Family Reunion

Today we traveled to the Upstate to have a reunion with "David Junior's" (aka Mark's Dad's) side of the family. It was nice to see some faces we hadn't seen in a while and some that Seth and I had never met!

Taco Night

Each year, during Christmas week, we have Taco Night with some long time family friends - a family that Mark's family basically grew up with. Usually there are about 30+ people there. It's nice to know that no matter how busy everyone is the entire year, we will have at least this one night to catch up!

Ebay Item of the Week

Cutco Knife Block
Paid $2
Sold For $17

Austin & Lacey

We used to get to see Austin & Lacey almost everyday, but now that we don't live close together, we only get to see them on holidays and breaks from school. It was a treat to see them over their Christmas break and each time they visit, we are amazed by how much they have grown!

Snow Babies

This was what the weather looked like when we left Charlotte Christmas night,


but by the time we got below Rock Hill, there was just a drizzle of light rain. So, we were pretty surprised to wake up to this the next day.







It was only an inch or so, but plenty to play in. Seth and Trey had a great time. Anytime we see snow in SC, it's big news!!

Missing You

Dear Dad,
The holidays were nice, but it wasn't the same without you. Every time I look at your favorite spot in the Florida room, I still expect to see you there. On our way home from Sophia's birthday party we tried to sing Christmas carols like we used to do. We were quiet and forgot some of the words. We were off key. We were always off key, but your strong voice always covered it up. I wanted to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, but I just couldn't do it. I couldn't imagine watching it without hearing you laugh like a stalled Chrysler as Cousin Eddie said, "Merry Christmas, - shitter's full," or saying the one-liners right along with Clark Griswald. Sparky. I read the Night Before Christmas aloud before we went to bed last night. You did it better. I miss how you would pretend to yack whenever you read the line, "tore open the shutters and threw up the sash". I did that too, but Seth, Mark and Miles just didn't get it. We left Santa shrimp and beer just like we always did growing up. I could only get down about a half of a Yeungling. How the heck did you drink that stuff? Bleck. I gave everyone ornaments that had their picture with you on them. I made Dana cry. She says the snow we saw falling this evening was sent by you because you wanted us to have a White Christmas. It was more like a Blue Christmas. We still had laughter and fun but we all miss you terribly. Mom tries to be strong but you can see in her sad eyes that her heart is broken. Dan reminds me more of you every day. His little mannerisms, but also how he likes to make sure everyone around him is having a good time. Your grandchildren miss you. They don't even realize how much, yet. I hope wherever you are that you can read this. I hope you had a nice Christmas and know that you are missed everyday. Our world will never be the same without you. Love, Amy

Christmas Day

Christmas was a whirlwind. After Santa came, we ran up to Charlotte for a nice family day. Mark had to be at work the next day at 7 am so we didn't stay the night, but it was a nice day. This year we decided to do Dirty Santa/ White Elephant/ Chinese Christmas instead of a regular gift exchange with the grown ups (except Mom - she still wanted to get us each gifts and vice versa). (Are we really considered the grownups? LOL.) Everyone who wanted to participate brought a $25 gift and we drew numbers to see who chose first. You could either steal a gift or take one from the pile. It was lots of fun and I think we will make it a tradition. We all chipped in and surprised Mom with a new refrigerator. It feels nice to do things for her after all she has done for us. All in all it was a nice Christmas, but we all were missing Dad for sure.