Happy New Year!!!

Cannot believe we have already hit another new year. The holidays passed with a blur. Having children now has really got us thinking about holiday traditions. My parents were spending the holidays with us, but had to leave suddenly on Christmas eve due to a health concern with my mother. (She is fine)

I was very sad and did what always makes us feel best... we went to the beach! It was a wonderful Christmas Eve and we even had the opportunity to watch Santa fly by on his magical mission (thankfully, Jordan didn't recognize the American Airlines sign on the back).

We have been busy putting together the last bit of our paperwork for this next adoption. We have been on the list since Thanksgiving and have heard that we are currently #8. We have asked Jordan about being a big sister again. She is more then thrilled and seems to take her role very seriously. She has decided that SHE will get to name the new baby. Regardless of sex, she has decided the name to be Sammy baby.

We celebrated the week after Christmas with Chris's parents who were down from New England. I am not sure they were able to enjoy the luxuries of sleeping in with our mornings starting before 6am. We had a nice week and even managed to get out on a few "dates" alone. Chris and I rented a Harley and drove up the coast. It was a gorgeous day!

We were lucky enough to have Chris off for a week before his world travels. We had some wonderful much needed family time. We went for some great long runs together and seemed to fill our days lounging around the pool, television and beer refrigerator. It was nice not having anywhere to be and having our time our own.

We have enjoyed getting so many wonderful Christmas cards. They will remain up the entire year. They are a daily reminder of just how lucky we are to have such wonderful people in our life. It truly amazes me to see how big all the the kids are getting. This Christmas was very special for us. While Garrett was just his happy everyday self, Jordan truly found the holiday to be very magical. Every detail was noticed and she was constantly gitty with delight. It was so fun to be around her during the holiday. She reminded me daily of the magic the season brings. We looking forward to 2007 and wish you all a very happy New Year!!!!

Getting Ready for the holidays and hanging with the Grandparents!

Like most Floridians, we get ready for the holidays by going to the beach. I still can't believe that we live down here. I am so not use to putting on sunscreen to do our outdoor decorations. I burn more yankee candles with the evergreen smell just to bring the Christmas scent into the air conditioning mix.

 

 

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving visiting family in SC. Jordan and Garrett had a blast with their cousins and the change in weather was nice. You would have thought that Garrett had not felt the cool weather before. (When we got him it was 20 below.) How quickly he forgets.

Jordan is playing in a local soccer league. It is hysterical to watch ... when she actually decides to play. (Stubborn) It has been a treat for me to get back on the soccer fields too. I have never taken more aspirin for muscle aches after a half hour practice with 3-4 year olds.

Both Jordan and Garrett are loving the festivities surrounding the holidays. This was the first time Garrett saw a Christmas tree. Needless to say, I have had to replace more ornaments this year then ever. In the morning, Garrett comes down the stairs and immediately shouts, "lights, lights." It has been fun walking the neighborhood in the evenings and seeing all the decorations. We spend considerable time hugging and kissing each blow up Santa and Snowman. We have sat on Santa's lap a few times already. Garrett is not so sure of this Santa thing, but Jordan is quick to hop on his lap and run down her list of wants.

We had a few things to celebrate this month. We celebrated Jordan's birthday last weekend with a family backyard BBQ. She loved the attention and had a blast celebrating a day just for her. The next afternoon we got Garrett Christened. He was so loud during the entire service. There were three other infants and loud Garrett. Fun! Garrett turns 2 next week. Hard to believe we have only had him only 8 months.

Best Grandparents EVER!!!

We have so much to be thankful for this year.

This holiday seems to be passing by so quickly. There always seems to be something that needs to get done. We have had the opportunity to spend some quality time with our families. After spending countless hours shopping, I have come to realize the importance of this time of year.

We hope you are all enjoying the festivities surrounding the holidays. It is a time to be TRULY thankful. It is nice to have a holiday full of flashy lights, good food and the laughter of children to remind us of our blessings.

Enjoy your holiday and please keep in touch!

Coming Down off the Sugar High!

Can't believe it is already November! It is hard to keep track of the months down here. The only thing that changes is the humidity (still hot). It is hard getting use to the Halloween season in the south where you are more likely to see plastic pumpkins in the yards due to the heat. The pumpkins in all of these photos are plastic!

We had a full October. We spent a long weekend at Sea World. Jordan is now just starting to get to the age where she is so animated and excited. She loved the giant jungle gym in the center of the park and watching Shamu swim with her new baby. She loved watching the mommy and the baby swimming together. Garrett's favorite was the Clydesdale horses and the bleachers... The horses were conveniently located next to their courtesy tent where they gave away free beer. We were more then happy to spend the day looking at just the horses.

A few weeks later we spent the weekend in Disney. It was blazing hot and while we tempted to make the experience as magical as possible, it seemed as though every ride we got on... Someone was getting sick nearby. Nothing like waiting in endless lines with two young kiddos and no cooler of adult drinks. I am sure Chris will highlight his moment there waiting in line to see Ariel. I have never seen him sweat so much. As luck would have it, Ariel took a "short" break. I thought Chris would pass out, but he prevailed for the love of his daughter and her all time favorite character. It was no surprise that once they FINALLY got to the front of the line to meet her, Jordan became riddled by fear and they left without seeing her. Go Figure.

Halloween was a highlight. Chris spent hours (ok days) on our decorations. The web turned out fantastic. Bernie the bug was a bit fragile much managed to make it through the season.

We felt very safe knowing we had a protective duo living with us. Jordan took her role as Batman very seriously. Chris completed their costume by making a Bat mobile out of our wagon. We had a small party on our driveway before trick or treating and we had Deborah and Gail with us to celebrate the sugar fest. Garrett picked up on the holiday very quickly. No surprise that he thought

that you ate the candy as you went. He was foaming at the mouth by the time we got home. Putting them

both to bed that night was a treat in itself.

We are looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with SC family and shortly there after we have their birthdays and Garrett is getting baptized.

On another note... We are officially on the waitlist for #3. I wish I could report that the process is smooth at the moment, but it seems to continue to have its challenges. We are hoping to be traveling

SUMMER 2007.

Hope you all enjoy the upcoming holidays... The Carey's