Falling into Winter...

My last post was Labor Day...after a nice, warm, sunny beach trip.  Now we are well into "winter," if you want to call it that.  It's been a warm, slow start.  The ski slopes have had a late start and a hard time functioning and staying open. El Nino is definitely a strange weather pattern!

Well, here are some pictures of our goings-on since I last left you...

The kids and Brian visited their Nana and Granddude, in Virginia, and they had a "fancy" dinner, which was fun for all!

My beautiful daughter! Age 5.5

Griffin (power ranger), Reese, Payton (Belle), and Marley

Our annual Halloween party at Morrison...Solace, Madison, Reese, Payton, Griffin, Marley, and Braxton (don't know other two boys)

Just love this!  Captured one morning on the way to drop Payton off at school...

G at his Sardis Pre-School Halloween parade

Samantha and Payton at Winget Park Elementary, with their Principal, "Mr. B"

Me with one of my beautiful besties...Gina

It was October, and my  last surf sesh of the season...time to bring on WINTER!

Snapped with my phone just outside of Payton's school...love this!

Me with my little lovebug

Visiting our friends, the Holberts...Leela, Payton, G, and Kinley

Hay Ride!

Katie and Todd, and their sweet girls, Leela and Kinley

At the Wake Forest Football game...

Brayden, one of Payton's loves...and of course, she's driving him around!

Birthday party with ice cream bar!

Griffin's 4 year old pre-school class

Blue pea coat...One of the many articles of clothing Payton has managed to "lose" at school this year :(

Halloween Party Number 1

Halloween Party Number 2

Being silly with our neighbor, Sienna

It's CRAZY how she hasn't changed all that much in a year!

Griffin's crazy hair day at school

Payton received a "citizenship" award at school.

Roman and Griffin at the mexican place

Man bun anyone?

Payton with Hallie

Always adding "silly"

I caught these two sweetie having a pillow fight in their room...they LOVE sharing a room, and although I was skeptical about it at first, I'm glad it all worked out and I love how close they are to each other!

In November, I ran the Thunder Road Half Marathon, without much training.  I finished in under 2 hours, to my surprise!

Payton is excelling in school.  After the first quarter, she's reading at a 1st grade level.  The kids are encouraged to exude not only good behavior, but going above and beyond what's expected of them by being rewarded with the "Wolf of the Day" award.  Once a child receives 5 of them, he or she gets her handprint and name on the wall of the school halls. Payton got her 5 in the FIRST quarter!  (another picture is listed below...)

As I've said before, Payton got dealt a crappy set of baby teeth...here she is getting her 2,3, and 4th cavities filled.  She was a GREAT sport.

With Roman, Diana, Kymberli, and Braxton for a Christmas Tree Lighting event

Diana, Kim, Me, Dustie, and Kymberli...Piedmont Row/J.Sam's Wine Bar Christmas Tree Lighting Event

The sweetest love...G and Solace

Train Rides!

Aaaaaand, it's bedtime!

Solace, Payton, and Madison with Santa

Quickest $26 I've ever spent...one lap around and he was done!

Playing around in uptown while sissy had a bday party at Ray's Splash Planet

Griffin is also excelling in school this year...his whole class is!  Their teacher, Ms. Michelle, said they are all always asking her to spell words.  They are reading some, and they know just about everything.  She's ready to start teaching them social studies and science. Lol.  We have some smart cookies!  Griffin is very analytical, like his daddy.  He is really good with numbers, and can already do small number addition and subtraction in his head.  He's still the sweetest little boy I know, and wants to hold my hand everywhere he goes.  It's very important to do things "as a family," and he is holding us altogether.  He makes us smile when we aren't and is just the most thoughtful little guy in the world.  I'm so proud to be his mommy!  (And Griffin, you promised to never stop holding my hand...don't you forget it!)

I took the kids and Solace to Lazy Five Ranch, on a day they had off of school.  It's not often you have a zebra and giraffe poke their heads into your car and you get to pet them!  The kids and I had a blast!

I did a quick photoshoot for our Christmas card pictures

Julie, Marley, and Reese met us for some pictures also!

Oh, I just can't wait for the teenage years...hahaha.

Everyone has told me this looks like a kids' clothing commercial :)

At Kate's birthday party at Ray's Splash Planet...Allison, Kate, Ella, and Payton (Ella and Payton are the youngest)

The mascot of Lees McCrae college...just kidding (it's a Bobcat) but this picture was taken on campus by my friend, AJ.

With Solace, waiting on the Blueline to come pick us up!

Another Christmas event, right outside the stadium...with Griffin, Griffin, Solace, Madison, and Payton

Waiting happily, and patiently, to visit Santa

SUCCESS!  This was the first year we've had all smiles :)

Thanksgiving with the McNeils!

LJ, Kate, G, P, Julia, and Thomas

Fun park day with my lovebugs!

He loves his Grumps!

And playing basketball!

With their Grumps and Granby

Not naming any names, but some little cutie took over my bed!

Uptown with Rameses for the ACC Tournament Rally

My 43rd (gulp) birthday party at Moosehead, with my lovely parents

Part of the gang who came out to help me celebrate!

Payton got her 5th Wolf of the Day, which means she got her hand print on the wall!!  SOOOOO proud of this girl and her accomplishments in her first year of school.  I can't wait to see what her future brings....

My little shepherd in the Christmas Pageant

Taking selfies with one of my besties!  At J.Sam's Christmas party

Ran into a storm trooper and Darth Vader at the party!

PJ day at school and fun Christmas festivities...even G joined in the fun!

Here are some pictures I had made this summer of the kids...

At my bestie, Freddie's, birthday celebration

And it's well into football season...I've enjoyed watching my Pats excel, once again.  Bummed about the AFC game though :(

At All American Pub with Lauren and Gina and friends...

With my dear friend, Whitney, who lives in Charleston...she has been able to come visit twice this year, and the last time she brought me Bridge's Barbeque from Shelby.  That's true friendship right there!  Thanks, Whit.  Love you!

Out for Dustin's birthday...that's a lot of gorgeous in one place!  I love my friends!

Sardis kids singing Christmas carols

Yet another Christmas function...this time at Phillips Place (notice the clothes, or lack thereof...VERY warm December)

                                                                   WARM DECEMBER!

Speaking of warm...check out our attire.  We wanted cold weather to get us into the Christmas spirit!

FINALLY!  Some snow!!  Ski demo weekend,snowboarding, and lots of friends!  The kids had a blast!

Julie and I were sick of the rain so we decided to take the kids to the Sky Zone to get their wiggles out!

Christmas Eve "Silent Night" outside

With Uncle JP and Yiting at Sardis Presbyterian Church, Christmas Eve service

Ella, one of Payton's favorite friends

Christmas Eve Dinner at Dogwood

Christmas Day!

It was all about dinosaurs for G!

The kids received some "Jelly Belly's" for Christmas...they had a variety of flavors.  We would go through several each night and talk about which ones we liked.  There are some "weird" flavors that evidently come in a new Jelly Belly game.  They weren't in our package, but their descriptions were.  Here is a reaction to several of them...

Payton's first loose tooth...it's been loose FOR FOREVER!  She won't let me wiggle it...the permanent tooth has given up, and is coming in behind it.  We may have to visit the dentist to get it pulled :(

WAIT!  What is this?!?  She tried to pull it.  She cried.  It was literally dangling.  I got in there, one twist, and here it is!  Sadly, within about 5 minutes, I had lost it :(  I dropped it into her toothfairy pillow, and we never saw it again.  Payton said, "boy the tooth fairy sure is quick!"  Yes she is, little one.  Indeed she is!

That tooth is already about 1/2 way in!

First snowboard trip of the season, and ready to ride!

Sweet Pea

G-Money!

He was timid last year, but didn't want my help this year!

With Scott Squires (my K2 rep) and my friend Wade

Among the good times sometimes come the bad.  Our close family friend, my parent's bestie,and my second mom, passed away.  Jan Topham.  She had been battling breast cancer for years, and had been doing quite well with continued treatment, better than was expected.  Then the news came that it had metastacized into a tumor in the base of her brain.  The treatment was going to be swift and fierce.  4 "zaps" of radiation, and they felt confident that would either stop the growth, or kill those cells altogether.  Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse, and quickly, after Jan's first radiation treatment.  It was the most painful thing I've ever been through, and my heart hurts every day without her in my life.  I can only imagine half the emptiness that Jon, Amy, and Ben (her son, daughter, and husband), and their families, continue to feel each day.  She was a beautiful, kind, selfless woman who had a smile on her face until her last day.  With the loss of Amy's husband several years back, from a brain tumor, I just can't get over why this family would have to suffer again, so quickly.  It's been hard for all of us who loved her.  Here are a couple of pictures of Jan's granddaughter (Amy's daughter) and extended family friends around Johnathan's headstone, which is just several plots down from Jan's. This was just after her beautiful celebration of life. It was bittersweet to see the love and joy around both Johnathan and Jan.  They are both very loved and missed.

Caroline, at her dad's grave

Caroline, with Julia and Kate McNeill

We have had some amazing sunsets at the lake this winter!  Maybe Jan sent this one? :)

G has had a large wart on his hand for forever...long story short, we tried to freeze it off (he couldn't take the pain with that), then we used some very stinky medicine on it, and eventually, about a month and a half later, the thing finally fell off!

So we made it to the New Year...Happy 2016!  The kids spent the week with Brian, as UNCC closes down over the holidays.  I was hopeful to get some snowboarding in, however, Mother Nature didn't cooperate.  My dear friends, Anna and Aaron Kinworthy, and their sweet kiddos, Sophie and Conner, made the trek down from Northern Virginia to spend some time with us and celebrate the New Year.  Justin and I loved hosting them, and so did the Dulin's, with whom we spent a lot of time.  We hung by the firepit, watched fireworks at midnight on the grassy slopes, and visited the winery (duh!) 

Aaron, Connor, Sophie, Andy, Anna, Me, Justin (and the snow-less slopes in the background)

Aaron, Sophie, Andy, and me

My dear friend from junior high and high school, Jenny Gerald Davis, and her family met us at the winery

Jenny, Anna, and yours truly

Justin and I took the kids to see the Monster Jam, at the Hornets Arena...other than the loud noise, they loved it!

Time for a haircut :(

Sunrise over Grandfather Mountain

Finally some snow, taking a mimosa break, and Andy Dulin built us a fire! Me, Justin, Andy and Cathy Dulin

Chair up with Cathy

Our "snow" (more like ice) day...we all managed to have fun.  And looks like Payton needs some new snowboard pants!

This was on a Friday...kids were out Friday, Monday AND Tuesday.  Charlotte Meck is ridiculous!

Sienna, Payton, Griffin P, and Griffin K

Dustie and Me :)

At the Hariman's for the AFC/NFC Championship games...unfortunately, my Pats didn't pull it off :(

It was playoff week...we were invited to our friend's house...Kymberli and Dustin, and Braxton, to watch the AFC and NFC championship games.  Braxton has cool toys.  To say we were ALL very happy is an understatement.  Go Kart, lots of toys, football, skateboards, etc.  Now the kids want a trampoline and a go-kart.  Santa, are you listening?  :)

This was one of our treacherous "snow" days...getting the kids out of the house to get their wiggles out!

I've been trying to get to the gym somewhat regularly...summer is coming!  But I really need to step up my running.  That has, unfortunately, taken a backseat...teaching the kids how important it is to eat healthy and exercise!

Me age 5...Payton age 5

The kids had "spirit day" at their schools...so I had to spend money on, ugh, Panthers gear.  They frowned upon the idea that I would just send them in their Pats gear.  WHAT?

Payton's homework...draw something you do in the summer.  Yay P!  And I must point out that she is a MUCH better artist than I!

Getting in the home team spirit at school

A night out with Justin at Coyote Joe's...and he actually had fun!

With Dustie...

With Gina and Tommy...

Sunday Funday on Sean and Amanda's Yacht...

Snapchat Fun...

Payton has begun gymnastics...this was her first day and she LOVED it!

G looking all handsome, dressed up for his 100th day of school as a 100 year old man!

Some of the kids in his class...Charlie, Reece, Zata, Stella, and Toley

Even I had on Panther colors :o

I had to bribe him with donuts to do the "dab," and he maintains he is a New England Pats fan :)

At Sugar Mountain, top of the new slope, Gunther's Way...great snow!

At Grandfather Winery with my local friend, Gina, and dad

And ran into old friends from App State!  On the far right is Laura Bryan, my freshman year roomie!

My  2015-2016 K2 Powder Board!  Thanks, K2 Alliance! (now I just need to find some powder!)

Justin stole my phone :(  At the Dulin's Super Bowl party!

Me, dabbing?

This cute pup has more outfits than I do!

Payton's 100th day of school

Griffin's "half birthday"...February 9th.  It was a HUGE day for him!

In the gym at Payton's school...Payton had perfect attendance for the second quarter, and this was celebrating all of the perfect attendees.  Griffin had to join in...he's a celebrity there.  Lol.

After the quick recognition of perfect attendance, the kids were all rewarded with games, face painting, pictures, and all kinds of fun activities.  Here the kids are on the climbing wall.

Payton with her classmate, Michael

Kids getting ready for Griffin's last Valentine's Day dance at Sardis

And yes, it was FREEZING!  We took these very quickly!

My Valentine's Day beauties!

Robert, Toley, and Griffin...nothing but trouble :)

And here is G's snapchat to Solace, his "girlfriend" He is so smitten with her!

My gorgeous friend, Gina...we are off to the boat show!

With my Valentine, at Fahrenheit (and yes, it was FREEZING!)

The blondes at MasterCraft, at the boat show.

So, that about wraps it up for now.  Lots more snowboard trips to come before I let winter go...I just hope it sticks around a little longer.  Then we are all ready for warm sun on our skin. Thanks for checking in and sorry it was so long!! xoxo