Snow at Christmas?

Sinmce it started falling sometime after dinner on the 25th this counts as Christmas Day snow here! My unofficial Accu-measure in the backyard is at least 6 inches!

10 Years!

 

10 Years later and I'd do it all again! Well, maybe one less move.... but for the most part.....

Hanging out Dockside!

 

We're back from a quick trip to one of our very favorite beaches -- Wrightsville! We always stop here at the Dockside
Restaurant to hang out and watch the boaters and the people go by. Other Wrightsville favs include the Chicken Salad at Roberts Grocery, the Mussels in Blue Cheese and Bacon Sauce at Stone Crab Oyster Bar, running "The Loop", and simply sticking our toes in the sand!

Back to School!

 


It's a crazy calendar thing but we returned to a brand new school year on Friday. We are curently taking the First, Second and Third Grades by storm.

I am pretty sure the clock is running out on me being in the building on the first day and them allowing classroom photos. I will keep at it while I can!

Happy Birthday!

 

We're back from a fun filled weekend at White Lake that included Joe's birthday! Here he is with his girls at his birthday party. Sun setting behind him. A Sandra Creation (yum!) on the plate in front of him. Love all around him!

Mother's Day

 


My group spoiled me rotten this Mother's Day! It was so sweet because this was the first year they really spent a lot of time planning my day! They started by delivering an English Muffin, Strawberries, and the Sunday paper to me in bed!




There were wonderful, handmade gifts -- loads of them.





I spent time with my own girls and my Mother. Really, a perfect day.

Easter Fun

 


Easter was busy, busy around here! A neighborhood egg hunt, the hunt in our yard for the eggs left by the Easter Bunny, Church and Sunday School and our favorite brunch where the Easter Bunny is always the star.

We followed that up with Gammy's Egg Hunt with the cousins and even more food at Uncle Craig and Aunt Lori's. Whew. Too bad we had to head back to school Monday!

Watch those Wee Ones!

 


The leprechauns, don't you know. We woke up to a huge mess in the kitchen this morning and there isn't any other explanation -- besides leprechauns!

Here's wishing you the luck o' the Irish all the year through!

Francesca is 7 and it's Owl-right!

From the land of unusual birthday celebrations comes Francesca's 7th -- affectionately dubbed 'Owlfest 2010" in these parts.

Steve and Anitra from the American Widlife Refuge brought real, live owls to the party and gave a wonderful presentation that left us all a little smarter!

Owl cake, owl cupcakes, treats that owls might like to eat (chocolate mice and gummy worms). I made owl lollipops for the guests and personalized owl bookmarks and well.. I'm exhausted!

Francesca says it was all "awesome"!

Sophia is 8!

Even though it seems like just yesterday she was 7... what a day! Presents for breakfast (a fine Carol Chapman tradition). She had to cool her heels at church before the Gymnastics party in the afternoon. She spent time with her girls flipping and twisting and jumping and got a load of great presents. Follow that with a birthday request dinner of pancakes and bacon, followed by Cake #2 -- and she crashed in a chair before bedtime. She was wrapped up in a blanket she received today, and was clutching Bear and a new doggie friend she unwrapped at her party.

Such a cliche, but I cannot believe how time flies.