Post Christmas Beach Trip

The day after Christmas, we all loaded up and headed to the beach.  We love spending those days in between Christmas and New Years down there.  It is totally dead, nothing going on-- just relaxing and fun.
I had a full car with both boys, CB and Bruce.  Normally, Hank rides in between the boys in the back and Bruce rides with Eddie.  Doesn't Bruce look excited to have been moved up in the world?? haha- the way he's looking at me makes me smile.  
There was NO traffic getting to the beach and the boys were super happy riders.  We made it in well under 3 hours- which is unheard of. 

Tricia and Tommy arrived that night and Bruce and Tucker immediately fell back into a routine.  hahaha

Patty bought the boys wetsuits and they were super pumped to get in the water! (burrrrrr!)

 Ready to go ride their new boards!

 

 The waves were super rough and not ideal for surfing-- but they did ride them in many MANY times on their bellies and popped up to their knees a few times too.  The waves were just too short to get to standing up.  But no one seemed to mind!

This might be my favorite picture-- when did they get so big?

 The next day, we went back to the beach for more surfing....well, this time, we just brought the boogey boards because the waves were still not great for surfing.  The sun was shining and it was a BEAUTIFUL day! I played tennis with my mom that morning and had the best time ever-- totally put me in the best mood!

 

Bruce wanted to stay right by Andy while he was in the water-- this kid....he's a complainer.  He just is-- even when he is happy, he complains.  But home slice got in the freezing cold water and did not complain one time.  He was so SO happy out there!

 Bruce was really really happy too. 

 Bru running in alongside a kiddo...

Cal got cold so he came out for a bit.....

 Then they both took a break--  my three boys!

 Love them! And Eddie in the background and Bruce back there too!

 Little surfer boy...

 another little surfer boy...

 With the loaded down golf cart! hahaha

We decided to take out the paddle board next- it's a tradition to paddle the week after Christmas...and pray not to fall! All three of us did it- and zero falls happened!

  post-paddle....smiling because we were dry!

 I wrote before how Andy has been all about Tommy lately..... literally.....ALL about him. 

 Bruce got some great snuggles after all that beach running. 

 Have I mentioned Andy's love of Tommy??

We worked on some serious Lego projects while we were there.  How cute is this lighthouse?? 

We went shopping in Beaufort one afternoon and I got Bruce a new collar...! I think he loves it.  

 Eddie took the boys on a boat ride-- they were in heaven out there with him.

And just like that, it was time to come on home! A GREAT week at the beach!!! 

 

December Book Report

Oh I read some good ones this month!!! Actually, I listened to a bunch this month- haha! Super excited to share these...y'all let me know if you've read them too.

Obvi I love Elin Hilderbrand....We've discussed this a bunch on here.  I decided to read her Christmas trilogy this month and I am so glad I did! I looooooved these three books! Can't recommend them enough.  And I loved reading them over the month of December-- totally got me in the holiday spirit.  But you could read them any time of the year.  There are lots of loose ends as one book ends, so you really want to keep reading the next one to find out what happens to the characters.  Such great reads!


Winter Street 

Winter Stroll

 Winter Storm 

Oh buddy, I thought I was going to love this one.  It is looooong-- 550 pages of long.  I loved another book by this same author, so I was hopeful in this one.  In the first 100 pages, something HUGE happens and I was totally sucked in.  Then it doesn't come back to that level of excitement again... it drags on a little, but it is still a good read.  

American Wife 

This book....ohhhhhhh myyyyyy,,,,,
It Ends With Us

This book....ohhhhhhh myyyyy.... so another blogger recommended this one and swore it was one of the best books she has read this year.  I agree.  It is gooooood.  And she said it sticks with you long after you're done reading it, and I also agree with that. It is a must read, in my opinion! Fast paced and couldn't put it down.  There are some sexy scenes, so be warned- haha.  SUCH a great read. 
It Ends With Us

 

 

Merry Merry Christmas!

It was a very merry Christmas over here! Santa came and was really good to my people, thankfully.  I am a total nerd, and the excitement of the impending day keeps me awake ALL NIGHT LONG.  I stayed in bed until 5 and then came downstairs with Bruce.  It was actually a really wonderful morning.  I made a cup of tea, which I drank in total peace and quiet, I put the casserole in the oven and a took some time to just reflect on the real meaning of the holiday- I am cheesy, I know.  I don't care.  It was wonderful.  All the lights were turned on and we were ready for the madness when everyone arrived!

This little reindeer couldn't wait!

The living room was ready! And packed....

The boys came down and Andy saw his skateboard and freaked out.  He started hugging it and screaming-- it was priceless and perfect.  Cal stopped at the tree and didn't move-- hahaha he was in shock I think.  

 Andy hopped on immediately-- his only time on this thing sans helmet.......

 Soon, all the presents were opened and the house was a mess and everyone was so so happy.  Andy had to go roller blade right away.  We took him in the garage to try and teach him.  It was hilarious-- like a baby calf learning to walk....

 Soon we were in the street skateboarding-- he is fun to watch on this thing because he is fearless! We all remarked how thankful we were to be in this new house because we definitely couldn't be out in the street at the old house. 

A natural....in his jammies...!

 Cal's big big surprise was an iPod touch-- both boys were given iPads a long time ago when we were traveling constantly to keep them occupied in the air.  Cal's has been broken for a long time-- we created an email address for him and everything- and I had all the family members email him so when he opened it, he had an email from everyone.  And when he is on wifi he can even text.  He has been texting all the family ever since-- they love it and it's been a great way to get him writing more, as awful as that sounds.  We limit the use, obviously, but so far it has been GREAT.  Andy did not get a device, but he was playing Mimi's phone in the below picture-- they were texting each other, hahaha..... also, looooove their little entwined legs.  I got their jammies at Target and they are crazy soft.  Both of my non-jammy wearing kiddos love these. 

All of the excitement from the morning flat wore Bruce out.  I carried a load of presents upstairs and found him snoozing on a baby.  

Everyone went to their separate houses and we met back up at my parents house for the 1st annual REINDEER GAMES.  To be totally honest, I wasn't super excited about playing a game of baseball on Christmas afternoon....but it was SO.MUCH.FUN!

In true grandma fashion, she had shirts made for the two teams: the elves and the santas.  And she had already assigned the teams, to keep it fair.  

 I love my little elf....

 Cal and Jackson had the best time playing together.  I love Cal's smile in this one!

 A bunch of little Santas, ready to whoop up!

 Of course, we had drinks.  Mom and dad created the signature drink: rudolf's nose- hahaha

 The group up on the tee box ready to go!

 Love this shot of the group-

The Santas won in a major comeback-- BIG fun was had by all.  We were all crying we were laughing so hard.  It was a perfect way to spend Christmas afternoon! After this, we ate a great dinner and headed home.

And at the end of the day, Bru was just exhausted-- he fell asleep waiting for his sleeping buddy to join him. 

 Hope y'all had a merry merry too!

 

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas! The kids are at the best ages for this holiday-- although I think I might say that every year.  They just soak up the magic!

The boys did the church pageant again-- it's a short service, run pretty much all by the kids-- and I love it.

Walking into church looking handsome!

 Love love love my sweet boys!

This year, Cal was a star with his buddy, Brad.  

 Andy was a donkey again-- love them all dressed up! haha

 There are a LOT of kids in this show-- soooo many! It was hard to see our kiddos, but we finally got a good shot. 

After church, we headed over to my mom's house for some Christmas cheer.  It was super fun, as always! Love my sweet sisters:

And my mom is truly the hostess with the most! She is the best-- so lucky to have her.  

My world! Love these crazy, wild boys with all my heart.  

The Williamson women!

And believe it or not, Santa came again this year! All the kiddos sat down while he walked in and then he handed out gifts.  

 Andy was thrilled to sit on his lap.  He said he really wanted a surf board and roller blades. 

 Cal was also quick to climb up there.  He said he wanted a surf board. 

 All the cousins with Santa! (shoot, I got the wrong pic to post on here-- I have one with Andy's eyes open.....whoops)

Then the fun began..... 

 FIREBALL SHOTS.  Because nothing says Happy Birthday, Jesus like shooting fireball. 

Andy has been ALL about Tommy lately.  Like, can't get enough of him.  Love this picture of them!

We got word that Santa was getting close and we needed to hurry up and get our crew to sleep! The kiddos went to bed and the elves got to work.  

 One elf was a little "worn out"......hmmmmmmm

It was a Christmas Eve filled with fun and memories!!!