Going Away Fiesta - December 5, 2009

Kevin and Ken

Our friends, Ken and Michelle King, threw us a going away fiesta. We have not sold the home yet, but thought later in December and early January might prove too hard to have a party, so our bon voyage is now! We had a great time! Catering from Superior Grill, margarita machine, fun mustaches, and more! We will miss our great friends from Birmingham, Al a lot! Here are a few of our favorite pictures from the party...

Snow Day ~ December 5, 2009

We got a snow day (barely)! It snowed a little overnight here in Birmingham and quickly melted away! I was able to get these two pictures for memory's sake before it was all gone. Even a little snow is exciting when you don't get it very often. This is Clayton and Nicholas on the trampoline - Kaylee thought it would best for her to just stay inside where it was warm and Izzie froze outside but would not go in the snow - can't blame here with her short hair and all!

2.5 Tennis Party

Kelly, Laura, Anita, Me, Missy

December 4, 2009

Anita had an end of the Fall season gathering of our 2.5 tennis team at her house. We couldn't all be there due to busy schedules, but those of us that made it had a great time! Our team was undefeated, but we came in second place behind Old Overton Club, who was also undefeated, but had ended up winning more matches than we did.

Ho, Ho, Ho...Merry Christmas!

Clayton really wanted to take this picture of him as the bubble bathtub Santa - so funny! The others were going to do it too, but somehow (Kaylee), the hat ended up in the tub and was ruined. So, Clayton was our only Santa!

Gingerbread Houses ~ December 3, 2009

Ahhh, the ever fun gingerbread house making event in the McDonald house! This year, we found a kit that included a village - 5 houses - perfect for our family of five! Everyone got one house each to make however you wanted. Kevin did not want to make one (he was out of town), so we just made four. We used lots of icing and candy, took pictures of them, and then quickly ate them all up - yummy! One of our many Christmas memory making traditions.

Santa and Her Reindeer ~ December 3, 2009

The kids are so cute to let me put antlers on them and a Santa hat while smiling until I get the best shot! They loved it! I call it Santa and her reindeer.

Our Christmas Tree

Our 4 kids :)

Putting on the ornaments

In front of the fireplace

November 30, 2009

We decide to just do the kid tree this year instead of our big tree. The kids got to put on the ornaments all by themselves! It has a bit of a Charlie Brown look, but we love it just the same!

Hilton Head Island Thanksgiving Week

Our balcony at Waterside by Spinnaker on Hilton Head Island, SC.

We got to visit the Harbour Town Golf Links course - home of the Verizon Heritage tournament. Kevin and the boys love to visit famous golf courses!

Me and the kids at Harbour Town on the Island.

Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum

Pelicans

That is our yacht behind the boys - HA! Just kidding - there were so many and they were so big and beautiful!

We had a swimming pool they call a bathtub in our condo and Kaylee immediately called dibs on first bubble bath!

While on a day trip to Savannah, GA, we ate at the famous Pirate's House. It was built long ago when pirates would come into port and need a place to stay, then became a restaurant and is believed to be haunted by all the rowdy pirates who once stayed. Many of the workers have some good ghost stories but we saw nothing haunted while there.

Pirate Clayton

Argghhh! - Pirate Nicholas

Kevin and the kids on the Fort Pulaski National Monument drawbridge - entering the fort. This is in Savannah, GA on the river.

The powder room inside the fort.

The cannons that pointed outside to take out intruders.

A side view of the Fort.

The kids on the upper level of the Salty Dog restaurant on the Island - another famous eatery.

"Jake" - the dog of the Captain of the Salty Dog (a boat that sank long ago)

The kids on one of the beaches of Hilton Head Island, SC - right on the Atlantic Ocean. We stayed in the sand this trip since it was a bit chilly!

my beach cuties!

November 23 - 27, 2009

We took advantage of having a week off and headed for Hilton Head Island the week of Thanksgiving. We missed out on getting to see family, but did enjoy our time together. One last hoorah before Kevin starts his new job in Tampa, FL and we stay behind to sell the house.