Post-Christmas Beach Trip

We are lucky enough to have the whole Williamson crew come to us for Christmas. But we can not all fit under one roof- it just isn't possible! But, at the beach we can! So, the day after Christmas, we loaded up the cars and headed east to the beach.  And we left the rainy NASTY weather behind and had absolutely beautiful weather at the beach- it was sunny and bright and warm.  Almost hot.  It was crazy!

As usual, I took about a million pictures.  Here they are, for anyone who takes the time to look at them:

(i just did this entire post and then i hit publish and it wouldn't go so i hit refresh and it all disappeared.  I am now super annoyed. Making this shorted this go 'round...ugh.)

This was Tucker's (tricia and tommy's new pup) first trip to the beach-- he was excited!

Bruce played hard the whole time we were there.  He crashed hard too- just the way we like it.  

Boys were outside from sun up to sun down-- just the way we like it...again.  

Tommy and Eddie put Eddie's boat in the water and got in some shallow water- they hopped in to push off and (motor off), Tommy nicked his knee on the propeller...and had to get stitches.   Oops.

We cooked some YUMMY fajitas.  

Sitting outside (it was so hot), and Hank climbed right up on the picnic table to be with us- haha

We got up one morning and decided to take the boat to Beaufort for breakfast-- and it was so much fun!

 

This was our view as we headed to the sound.  

As soon as we got home, Bruce ran down off the deck and jumped straight into the water.  He didn't think it was too cold at all!

We all went over to the beach and enjoyed the sunshine!

Entertainment:

 I love this picture of Cal-- he really wanted to surf fish.  I waterlogued this and love love love it.  I really think I might print it and frame it.  Is that crazy?

This picture also makes me so happy-- Eddie and both boys and Bruce.  It really was a gorgeous day out there.  

Goofy boys surfing it up. 

Bruce and Tucker sniffed each other out and figured out how to be around each other and even became friends...sort of....

We took the new bikes and the boys put some miles on them...

My happy place..... 

love

 It was a GREAT few days at the beach-- and it helped knowing how rainy and gross it was at home. It rained non-stop. 

 Loved it all!

 

2015 Christmas Card

Here is our Christmas Card for 2015! I like to post past cards on here so I can look back and remember each one. 

(these are pictures of the cards... and the lighting looks really weird... hopefully they don't look like this in person!)


 

#carriedaway: week 51

Week 51:

 Day 352: oh what a night... this picture doesn't even begin to capture all the fun that took place tonight. Love y'all!

 Day 353: always so much fun taking both kids to the grocery store.  #andywasrunningsprints

 Day 354: two of these people were big winners tonight in mom's annual gingerbread house party. I was not.

 Day 355: I adore my momma and our annual tea. She really is the best.

 Day 356: he's my favorite pillow ever

 Day 357: all of your Christmas cards make me sooo happy! Filled up this door and hallway. Love looking at all the sweet smiles every day!

 Day 358: we wish you a merry Christmas...



 

Christmas Day!

I am like a big kid at Christmas-- I can never sleep.  Ever.  As a little girl, I was up all night, too excited to sleep.  This year, was pretty much the same.  I was up ALL night.  It is just too exciting! ha!
Some of the Williamson crew slept over at Tricia and Tommy's house and everyone wanted to be at our house in time to see the boys walk down the stairs.  So I got up at 6:15 and by 6:30, Carrie Beth, Tricia, Tommy, Patty, Gran, Big Eddie and my mom and dad were all at our house-- and no children were up! hahahaha (insert laughing face here). 

 I sat and enjoyed a cup of tea before the craziness began. 

Because, soon, they were up and everyone was ready for them to walk down the stairs (no cute Christmas jammies over here... just boxers....)

Andy hopped on his bike immediately-- after opening this Panthers shirt...

He got a bigger bike (he didn't need a bigger one...but he realllllly wanted a new bike and we didn't want to get one the same size at the rate he's growing), and he LOVES it! It has handle bar brakes and he thinks they are the coolest things ever. 

Boys also got basketball shoes-- I got them and thought they looked HUGE and thought we would probably have to return them, but I kept them just in case (they didn't have any smaller sizes at the time, but I thought maybe if we returned them after Christmas, they would have more sizes).  Well, the shoes fit.  I was shocked.  I took this picture of him sitting on his new shoes in his new shirt.  :)

 More bike riding....

 Gran sat outside watching everyone run around and play. 

They got new socks too to go with their new shoes.... these shoes crack me up.  

My buddies on Christmas morning!

 Some down time before heading over to mom and dad's house for round 2. 

We went to mom's house for presents with my brother's family and brunch.

  
And then we went home for some rest time (Eddie) and play time (boys).  We headed BACK over to mom and dad's house at 6 for Christmas dinner.  Lots of eating, y'all. 

Mom hosted a beautiful dinner and we loved being all together, one more time.  Crowns and all!

Bruce Carter (plays for Tampa Bay right now) sent the boys one more gift: tickets for all of us to go to the Panthers/ Buccaneer game Sunday the 3rd! He sent a video letting the boys know:

The group: 

It was a GREAT Christmas day spent with family-- the best way to spend Christmas, if you ask me!

We woke up early on the 26th and hit the road for the beach.  Also a great way to finish up a fun week!

 

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas and Christmas Eve! I am soooo behind in posts.  Here is a look at our Christmas Eve festivities!

Our church did the Christmas Pageant during the 5:00 service this year, instead of the family service.  I loved it! The boys were both in the "play" as donkeys-- #fitting.

Walking into the service: 

Not real sure what is going on with my arm here, but, here we are!

I dropped them off in the fellowship hall, all set to be donkeys!

They met Brad and Lee down there-- also donkeys! hahaha

It was very hard to see anything during the service.  But at one point, Cal shifted his legs ad I got a view of his little donkey head poking up. hahaha 

After church, we headed over to mom and dad's house for the Christmas Eve festivities to continue!  

The whole Williamson clan was in town (Gran too!), so we did a group shot in front of the tree.  

There's Gran with the boys!

And the original Williamsons... Eddie didn't get the memo to wear read or black and white!

Me and my sisters-- so lucky to have them!

And, once again, Santa arrived, which was super exciting for all :)

He called each kid up on his lap to give them a gift.  

Then all the kids got up on his lap for a group picture. 

The grandmothers took a picture together with mom's moose:

We all gathered in the living room for some carols and dad read The Night Before Christmas...

We started tracking Santa's progress on Poppy's phone-- it was intense.  So intense that Andy didn't realize he was missing a shoe.  

We finished the night with Mimi playing the piano while we sang more carols.  

We came home and the boys (Poppy included) all went to sleep while Santa came and brought quite the loot for our crew!

It was a PERFECT Christmas Eve with lots of family, laughs and love.  Boom- love it. 

Christmas post coming soon.... hopefully!

PS- HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY PARENTS! 41 years today!