December Photo #31: Happy New Year!

Party on in 2014!

Our

December Photo #30: Girls Night Out!

Mexican food, shopping, and then home for chocolate and a chick flick!

Christmas Eve

Mark was being super cooperative for brother pictures before church.

We enjoyed a beautiful Christmas Eve service at Mitchell Road Presbyterian and then back to Grammie's for traditional shells dinner and plenty of pictures!

December Photo #29: Silly nieces

Laura (15) and Caroline (9 1/2) being silly on our girls trip to Target this afternoon.

December Photo #28: Hot cocoa!

Enjoying some hot cocoa and one of the best Christmas lights displays we've ever seen!

Our night with Darth

 You might have gathered from previous posts that my boys are slightly

into

in love with 

obsessed with 

Star Wars. They can't help it - they come by it naturally. I think their Daddy has enjoyed this obsession as much as the boys. On Monday night, they got the surprise of their life. After dinner, they were all sitting around watching Episode 5 at the Workman's house, when a special visitor walked in to the living room - and it wasn't Santa!

Uncle Rob's Darth Vader costume quite impressive. It's a custom-made and very authentic, and at over 6 ft tall, he's pretty intimidating! 

As you can see, Keaton was not so happy to see him at first!

Once Keaton realized he posed no real threat, he quickly challenged Darth to a light saber duel.

Darth Vader even came bearing gifts for Keaton and Mark - new light sabers!

Mark was not so easily convinced that Darth Vader was just our friendly Uncle Rob. My favorite part of the evening was when Rob gave Mark his gift, and Mark says, "Thank you, Darth Vader." So sweet - he remembered his manners even with Darth!

I love how Keaton's trying out using the force against him...

Darth was nice enough to pose for some pics.

Notice how Mark is still keeping his distance...

Thank you Uncle Rob for making it such a fun a memorable evening for our boys!

December Photo #27: Children's Museum

All the cousins had a blast this afternoon at The Children's Museum of the Upstate. It's hard to tell from this picture, but they are actually in an underwater window looking up at me.

December Photo #26: Detecting a theme?

December Photo #25: A promise kept

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
Isaiah 9:6-7

December Photo #24: Christmas Eve

December Photo #23: Darth!

We made a memory tonight. More pics to come...

December Photo #22: Won't be long now...

December Photo #21: "big boy" cousins

Matthew (6), Douglas (11), Keaton (5) in front of the Christmas tree at the Billy Graham library in Charlotte!

December Photo #20: We made it!

Thank you Lord for safe travels, and for COUSINS waiting for us on the other end!

December Photo#19: Hat and sunglasses day at Ben Parker

Keaton and his buddy, Makayla

The next pic I post should be in Charlotte, NC! Woohoo!

Baby Makapu'u

On Saturday, we decided to take one last trip to the beach since we won't have a chance for a couple of weeks. We ended up (due to a Christmas parade detour) at Baby Makapu'u. We haven't been here in a while, and this day reminded us of how much we love this place! The scenery is out of this world, and the tide pools make it so fun and safe for the boys to play.

Right before jumping in this pool, Scott spotted a large eel - yuck! He and Keaton kept tabs on it so it didn't bother us!

Lots of Mark pictures... he was particularly photogenic on Saturday! :-)

Not sure what they were screaming?

December Photo #18: My boys