HAPPY BIRTHDAY STELLA!

Even though Stella's birthday isn't until Monday Collin was ready with birthday kisses at her party Saturday. It was a wonderful end to a great trip with the Wicker side of the family. Collin (and me too) has gotten to spend some great time with his Nana, Grandaddy, Uncle Paul (or Umple Caul as he calls him) and Grandma Mary Lou over the last couple of weeks. Fortunately, he has had some other trips to hang out with Uncle Brian and Aunt Erika and of course his favorite cousin, Stella.

We were able to get to Columbia early enough to help get ready for the party. Stella looked absolutely beautiful in her hot pink outfit. It was very funny as people commented to her that this must have been the best birthday ever, all I could think was that the adults involved thought last year's birthday was her best ever! She is a precious little girl and such a wonderful addition to our family. As her aunt I am so excited to watch her grow and see the little girl and woman she will become one day (she comes from good stock :). I am also so glad that Collin has a cousin so close to his age. They already play so well together and we sit back and just laugh at all of the mischief the two of them are going to get into together.

Nothing could have topped the day off any better than watching Stella, who is not the world's best eater, thoroughly enjoy eating her birthday cake. She had a whole one all to herself and she LOVED it! She was surrounded by family and friends her love her dearly, and who are so excited to watch her grow and change through another year.

Happy Birthday Stella! This year only promises to be better than the last. We can't wait to share it with you. Love, Uncle Robert, Aunt Kaiti and Collin

Oh Christmas Tree, Deja Vu

...And here we go again, but this time Collin was with his Grandaddy this time and at a REAL Christmas tree farm. He even got to ride in a "Gator" (for lack of a better term). Between the Gator and the Christmas tree hitting the ground he had a great time. Then, it was back to the house to help Nana decorate the tree. So, now the house that was going to remain undecorated this year smells of evergreen and is glittering with lights.

This is all after a wonderful morning of shopping with Uncle Paul. Collin and Uncle Paul and I went back to the barber shop where Collin got his first haircut to take the barber some pictures (yes, we are way late, but better late than never). Then, it was off to help Uncle Paul find a Christmas present for Nana, lunch at Panera and then some more shopping.

Collin loves his Uncle Paul. He calls him Umple Caul - it comes out sounding like applesauce, but Uncle Paul loves it!!

Collin is topping off this napless day with a bowl of peppermint ice cream he is sharing with Nana...and here he comes, sticky, ice cream face, pacifier and blanky in hand. Some days life is just good.

On The Road Again....

...I just can't wait to get on the road again - ok, so that last part may be a lie. As I pulled out of the driveway all I could hear was Willie Nelson in my head. Funny, considering I've never listened to his music. I love visiting the people, but the road tripping is tiring, especially with a 2-year-old. Oh, how many chicken nugget meals can one child eat :)

In any case, we left Tuesday afternoon to start our trip around SC. Seems we tour this state a lot. Must be all of those people we love that live here. So, we made it to Laurens Tuesday night. We are here enjoying time with Robert's family until Saturday. Then, Saturday is Stella's big day. My niece turns 1 next week and we will be celebrating her birthday Saturday. That post is to follow.

So, after Stella's birthday we will go to my sister's house in Charleston to finish Christmas shopping (not shopping AT her house, but to that town to finish shopping WITH her). Then, it's back to Jacksonville for a Christmas party. Whew! No matter how hard we try the season is always busy, but busy with family, friends and festive events - which makes the time joyful.

Here's to our crazy schedule, busy lives and all the love one family can hold.

Breakfast with Santa

Collin and I were up early this morning to have breakfast with Santa. Per the previous post you know that Collin doesn't really understand all of this Christmas stuff, as much as we try. However, he did thoroughly enjoy his morning of food, music and crafts. He could have done without Santa though.

All started off well when Santa arrived. Collin said hello and even reached out to shake his hand. But after some time to think about he decided that Santa was just not someone he wants to spend time with, not even for a picture.

So, it was off to the arts and crafts. After 3 hours we had a dog bone reindeer, a foam Christmas Tree and lots of pictures - none of which were with Santa to be used for a Christmas card. Oh, well! He had fun!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

The one nice thing about being on a tight schedule is that things get done earlier than usual. While it may not seem early to anyone else, having our tree up before Dec. 5 is early for us. As we prepared for Robert to go on the last hoorah before the final hoorah we knew we only had one shot to get the Christmas Tree up if we were going to do it as a family.

Collin loved his first trip to the Christmas Tree lot. He ran around among all of the trees until he finally decided on one (mom helped in the decision a little), our perfect Christmas Tree, at least for this year :) He enjoyed decorating the tree even though he couldn't figure out why the ornaments wouldn't just "stick" to the branches. He would place them so carefully and then we'd hear, "uh, oh!" as they fell to the floor. Maybe next year he'll understand that they hang on the tree, not stick to the tree.

After all of Collin's investment in our tree I really thought he'd love it, but he couldn't care less. I get an, "ooh, look" when the lights are turned on, and then he's off to something else.

Why are we as parents so much more invested in our children being excited about Christmas than they seem to be? Collin is afraid of Santa (see Breakfast with Santa post), has no idea that a present is exciting and only says "baby" when we show him a manger scene. So, we continue to push the holiday, knowing that in just a few short years we'll have red and green paper chains crossing the house and advent calendars with no chocolate left after Dec. 3. It won't be long before he'll be dying to wait in line for an hour to see Santa, will be unable to go to sleep on Christmas Eve and will be bouncing on my bed at 3 a.m. shouting, "Santa came, Santa came!"

GO GAMECOCKS!!

I think I've posted it every-where possible, but just in case - GO GAMECOCKS!!

This year Robert and I fulfilled one of our dreams. We became University of South Carolina season ticket holders. Now, you have to be a Gamecock fan to truly appreciate this accomplishment - those of you out there, you know who you are :) Now, the seats aren't amazing, but they are lower level, which is a feat all in itself. As season ticket holders, who live out of town, we knew we wouldn't make all the games. But we did know that we would be there for the Clemson game. As every true fan knows you go in to every game with high hopes, but with the knowledge that this team can break your heart at every turn. So, while I was so excited about the game I was nervous.

The stadium was packed (first time all season), the crowd was electric and even the players were civil. Then, on the first kick-off of the game, it happened, boom, 88-yard touchdown - Clemson. Oh, it was going to be a long afternoon. But, the Gamecocks came back strong and then this amazing thing happened, they played strong the WHOLE game. They DOMINATED the WHOLE game. It was amazing. It was the team we had been hoping to see all season - where had they been? Nevermind, didn't matter - they showed up for the most important game of the season and proved that, at least for that day, they were the better team - they ARE the better team.

So, Clemson fans say all you want. Tell me about our long losing streak. Cry to me about your precious Spiller (who we held to 18 yards). Let's talk about the ACC tournament hosting two teams that BOTH lost to SEC teams last weekend. Give me your poor sport sob story about next year. Go ahead - all I've got to say is that for THIS YEAR, THE PRESENT, THIS MOMENT, WE ARE THE WINNERS!

Thanksgiving

Our holiday week took us on a whirlwind tour of the great state of South Carolina, but that's nothing new. We enjoyed time on the farm, though the weather was significantly colder than predicted when I packed our things. Fortunately, Uncle Paul got a jacket for Collin so that they could play outside. If you look closely you can see it's Elmo, one of Collin's favorite characters. Collin enjoyed learning to drive the tractor and bake cookies (he likes the rolling and patting part :). Then it was off to Sumter to see my side of the family. My grandmother is doing better, which is a huge blessing all itself. Collin enjoyed more time with her and my parents than Robert and I did. I'm guessing from how well he slept on the way home that they had a great time! Though our time with family always seems rushed and fleeting we are so blessed that we get it as often as we do. Our week gave us some much needed rest and time to "see" how truly blessed we are and how much we have to be thankful for.

Marine Corps Ball

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY USMC!!

Despite being a couple of weeks late Robert and I enjoyed the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Since most of you reading this are our close friends and family you know how much we love to get dressed up. So, we made a weekend out of the event. Dressy dinner Saturday night, a relaxing day strolling around downtown New Bern Sunday and then the ball Sunday night. Everything was very well done making it the best ball I've been too, and I've been going to these for almost 10 years :) My thoughts and prayers to all of you who serve in the military or love one of those that serves in the military. Semper Fi!

"Chuck E Cheese's, where a kid can be a kid!" Or should it be where an adult can still be a kid? What compels parents to take their young children to Chuck E. Cheese (or ShowBiz Pizza, as it was when I was a child)? As Robert and I planned our evening out with Collin we both fully understood that most of the games were too old for Collin, and that he would not ever remember the trip. None the less, we loaded him up and off we were for pizza and games. It was a great evening, full of games, music and fun. However, we realized, as Robert was shooting baskets over Collin's head and I threw balls around Collin up the ski ball ramp that we had gone for us as much as we had gone for him.

Somewhere in my memory were images of me and my dad at ShowBiz Pizza, enjoying some one-on-one father/daughter time for a good report card. Skiball, Pac-Man (ooh - did I just date myself?) and some more skiball, fun I still remember today. Then, there's Robert who was quite certain he had never even been to a Chuck E Cheese or ShowBiz Pizza.

So, in the end maybe we do go for our children. While yes, we have fun as well. Maybe what we really want is to give them the opportunity for the same memories and fun we enjoyed as children.

The Computer Illiterate CAN be Taught

Yes! I figured it out, and mostly on my own I might add. I have given the blog a new look and mastered (ok, not really mastered) Adobe Photoshop. I usually count myself as an intelligent person, but when it comes to computers the blond comes out strong (no offense to my blond friends :)
So, here we are revamped and excited about keeping our friends and family up to date on the comings and goings of the Wicker family. I figure if my working friends can keep up with a blog I surely should be able to find the time to keep up with one. Then again, I should be able to find time to exercise too :) One thing at a time.