Have a Wonderful Holiday...

Merry Christmas!!!!

Love the Careys

Jordan is 6 ~ Sassy, Athletic, Stubborn, Tom Boy

Garrett is 4 ~ Clever, Sneaky, Button Pusher, Silly

Ayden is 2 ~ High Maintenance, Girly, Athletic, STUBBORN,

opinionated and rarely without a smile.

The Magical Moments of the Holidays...

A Dream Come True!

A lot to be Thankful for...

We started off the holiday with a camping trip up the coast. This was Ayden's first camping experience "tenting" and I must admit, she fit in rather well. We spent a lot of time fishing and just relaxing around the campfire. We had a "girls rock" tent and a "boys rule" tent. Basically, that meant that all the kids slept in my tent. Go figure.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday. We spent ours with

family and close friends. It is hard watching the weekend come to an end.

Happy Thanksgiving...

November in Florida...

Can you believe Thanksgiving is only a couple weeks away??? Where did the time go. We have spent the last few weekends having family in town. It was such a nice treat having a few extra hands on board to help out.

The weather has gotten a little cooler, but that hasn't stopped us from going to the beach. The kids enjoy playing in the sand and water whether they have on bathing suits or fleeces.

Jordan and Garrett are eager to decorate for the next holiday. The kids sure make the holidays fun. It doesn't take Thanksgiving for us to realize what we are thankful for. Have a wonderful holiday.

The Halloween Madness...

The kids carefully selected their costumes. Ayden changes her mind every day. She is easy to please as long as it is "girly."
Garrett has been counting down the days to go trick or treating.


Happy Halloween!

October is here.... (Garrett's favorite holiday month)

The pumpkin patch was a huge hit... well... except for Ayden. Not sure what she found so fearful in orange balls. Needless to say, she created quite the show. It doesn't help that Garrett is popping out of every dark corner yelling, "boo!"










We are missing the change of leaves and the fall weather, but we have gotten use to picking out our pumpkins in tank tops down here. Happy Fall!!!

Happy Gotcha Day for Ayden and Jordan...

We celebrated with a huge Russian feast. Chris and I spent a lot of time reflected on our time in Russia. It has become a huge part of our life and we cherish each and every (well... I think it is safe to say MOST) moments.

Happy Birthday! Ayden Turns Two...

Our first birthday with Ayden and no surprise... the chocolate chocolate cake Jordan, Garrett and I made was a HUGE hit by all.

Garrett's First Day of School...

Garrett started school today... He was up first... and came into our room completely dressed and had his snack packed. I feel like he is ready for college. Jordan was off school today so we all got to take him. He couldn't wait and had a fantastic day.



Us girls were lost without our little talkative man around. Jordan kept commenting on how quiet the car was without Garrett. We were eager to get back and pick him up.

August Update... First Day of School

Cannot believe we have a kindergartener!!!


We were suppose to start school two days ago, but we had a bit of a storm roll in and Faye delayed our return to school. Jordan was determined to ride the bus on her first day and has already come home telling her brother and sister not to bother her because she needs to do her homework. These are the days when homework is all about coloring. No surprise here that Garrett was actually the frist one up and dressed.


Garrett starts his preschool next week and our next big "date" is meeting his teacher on Friday. He already thinks he is in love. I hope they are prepared. Ayden is spending another year home with mom.




Jordan starts flag football this week too. I am not sure if she is more excited for the trophy at the end or the fact that she gets to wear a mouth guard. She has been wearing it ever since we brought it home this afternoon. Who would have though a plastic mouth piece would be this valuable. I would have sprung the 97 cents a long time ago.









We had such a fantastic summer. It is hard to believe it is over....

5 Years ago today.....

Jordan came into our lives...

And changed our world forever!

Pskov, Russia

One Year Ago... We met Ayden

Wow... How time passes by so quickly. It was one year ago today that we met our beautiful Ayden. She has changed our world is so many wonderful ways. We can't stop counting our blessings.



Orenburg/Orsk Russia

July Update...

Summer Summer Summer is here!!! We are loving our carefree schedule. (At least mom is) Jordan keeps asking me when the bus is going to be picking her up though. She is concerned she is going to be late. She knows that when school starts... so does flag football. A girl after my own heart. Talk about a dream come true for me... she is constantly asking me to play ball.

Keeping busy...

Staying cool...

Loving life.

Jump Start Summer ... June Update

We kicked off our summer with a trip up to my sisters. It is hard to believe that we have 7 kids between the two of us. We had a fantastic week in the low country... and we are grateful that we are still close enough to drive. There is so much to do up there as a family... I don't think my stomach has recovered from all the laughing we did that night out on the boat on "Big Mable."









While there, we got Ayden baptized. She loved the attention and it was very meaningful having her godparents (my sister and brother in law) a part of the ceremony and celebration. Ayden is very lucky to have them as role models.

We have a few other short trips planned this summer. It is nice having our own schedule and endless play time. I cherish these moments.

Ahoy there May...

May was a jam packed month full of fun and some very special occasions. We started off the month with mothers day. I was convinced I was getting a ripstick but was told by Chris that I was too old. We celebrated the day with a few of Chris's childhood friends and our families.

Shortly thereafter, Jordan graduated from her preschool class and is enjoying officially calling herself a kindergartner. The class put on a concert for us and for the first time, we could actually hear her sing! She has really grown up a lot this year. When we left the graduation I overheard her telling Garrett that she will be riding a big bus next year to school. I told her that I would drive her the first few days of school if she wanted... until she gets used to it. She put her hand on my arm and pulled me down to meet her eyes and said, "mom, I can do this, you will be just fine." It seems like just yesterday Jordan was standing in the middle of the soccer field hysterically crying... now she is begging us to play. She received her first trophy last night and it stands this morning by her bedside. She has already asked Chris to make her a shelf to put all of her future trophies on, because, "there will be AAAA LOT!"

Our next adventure was off to Disney. My children give me a trip to Disney for my birthday each year. I am sure there are no ulterior motives behind it, but what better way to spend my birthday then seeing the smiles on their faces. We ALL dressed up as pirates for the Magic Kingdoms Pirates and Princess party. (note we had no princesses) The only one on the fence was Garrett. The park was not crowded and we were able to get on all the rides without the wait. We had a blast. I think Chris heard enough of my whining about the ripstick that I actually got one for my birthday!! Jordan is learning to ride and keeps telling me how cool I am for knowing how. I am relishing in her comments as I know there are days to come that I will be far from cool.

We are wrapping up school and ready for summer. Jordan is already gearing up her social calendar and Garrett is right there beside her begging for play dates. Ayden is just happy with a perpetual supply of snacks, love, kisses and tickles. She is in constant motion and loves to be chased. Her laughter penetrates our house and keeps us all with smiles on our faces.