Rooms With a View

MORE BRAGGING~

Mitchell has another friend, Katie, who took Vinny and her friend Katherine on a photo shoot during break. Enjoy.

We went to this old Mill site. There were some old homes along the outside and a beautiful waterfall.

Not the best picture of Vinny but I love the perspective.

The falls.

Can you see Katherine on Vinny's hand?

On the old bridge.

Scary spot on the bridge.

One of my favorites.

Another favorite.

Beautiful lighting.

So sweet.

More photo shoot photos tomorrow. Mitchell is on his way to Disney World with the Choir today. Yes, I am jealous!

CAN I BRAG A LITTLE?

A friend of Mitchell's asked to take some pictures of Vinny. Her name is Alex and she has been taking pictures of her friends and does a great job. During Christmas break, I took her over to Alex's house and off they went. The resulting photos are AMAZING! I knew Vinny was beautiful but wow, these are so fabulous!

Love the sunlight!

This is her new dress that she got for Christmas.

She wore it with her cowboy boots.

Such a Vinny pose.

This is one of my favorites.

I also love this one!

Another favorite.

Love her lashes.

Love those legs!

Cool photo.

My favorite! Thanks for letting me brag. 

WHAT THE KIDS DID OVER CHRISTMAS BREAK

Most days when the weather was nice, Mitchell and Vinny were practicing Lacrosse. On way beautiful day, our sweet Anna called and invited the kids to go to the high school to practice. Of course they said yes! Another young man, Sean, is a Freshman at Coker College on a Lacrosse scholarship, Ethan, Mitchell's buddy, and Daniella who is now a Freshman at College of Charleston. 

Mitchell making a nice shot.

Vinny and Anna passing the ball.

Vinny making a nice catch.

The beautiful Anna.

Mitchell.

Nice lighting.

Vinny.

Vinny.

Daniella.

Anna.

Ethan.

Sean.

Mitchell.

Vinny.

Anna, Sean and Vinny.

Vinny and Mitchell.

Mitchell and Anna.

Daniella, Ethan and Vinny.

Mitchell.

Vinny missing a catch.

Anna, Daniella, and Vinny taking a break.

Happy Tuesday!

MARIO KART

Vinny got a fun game for Christmas for the Wii called Mario Kart. One night during the Christmas break, Vinny had a friend over and Mitchell had a friend over. Together, they played a little Mario Kart while Patrick watched. It is so much fun, even though it can also be very frustrating. I am getting better with each game.

Ethan, Vinny and Katherine.

Patrick and Mitchell were on the couch while Katherine, Vinny and Ethan drove on the floor.

I hope you had a great weekend! We went to Lexington on Saturday for Vinny's All-State Orchestra audition. I am happy to report that she made it! So proud of her. We will be going to Myrtle Beach at the end of February!

BABYCAKES~

For Christmas, Charlie and I bought ourselves a new mattress. This very expensive purchase meant no presents to each other. I did buy him a couple of new shirts and a book. I told him all I wanted was an X Box Kinect. Instead of buying me this $150 gift, he bought me a cupcake maker. At first, I will admit, I was a little disappointed. Then, Vinny and I started to look at the cookbook that came with it. My disappointment flew out the window.

This not only makes mini cupcakes, it also makes mini muffins, cheesecakes and more.  It is called the Babycakes Cupcake Bakery.

Vinny found the recipe for mini pizza pockets and decided to give it a try.

After rolling out a piece of bread, put it in the maker, fill with pizza sauce, pepperoni and cheese. 

Clothes the lid for 5 minutes, open and there you go! Mini pizza pockets.

They are delicious! Have a great weekend!

SECRET SANTA AND MORE!

After the presents were opened and the cinnamon rolls eaten, it was time to try out a few games and try on the clothes.

Vinny giving Mario Kart a go.

Patrick looking very dapper.

Nothing better than a man in a leather jacket and scarf.

Vinny showing off her new shark, shark socks and new shoes. 

Around 11, I took Patrick to Maddy's dad's house so he could give Maddy's little brother his present. He spent a few hours there and when they came home we did our Secret Santa presents and Maddy opened her presents.

Showing off her new water bottle that Charlie put in everyone's stockings.

The goodies were endless!

She and Patrick both got Zaxby's gift cards. They do love Zaxbys.

A pretty scarf!

Make up!

Super cute fringed boots! Then it was time for Secret Santa.

Maddy got Charlie a new coffee mug.

Why do I look like this? I am not possessed, I am excited because my Secret Santa, Charlie bought me these...

Pink and orange fuzzy slippers.

Mitchell got Patrick a USC Gamecocks shirt.

Patrick got Vinny a jewelry holder.

I got Maddy a manicure set.

Mitchell opening his gift from Vinny with his feet.

Vinny painted a Polo horse! 

A little Mario Kart before Patrick and Maddy went to Maddy's mom's house. Only a few more Christmas photos!

PRESENTS COME TO AN END

Now, for more present opening.

Mitchell also got a digital piggy bank.

Mitchell's attempt at throwing paper at daddy.

Patrick's dream hat.

A couple new shirts for daddy.

Vinny is addicted to solitaire!

Mitchell was very excited to find a Southern Tide visor in his presents.

Patrick wanted and received a faux leather jacket.

A nail dryer for Vinny.

X Box game for Mitchell.

An X Box game for Patrick. Nice tongue.

Vinny got Mario Kart for the Wii. We are not addicted to this game and play it every night before bed.

Red pants for Mitchell.

Patrick gets a Guinness Book of World Records book every year.

Cute top for Vinny.

Mini book light! He actually asked for this.

A Southern Tide shirt!

Nice red shirt for Patrick.

A blue/green sweater for Vinny.

Mini speaker that puts out so much sound you would think it was a full size set!

A maroon sweater for Patrick's new updated wardrobe.

A cute scarf that I cannot wait to borrow.

Apples to Apples game for the family. Such a fun game!

Gray pants for Patrick. These did not fit and were the only present we had to exchange.

The aftermath of boxes.

HUGE bag of wrapping paper.

More Christmas fun tomorrow!

 

LOTS OF PRESENTS AND LOTS OF PHOTOS!

I am going to split the gift opening into two days. I hope you don't get bored!

Coming down the stairs. Patrick's face is in response to the hanging mystery bag.

Vinny inside the bag to find her present.

The mystery bag held a stuffed shark. Vinny was in heaven!

Patrick immediately opened his chips and started eating.

More stocking fun.

Mitchell was happy to find a Southern Tide Koozie in his stocking.

Vinny checking out her stocking goodies.

Bojangles gift card.

Target gift card.

Santa brought Charlie a bathroom book.

The kids got Charlie a memory brick in honor of his parents for the memorial walk at church.

The family got an underwater camera! Hurry up summer.

A Polo shirt for Mitchell.

He put it on backwards.

A digital piggy bank for Patrick.

Another Polo shirt for Mitchell.

Shark socks for Vinny.

Sweater vest for Patrick.

New shoes for Vinny.

Patrick actually asked for a tie.

New makeup!

Sweater vest for Mitchell.

Shark necklace.

Sweater for Mitchell.

Throwing paper at daddy.

Scarf for Patrick.

Vinny throwing paper at daddy.

A cute dress for Vinny. More tomorrow. My kids go back to school today. I already miss them. 

TWAS THE NIGHT AND MYSTERY BAG

The first blog post of 2012!

Another tradition we celebrate is after we watch It's A Wonderful Life, Charlie reads Twas the Night Before Christmas. I told the kids we did not have to do it this year but they all objected. Got to love traditions!

Charlie making sure the kids were still listening.

The scene. We pull out the sofa bed so Vinny can sleep upstairs. Mitchell slept on the extra bed in Patrick's room. That way they can all come downstairs together.

The kids trying to keep their eyes open.

After the kids go to bed, Santa comes for a visit.

The tree after Santa's visit.

The stockings.

Santa left this HUGE bag hanging from our ceiling fan. Stop by tomorrow to find out what was inside! I hope you all had a fun and safe New Years!