New Year's at Aunt Marilynn's

Got over to Conway, SC to visit Marilynn for New Year's. We went to the Riverside Bistro, delicious food! Then took a walk along the river. We celebrated New Year's eve in style! We saw the fireworks at Broadway at the Beach, then went to her house to celebrate. We played Zombies!!! and drank champagne as it turned midnight.

The next day, we went to see Tron. It was a good as the first one. Then, we went to Rioz, the Brazilian steakhouse. And then we played Zombies!!! again, Aunt Marilynn won!

And finally, we headed for home. Click the title to see all the photos!

Girl's Day Out and Isabel's Birthday

The girls got together and went out for pedicures and manicures. Maura and I got the manicure, the rest relaxed in the massaging chairs and got their toes done. Then off to Cracker Barrel for lunch after picking up Aunt Rose. Various games filled the rest of the evening.

The next morning, Bill, Chris, and I went into downtown Nashville to the Hard Rock cafe for pins. It was beautiful! We'll have to spend the day there next time we come. (Bill is ignoring me.) They had several streets blocked off because they were building a large stage for a big New Year's show.

Once we got back, we took family photos (posted at the bottom). Then there was Isabel's third birthday party. We had Anthony the Balloon Kid as entertainment. And entertain us he did with his many and amazing balloons! He made this cute octopus for Isabel.

Later, Bela and the kids started playing poker. Karen joined in even though she didn't really know how to play. Talk about beginner's luck!! She cleaned up!

Finally, we did the White Elephant Christmas exchange. We had brought a toilet brush (new) and a Scooby Doo movie. Aunt Rose filled in with gifts so the kids could also participate. Much of the trading involved the Scooby Doo movie and the toilet brush among other things. I ended up with a little decorative shelf, Bill with a scrapbook. Jean-Luc had chosen the toilet brush, but Grandma took it away. He ended up with a set of bells, Anton got a mug with cocoa, and Chris got the Scooby Doo movie.

Had dinner with an old Firefly friend, Amy L. We used to chat with her on the online boards, and we've done several conventions and meetups with her in the past. It was a wonderful evening spent reminiscing about our favorite TV show.

Then, in the morning, we drove over to Marilynn's house in Conway, SC.

Click the title to see all the pictures!

Chris and Isa Read

Cute video of Isa reading to Chris!

Museum

Went to see the impressionist paintings from the Musee D'Orsay at a museum in Nashville. Monet, Renoir, Degas... Beautiful! Even saw the original "Whistler's Mother". The paintings were on loan from Paris while their museum was being upgraded.

Later Bela, Jean-Luc, Anton, and Chris played Zombies!!!. Jean-Luc ended up winning. Later that evening, we played an epic game of Trivial Pursuit. Roberta, Karen, and I (and sometimes Anton) were on one team against Bill, Joan, Bela, and his dad. We ended up winning!

Opening Presents

Got back over to Roberta's early Sunday morning to open presents. Had some breakfast, then waited for Bela and Karen to GET UP! Finally, it was time to open presents! The boys were ecstatic! They pretty much got everything they asked for and then some. It was a very nice gift exchange. Then, everyone chilled out. Bill, Jean-Luc, Anton, and I played Zombies!!!, which was quite fun. But long...


Roberta prepared a wonderful Christmas Dinner. She had an extra table set up, and everyone gathered around for a nice meal.

Maura got a cute game called Hedbanz. That consisted of a headband which held a card you could not see. You had to ask questions to guess what your card was. Later, the gang played Trivial Pursuit and Fact or Crap again.

Christmas

We left Thursday and drove up to Cordele, GA to spend the night. Jean-Luc started us off on the road, then Bill took over. We got up early on Friday and continued on to Nashville, TN. We got there around 3pm. Hung out for a while playing Trivial Pursuit with Bill's parents and Joan. I was partnered with Roberta against Bill/Anton and Joan/Jean-Luc. We lost miserably.

In the morning, the boys had a epic snowball fight in the parking lot. I'm not sure who won, but they certainly were snow-covered.

When we got to Al and Roberta's house, the boys tried sledding down the hill in the yard.

Saturday, Christmas Day, we did not open presents because Karen/Bela weren't here yet. We all went over to Joan's house for a nice Christmas potluck dinner. Then we played Fact or Crap. Bill and I won! Then back to Roberta's until Karen and Bela arrived. We stayed for a little bit, and then went over to the hotel for the evening.

Girlfriends

Today is girlfriend day. As in, the boys' girlfriends. Anton is at the movies with Tesla (and Chris from Church), they're seeing Tron. And Jean-Luc's girlfriend, Nikki, is here watching a movie with him. These are the first real girlfriends for the boys. But it's sad when they're growing up and away.

Church Musical

Anton and Jean-Luc were in the church Christmas Musical service last night. Anton was a shepherd, and Jean-Luc was a wise man. The musical was very nice.

Click on the title to see all the photos.

COLD

Holy cow! It was COLD this morning. Overnight it got down to 26. Bill and I went out at 5:30 am to watch the Geminid meteor shower, and it was beyond frigid. We saw a few of them, then I decided it was just too cold. The high today was 51.

Chris was totally bundled up this morning for school. Long sleeve t-shirt, a sweater, and his jacket.

Miami Dolphins football game

Went to the Miami Dolphins v Cleveland Browns football game. In Miami. It was pretty fun! Tied most of the game at 10 - 10, the Miami Dolphins lost in the last minute when the ball turned over and the Cleveland Browns kicked a field goal.

Tiring Day

Wow, what a tiring day! First, there was the Merritt Island Christmas Parade. Click on the title to see the pictures. I wasn't planning on marching in it, but turns out I did anyways. Then, we played golf on the Duran Par 3 with the Meccas. Bill was kind with the scoring again, cause I had two do overs and one in the pond on the 8th hole... Finally, we had dinner at the Olive Garden. Just chillin' now. Here's the golf results: