Southern Comfort

I Just Won 2 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com just for using the toolbar!

2010-04-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

I Just Won 2 Swag Bucks on www.swagbucks.com just for using the toolbar!

Food Frenzy

2009-01-17T18:50:00.000-08:00

Lilah couldnt decide if she was hungry, tired, happy or sad.....but no matter what, she remained adorable!

My beautiful boys

2009-01-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

I was so happy to be able to make it to Connecicut for a quick 48 hour winter visit in December. I was lucky enough to spend a few hours with my best friend Caroline and her two gorgeous little animals, my Godsons Joey & Alex.

Caroline & Alex investigating his new goodies

Joey & I goofing off

Christmas Eve at the Halls

2009-01-04T10:33:00.000-08:00

Makalei & Sadie shared some Christmas Tea..Kyle & their pup shared some love..

Perry gave Lilah the customary Chicken bone to chew on..i think she liked that better than gifts!

Christmas Eve

2009-01-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve Papa, NeeNee and the whole gang came over for dinner and presents. We had a great time having everyone here and not having to pack up & go out. Makalei played Santa and passed out all the gifts. She was so proud to give Papa the gumball machine she bought him at school..complete with the last 3 gumballs she didn't already eat! Lilah slept through most of the fun but woke up in time to FINALLY be able to open her very first Christmas gifts!

She got an awesome Jack-In-The Box that she loved but her favorite toy of the night was yet to come...

Makalei left Santa some milk & cookies and a note explaining that she is starting not to believe.

Lilahs most favorite toy of the night was this push toy from NeeNee & Papa
Sorry for the crummy video, this was pre-Flip :)

SISTERS

2009-01-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

Brandy, Dew & Me

With Dad

Oh so busy

2009-01-04T09:55:00.000-08:00

This girl is just too fast...always into something!

Breakfast with Santa

2009-01-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

Since Makalei was born (and actually years before!) we have always gone to a "breakfast with Santa" event. This was Lilahs first experience. While she loved the "breakfast" part (2 pancakes and 2 sausage later!), she was not too keen on the Santa. Sissy had to sit with him too to convince her he wasn't so bad.

Little red dress

2009-01-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this little red dress! And her little tippy toes are too sweet!

Oh the anticipation

2009-01-04T09:41:00.000-08:00

In the beginning, Lilah could have cared less about the presents under the tree. She was more entranced by the ornaments and colored balls hanging from the tree. But then this package arrived from Aunt Judy. Its shiny red F.A.O Shwartz paper and silky white ribbon were too much temptation for here. Every chance she got she would dive under the tree and attack!

Yes Virginia..

2009-01-04T09:33:00.000-08:00

Makalei joined her fellow pageant queens at the nursing home to spread some holiday cheer. She began by reading Virginias letter from "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus"

Then passed out holiday cards to all the guests

and sang Christmas carols to everyone

It was a great day and Makalei is now anxiously awaiting our next visit

The Alien

2009-01-04T09:28:00.000-08:00

Auntie Dewys baby..aka..Alien

Pageant Christmas Party

2009-01-04T09:26:00.000-08:00

Makalei got a beautiful snowflake in the ornament exchange

Lilah was not impressed with this Santa imposter

The girls painted some great salt-dough ornaments

Beautiful in Blue

2009-01-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

Daddy though this year we should go with blue rather than the traditional Christmas attire.
Both girls looked just beautiful in their blue Gymbo dresses.

Makaleis gift suggestion

2009-01-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

Pack up Lilah and ship her off!

Life is good

2009-01-04T09:04:00.000-08:00

Christmas Cuties

2009-01-04T08:56:00.000-08:00

Take a bite out of...

2009-01-04T07:34:00.000-08:00

MOM!!
For some odd reason, Lilah chooses to bite me every chance she gets. It may be because while she was teething and had no teeth yet, I would laugh at her antics. But now, with two teeth on board, it isnt so funny! Furthermore, she usually only does it to me!

First Santa Visit

2009-01-04T07:29:00.000-08:00

Lilah LOVED the big Jolly guy the first time she saw him. She didnt want to leave!

Get this thing OFF my head!

2009-01-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

AHHHHH RELIEF!!!

Gingerbread mania

2009-01-03T08:16:00.000-08:00

Being more "creative" than I, Kyle desided to make our gingerbread from scratch this year, rather than the good ol' standby kit that I always get from WalMart. It actually came out awesome! He & Makalei worked tirelessly on "Callies Cafe", a gingerbread coffeeshop. They entered it in the Brunswick County Rec Depts Gingerbread house contest. Makalei won 2nd place in the Most Creative category!

Shallotte Christmas Parade

2009-01-03T07:47:00.000-08:00

Makalei rode in the parade as part of her duties as Little Miss Brunswick County Sweetheart 2008

Lilah & Auntie loving up on the mattress man

Look Ma, No clothes!

2009-01-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

Xmas Diva

2009-01-03T07:42:00.000-08:00

Looking so pretty for some Christmas Festivities

The Forbidden Buffet

2008-12-10T09:24:00.000-08:00

All Amped Up

2008-12-09T08:39:00.000-08:00

Lilah checking out Daddys new toy

Love Letters

2008-12-09T08:35:00.000-08:00

A sweet note from Callie - complete with a snack.
She left this for me before going to school.

Hunting for some holiday cheer

2008-11-28T18:35:00.000-08:00

This is our third Christmas in NC and the 3rd year I have spent tireless hours on the internet searching for a cut-your-own tree farm that is less than an days drive away and has REAL pine trees! No luck once again but we did find Booths in South Carolina..about 60 miles away. They had some pines but not "REAL" pines lol. So we ventured out into their vast fields to find one that would be acceptable for these picky New England natives...

and by the way..it was 65 degrees out!

HERE IT IS!

2008-11-28T18:29:00.000-08:00

The perfect tree! a 7 foot tall Cedar!

Dear Santa,

2008-11-28T18:26:00.000-08:00

All I want for Christmas are some new clothes and some shoes that fit.
Love, Lilah

Santa Baby..

2008-11-28T18:24:00.000-08:00

A sister for Christmas

2008-11-28T18:23:00.000-08:00

I think they both got just what they wanted for Christmas already...a sister

Just the right spot..

2008-11-28T18:20:00.000-08:00

Makalei is a perfectionist at heart...always looking for just the right place to put each ornament. Sometimes needing Daddys help to reach...

Investigating the tree...

2008-11-28T18:17:00.000-08:00

At first she didnt seem to care less about the tree itself..but as we added lights & bells and all that good stuff, she suddenly wanted to discover every inch of it~!

let there be light!

2008-11-28T18:15:00.000-08:00

Our pretty little tree! Still missing some ornaments but they are in CT so they are going to have to wait!

Easter came early..

2008-11-25T08:31:00.000-08:00

For Lilah..who decided to raid the diaper bag in her bedroom closet and found Mommys stash of Jelly Bellys! She was mighty proud of herself but sasly mommy had to take them away.

ROCK ON LITTLE STAR!

2008-11-25T08:23:00.000-08:00

A girl after daddys own heart!

Standing tall

2008-11-25T07:54:00.000-08:00

Growing like a weed

2008-11-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

Fashion does not apply...

2008-11-25T07:50:00.000-08:00

.. when picking turnip greens.

Lilahs hubby in the making

2008-11-25T07:48:00.000-08:00

I think this handsome little guy would be just fine for a son in law! This here is Evan..he & his Daddy Matthew came with us to Perrys cabin to pick turnip greens and go for a ride on the golf cart. Could he be any sweeter?

You know you are a Redneck if...

2008-11-25T07:46:00.000-08:00

Need I say more??

Its good to be queen

2008-11-25T07:44:00.000-08:00

Makalei and her fellow queens made gift boxes to donate to local children in need. They met for the day and wrapped the boxes and discussed all their important "queen news" and events that are coming up. She has a LOT of activit going on for December so stay tuned!

Free Standing Baby

2008-11-25T07:34:00.000-08:00

Lilah spends her days figuring out how to climb and scale everything in the house. Here she is managing to pull herself up on her stroller which was not exactly the sturdiest choice! however she decided to let go just in time for Mommy to catch her standing alone on tape! (sorry for the semi-crooked video!)

My Little Elf

2008-11-25T07:30:00.000-08:00

I just LOVE these Osh Kosh Pj's!! check out the butt!!

All bundled up & nowhere to go!

2008-11-25T07:26:00.000-08:00

Lilah ready to venture out into the record cold NC winter!

Thumbs up on the Feetie Jammies!

2008-11-25T07:24:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the Lajeuneses for Lilahs first pair of LL Bean Feetie Jammies!She gave them the thumbs up!

It wasnt quite so easy to maneuver on the hardwood floor but once she got the hang of it, there was no stopping her!

Savannah Highlights

2008-11-25T07:20:00.000-08:00

Brandy & I had a great weekend away (with no hubbies, no babies, no kitties, no worries!) in Savannah. The waterfront area had everything you could want. There were streetside performers, shopping galore, pirate ships, riverboats, beautiful parks and best yet...you can leave the bar WITH YOUR DRINK!! Seriously! You can get booze TO GO!!!
Now thats a perk that they should really advertise for more commerce!

Savannahs Trees

2008-11-25T07:16:00.000-08:00

My favorite part of Savannah??? THE TREES!!!

Brandys Savannah Bday

2008-11-25T07:12:00.000-08:00

My sister Brandy turned 30 last Saturday so she & I went for a weekend to Savannah Georgia for some power Christmas shopping. Oh and a tug boat ride for Brandy....

Sadly, no Carvel Cookie Puss cake this year..instead, just a candleless Snickers Ice Cream bar.

Dozing with Daddy

2008-11-25T07:08:00.000-08:00

Lilah was relaxing with Daddy & Sissy on the "Daddy Chair" Makalei was gently rubbing Lilahs cheek when she reached up and grabbed ahold of Makaleis finger, then Daddys. Just a few more minutes and she was sound asleep...

Striped Sisters

2008-11-25T07:04:00.000-08:00

Makalei 8 years, 8 months & Lilah 7 months and 24 days!

ONE YEAR!!

2008-11-15T05:59:00.000-08:00

Kyle celebrated his one year anniversary of his Hardwood Flooring business with his partner Luke and my Dad Larry. We all went to Red Lobster in myrtle Beach for a great, child-free dinner!

Awards Day

2008-11-15T05:56:00.000-08:00

Makalei received the Principals award at school for the first marking period. We were SO proud of her!
A friend from her class even came up and asked me if I could take a picture of them together, it was so sweet.

CAUGHT YA!

2008-11-13T05:56:00.000-08:00

Daddy caught Lilah making a HUGE mess in her room! She managed to pull everything out of everywhere and toss it all over! She looked pretty proud of herself too!

The Stocking!

2008-11-13T05:52:00.000-08:00

I cannot express how much I LOVE this! I found a very talented quilter on Etsy who turned all of the memorabilia baby clothes of Makaleis into this fantastic stocking! Each square is from an outfit Makalei had that was a favorite or served a special purpose. This isn't the best photo but the sock is full of texture and is so well made that I cant stop looking at it! I of course will have one done for Lilah in a few years as well and I am making Makalei a scrapbook with all of the photos of her in these special outfits with a story behind each one.

Southport Artisan Holiday Craft & Art Show

2008-11-13T05:45:00.000-08:00

Makalei looked cute as ever in her pageant banner & crown

Dads Birthday Dinner

2008-11-13T05:43:00.000-08:00

For Dads bday Brandy & I got him new dentures! Kyle made us an amazing dinner (and sported his Krispy Kreme hat the whole time). Makalei even gave Dad a 2nd pair of "dentures"........

Fun with NeeNee & Papa

2008-11-13T05:39:00.000-08:00

Creeping & Crawling

2008-11-13T05:37:00.000-08:00

AND SHE IS OFF!!
7 months old and crawling anywhere and everywhere! She is pulling herself up on furniture, going after the catfood and being a ninja getting from room to room!

Meet Rosie

2008-11-13T05:33:00.000-08:00

As a surprise, we got Makalei a new hamster for getting a great 1st report card in 3rd grade. Well it wasn't actually a surprise because though we hid the critter until after dinner..she spotted the box the cage came in in the trash beforehand. She feigned surprise but then confessed that she knew all along! She named her Rosie

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-04T07:55:00.000-08:00

Kyle and his girls

Auntie Dew & Auntie Brandy

Just being me...

2008-11-04T07:51:00.000-08:00

Festival By The Sea 2008

2008-11-04T07:45:00.000-08:00

It's hard work...

2008-11-04T07:42:00.000-08:00

......being Lilah

Sissys Blankie

2008-11-04T07:39:00.000-08:00

Lilah loves her big sisters Blankie. Made by their Great-Great Grandma, Iola Beauchene.

She Crawls the Line

2008-11-04T07:30:00.000-08:00

Seven months and one day and she is already a prodigy..just look at her go!

Porch Play

2008-11-04T07:29:00.000-08:00

Miss Lilah enjoying some fall weather on our front porch.

Wedding Cuties

2008-10-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

Callie and her Godmother, my best friend Caroline

Mommy & Callie

The back of Callies dress

Callie & Sierra

Lowes Building Workshop

2008-10-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

My little Diva was worried she would "get a sliver" Or "hammer her hand" lol

GIDDY UP COWBABY!

2008-10-26T06:13:00.000-07:00

She loves her Mummy!

2008-10-26T06:10:00.000-07:00

The Mad Hatter strikes again!

2008-10-26T05:54:00.000-07:00

We went to a Halloween Party yesterday at the local Elks club. It was for children ages 3-11. It was WONDERFUL! They had tons of games, great prizes for everyone, free lunch & dessert..pinatas, lots of candy and just all around a good time.

We were shocked when Makaleis name was called as the winner of the costume contest!! She was SO THRILLED that not only did they know who she was, but that they thought her costume was the best!

Then to top it off... she won a door prize too... a new Huffy bike!!

Earlier that morning I had taken Makalei to Lowes for the building workshop. She was SO AWFUL that on the way home I told her we were NOT going to the Halloween party and instead she was going home to take a nap. We got home, she went to bed and about a half hour later a note was slipped under the door that read"dear mommy, I am not tired. I would like a second chance. I will be so good. Please check yes or no if I can have another chance"
Followed by a 2 boxes labeled YES and NO.
Under that it said
"PS I am really sorry"Followed by 2 boxes that read "OK and "I dont Care"

ROFL it was too funny and she had rested so we had a long talk and decided just this once I would reconsider. Daddy told her if she misbehaved at the party she would lose TV for the whole week. The child was an angel LOL

My Little Stinker!!

2008-10-26T05:41:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I don't think I have ever seen such a cute damn kid in my whole life! Just look at her! lol

Gotta match!

2008-10-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

Even while waiting in the airport in NYC..my girls gotta match! lol

And at home at last!

Makalei's first Up-Do

2008-10-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

Reading time

2008-10-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

Denim Diva

2008-10-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Carving 2008

2008-10-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

FOURTH GENERATION

2008-10-23T11:06:00.000-07:00

The 4th generation of babies to sit in this highchair!

LOTS O DOTS

2008-10-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

I got these adorable Jammies from Garnet Hill for all four of the little girls to wear to camp in Maine.
Unfortunately we didn't make it there this year but were lucky they fit for our chilly CT visit in October.

The good life

2008-10-23T10:58:00.001-07:00

Kyle & Eric enjoying a fall chat by the pond

Who needs leaves...

2008-10-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

When Makalei has BUBBLES!

Leaf it to me..

2008-10-23T10:55:00.000-07:00

Lilah has never encountered actual fall leaves before.
She had to investigate every single one. Surprisingly she didnt eat any!

Lilah Loves Autumn

2008-10-23T10:50:00.000-07:00

Nothing better...

2008-10-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

Than New England foliage!

Grandpas Girl

2008-10-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

A visit with Nana

2008-10-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

The perfect location

2008-10-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

I just LOVE this spot for photos at Edmondsons. Unfortunately it was FREEEEEZING so we had to make it quick and didn't get many good poses but still, a great photo opportunity.

Daddy's Little punk...ins

2008-10-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

Role playing at Edmondsons

2008-10-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

My Little Pumpkins

2008-10-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

Mums the word

2008-10-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

EDMONDSONS FARM - Coventry CT

Makalei & Beary

2008-10-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

Makalei & her beloved Beary showing off their matching dresses

Fall Family Pics

2008-10-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

Fall at Grannies house in Connecticut

Doggy love

2008-10-23T06:22:00.000-07:00

Lilah in her new Halloween outfit from the Gordon girls!
Getting some loving from Cheddar the pup!

Working on the crawl!

Talk to the hand

2008-10-23T06:18:00.000-07:00

We FINALLY got a picture of Lilahs famous hand gesture! She does this pose whenver she is about to fall asleep. It is the cutest thing to see! its a cross between a "WOE IS ME" and "OH WHAT A LONG DAY" look lol

Makalei's first fish!

2008-10-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

Makalei threw a line in down on the dock tonight after Daddy took a quick, cool October swim! This was probably only her 3rd time fishing and really the first that she ever put in any effort. She even baited the hook with shrimp! On her 3rd cast out she pulled in a little guy! She was SO excited though she expressed her discomfort with the statement "Daddy! the fish has blood on his mouth!" (ummm hello honey, you just stuck a HOOK through it!) We packed up about a half hour later and just as she pulled in her line, ANOTHER one hopped on her hook! It was so much fun and a great end to a nice fall Sunday.

Shrimp & Jazz Festival

2008-10-12T16:22:00.000-07:00

Like an idiot, I dragged everyone to the Shrimp & Jazz fest in Little River South Carolina to meet one of the required appearances for Makaleis reign as Pageant Queen and FORGOT her crown! GRRRR!! Oh well here are a few shots. She had to pet EVERY dog she met but this one was super cute.

She braved the rock wall again this year but last time she flew up it nop problem and this year she was totally scared and wimped out 1/3 of the way up! (yes, she had pants on under her dress!)

Here's my sister Brandy with Captain Morgan - two fine liquors if you ask me!

I had tuna tacos and they were OHHHH so yummy!

My Gansters

2008-10-10T05:27:00.000-07:00

Makalei decided she & Lilah needed to perk up their gansta' skills!