Orlando with the Clamps

We just got back from a great weekend trip with the Clamp family to Orlando. With 20 of us, we took the town by storm. We drove down Thursday, went to Sea World Friday, Magic Kingdom Saturday and home on Sunday. Here are some of the fun things we did...

- We watched the Disney holiday parade. (Notice that Uncle Len is more excited about the parade than Ian is.:))
- Our nephew, Caden, got "slimed" at our hotel for the Clamp family winning the game show. He's still trying to get all the slime out of his hair.

- Mr. Alex's favorite ride is "It's a Small World". However, with not such of a small family, we took up an entire boat on the ride.

- Ian was PUMPED about riding the Buzz Lightyear ride...can't you tell?

- Here are all the grandbabies with Poppa. Hopefully Santa will get them all something nice this year.

- This was my favorite part - the Shamu "Believe" show - it was amazing!

- The kids fed the dolphins at Sea World. Poppa laughed at them for paying $7.00 to feed dolphins when they all have fed dolphins in the wild on his boat.

- Here we all are...having a great time in the cold rain. As I say, we were "wet, cold and happy."

Thanksgiving in LG

Proud Giga with Travis on the way to fly

Emma reading to her grandbabies

Papa's 90th birthday family celebration

Game of Wheeler cut-throat croquet

A few funny stories

A few funny stories...

- Mom and I met a group of my girfriends and their kids at Boo at the Zoo while the guys played poker. We had a great time tick or treating and Ian LOVED the candy. The child had more candy in that one night than in his whole life - combined. So, he was on a sugar high as we made it to the "dance party" at the end of our trip. Well, Ian started breaking it down. I guess the ghetto dancer in Luke and I has been passed down...at one point I look over and he is on the ground spinning around break dancing .Then, I couldn't stop laughing when he rolled over on his stomach and was doing his version of the worm. I immediately called Luke to ask him when he and Ian had been working on these moves ...must be hereditary...HILARIOUS!! Unfortunately, I didn't have the video camera with me.

- As is tradition, we always head to the South Carolina State Fair with out friends each year. And Luke always has try eat his way through the fair and, of course, try the new item. This year it was the chocolate covered, deep-fried bacon. Yes, we actually spent money to buy and eat this item. As always, the new item was disgusting and is always beat out by a corn dog and some Fiske fries. We had a great time with all of us together!

- As all of you know, we are a bit psycho when it comes to Clemson football. This year has tested our faithfulness...not because of the football team but because of the weather. As Dad says, "It hasn't rained for a game in 10 years and its rained EVERY home game this year!" So, yes...we did sit in the rain to watch Clemson beat Coastal Carolina. We had a great time tailgating and trick or treating with the Player fam. We are crossing our fingers for no rain against FSU!

He's still our baby boy

We fall more and more in love with Ian every day! Is that face not just adorable?

Last night, Luke and Ian went on a Daddy date to Edventure and had a blast...he especially loved shopping in the miniature Piggly Wiggly. Sometimes I just have to laugh at the name of that store:)
Ian and I have really enjoyed being a part of a playgroup called "Sandbox Soiree" on Wednesday afternoons. It is a group of children who are friends from Mother's Morning Out and Library Time. It is great to have time to chat as moms and give the kids time to play together (or beside each other...trying to get toys from each other:)

Ian goes to Mother's Morning Out on Mondays and Fridays while I am at work. The other 3 days he goes to his Mena's house (Mrs. Kim) to have fun and play with her. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to work part-time and have such wonderful people to teach and love on Ian.

And, yes, he is almost 19 months old, and he's officially been a "toddler" for a long time. But, honestly, Luke and I can't stop thinking of him as our baby. So, to our "Baby" Boy...

The way you suck your thumb and hold your night-night

And how you hug Mommy and Daddy so tight...you're our baby boy

The way you yell as you run everywhere

And how you have such soft, (blonde!)beautiful hair...you're our baby boy

The way you talk and talk in your very own way

And you're never at a loss for what to say...you're our baby boy

The way to bat those long eye lashes

And how find all the goodies Mommy stashes...you're our baby boy

The way you snuggle and hold on tight

And how you sleep so sweetly at night...you'll always be our baby boy

Pictures, pictures, pictures

Here's my sweet cousin Caroline. She's learning to defend herself since I seem to enjoy hitting her with remote controls.

I am staring down those silly gate people because they made my Mommy empty her ENTIRE bookbag into plastic trash bags because they said a bookbag didn't qualify as a "diaper bag." Boy, was Mommy hot!

My cousin Connor is trying to teach me how to spell C-L-E-M-S-O-N.

Here I am having a good time with all the tiger fans at the football game. I am laughing because Mommy and Daddy think I'm actually going to sit down and watch it.

Me and Emma watching the tigers get off the buses and run down the hill. I love Dabo!

Don't you love my golf cart? We go on a ride every night after dinner and I LOVE it! Cool seats, huh?

At the zoo with my buddy Zach. We'll pretend like I was sharing my cookies with him..I think I was really hitting him - SHHHH don't tell!

Helping Daddy drive his car in the driveway. I LOVE the steering wheel and pushing all those cool buttons.

On my first car date with my neighbor Holly. Don't you like my ride?

When I grow up I want to be a fireman...do they really have to keep these hats ON?

Sweet Abby Girl

It's been only a few days since we lost our sweet Abby girl. We miss her so much. Ian has been walking around asking for Abby and saying "Abby sick?". Wow - it is so quiet here without her! But, it has been amazing this week to encounter God working through people around us.

God has shown us His love through the little things, like...

-Our friends who donated to the Humane Society in Abby's name - what a wonderful, thoughtful gift.

-Our neighbors who came over within seconds of me calling to help with Ian while we went to the doctor with Abby.

-My mom offering to get our carpets cleaned in our house to clean up from where Abby was sick.

-The endless cards, phone calls, and e-mails we have received from people near and far.

Then, today I was totally blown away by Heidi, a lady who cut my hair. We just met today. I was just chatting with her about Len and Nicole's fostering adventures while she cut my hair. Then, when I went to check out, she didn't charge me for the cut and asked me to use the money to buy diapers for them. WOW!!!

Don't ever lose hope in humanity...sometimes you just have to look closely to see how God works through the little things!!

Can't go without posting a picture of the little man. He is now saying 2 and 3 word phrases, helping me "clean" the house, taking naps in a big bed, and just laughing and enjoying life!

IF I had one month to live...

As I study the book One Month to Live with our church and our small group, I realize the importance of using the talents, gifts, and time God has given me to bless the world. This week's reading also inspired me to watch for and enjoy the little things in life for those are the moments that are most precious. Here are some precious and extraordinary moments we have had lately...

Spending time with Ian and Luke (and the giraffe) at Riverbanks Zoo
That smile melts my heart!

On the way to Ian's first day of Mother's Morning Out. He's trying to find the blanket I put in his bag...Little Linus

Aren't I cute?

Visiting the cemetery where my great grandparents are buried with my 90 year old grandfather...and listening to how things used to be when he was growing up

Realizing that a good snuggle can make almost anything better