One Year Anniversary

Hard to believe we have officially been in TN one full year. Wow--I know it is oversaid, but where did the time go. We are mostly settled in, but shamefully have some boxes still unpacked and I am beginning to think they can head straight to Goodwill. We are very pleased with our move and while we still miss our friends in DC/MD/VA we are making new friends. It was a stressful year and we are glad to be on this side of it. We have been taking a marriage class on Sunday nights, it has been great. A nice refresher since we are in the midst of our 7th year. The kids are growing and becoming such big kids. Olivia talks all the time and can repeat anything you say. I still translate for her, but she is doing great. Aiden is almost 4 and is so full of imagination and cracks us up, most of the time intentionally. God has been good and we can't wait to see the changes this next year brings.

I'm dreaming of a warm Christmas...

This Christmas was very special for the my side of the family. We were able to spend it in Florida with my folks, my sister, Rachel, and her family.

Christmas morning was unbelievable. I have never seen such a mess of wrapping paper and heard so many squeals. The four Rice grandkids: Mariah, Makayla, Aiden and Olivia were in heaven. Olivia was the funniest. She would hurry and run to whomever was most delighted with a particular present and then take off with it...causing more than a few confused moments ...mostly to the adults... as she attempted to stash lotions, candles and various sundries in her "lair", also know as my lap, she would then put up a fight should the rightful owner want their present back. We are slowly working through her "mine" stage. Eventually, the presents were sorted and returned. All agreed we have been very blessed, not only in presents, but in family and health.

We wish all a Happy New Year.

Thanksgiving Travels

Our Thanksgiving found us on the road again. I wish the van had frequent driver miles. We spent Sunday night through Thursday night with Roger's family. The family rented a condo and had a great time. It was so nice to have everybody together. We made a mini vacation of it and stopped by Meramac Caverns, noted for being the infamous hideout for Jesse James, and little "zoo" on our way. We then spent Friday night and Saturday with my family. They came to our house for Thanksgiving. We we were worn out but loved getting to spend so much time with our families. We did take time to reflect on how thankful we are for our families and how the Lord has blessed us during this last year of changes. God is faithful.

Sprucing up outdoors

Landscaping has never been our forte, but we really wanted to have a little more pizazz to the outdoor spaces of our house. We did some and hired a good portion of it and we are very pleased with the results. The best part has been the addition of our much needed patio. We chose to go with a stamped concrete. It has been a wonderful. We bought a fire pit table and have even roasted marshmellows out there with the kids. The picture here is of the patio area. To see more of the landscaping and clearing out we did check out the photo gallery. Along the back fence we have cleared out a over 5 truckloads of overgrowth. The hardest part was the vines with the huge thorns. It was the bulk of our overgrowth. I still have scratch mark scars from it. We called it "Devil Vine" and Aiden called it "Ouchy Vine". While those may not be the scientific names, they are accurate.

I'll go south and you go souther...

Roger had a work trip to Brazil and so the kids and I flew down to Orlando to see my folks. We had a great time and it is always so interesting to see how your parents have changed. They fed the kids lots of sugar. ;o) Roger's trip went well and he brought Aiden back a soccer ball and Olivia and I their famous flip flops. The kids loved being with Mimi and Papaw. Since we have been back Olivia has been asking for them....especially if she isn't getting her way. We had a wonderful time, but it was great to get back to home and Roger.

ALOHA!

Roger had a "work" trip to Hawaii, so I felt that I must help him. My mother-in-law, Harriett, was gracious enough to keep our kids so we had a nice 2nd honeymoon. We loved it. It was absolutely beautiful. Highlights of the trip were: snorkeling, swimming with sharks, visiting the set of the TV show LOST(see photo gallery), the beaches of Waikiki and Waimeia Bay. It was so relaxing. The water is so blue. Swimming with sharks was incredible. I didn't want to do it, but I LOVED it. They take you 3 miles out, "bait/chum" for the sharks, put you in the shark cage and then with your snorkel and mask you view the inhabitants. We saw 2 tiger sharks, one of which was over 10 feet, and about 15 galapagos sharks that ranged in size from 6 to 10 feet. Talk about a rush. They swam close enough to touch. We were warned not to and I didn' mind complying since I am fond of my limbs and digits. We were sad to leave the island life, but were happy to see Aiden and Olivia.

Dinner is served

I am so excited. We purchased a new dining room set. I had looked for months and then found this one in a store that I should have gone to first because it is right in town. I love it. It has a lighted china and expands with 2 leaves to seat 12. I can't wait to serve up dinner.