Hawaii 2012

As far as our family is concerned- Hawaii is pretty much heaven on earth... We love it.

 Madi looks so innocent!

 Love the Charlie's Angels look here...

 Cute Snorkle girls!

The entire Snorkle Crew!

 By the Totem Pole

Love the Totem Face...

 and Emery's lion hair

 Grandpa, Dawnie and Cole

 Grandpa and Grandma with all the grandkids!  (Not perfect- but at least everyone is looking in the right direction!)

 Grandpa and Grandma with Cole and Kaitlyn

 G and G with our crew

Kailey was trying to put her arm around Jake...

 Chess with Grandpa

 Gotta love a man who has ALWAYS enjoyed a pair of black socks...

 Right in between dunkings by Grandpa

 The kids LOVE their cousins

 The tennis boy

 I am pretty sure that there is a sign close by that says they shouldn't be doing this...

 And then there was that unfortunate moment when Jake ran one of the golf carts into our rental car...

 When Madi was waiting while the other kids played tennis- she wrote her name.  Clearly- Madi rocks.

 I LOVE how Claire wears her cap.

 Cute little Kaitlyn... next time she will totally love us.

Grandpa and Grandma Nef in North Carolina

My Mom and Dad came to visit us in June.  It was so great.  We love them and the time we get to spend with them.  We found out a few new things, too!

Grandpa Nef can watercolor really well!  (Seriously I have never seen him do this?)

I think he is so cute.

 Grandpa and Grandma watching Madi on the iPad.  (Stella loves G and G too.)

 It was Father's Day!  These sweeties brought breakfast in bed to their Dad.

 Danny and all 6

 Grandpa and his grandkids.

 We took Grandpa and Grandma to the Sarah Duke Gardens.

 I think they are a pretty good looking group!

 A nice shady spot.

 I think I have beautiful daughters.

 Grandpa even carried Madi  for a bit.

 Grandpa and Grandma with the Carrell girls.

 I love these kids.

 This picture does not do the moment justice- but is one of my all time favorites.  After more than 50 years together, 10 children, 35 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren- they still walk hand in hand through life.

Madi sings Away in the Manger

One Friday in December, Madi came home with a little sock baby Jesus singing Away in a Manger. 

Nobody sings this Christmas Classic quite like Madi.

Before and After Thailand

Before our Asian Adventure- we went to Busch Gardens with G and G Carrell

 Kailey and Jake enjoy coffins...

 Shelby needed a caramel apple!

While we were away...

 Claire and Shelby had their first gymnastics competition and did GREAT!

After I got back...

 Madi got to see firemen and a fire truck at her school!

 I had a birthday! (Danny was still in Singapore)

and was spoiled by my kids

 Madi wrapped up A starburst and gave it to me.  (Then a few minutes later she said, "Mommy- can I eat your starburst?"  Of course I said yes.)

 Emery made me 3 cards plus gave me treats and that beautiful big ring!

 Claire is super crafty and made me that cute little dog- plus an amazing elephant card! (Notice the #1 MOM medal here?)

AND- we got spooked!

Don't be frightened!

Fall and early Winter 2011

We have great neighbors and the kids all have friends who live on our street.  (Lacie and Cassie with Shelby and Stella)

More friend time... this time at the mall

Kailey turned 15

We went to the State Fair (Face Painting)

Shelby took two friends to the Taylor Swift concert - (I got to go too- it was so fun!) The birthday gift that came LONG after her birthday!

Jake turned 13!

Danny and I even dressed up for our neighbor's 80's themed birthday party... (Making my hair really poofy seemed so easy as a teenager.)

We got to deliver a bunch of stuff at the Chapel Hill Ronald McDonald House.

Isn't Madi's Santa Claus headband great?

The kids with Ronald.

I love being able to help out Santa Claus.  These are the things I hope my children remember...