Merry Christmas from Swimmin' Hole Lane!

Merry Christmas!

The annual trek to James Island

The Braytons took Lolly and Beau to James island County Park to see the annual light display. The light drizzle stopped and we got out to walk through the forest and go see Santa. It started pouring while seeing Santa and we had to hurry back to the car!

Too scared to find out what she's saying...

Carol with Santa. She's probably asking for a new "critter". Let's hope not!

Cami made Cooper sit on Santa's lap. I think he's asking for a 15 year old blonde....

The trip home...2 goofy, 1 sleepy!

Fort Brayton

...sure it looks dangerous, but it's fun and there's not much to do in the country...

Grammy's Birthday Party

We celebrated Grammy's birthday Sunday at Tessa and Justin's. All the girls participated in the meal and Beau provided dessert. We had a great evening! Grammy got lots of great presents...a digital picture frame with over 400 photos of her family already loaded, a scarf, gloves and knit hat, new Clark clogs, socks and a pedicure. What a haul! Guess that's one of the perks of having 6 children!!

Birthday pie...coconut cream

Opening presents with helper Claire

Justin and Grandpa in deep conversation.

Orvin Christmas Party

The annual "Orvin Holiday Throwdown" was December 7. It was a cold night but still a happening event. The Custom Four played and sounded great ! It was fun but ALOT of work. Ebbie claims this was the finale...we can only hope and pray...

H.G., Ebbie, Andy and Rachel

Claire and Rachel on the stage!

Matthew,Ebbie, Andy and Rachel

Christmas Program

Carol's school had a Christmas program last night. Carol and her chorus group performed and then it was off to make ornaments in the different classrooms.

Carol and her "best" boys!

Carol and Daddy

Making "edible" Christmas trees!

Concentrating on the craft!

We have a new niece!!

Phil and Heidi have a new daughter, Presley Jo Harrop. She arrived at 5:47pm on Friday 12/5--7lbs even, 19 1/2 inches long, cute as a button. We can't wait to meet her. Grammy and Grandpa fly to Iowa right after Christmas.

Presley Jo ( or PJ as Beau calls her)Proud Papa Phil

Meeting the new sister!

Mommy and Presley Jo (Berkeley took this photo)

Sleepover

Carol had a sleepover at Beau's bungalow Friday night. This is what Beau found when she came into the room! Beau slept in the guest room while "Ellie Mae" stayed in the master with the "critters".

The Hunters

Tessa and her husband, Justin, and their son, Drake, spent the night at Beau's house Wednesday night. Justin and Drake left at 4 a.m. and 28 degrees to go duck hunting. As you can see it was a successful hunt. Not so much fun for Tessa and Beau...Sugar and Buddy had to bark an enthusiastic good morning to Drake @ 4 a.m. and then the sound of gunfire began @ 6:15 a.m.! No rest for the weary...

Justin, Drake and duck with bad luck!

Drake sporting his camo vest. Best dressed dog in the duck blind!

Thanksgiving 2008 at Green Acres

We had a beautiful day to celebrate and give thanks!! We ate outside and enjoyed the mild weather and sunshine. Andy, Lindsay, Jeremy, Ebbie and Donnie and Jud an John joined our standard chaos along with all 7 dogs!! As usual, there was way too much food including fried turkey (domestic and wild)...compliments of Beau!! As you can see, there was touch football, singing and napping for the after dinner activities!

Pre-Thanksgiving Oyster Roast

Here is our Pre-Thanksgiving Oyster Roast. Jud, John, Howie and Truvy made the trip from Atlanta for the weekend. We had a total of 15 people and 7 dogs!! The oysters were delicious and the company was VERY entertaining!!

The last November birthday!

We had our last November birthday dinner for Brad, better known as "Gwanpa". Now the Holiday feeding begins...it's all about the food here!

More birthdays...

Tessa's birthday

Our little "Punky" turned 26!

The Birthday Season Commences!

It's birthday season...we start with Dara in late October, then Cami,Phil,Tessa, and Brad in November and Tookie in December. So much cake, so little time... I wasn't brave enough to put the correct # of candles on Cami's cake.

Voting

Carol and Beau stood in line for 1 hr 35 mins @ the Cordesville Fire Dept. to cast our vote. Carol's school had a program for the children to receive a registration and vote at school. She received an extra 100 for going to the polls and watching me vote. The poll worker placed an "I Voted" sticker on the back of her registration card for verification. Way to stick it our Carol!

4th Annual Trunk or Treat

We hosted Swimmin' Hole Lane's 4th Annual Trunk or Treat on Saturday. It was a load of fun with 200+ in attendance! Candy, candy and more candy, followed by hotdogs and hayrides. Life is good in the country!

Halloween

Since our Trunk or Treat was on Saturday, Derek took Cooper, Carol, and Claire to Park West on Friday to Trick or Treat with Emily, Jason and Olivia. They had a great time loading up on candy and then relaxing in the hot tub. Poor children...what a tough life!

Soccer 2008 Finale

The kids just finished another indoor soccer season. This was Claire's first year to play...she scored 3 goals!! Cooper and Carol both scored at least a goal in every game. Derek helped coach Cooper's team and was the back up coach for the girls team. They had their end of the year party at the corn maze (see below). Although it was a GREAT season, we are glad to have our weekends back!!

Happy Birthday Dara!

Happy Birthday, Dara! Grammy made an ice-cream cake so we had to put the candles on a casserole!

Fun @ The West Farm Corn Maze

The kids spent a fun afternoon @ the Corn Maze with their soccer teams.

Claire practicing for a future in farming!

Carol tries her hand at milking!

Driving @ the Corn Maze

Our family friends have a Corn Maze at their farm each October with lots of fun activities for the entire family. Cami and Derek have been helping out at the corn maze this month driving the tractors for the hayrides. I'm not sure who has more fun... the tractor drivers or the kids!

New job @ www.charleston.net

I started my new job at the Post and Courier Wednesday. If I could have designed the perfect job for me, this would be it! I'll be calling on independent auto dealers and helping them get their inventory online. Most of them don't have a web site so I'll be creating a site for them and teaching them how to use it as well as how to take pictures of their inventory to display on the site. Guess the school teacher gene is rearing it's head...you know, teach a man to fish,etc...

Going Away Party...Possum Pileau & Pickles!

Welcome to Williamsburg County! Possum Pileau and sweet pickles!

One of my colleagues made this for my going away party. This combination is a delicacy here!

See the bones in the pot?

Possum innards...

Cordesville Camp Meeting

We've had some excitement in the neighborhood this week! A tent revival right down the street! They don't get cranked up until after 8:30 pm and it's pretty loud. You can hear the bass and drums and some of the shouting...Claire said they need to turn it down so she can go to sleep!

Here's a little video from Thursday night. I imagine Friday will be better attended. Stay tuned...

Weekend @ Swimmin' Hole Lane

Sunday was Cami's turn to cook dinner for the entire family. Our "little domestic goddess" grilled delicious talapia and shrimp for us with an assist from Derek. Beau provided the sides and dessert as well as the venue.

Saturday means soccer...girls @ 10 am & Cooper@ 1 pm. Cami was able to watch since she didn't work Friday night. Claire scored her first goal !

Mommy , Carol & Claire

Coach Daddy & Cooper