Surprise for Sean

As an addendum to our trip to Atlanta, we battled rush hour and headed to Rome to surprise Sean at his high school's football game. We got to see him march & hear him play his trumpet. Sam enjoyed the opportunity to give the trumpet a blow too!

When in Rome

Slightly delayed, but after we recovered from our European vacation, the little boys and I headed to Rome to spend a few days with Grandmommy, Grandaddy, Aunt Kristy, Uncle Jeff & Cousin Sean. The boys had a ball swimming, snacking, bouncing and movie watching. It was plain ole fun, but don't take my word for it...

Merry, Merry

I'm hoping you all are just as exhausted as I am. It was a wonderful week of celebrating Christmas and being with family and friends, but it was also an exhausting week. The car has been completely loaded, unloaded, loaded again & unloaded again of luggage, gifts, etc. Although nothing is back where it goes yet. Our dining room table and foyer looks like Target, Toys 'R Us and Macy's threw up. I hope I don't seem ungrateful, because we appreciate all the wonderful things we received, but now it's time to find a home for each one.

We spent Christmas Eve with my family. A couple of hours with my parents, sister, brother & sister-in-law. Jack was pretty fun and even opened a few gifts. Maybe he was in such a good mood because he took a monster nap on the way to Grandma & Grandpa's. Notice the lovely hair.

Afterwards, we headed to my grandparents' for dinner and more fellowship with cousins. It is always a lot of fun and we have a sort of non-traditional meal (low country boil, fried shrimp, hush puppies). Mimi grew up in South Georgia so they always had a coastal Christmas complete with shrimp and anything that goes with it. It's certainly nice to enjoy something other than the typical turkey and ham for once. While we were pulling up, we realized this was the first time Josh had been in 3 years! He has worked the last 2 Christmas Eves in the ER (here last year and in S.C. the year before.)

Christmas morning Josh, Jack and I woke up and celebrated together. Jack was very excited about the car Santa left and kept making his car motor noise. He was pleasantly surprised to find he could get in this car. My parents and sister came up for a laid-back lunch (sandwiches) and movies. The weather was so nice we took Jack's car out for its first road test. He seemed to enjoy it. He loves pushing the button that plays a little song and then dancing to the song. I also made buckeyes (one of Josh's favorites).

On Friday morning, we left at 6:30 to head toward Rome to spend some time with Josh's family. We left early because we had several stops to make. We did a little bit of shopping and then met Carsten & Sarah in Atlanta for an early lunch. Carsten & Josh went to high school together. We went to their wedding in Philadelphia back in May. They live in D.C. and were on their way back. It was so great to visit with them. They couldn't believe how much Jack had grown. (I guess they don't read the blog...lol! Hard to believe? I know.)

Our next stop was Kennesaw to visit with 2/3 of the Pucketts. Wendy had to work, but we were able to hang out with Ben & BJ for a couple of hours. Jack loves playing with BJ. It was a great afternoon. Finally, we made it to Rome. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Josh's parents and sister and brother-in-law-to-be. Before it got too late, we opened gifts. Jack really liked the rocking horse. Although, he'll have to grow into it, he will really be rocking it soon!

Early Saturday morning we left to head to Chattanooga to spend the day at Josh's aunt & uncle's house. All his cousins were there, including Derek & Joy (who live in Brooklyn) with their new baby, Emi. It was exciting to meet Emi. We've been admiring pictures for months. She is a real sweetie, and she'll have to be one tough cookie to put up with all these boys around! We managed to get this shot of all the grandkids.

On the way home we managed to share a meal with all of the Pucketts, Wendy included, as we stopped off the interstate. We enjoyed all the time with family and friends, but are always glad to be back home. I got photos uploaded yesterday while Jack took a monster nap after church. I should be working on sorting and putting away all the new gifts, but instead I'm updating you all on our week. Hope yours was just as blessed!

What's the difference?

What's the difference in these two pictures? Besides the obivious: one's inside, the other's outside, one's at our house, the other's at the beach.





Stumped? Josh trimmed Jack's hair on the sides Saturday night. Can you believe he's old enough for a little haircut. Josh did the deed while I was out picking up dinner and movie once I returned from mine and Jack's quick trip to Rome. He had fun playing with his Grandmommy and Grandaddy and Aunt Kristy and Molly. Anyway, I came back and Josh said "you haven't noticed what we did while you were gone." Then, he called Jack to turn toward us and I spotted it right away. I couldn't believe it. He looks so much more like a little boy now. Anyway, it's not completely even since he was doing it alone and trying not to cut Jack's ear off. Thought you all would want to see the pictures!

To Grandmother's House We Go

Last weekend we loaded up the truck and headed to Grandmommy & Grandaddy Garrett's house in Rome. Although we had planned to visit to celebrate Josh's mom's birthday, it turned out to be a longer trip to say goodbye and reflect on the memory of Josh's grandmother Virginia Garrett. It is always difficult to say goodbye, but it was good to be together with the extended family (Uncle Ken & Aunt Pat, cousins Derek & Joy, Ryan & Julie, Gina, Robbie & Nathan). Here's a picture of the great grandsons with Josh's grandmother or Miss Ginia (short for Virginia) as she was affectionately named by Sean.

On Friday evening we celebrated Josh's mom's birthday at one of her favorite restaurants, Olive Garden. Our waitress was so kind and even brought a cake to help us celebrate. It was chocolate on chocolate and delicious. As you can see Grandmommy had a little help blowing out her candles. Jack didn't skip a beat from his dinner to notice much of what was going on.

Saturday morning, we went to Atlanta for a baby shower for an old friend of Josh's. Our friends, Kajal & Brett live in New York and are expecting their first child in April. It was so good to catch up with them. We haven't seen them in almost a year, when we were in New York for Derek & Joy's wedding last April. Everyone enjoyed meeting Jack and the food was excellent...it was brunch at a place called Cafe de Sol in the Highlands area. Our evening ended at the funeral home, where Jack met lots of new faces. Afterwards, we enjoyed dinner at the Fish Market next door with all of the Pucketts. Sean and BJ had a lot of fun together. They even took time to hang out with Jack.

It was a long time to be away from home (3 days), so we were all glad to be back home. We will miss Miss Ginia greatly, but are glad she got to meet Jack. She was so proud of her family, especially her three great grandsons.