rare we get to spend this much time together with our out of town family. 

To say we are worn out is an understatement. But it was fun. Happy Thanksgiving! 

The Weekend Lowdown

Is the weekend over already? Boo. But it was a good one. Our life seems to have slowed down a bit the last few weeks. Which is good.. so that means this is a totally random post of the not so exciting things we have been up to. 

Friday night we headed to the Depot for dinner. It was even nice enough to go outside for a 

bit and watch the falls. 

We came back and snuggled in our PJ's. We are excited because we now have a schedule of when our favorite Christmas movies are coming on. What are your faves? Our number one is definitely Christmas Vacation. I have a few newer faves like  Four Christmases and Elf.  

Saturday we hosted Matt's family for Thanksgiving. We love our turkey shirt that KK gave us. However, Fulton is convinced those two people on his shirt are mommy and daddy. I have looked everywhere and can't seem to find my pilgrim outfit like I am wearing on his shirt. 

Saturday afternoon we went in with my sweet friend Lisa and rented a Rug Doctor together. It was our turn with the machine and this is how our house looked most of the night. Fulton got a great kick out of the fact that everything was out of place. Not such a fun experience for his OCD momma. Matt is a champ and did the whole house while Fulton and I tried to stay out of his way. I guess Harley sensed we had done something to his territory and decided to mark it again this morning. Nothing like fresh clean carpet and then your dog tee tees on it. 

We had a great service at church to end our Make Initiative. It was a good reminder not to store up earthly treasures for yourself because moth and rust will destroy them. It is all His and with all the materialism that surrounds us, it's hard to remember to invest in the Kingdom and not the things of this world. We had lunch with Aunt Keri and stayed inside the rest of the afternoon and took naps. It's simply freezing outside. Matt braved the wintry storm and finished up our outside decorations. If he doesn't get a gold star for the weekend I don't know who does. Here's to a short school week. Hooray.