Team T2E2

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T10:57:00.004-05:00

Hello to all! If you are reading this, you have not given up on me and I thank you for that! :)

Things have been going great for us....just doing life the best we can.

Thanksgiving was a blast-we grabbed Uncle Todd and took the journey to Atlanta to celebrate all we are thankful for with Grandaddy and friends. Yummo is the best way to describe the food (if I do say so myself)!

And now it is Christmas time! I love this season. Not just for the lights, songs, kindness of others, gathering of family, but for the spirit. The feeling I get in my heart. The emotions that come with this time of year. The joy in Hope and Hunter's eyes, the innocence. So thankful for the birth of Christ. Last night, at church, a new idea and concept was presented to me. Just think-it took God 6 days to make this amazing place in which we live. That's cool and all, but what is REALLY cool is this-if he can make something this great in 6 days....how incredible is my place in Heaven going to be that he has been working on just for me for over 2 thousand years?! I never thought of it that way and I sure can't wait to see what He has in store for me!

It is that time to be thinking about the new year and 2012. Weight loss? sure. Be productive around the house? sounds great! Wiser with money? absolutely. But what I really want? Contentment. Contentment with everything in my life and life itself. That is what I am aiming for in 2012.

We didnt get cards out this year :( Hoping to maybe get 2012 New Year cards out, but we will see about that :)

With that being said...From our family to yours- Merry Christmas and Happy 2012 to you all!

so Thankful...

2011-11-10T22:21:00.003-05:00

We have so much to be thankful for....

our family and friends who know the true sense of the word love.

i am so proud of Hope and the person she is growing up to be! she mentioned in the spring she wanted to donate her hair to locks of love. she had that opportunity this week and had 10" cut off her hair to donate.

i am thankful for how Hunter can make us life on a daily basis. that kid is great and such a passion for life.

Hope and Hunter get along so well. We are truly blessed with our children!

Thankful that Craig got a full time position with Clemson University Fire Dept. I am proud of him and I hope he is happy in this career for a long time.

cant wait to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with friends and family!

not sure what happened...

2011-08-30T20:34:00.014-04:00

here are some more summer pics..

Our trip to Panama City Beach...so relaxing!

We spent much of the summer swimming at Grandaddy's...the kids loved the cool water slide!

Proud supporters of CUFD!

And when we weren't at a pool, we were at the beach...umm...lake....Y-Beach :)

summer has come and gone...but not the heat

2011-08-27T16:20:00.009-04:00

There is a lot going on in the Walters' house these days! Where do we begin? Oh! CLEMSON FOOTBALL in 1 week. Yepper! Tigers, football, seeing family...it is all about to start rollin! I have started back to work already and Hunter has started his "school". Hope doesn't start until Sept. 6th...so she still has a little summer left. Summer has come and gone for me...where did it go?

Highlights of the summer:

lots of swimming in the lake and at pools

Trip to Cades Cove with friends

Baby Jackson being born

Our cousin Brooke's wedding

Hope went to camp (OUR camp) as a camper for the first time

Family trip to the beach with Grandaddy

Craig hired onto the CUFD part time

House issues...oh, that is not a highlight, but let's just say you cannot use our front door and have not been able to since June. We have actually worn a path in the grass in the back yard. I am SO ready to get the foyer fixed! It really does seem it is never ending with an old house! I love the character and what the house represents, but I tell ya-there have been times I wanted to sell and run far far away from it! It seems that every year we have one project done to the house by football season when family arrives. These were very unexpected projects and they are not even done! Ahhh! And I am STILL waiting for carpet in the playroom-just sayin'.

With everything that is going on...as I sit here writing and everyone else in the house snoozing away-both kids, both dogs and Craig....I do love my family and it takes times like this to make my mind slow down and appreciate what I do have. Yes, one day I hope we have the house just how we like it (years to come, I know) and that we do not have to literally live pay check to pay check, but until that day comes, we have each other and that is what family is all about!

Here are some random pics from summer:

she not a little girl anymore

2011-07-25T02:45:00.003-04:00

...well, she is, but she is growing so quickly. If you know Craig and I at all, you know how important Camp is to the two of us. Met there, got married there, and take our family there so they see the significance of that special place. Yesterday (and that yesterday really just means 9 hours ago) we dropped Hope off at camp for a week. It was something we had been hoping for-a no show in which there was spot to be filled at Camp Sertoma-but when it came, oh my goodness...

One thing that typically happens is the butterflies you feel while driving into camp. I have felt them as a first time counselor (in 1996), as a specialist, as a supervisor and even as a (fill in) asst. camp director. But today (I mean yesterday, it is 2:30 in the morning) I felt them as a mom. Wow! What a difference. When we got the phone call, we had Hope's bag packed and was at camp within 30 minutes. She was so excited-she literally was bouncing off the seats. I have randomly thought about her through out the night-thanks to the distraction of church.

We went to bed, with Hunter snuggled in between us (preparing for a week of a lot of attention) and after 2 hours I am wide awake, thinking about Hope. Is she sleeping ok? Is she meeting friends? I know she will love her counselors and they will love her-that is just how she is-but will she befriend a little girl in her cabin? I hope she is sleeping ok-she is going to need it for all the fun she is going to have this week! I am not worried about the days, it is times like this-when everyone is asleep. I hope she is snuggled in with her fluffy and having sweet dreams and not wide awake-like her momma-missing and even though I know she is in safe hands in a safe place, I worry about her. But, I will have to lift up any concerns and just anticipate all the stories she is going to come home with...in 6 days...

uggg

2011-07-16T09:58:00.003-04:00

i just typed out a huge post and lost it all. AHHH! ok, so...I will have to repost it later. time to hit the gym (which was explained in the "lost" post)...
have a great day!

summer times

2011-07-12T08:58:00.003-04:00

It is summer and life is crazy at the Walters'! We have spent time in Atlanta with Grandaddy, at camp, hanging with friends, helping our Dess with her new baby-Jackson, and just going. It seems like we have been crazy busy, but then I look back and it doesn't look like we have done anything. Humph-the summer days seem to just go by so quickly. July already! It sounds crazy, but I am glad that the kids go back to school Sept 6th and I don't start back until the end of August. It is almost like summer is just beginning for us. I really want to go to the beach. I mean, really, really bad. But darn it if money isn't always a factor. Hopefully we will get to NC to visit family and hit a waterpark, and back down to Grandaddy's whose neighborhood as a pool and a really cool waterslide! I always have a list of things I want to get accomplished over the summer. We are slowly making progress on it. The major thing is our foyer. I hope we get something done with it. It needs it, especially since the leak (of forever, it just finally came through the ceiling) and destruction of it. It is currently taped off and we have to use the back door-at all times. That takes some getting used to. Anyway, that is what is going on with us. I will be back-before the summer is over :)

spring....or summer? 90 degrees...

2011-05-22T09:30:00.003-04:00

I have started this post a number of times, but then life gets going and the next thing I know nothing has been posted in months! So much has been going on since the last post.
Spring....yep...it has hit which means so many things are happening (including the excitement of school's out for summer).

we all (and I mean all 4 of us) worked really hard on the yard-mulching, mowing, making "islands", etc. I love the look of the front yard. We still need some color, but that will come. The back yard? I really, really, really want a pool! But...that won't happen with the dogs around, so....We have been able to spend a lot of time on the deck and that has been nice. We are currently getting estimates to get the garage fixed and I can't wait for that!

Hunter turned 4! We had an awesome birthday party at the fire station-complete with class, climbing in the firetruck and playing in the fire hose. The results...success!

Hope wrapped her testing (district wide) and blew it out of the water! She fell in the 99% in reading and 98% in math! I am SO very proud of her! I can't believe that she is about to be in 2nd grade. I am not sure why it is hitting me so hard, but this transition is really affecting me.

Craig has been working really hard in his EMT classes, with his national exams in June. He has also been doing lawns this spring (yeah!) and continues to be involved in the fire dept. The Chief mentioned getting him on part time-huge blessing! That would mean that he could get paid for all that he has been "volunteering" for! And get his foot in the door for a more permanent position.

Work is great for me...busy, but good! I love my job and who I work with. I am not gonna lie, I am ready for summer :)

we have started to "circle up" with a new church. North Point, out of the Atl-we are launching in Clemson, calling ourselves Mountain Lakes. We are starting with small groups-which we LOVE-and we are meeting families with small kids and in a place in life like we are. Good place for us.

We are debating on participating in the USMC Mud Run in October. This means we need to start training. Ugg....running. But then again, I know once we start we will love it and the mud run sounds like so much fun! We will see if we follow through with this!

ok...thanks for reading!

decisions, decisions

2011-03-26T13:52:00.003-04:00

Today is one of those days. It is wet outside. The kids went to bed late last night, but got up super early...thus, little man is down for a nap at this very moment. I was inspired to clean...today is cleaning day as I put it. Thank goodness this excites Hope as much as it does me. When I mentioned it, she walks in carrying cleaner and paper towels and a grin on her face. The boys both stated that they needed a nap before we got started (yes, it was before lunch time). Cleaning commenced and then we paused. You know...you should never pause when you are being productive. We have gone down hill from there. We are now day dreaming...dreaming about fixing the house (roof, foyer, living room, playroom, etc.). We get so carried away, but in the back of our minds we know that it won't be happening now. It gets challenging at times to be responsible and pay towards debt and not just go and capture those dreams. We try to find a balance...pay off some debts, however, still do some work on the house. Now it is to prioritize the needs around the house...decisions, decisions.

Oh! On a cool note...Hope's class was hosting a Buck-A-Book fundraiser (you pay a buck to listen to children read a book) to go towards Clemson Community Care. She wrote a letter to Justice John Keenan and to Governor Nikki Haley. She got a letter from Justice Keenan saying that he was unable to attend, but good luck or something like that. Then, last week, she got a PHONE MESSAGE at her school from Governor Nikki Haley saying she was sorry she would not be able to attend, however she enjoyed Hope's letter she wrote to her! How cool is that?! I don't think Hope quite gets how neat this is, but one day she will :) FYI-this year, the class broke the old record with the amount of money raised (we don' t have an exact amount yet, but it is over $1,000)! Hope was VERY excited about that!

I am not ready for my baby girl to grow up...

2011-03-18T21:19:00.002-04:00

We had SO MUCH fun on St. Patricks Day! The kids made a trap the day before and I made green cake balls and mint Oreo truffles (yes, they were SUPER yummy!). Both kids woke up BEFORE 6:00 AM to see if the leprechaun had attempted to get the gold and all the while got caught in the trap. Well, the leprechaun did not disappoint-we didn't trap him, and he took off with the gold, however, he left a box of Lucky Charms and mint gum in the trap. Hope was so excited, "you don't let us buy this kind of cereal and now we get to eat it, don't we"?! Then Hunter went to the bathroom and saw that the leprechaun had used our bathroom...and forgot to flush...thus the green pee in the toilet. Needless to say, our morning was very exciting and we hadn't even left for school yet!
*********Now fast forward to my drive home that afternoon****************
Crushed. Mad. Angry. Yes, that is was I felt when I was informed that a sub that was in Hope's class told the ENTIRE class that the Tooth Fairy, Leprechauns, and Elves were NOT real! What?! Who would do that?! Needless to say, I left a message at Hope's teacher's house and then emailed her. I at least wanted to warn her what she may be walking into this morning. When Hope told Craig about what the sub had said at school, he asked her what she thought and she said that she believe because who else would have put those surprises under the trap? I was just thankful that she believed. I didn't ask her about it directly, but this morning I had asked who her sub was yesterday and she told me who it was and "guess what she told me". I asked her what she thought about that and she said "mom...who else would have given me Lucky Charms, gum and a headband? I know you don't have the money for that!" -LOL! She cracks me up! Anyway, I was able to communicate with her teacher today. I explained my concerns. And she pulled Hope aside and spoke to her (Hope ADORES her teacher and calls her "the smartest woman alive"). So, between all of us talking with Hope, she still believes in the Leprechaun, Tooth Fairy and Elves (and let me say...that was a wee bit to close to the Big Man at the North Pole!)! Whew!!!!!!!!!!!

they make my heart happy!

2011-03-10T08:44:00.003-05:00

I love how the kids can make me laugh...all the time! They really are such sweet children who get along VERY well and they both love to love! I can't tell you how my heart melts when Hunter randomly walks up to you and says "my love you". And then there is Hope. I am not sure what she is going to do when she grows up, but whatever it is, she is going to do it for the good of others! She walked in the living room the other, pushing the grocery cart full of things. She stops to tell me not to worry, she will put everything away in a little bit. I asked what it was and she informed me that she had collected things to take to the "shop" so that all the poor kids could come and get stuff for free. Now, of course, she could have said it in a different way, however, her actions and thoughts say it all! I just love her spirit! Here is a funny story about her-...Hope was playing with Cam, her BFF, this weekend, and walked out, in this hippie-type way, short skirt over a leotard, a purse with a long strap that went across her body and hung at her hip, and a carrying a guitar...can you picture it? She announces her name is Ruby. Ok...Ruby Dawson (which has now changed to Ruby Nicole Dawson). Kind of catchy, isn't it? I really think I do like it-for an alter-ego type thing. "Hope, where did you get that name?" I just liked Ruby (I can go with it). "and the Dawson?" Well, that is D****'s last name (only I could really appreciate this). I say that because D***, is a student in her class that has been diagnosed with Autism. She knows that he learns differently than us because we have talked about it before. Anyway, I just love the name Ruby Nicole Dawson (and ironically, Nicole is her BFF's middle name, coincidence? I think not-hehe).
I will say that I am impressed with the learning taking place in our house-Craig is doing VERY well in his EMT class and I enjoy helping him study (making note cards floats my boat)! Hunter is coming home stating more about letters and numbers and days of the week and LOVES school! It typically is his favorite part of the day. And Hope continues to do extremely well in 1st grade. Her latest project: a PowerPoint presentation on segregation in schools and Brown VS. Board of Education. Craig told Hope that his first PowerPoint presentation was in college-my how times have changed! I was very impressed with her group of 4 that worked on this project, as was her teacher! Much to Hope's dismay, we did not participate in the science fair. Honestly, it was because I didn't want to do it. It is the same time as her birthday and I am usually busy planning that and then there is life itself and it is not mandatory, so.... (I know, I am bad). However, Hope and Mrs.Shearin (our next door neighbor that the kids like to play with on a daily basis-I have to remind them she is not a kid) did their own project. So...in our window are three pots of a variety of soils and plants...we are watching them to see if/how/when the grow. Thank goodness for neighbors that challenge the kid's minds!
ps-we are tired of the rain and can't wait for the sun!

Fabulous Feb!

2011-02-26T17:52:00.009-05:00

Of course we started Valentine's Day off with heart pancakes....or that was dinner, either way, we were festive :)

We have had such a fun and crazy last couple of weeks! Hope celebrated her 7th birthday with friends and family while roller skating. It was ironic she wanted a roller skating birthday party being that she doesn't really know how to roller skate. We are going to have to practice that skill more! (pics to come later)

Hope had her girl scout cookies sales (Daisy in her case) and she beat her goal of 200 boxes! We worked a cookie booth and I was SO very proud of her! There were three girls working the booth and Hope was the only one who literally worked the entire time! She did great-used her manners, so polite and smiled :)

I have a new treat I love making! They are very similar to the Oreo truffles I make around Christmas time. They are called cake balls (check out this site: http://www.bakerella.com/). I tried to get creative and I made some in white chocolate with sprinkles and I made some Oreo truffles that were wrapped up like large Hershey kisses. For Hope's birthday, I make cake pops! They turned out great! I am trying different flavors of cake for different occasions. Planning on some green ones for St. Patty's day.

Hope had her Famous American's Day program -you know...the one that goes with "the" poster disaster (see previous post)...-anyway, her program was the same day as Hunter's "p" dress up day at school, sooo, he is wearing his pjs and robe to school.Today was so beautiful we took the kids to the church parking lot next store to ride bikes. We are trying to teach Hope how to ride without training wheels and just trying to get Hunter to pedal. He really got the hang of it today and Hope is getting better. I tell ya...this tested both Craig's and my patience to the end! I can't imagine when we try to teach them to drive! :)

faithful and honest...

2011-02-08T21:19:00.002-05:00

I am trying to get better at this blogging thing...so here is today's story...
Hope had Daisy's today-Craig drops her off and I pick her up. When I arrived to pick her up, she greets me with a piece of paper with a drawing on it. It appeared to be a man (stick figure with clothes drawn on top of the sticks) walking on grass. Above the man was the word "God". Nothing else on the paper. So I ask Hope, what is this? She informs me that their lesson that day was about honesty and faithfulness. The project was to draw someone who you know that is honest and faithful. Hope looks me square in the eye and with all her being tells me that God is the ONLY person she can think of that is fair and honest. What?! The only person? Ummm...hello? Where have we (as her parents) gone wrong? OR...if God is who she thought of, we must be doing something right! :)
Here is to being faithful and honest....

Mother of the Year Award....again

2011-02-04T10:39:00.004-05:00

Hope and I have been working on her first major project. Her famous American project. She was to create a poster-rule: a picture of the person and 10 facts about the person. She will also have to to an oral report (it is one line, however, she will say it on stage, in a microphone, in front of the entire 1st grade).The poster…the Juliette Gordon Low poster…. was due today….Hope’s first big project….well….

What a morning! AHHH!!! So, I am up at 5:40, both kids are up at 5:45. We are dressed and ready to leave at 6:45. We are not used to this...we are more like the rushing out at 7:30 type of crew. We weren't sure what to do with this extra time….so, the kids watched tv and I talked with Craig. So, 7:10 we start to head out the door. I tell Hope to let me carry her poster so she wont drop it in the rain. It wasn’t raining too hard, so I didn’t think that we needed a trash bag to cover the poster (as Craig had suggested). Well, we get out to the car, which I had already unlocked (planning ahead) and the passenger door was not unlocked. Darn it! I went to get my keys out of my purse and…yep…you guessed it…poster falls down (this is all in slow motion in front of me) and I worry about the edge getting wet, I try to grab it and no worries…uhh…until I couldn’t get it and it lands face down in a puddle. I am talking FLOATING….like Swan Lake. OMG! I go “ooooohhhh…uh-oh….”, Hope says, mom don’t tell me you dropped it. I get the car door open and put my stuff in the car-mind you, all the while that poster is floating face down in a puddle- pick up the poster and tell Hope in a very firm voice “DON’T CRY” and I shut the car door and run inside. “CRISIS! CRISIS!” I shout as I run into the bedroom, laying to poster on the bed. Craig is like, what happened. I freaked for about 10 seconds and then grabbed a paper towel and started soaking up all the water and wiping off all the dirt I could. Luckily Hope wrote all her sentences with a black sharpie ***shout out to sharpie here*** and not one bit of it smudged! Yippee! The paper strips started to get wavy and the pictures printed from the computer started to “melt”. We decided I would take it into her classroom-reassuring her all the way to school that it would be FINE and it will work out and at least all the writing still looks great! I took it into her classroom and laid it flat. By now it had dried enough that most of the dirt could be wiped off and there was a texture look to the poster in general and the pictures, well they now looked like water colors. Her teacher was nice enough to reprint pictures that Hope could use to replace the water colored blobs on her poster. Alas, when I left Hope’s school 45 minutes later, all was well and she was happy. I wish I had gotten a picture of it fresh out of the water puddle, however, I was panicking a bit. WHEW! First project crisis over with……that is just preparing us for more in the future :)

Here is the poster two days ago...prior to the new (character adding) texture look...

end of Jan...

2011-01-22T16:59:00.002-05:00

so much has happened since my last blog...
we were out of school for an entire week! That was connected with MLK weekend, thus we were out for 10 days-almost like Christmas all over! We enjoyed the snow as much as possible. Hunter was sick the first half of the week and Hope was sick the second half. The bonus is that neither one missed any school:) We had a fire almost all day everyday and I LOVED it! I love a fire :) We also have realized that we need to purchase a sled or two. I hope to do that before the NEXT snow storm arrives-which they are calling from some on Tuesday. The one I worry about is the BIG on in February they keep talking about-something about 15 inches.

Our cousins Sandy and Eric had a sweet baby girl the other week. Yeah! Another girl Walters! We can't wait to meet her!

Hope has her first project-poster board, dressing up, and a little oral report (really just one line, but she is nervous about speaking in a microphone). They had to choose a famous American and she selected Juliette Low. You know, founder of the Girl Scouts...did I mention Hope is a Daisy? Yep, we are in the heat of selling girl scout cookies :) Her first goal was 10,000 boxes, I had her lower it a bit-she went with 100 but she has just met that, so now it is 200. She only has another week to get 100 more...we will see how this goes.

Craig starts an EMT class in Feb, and he starts his studying to challenge his firefighter certification. We are all so proud and excited for him-Hunter has even decided on a fire fighter birthday party (but that's not until May). We are in the planning phases for Hope's birthday party...apparently she wants a roller skating party. Should I remind her that she is still working on her skating skills? Nahhh....we will just let her enjoy it :)

Well, that's all for now...hope to be writing more often!
Erica

1-10-11...tomorrow

2011-01-09T21:56:00.002-05:00

January 9th-the night before a snow day for School District of Pickens County. They say this HUGE snow storm is a brewin and is headed our direction. So.....without the first drop of rain, snow, anything even falling from the sky, school is out. Usually I am all for it. However....I don't want to lose my spring break and this go around of snow might be a challenge. Craig will be working the fire department and Hunter is sick.
It started Friday night-hit him within a two hour period and BAM! has knocked him off his feet. Saturday was not too bad (we started breathing treatments and meds), but the evening was a challenge and today has been rough. He is just pitiful looking. His face looks so sad. He has taken 4 naps today and this is from the kid who never naps anymore. When we ask him how he is, he responds with "not good". Hope, being the wonderful big sister she is, has offered to not play out in the snow if Hunter can't-just because it won't be fair. She is so compassionate! She has been helping take care of him and trying to entertain him (reading, playing on the computer, etc.).
Soooo...hope for snow, but yet, not really. I feel bad for the kids. Craig will be working at the fire department, so either the three of us go out or the three of us stay in. Either way, we will have snow cream and hot chocolate for sure!
On a side note-tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the "fall of o-10". Craig seems to think he might try and take his tree stands down tomorrow....hahahah....yeah...right....
I hope to get some pics up soon of this "major storm of '11"!

Christmas 2010...when it snowed!

2010-12-28T22:19:00.018-05:00

What a wonderful holiday we have had! I have really enjoyed this Christmas break, being at home. We have had family and friends to keep our house full until today. It seems so quiet. But I like it that way. What way? Both! A full house and the quietness afterwards. I love all the conversations and laughter with everyone when we pile into this little living room. I love hearing the kids giggle and play with each other when it is just them in a bed.

As I sit here, in front of a beautiful fire, I think what has taken place the last week. The spirit. It was felt here. And when we were blessed with a white Christmas, we were able to see His artwork and beautiful canvas! I smile as I think of the highlights...you know there have to be some with my two kiddos.

I start with having to, once again, wake the kids up at 8:45 (because we didn't want to wait any longer). Then there is Hunter-who didn't want to open any gifts once he walked out and saw that Santa had brought him an Iron Man transformer. He is going to be that kid, I believe...coaxing him into opening the rest of his gifts. Hope played Santa's helper (a tradition we started years ago to help her learn to recognize our names in writing). Typically she hands out all the gifts and then we would open. This year she decided to get one for her, one for Hunter and rip into the paper. This was repeated a couple of rounds and then we suggested to her that she pass them all out. It helped the process. It was great to have Uncle Todd, Grandaddy and Nonna with us Christmas morning!This was the year of the games for our household! We have played, Operation, Don't Spill the Beans, Perfection, and Memory so far. I love when we have family fun with games! Here are pics so that you guys can try and capture the craze of Christmas day at the Walters' house!

mailing letters to Santa (this is also the same time, Dec. 20th, we found out what Hunter was asking Santa for)...

Hope asked Santa...much to her daddy's liking..for a "real" bow (along with Junie B. Jones books and a scooter-which she got from family members as presents). She has already been out shooting at a target and loving it. Expect a future blog on this...pics are already in progress.

Hunter asked Santa for Ironman (and no, he had never seen the movie-where do these kids get this stuff?), a motorcycle-later added with a remote, and big cars. Well, he got the ironman transformer and the cartoon movie (umm, watched it today-not on my favorite list). He got a big fire truck from family. He is a bit distraught about the motorcycle. I told him he might could get one for his birthday and he told me, no...he will wait until next Christmas-he wants it for Christmas. Oh that boy!

Here are the kids relaxing by the fire...
Craig did not like me taking this pic because it is incriminating evidence....what if the kids see it? See, we don't put any presents out until the kids go to bed so that they wake up to the full surprise in the morning. Either way, I had to have a before picture to document the chaos...so, this is the before....

And this is the after....

This was also the one year anniversary that my Papasan went to be with the rest of his family in Heaven. I thought about him and just smiled-I know he was enjoying watching his great grandchildren on this special morning. It is amazing how fast a year has gone.

The snow was absolutely beautiful! It was the first white Christmas in Clemson since 1960 something! We got up and had an amazing snowball fight, made snow angels and saved some snow in the freezer (Hope had put a bowl out to catch the snow) for snow cream-which, by the way, I made tonight and it was super yummy!

before the snowball fight....

...and let it begin!

my snow angel on the left and Hope's on the right...

Hope making another snow angel below the beautiful tree!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T05:51:00.008-05:00

I love this time of year! No, really, I do! I love the emotions and the true "feeling" that comes with it! I only wish we could have these warm feelings deep within our souls year round. Of course, then we might not appreciate them when we do get them if we had them all the time.

Our house is all decorated and the excitement is building! Grandaddy and Nonna are coming for Christmas this year-we are super excited to not be traveling. Christmas morning will be so much fun with Grandaddy, Nonna, Uncle Todd, and all four of us-I even heard that we might get a surprise visit from Jess on Christmas day!

Christmas day will mark the 1 year anniversary that Papasan was able to join Gramma in heaven. I know that it is different and could even be sad without him, but to think that he is with Gramma and all his family that have entered the Golden Gates just warms my soul. So, with that peace of mind, I will not be sad and there will not be tears of mourning-I will be happy and full of joy for him! What a wonderful Christmas gift he received last year and is enjoying daily!

This season usually does something to me-reaches deep in my souls and touches my emotions. I typically tear up at the sweet coffee or this year it is the Belk commercial. I just love the wonderful feelings of love these commercials portray. In these times, I am very thankful for the love of my family!

Hope and Hunter work on baking cookies-something like 12 dozen were made this year! We have been able to share with friends, family and neighbors!

Merry Christmas to all from the Walters' family!

It's fall ya'll!

2010-11-01T15:36:00.004-04:00

We have had such a great time with the weather getting cooler and football season! We have really enjoyed family visiting and hanging out with friends! Hope had 50s day at school and was cute as pie dressing up for it! Halloween was a double treat, being we trick or treated Saturday AND Sunday. We went with friends through a neighborhood on Saturday and then for the first time ever we participated in trunk or treat at the local church. It was GREAT! We were able to laugh with friends and even catch up with old friends. Hunter was Buzz Lightyear (a costume that will probably be worn for another year-he still squeezes into his spiderman outfit from last year) and Hope was a Clemson cheerleader. We had a blast carving pumpkins-they drew and we cut exactly what they drew....just in case you weren't able to tell! Happy fall to all! It is November!

What a weekend!

2010-09-28T12:39:00.010-04:00

Well...she did it...our very own Dess got married! It was a full weekend of fun and laughter.Hope had been on countdown all week to "the wedding day" and Hunter jumped on the countdown bandwagon the Friday before. Jess got married in this really old church that had so much character and then the reception was in a classic restored barn. It was beautiful, as was she and Hope (one of the flower girls)! Here are a couple of pics of the celebration...
We had a bacherolette party the Thursday before-all of us wore this super cute "Hagan's Hens" shirts with our names on them and the #10 for this exciting year! Jess' shirt had bride on the back-what a fun night to start of the celebration!
Uncle Todd did all the girls hair-here are the three flower girls, Hope, Molly and Anna (both are Stephen's nieces).

I had mentioned to you before about attending the First Friday parade and tailgating. Here are some pics from those exciting events!

Our cousin Sammi gets to do all kinds of fun things with us now that she is in Clemson! The kids love spending time with her!

fall is in the air!

2010-09-10T13:23:00.002-04:00

I am so glad that football season is here! I know I have said it before, but man I love fall....football....family visiting....tailgating....cooler weather....I just love it!

We enjoyed the opening to tiger football last weekend with a tailgate with friends and family. We were able to secure an awesome parking spot and just set up the tent there! We were close enough to the stadium, that when we walked to the side walk, we could see the home side :) and we got to watch all the balloons float away. Hope was super excited to wear her new cheerleading outfit and Hunter sported his football uniform-asking where his helmet was. I will try to post a pic of those two cuties soon!

Hope had her first fundraiser and I wanted to thank those of you who ordered from her! She was super excited and thankful! She had her first math test yesterday (in which I asked how she did on it, I got the response of "mom...she took them home to grade them..I wont know until tomorrow"-sheeshhh, kids! :) Today is her first spelling test. We practiced all week spelling the words-I hope it is always this fun to study (hehe, I know, I know). Hunter...do I dare say it...is potty trained! He has mastered ALL of it (and by ALL, I hope you know I mean ALL)! He is going on his own and telling us afterwards-or calling us in to see his workmanship. SO proud of him! He has been dry in the mornings for weeks, so we went for the plunge and left his "tighty winies", as he likes to call them, on and success! Yeah for him!

Well, I am impressed it hasn't been 3 months since I last wrote and I hope to write again in a timely manner! Until then...goooo tigers... (and dawgs-though Craig would NOT agree with that!)!

We are back....

2010-08-25T13:47:00.004-04:00

Oh mercy! Has it really been THAT long since I have blogged? I knew that I had not updated much, and things would happen and I would think that would have been great to blog. Well-I will try and catch you up on what is happening in the life of the Walters'crew.
*Over the summer Hope, Hunter and I spent 3 weeks in LA visiting Grandaddy and Nonna. We had so much fun-swimming almost daily and cool adventures! It was the longest we had ever been away from home or daddy! We missed him so much, but while we were gone, he was working very hard on a project in the house. What do you ask? He gutted the bathroom (taking out the plaster walls, green toilet, tub and sink) and replaced it with a new bathroom-all except the floor, we kept that original. It is so very exciting to take baths in our house! Hope you get to visit and see how hard Craig worked and how great it all looks!
*Hope started 1st grade. She LOVES it! She informed me today that she loves going to 1st grade because she learns so much! I am so thankful for how responsible and helpful she is! She loves taking showers by herself, and even lets Hunter join her sometimes.
*Hunter has moved up to his "big boy" class and is very excited about it! He had to be potty trained to do so, and literally the week before we busted up on him and we can proudly say that he has only had 1 pee pee accident since! We are still working on getting to the bathroom for #2, and had out very first success of him saying "I have to go to the bathroom!" and then going and not messing in his pants at all! Yahoo! Hunter has gotten his big boy bed and LOVES sleeping in it...all over it...every inch!
*Football season is upon us-which is exciting because we get to visit with family as they come into town. We are excited because one of our cousins has moved into town, starting the bridge program with Tri County and Clemson. We are doing more house projects, which have been promised to be done by football season-yepper...this weekend is disignated project weekend! Hopefully we will have a fixed up laundry room and a pantry!
*everyone is going to have to come and visit to see all of these exciting changes at the Walters' house-plus we now have large beds in ALL the rooms, so guest can stay the night :) The kids don't mind sharing at all!

I apologize for being so far behind on our lives, but as you can see, we have been busy bees :) Hope to see everyone soon!

she is a trooper!

2010-03-30T08:09:00.003-04:00

OK...so last week we went to the dentist and it was a blow! Hope had her first cavity and I was so upset! Seriously-I felt like I had failed as a mom. Hope was ok with it until she saw me "sad" (as she calls it) and then she got upset. I told her that I wasn't sad with her, it was with myself. Anyway, fighting back tears we scheduled her next appt.
I was dreading that dental appt yesterday, for Hope has always LOVED the dentist and I just knew that it was all about to end here. We planned ahead and made a "kids" play list of songs on my phone and took the headphones. Hope did great climbing in the chair and we talked for a bit while we waited for the doctor. Even though it is just a few minutes, it feels like forever and our conversation was about how it is ok to fell those butterflies in her stomach and to be nervous. I explained that we all get that feeling at different times. Well, they were able to do some sealants and then when it was time to "get to work" we put on the music and she did AMAZINGLY well! I was so proud of her. They didn't numb her, so no magic finger nail, and she didn't start to whimper until...wait for it...not while he was drilling into her tooth, or scraping the decay out...no, it was when he was putting the filling itself in! I was like, what?! The bad part is over with! Lots of encouragement from everyone in the room and Hope was such a trooper! When it was all over and the dentist bragged on Hope is when she fell into my arms and cried. I think it was an emotional overload. She said that her mouth got tired of opening and closing and that it hurt just a little bit. Either way, I am so very proud of my brave girl! She has even been watching her food intake-at the grocery store "make sure that doesn't have much sugar in it, mom"...that's my girl!

sRinG BrEAk!!!

2010-03-28T15:15:00.004-04:00

Ahhh....spring break is here! Yeah! However, it does seem so early this year. None the less, we are ready to embrace it. We started it off with going horseback riding for a friend's birthday, yesterday. The kids had so much fun!

We don't have too much planned this week, just the dentist (Hope got her first cavity-don't ask, that is an entirely different post, probably tomorrow, after she gets it filled), Easter egg coloring, and cleaning up around here. Then, at the end of the week...well, look out Georgia, here we come! The King and Walters families are heading to GA for a day at the aquarium and a day at the zoo (with a night in a hotel...and if you know me, you know I LOVE hotels-a trait I have passed on to my children)! We are so excited!
On Saturday, Grandma is coming up for Easter! The kids are excited for her visit and for the Easter Bunny to make his appearance. It looks like the weather this week is going to be just perfect-sunny and 70s up to the 80s....come on tan...lay it on me!

our children...

2010-03-06T08:55:00.003-05:00

I really do wish I updated the blog more often, so many things are said or done and I am like...THAT needs to be blogged about. Then, when I make the time, it has passed. Right now I am enjoying listening to Hope (in TOTAL teacher voice and manner) helping Hunter do a huge floor puzzle. She really is a teacher in the making, asking "leading" questions...

Some funny things said lately:
Setting-we all just got pulled into the driveway and we just sat there for a minute. Craig and I sneak a quick kiss...
Hope-why are you kissing?
Me-because we love each other!
Hope-don't you have enough babies? If you keep kissing you will have more!

Next setting-I am changing Hunter's diaper while he is standing. I pull it out between his legs and...
Me-Man, that is a lot of pee-pee in that diaper (it was 7:00 in the morning)
Hunter-(looking down) Yeah...that penis has a lot of pee
me-giggle
Hunter- (almost in continuation from the previous comment) hey!-as he sways his hips side to side-my penis wiggles. He proceeds to swing his hips-so very proud of what he has discovered.

The other night, as we pull into the driveway, we told the kids that when they got inside they had to run to their rooms and get their pajamas on. Craig parks the car, the kids hop out of the car and run inside. We just sit there, then we back up, pulling in the front yard and turn the lights off...yeah....it felt like forever before someone poked their head out to see where we were. Then we see them looking through the front window. They didn't seem concerned at all. Ha!

What a difference a weekend makes!

2010-02-22T05:26:00.010-05:00

OK...so last weekend we were sledding..this weekend we were celebrating Hope's 6th brithday with a carnival theme, out at camp. The weather was perfect-low 60's and sunny! This was Hope's first "kid" birthday party and most of her class came-let's just say that I made 20 goodie bags and there were none left (and Hunter some how didn't get one).

The carnival was a success, thanks to all the friends and family who were there helping out! We had a bean bag toss, ball toss, tic-tac-toe, the grand prize game, silly photo booth, facepainting-a huge it success and a bouce house-an even bigger success! The kids loved it. My favorite part was the "popcorn" cupcakes I made! Hope did inform me today that she wished we had the popcorn machine set up "in a maze type thing where we had to find it". Nice. We try :)

Hope got some wonderful presents and she couldn't wait to dig in to them on Sunday-she wanted to bake in her Easy Bake oven, vacuum with her new vacuum (she and Hunter fought over this), hula hooped, colored a new bag, played with her barbies and new My Little Pony toys, read a new book-which, ironically had written in the front cover "to Evan, Merry Christmas 2008, love Grandma and Grandpa", she practiced writing in her new cursive tablet, and got to spend her Walmart gift card (on a new doctor set-Craig and I have been checked so much, we should be very healthy). I know there is more, but this was all within a day!

Kerry and Joshua got to spend the weekend with us and that was so much fun! The kids did amazingly well playing together and just laughed and ran around and just enjoyed each others company. I am not sure who was more sad that they had to go back to Atlanta, them or us.

the snow of 0-10..for real this time!

2010-02-13T08:02:00.008-05:00

Yesterday, Feb 11th, it started snowing around 3:00. By the time I was home from work-by 5:00-there was enough snow on the ground to go sledding. We headed to Kite Hill for some sledding. It was so much fun! I think I was the only one ready to roll-for I had pulled out all my skiing clothes (figuring since I don't get to ski this year, I can use it to sled) and was super warm and dry; the rest of the crew was cold and wet. We only stayed out for a bit and came home to warm up in front of the fire and have chili for dinner. Perfect! I woke up early on Sat morning to enjoy the beauty of the snow. Finally Hunter walked out, "the snow in the trees and on the ground". He was really excited. However, when I asked if he was ready to go sledding, he said no, it was too cold. Sad. I am anxiously waiting on the rest of the family to get up so we can go make a snowman and go sledding....

February, already?!

2010-02-06T08:17:00.002-05:00

It is hard to believe that it is already February. And that means one thing...ok, maybe two...but in our house it means one.....Hope's 6th birthday party! My children take pride in planning way in advance their birthday "themes". I think Hope has the next 3 years planned out. This year is going to be a blast and the possibilities are endless! When we finally settled on a theme, last fall, my mind started racing...it is almost as if since I am not in a classroom and can't do this fun, creative stuff with student, I try to do it with Hope and Hunter's birthday parties. So...the theme....a carnival!

We are super excited about what we have planned so far, however there is one thing that looms over my head....the last time I planned something big=outdoors and at camp-it didn't turn out quite as expected. A hurricane came through and thus our wedding was moved inside. I am really hoping that the weather cooperates because the rain plan is under the pavilion. Which will work for most of the games, but not the bounce house and I think that thing is going to be a hit. Anyway, I am having fun planning all the games and the "popcorn" cupcakes and inviting Hope's friends! This will be her first party with her same age peers that she has! Of course, I planned the party in the middle of "international festival" at Clemson Ele, so that has put a small kink, but it will all work out.

For those who are wondering, Craig is healing fine...he scar is not even exciting...looks like a wrinkle (hardly worth the $14,000 hospital bill we received). His latest adventure is pumping out our flooded basement-8" and it was rising until he got a handle on it (this rain is relentless...thus my fear for the comments at the top of this post).

Hunter and Hope are doing great! Hunter had a little episode of illness and is on breathing treatments until April, but we can handle that and believe me...it doesn't slow him down! How many kids will carry their breathing machine around while their mask is on so he doesn't have to sit in one place?! Hunter enjoys school so much and comes home singing and talking about all the books they are reading at school. Actually, he talks non-stop-seriously...non-stop. And to imagine I was worried about his language? Ha!Hope just got her report card and did great! She needed to work on writing her last name and within 2 days of getting her report card, she has mastered it. Amazing the motivation of a report card (already!). She is also loving reading is working at a "end of kindergarten, beginning of 1st grade level" right now-it is so great to see her proud of herself and enjoy something so much.

the incident of 0-10, AKA the "tree" incident

2010-01-14T06:47:00.001-05:00

Hello All!
OK…just so you don’t hear bits and pieces or wonder what happened to Craig…here goes-
Yesterday he was climbing a tree to take a stand down. He had his harness on, but not “attached” (or something like that) because the stand was in the way…and being a man and all, was just going to move the stand real quick and then connect the harness. Anyway, the stand feel and so did Craig…20’ down. His face stopped the fall.

He called me at work and told me he had called 911-in which I knew he was hurt because he just doesn’t ask for help with injuries-he would rather super glue all lacerations and go on about life. However, when he hit the ground and couldn’t feel his body and the blood was dripping down his face he wanted to call them before he passed out (just in case he did). Alas, he didn’t pass out and actually walked to the street, out of the woods to meet the ambulance. I was on the phone with him telling him to stop walking around, blah blah blah. He asked the ambulance if he could wait for me to get there and take him myself to the ER but when they saw his head it was a no go and off they went.

I ended up meeting them at Anderson Hospital. I must say, that is some place! Really, they were so nice and informative and after being there over 5 hours I wanted to go back and shadow the nurses. It was so amazing! I was asking a million questions-loving the entire medical aspect….I digress….this is about Craig. OK, so he looked pretty bad when I first saw him, but I wasn’t too stressed because I knew he had walked out of the woods. After CTs, chest and back scans, much to the doctors dismay (we really think that the young Doogie Howser was disappointed) there was absolutely NOTHING wrong besides the gash from impact on his forehead. Not one single broken bone. Now mind you, his body is very sore from the impact itself and the jarring effect.

The gash. Oh my! If you get queasy this part is not for you. It was awesome (and I say that with huge eyes)! It had started dripping again (I am guessing this is hour 3 or so), so I grabbed some gauze and started wiping the drip and that is when I noticed it. I was like, Craig, move your eyes….no way! I could see his muscles move across his skull! So of course I made him do it for a video. WOW! I took some pics on the phones and the nurses let me get as close as I could while cleaning him up and then when the doctor came in to saw him up, yep, they let me right there. It was so cool. They even offered me supplies when I left-not just gauze and stuff, but things like the scissors and the guard thingy over the syringe they used while cleaning it out so that stuff won’t splash out. I just left with scissors and gauze .

As we sat there for over 5 hours we definitely thought about what could have happened. Craig said as he was falling and he could see the ground quickly approaching that he really thought this was it. I told him that apparently God wants him here on Earth for a reason…let’s get to finding it  He said he thought about that. We (and he) are very lucky that nothing else has happened to him beyond the injuries he did sustain!

As the evening went on his body got more sore and after taking some major meds, I spent every two hours waking him and asking “who are you and where are you”. You could imagine the smart aleck answers I received throughout the evening. Just incase you are wondering Hope (you have to love her) asked a million questions and Hunter saw it and said “round and round” pointing to his eye and then 2 hours later notice that Craig had a boo-boo “daddy has a boo-boo?”. We think he might have thought the first time he thought it was camo face paint. Yeah…he looks great. It has not deterred him from hunting, in fact he said that he still has another stand to get down-climbing right back on that horse-I think he will wait a bit before doing that!

So…anyway, this is what happened in our family yesterday, Wednesday. All is well now, I am staying home to take care of him…he is really enjoying this part and keeps asking something about a red headed nurse and a sponge bath (I chalk it up to the meds ). Thanks for any concerns or prayers….

love always....Sweet Pot

2009-12-30T22:50:00.003-05:00

Christmas morning was amazing at our house! Wait for it....wait for it...yes....we had to WAKE OUR KIDS UP! It is all on video, just for proof! But once they were up and going, we had a great morning of digging through stockings and tearing into gifts! Craig, Todd, Hope, Hunter and myself enjoyed opening gifts and the excitment was really fun! Hope would rip into a gift, and then another and then another; while Hunter would open one gift and want to play with it. We found ourselves pleading with him to opening gifts and explaining he could play with them later on. It was so funny...Santa brought Hope a Barbie dream house ("it is not the one I wanted, but it is bigger and better"-Hope) and Hunter a Black and Decker workbench and a spiderman chair. Spiderman was the thing that rocked his world this year! Funny story about the workbench-Hope is playing with it more than he is.

Around 11:30 I got the call from my mom that my grandfather had passed away. The thoughts that came to my mind were 1-he waited until my brother was able to visit him (he arrived to his house at 2:00 am and stayed for an hour or so that morning) and 2-what an AWESOME Christmas gift for Papasan...he was reunited with Grandma! I left as soon as I could and headed to Georgia. I was so thankful for the two previous weekends we were able to share with him (he was very lucid and with it and what great memories were made)! I spent the next 4 days cleaning out and doing some serious bonding with my brother. We would start going through items and old pictures and laugh and laugh and tell great stories. I will treasure those times I had with my brother as we worked together and shared memories with each other.

Losing Papasan is very hard, but I know deep inside that he is so much happier, at peace and with his loved ones that have been waiting on him in heaven. The one thing that I said to him when we had our Christmas the week before his passing, was to be sure and tell my Grandma hello for me and that one day I will see them all again soon(knowing that this was the last time I would see him). We will be having his memorial service in a couple of weeks, but I am already at peace in my heart that he is singing his heart out and walking the streets of gold!

Papasan-I love you and thank you for being the rock that held this family together! When I think of you, I will miss you, but I will not be sad-I smile and think about where you are!
Love always,
your Sweet Pot

that's not right...

2009-12-22T19:54:00.003-05:00

We are SO excited around here...lots of energy and spirit is filling this household. I am loving being on Christmas break and I am taking full advantage of it! I think I am just being lazy, but try to make myself feel better by justifying it as my Christmas vacation. I really think this is going to be one of the best Christmas mornings ever!
Last weekend we got to celebrate Christmas with the my dad's side of the family and then with my mom's side of the family. Good times were most definitely had and the kids loved opening up gifts. However, our little Hope still knows the reason for the season. At my Aunt Bobette's house, all the adults were in the kitchen-with the exception of Craig. He was with the kids in the living room and I am so glad he did, so he could be a witness to this...Hope walks over in front of her tree and sings happy birthday to Jesus ("since there were all the presents there and all") all by herself. That made my heart so happy!
Today, while we were sitting around the table eating breakfast today, Hope says, "I love you Hunter". He responded with "thank you Hopey", in which she says "that is not what you are supposed to say! You are supposed to say I love you, too!" Craig and I just cracked up!
I hope to have wonderful Christmas pics to post the next time I do post. Here are some pics from this past weekend.

safety patrol

2009-12-09T21:37:00.003-05:00

Hope is the child that looks out for the family: safety first! She always is looking out for Craig's safety-typically this comes with the constant harassment of "put your seat belt on!" every time we get into the car. Of course, she worried who would remind daddy when she wasn't in the car with him-thus, she wrote him a note as a reminder...it eventually flew out the window. And yes, he eventually got a ticket for not wearing his seat belt.

Apparently today Hope spilled her drink on the kitchen floor. She got the mop and cleaned it up herself. Again, she felt it her responsibility to make sure Craig was safe, "Daddy, be careful and don't run in the kitchen because I spilled my drink and the floor is still a little bit wet." We got tickled for all the times that (apparently) Craig runs in the kitchen. Have you seen our kitchen? It is so small that it takes about 4 steps and you have crossed it. Not sure how much "running" is being done in there by Craig!

jingle bells...e, f, g...

2009-12-07T11:44:00.013-05:00

As you can see, I am not doing so well on updating the blog. I think about it, and then get distracted doing something else. Anyway, the Christmas season is upon us, but not before a wonderful trip to Gulf Shores, AL with Grandaddy and Nonna! We had such a good time swimming, fishing, running on the beach and even taking a tour of the USS Alabama. Not to mention the quality time we had with family!

We had a great time putting up our Christmas tree! This is going to be "the year"! I can't wait to see the kids faces on Christmas morning! Hunter is already so excited-the newness is amazing to him; as is Hope. They both go around singing Christmas songs, Hunter's specialty is a mixture of Jingle Bells and The alphabet song. It is great! Hope has been busy practicing being a teacher. She is too cute! I was able to film her last night as she would read to Hunter and then have him repeat words (placing her hand by her ear, saying "I can't hear you, say it louder!", in a "teacher tone"). She also uses the pointer and has him name shapes and colors as she points to them. I see a video coming for when she graduates with her education degree :)

I cannot make this stuff up!

2009-11-12T18:34:00.002-05:00

So... Hope has reached a new frustration level. We were working on her addition facts and she got upset because she "wishes she already knew them, but she doesn't". Nice, huh? How do I work with this? I know, I know...I can hear my mom saying now "she sounds just like you"...especially when she just told me (1) she is tired of being a kid (2) she wants to grow up faster (3) she wants to be perfect and that is why she gets upset when she messes up (as in when she wrote the number 14, the 1 and the 4 were too close together). I said there is only 1 person who is perfect and she said God. No wait, it is Jesus. I told her yes and then she said why do you say God and Jesus, but only 1 person? Now...how do I go about explaining the trinity to a five year old? Hope did get her report card yesterday and it was great! I am very proud of her!
Hunter has this obsession with nipples...his own nipples. He rubs them when you change his shirt and says "ipple...ipple". It is too funny! Craig had to take him to the doctor on Friday (yep,back on breathing treatments) and when they stripped him to weigh him, he started rubbing his nipples. The doctor (mind you, it was not our usual Dr. Dale, it was the other doctor-a female) asked what he was doing and Craig told her...rubbing his nipples. She just covered her face and shook her head.
Seriously....I can't make this stuff up!

what a weekend!

2009-10-26T06:16:00.003-04:00

What a weekend we had! It started off as normal as could be-Craig hunting, gym for me on Friday night, home for supper, family time, stay up a bit later so the kids will sleep in on Sat. Craig is up and at 'em Saturday morning-4:45-in which I got up too, awake enough to turn the tv on. Finally went back to sleep...nice, the kids are sleeping in but does Dutch? Oh no! He is ready to be let out (with the bark and all) by 7:00. Ugh. I wait it out until 7:45 and as I get up to let him out, Hope gets up too. Well...so much for either a)sleeping in or b) my morning alone time. We have some girl time and until Hunter is up by 9:00. We have breakfast, hang out for a little bit and then head to the library.
Now this trip always makes me nervous. Not because of Hope, but of Hunter. He gets SO excited to go in there! The two of us are constantly talking to him in a soft voice and trying to distract him so he does try to jump off the chairs and run up and down the aisles. We survive with a successfully quiet (figuratively speaking) trip. We get home, and start to eat lunch and I get a phone call. It is a friend down the street asking if Hope wants to come and play-sounds great! I drop her off around 1:00.
Hope is having a blast at her friends, Hunter enjoyed "his" time with me. A couple of hours later, I get a call to see if Hope wants to spend the night. What?! It is her FIRST sleep over that is with a kid. She was super excited. She just used her friends clothes and whatnot, so she never even came home. WOW-Hunter is napping, Craig is hunting, Hope is gone...what to do, what to do? OH! Call Jess and see if she wants to start a project with me.
So, we finally get started and to the store around 5:00-buying paint and a few supplies. Yep, we painted-and watched Clemson beat Miami. I tell ya-she is an amazing painter-quick and efficient! We had the hallway done within a couple of hours. The hard part was blocking the dogs out. Hunter had it figured out-he would run around and then when he got to the hall, he would cross his arms across his chest so that he wouldn't bump into the walls.
Since Craig was hunting, I am texting him the game updates (did I mention Clemson beat Miami?)and he informs me he is looking for a deer. Well, after a couple of hours-Jess is gone, Hunter asleep, Craig comes home. He is feeling pretty dejected after losing his deer and he doesn't even notice the hallway or the fact that Hope has not attacked him with a hug when he ran in the door. I am like.. "helloooo" and then he says he likes it and I inform him about Hope having a sleep over. He was just so bummed about his deer, that he couldn't really focus on much of anything.
Sunday morning we get up, Craig hits the woods early (and that is after working until 4:00ish that morning) to go look for the deer. I decided to whip out a second coat on the hallway while Hunter is still asleep. Hunter wakes up and keeps asking if I am still coloring the wall. Haha! That kid makes me laugh. It was a little strange just having him around for the day. I decide to start on the trim. Now...there is LOTS of it in our hallway-the base boards, and 7 doorways. You never realize it until you start to chip off the old paint (that is already peeling)so that you can apply the new. Soooooo...basically one door frame and the old phone box is what got done. Craig came home without a deer (he is pretty upset about it). And not that he wasn't already having a yucky weekend, he goes to help a buddy move some furniture later on in the night and on his way home he hits a dog (difficult for an animal lover) and messes up my car. Yeah..it is sitting in the walmart parking lot-needs a new radiator and there is front end damage. He said he was going 70 down the highway and a big dog(the size of Dutch) came out in front of him, he tried to go around it, but he couldn't. He was pretty upset when he got home after midnight!
I am hoping that this very busy week ahead will be a great one and so much better for him! We have downtown trick or treating, homecoming football game and then real trick or treating. It should be a FUN next 6 days!

I love ya, but update your blog!

2009-10-20T21:05:00.013-04:00

One would think, that as obsessed as I am with other’s blogs, that I would do a much better job keeping ours up to date. I love reading people’s daily blogs-especially those with children. And you know, we always have some type of story of what is happening around our house. I am going to attempt to do better at sharing stories-might not include pictures every time, but I am going to try and get the story out there to you. So, thanks for your patience, for reading, and for calling me out when I haven’t updated this blog!

We have really enjoyed the fall! We have been able to go to the Greenville Zoo, Denver Downs (pumpkin patch), rock wall climbing, and Elmo. Amongst the kids and I seeing lots of creatures-animals and monsters, Craig has come across some of his own creatures.

Hunting season is upon us-which means Craig spends lots of time in the woods. One day, in particular, Craig was walking in the woods and came across 2 snakes. That is not so much a big ordeal, I mean, they do belong in the woods. However, when he got home and was doing his thing, he heard Dutch barking like crazy. Well, he goes out to check on what was going on and he sees that Dutch has cornered a beaver. Let me say this…that beaver gave Dutch a run for his money. Craig calls Dutch off-who has blood on his face and nose and a good gash on his ear- and has to coax the beaver out of our fence (yeah, we really aren’t sure how he got in there in the first place. Well, Craig walks around the house and comes across a huge snake. I mean HUGE! When he held it up, at the height of his head, the snake would be touching the ground. He calls to tell me and it, of course, freaks me out! I mean, hellloooo….a huge snake! I get home from work and he feels the need to show me this snake. Yep-still huge and yucky! Do you think it bothered the kids? No way! They felt the need to touch it and giggle like crazy. Who ARE these kids?!

The kids and I got the opportunity to join some friends for a day trip to the zoo. It was the PERFECT day-blue skies, nice weather, what more could one ask for? The kids had a blast looking at the animals and running through the park.
Hope was invited to a rock wall climbing birthday party. She really did well and climbed past “the yellow line”. Not sure how high that was, but it was her goal to get higher than that line. I was very proud of how brave she was. I knew she was scared, but she didn’t give up and she kept trying over and over. It was killing Hunter to not climb (age limit was 4), but he enjoyed running and diving-literally diving-onto the padded floors. I have a feeling that he would have climbed to the top, had we allowed him.
The family got to go and pick out “the perfect pumpkin” at Denver Downs. There were so many activities for the kids to do while we were there. Some of the favorites were the culvert tunnel slide-Hunter’s fav and the rope swing in the barn-Hope’s fav. As a whole, we enjoyed the hayride, selecting that “perfect pumpkin” and getting lost in the corn maze. Hope was our leader and told us where to go. Hunter was on Craig’s shoulders and thought it would be fun to cover daddy’s eyes while we “lead” him through the path be giving verbal directions. Did I mention that Hope still sometimes mixes up her left and right? Or that when she says to go straight, she means that she is straight ahead of you…just past all the corn stalks? Haha! It was fun and we had a good time.

We surprised the kids with a trip to see Elmo. They were super excited-until all the monsters came out on stage-it freaked Hunter out and all I could think of was "get a picture"-thank goodness Jess was able to capture that moment. It didn't take him long and we was enjoying himself and dancing around.

sand, school and surprises!

2009-09-12T21:23:00.009-04:00

So much has been going on since I last wrote…beach trip to Hilton Head, Hope started school, and a visit from Grandaddy! What more could the Walters’ family ask for? We have had a lot of well needed family time! And besides the previous things written, it is football season-a major event in our household!

Hilton Head was very much a bonding time for our family! We had so much fun going to the beach, playing in the waves, building sand castles, swimming at the pool and just hanging out together. We spent more time on the beach than I thought we would have, but our kids love the ocean! It was so much fun!

School started back for us and Hope started kindergarten. So hard to believe that my “baby” girl is a kindergartener at Clemson Elementary! Let me share with you how the first day of school went…Hope wanted to ride the bus and yes, mom of the year right here, over slept and woke up at 7:00-yeah...her bus comes at 6:50. Nice. Anyway, she was disappointed but got over it when I told her that I would have to drive her to school. We got into the school, I was able to snap a few pictures, and then she looks at me and says "isn't it time you go and be a teacher?"-I had to also check on all my special ed students after I dropped her off-guess that was my cue. So...off I went and she loved every minute of the day :) Thank you to all of our friends and family that called, texted and emailed to check on Hope (and mom) after her first day!

Last weekend was my birthday and I had a first ever…a SURPRISE birthday party! I have some of the best friends and family! I was truly shocked! We even got to go out on the town that night and share a lot of laughs! Of course, it is nice that Clemson won their came, too!

We had a wonderful visit with Grandaddy this past weekend! We were all so excited to see Grandaddy! We had such a good time at the park, Botanical Gardens, the water fountains and playing games! We sure did miss Nonna, but are thankful that she let Grandaddy come without her!

With it being football season, we usually get to visit with friends and family we haven’t seen in a long time! So, if you are in the area, please be sure to stop bye! We would love to see you!

2009-08-09T10:20:00.004-04:00

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Columbia in July (I had a training). Craig, being super-dad, made the kids a fort in the hotel room and they LOVED it! We are heading to Hilton Head this week. Thank goodness for Jess- we will be able to get some pictures while there (our camera is broken and we haven't replaced it yet). Hope to get some shots for you all! When we return it is back to work for me, and then Hope will be starting kindergarten. I just can't believe it!

What's going on?

2009-08-04T10:12:00.006-04:00

I don't have any new pictures to post right now because my camera is broken. ugh. That is tough for a picture taker like me. However, I can write and update you on the Walters' crew. Camp is ending for the summer. Sad. I have enjoyed spending my summer out there and having Hope there as my side-kick. Yep...Hope is a camp girl (yeah!) and we look forward to sending her to summer camp next year! Craig and Hunter have done some major bonding over the summer, but he is still his "momma's boy" when I am around. We will be wrapping up our summer next week with a trip to Hilton Head. We are so excited for a week at the beach and some relaxation before we start the school year.

Did I mention that Hope will start kindergarten this year?! I just can't believe it. I always say that I will not be that mom that cries when the kids start school-especially since Hope was at Clemson Ele last year in K-4. However, when I think about it and how her educational life in on track...for the next 16 or possibly more (you know, if she wants grad school and all-like her mom and dad) years, something wells up in my throat. I just hope that we do things right. Give her the right encouragement, don't push her too hard, but don't let her slack. It is a bit nerve racking, thinking about how to "raise" her the "right way". We can only leave it in the Lord's hands and pray He guides us in the right direction.

Hunter is growing like a weed and is still all boy! He has really come a long way with his talking and like to repeat most anything he hears. He really loves his big sister. We are very blessed with how well they get along with each other and play together. Don't get me wrong, they are getting to that phase where they argue, but overall they play very well together!

Well, that is it for us right now. Hopefully we will have a working camera at the beach and will get lots of pics to share!

there is half of summer left!

2009-07-07T06:54:00.003-04:00

It seems as if summer is flying by in the Walters' household! We have really enjoyed the sun and time together. I have been working at Camp a couple of days a week and the other days we are usually at the pool or finding water somewhere.

We were able to spend a day at Oconee State Park. The kids had so much fun swimming. Speaking of swimming....Hope has turned into a mermaid this year! She loves jumping in and trying to swim under water. She keeps trying to stay under longer and longer. Hunter, as of yesterday, is jumping off the side of the pool (while holding hands) and going under! This is huge progress since...well...last week!

Craig has been doing awesome with his running-he hit 14 miles last week (what?!). Me...not so much. I just haven't really made the time for running, or the gym for that matter. I am ready to get back into my working out routine. However, it appears that I walk all the time at camp, so it isn't like I don't get some exercise in.

We were able to visit with family yesterday-Johnny and his wife, Connie, were in town from Arizona. It was so nice to see them and catch up! Todd came over and we all had a nice meal. Of course it started raining as soon as I set up the table and chairs on the deck...so...we all crammed around our little table in the dining room. Anyway, they seemed to like the new cheese dip stuff I tried and my new dessert (yeah!), and of course Craig's chicken was yummy!

I hope to get some pictures posted soon from our summer adventures....

pics from Cades Cove

2009-06-17T21:46:00.001-04:00

Walters' in the woods

2009-06-16T21:59:00.007-04:00

This past weekend we took our annual camping trip to Cades Cove with some wonderful friends. We had such a great time. The weather was perfect, we were able to swim in the creek, cooked over the campfire, had smores, and everyone slept great the entire time. If you have ever been to Cades Cove, you know that riding the loop to see the wildlife is a highlight. There are horses, turkey, deer, bear to name a few of the animals. We always see lots of deer and turkey, however this year was extra special. We saw bears...not just a few, but 27! That's right-27 bear sightings. It was a record. We were able to see cubs with their momma's, too. Hope and I are going to pick out some pictures to show you just how close we were able to get to the bear-one was so close that we didn't get out of the car and it felt like we could have touched him through the window. Hope you enjoy the pictures!
OK...having trouble uploading photos-will add them soon!

May has been full of adventures.

2009-05-31T21:24:00.019-04:00

I would like to start off with apologizing for not updating in awhile. I really don't have any excuse, I just haven't made the time. We have had a wonderful May! I am going to post a lot of pictures of the fun things that have been happening around here. One of the biggest things is that Hunter turned 2. We had a luau theme...and, of course, it rained. But, it was fun and Hunter enjoyed it. We took a family camping trip at Twin Lakes. It was a blast and I really felt united as a family! Hope completed her 4-k class and had an end of the year program. I thought that she would get all shy, but not my girl. She was really loud and danced her little heart out (my girl's got it going on). We got the opportunity to go to a Clemson baseball game-Hunter's first one-and got to get a shot with the tiger. And, of course, there has been lots of fun times on the new deck! I have a couple of more weeks on work-which is tough when everyone else is out-but then the summer will be here and we will be having lots of family fun!

Hunter, Hope, Craig and the tiger~ Craig, Todd, Hunter, Erica Papsan, Grandma and Hope celebrate

This was our view from our camp site~ Hope, Erica and Hunter enjoy dinner.
mmmm...smores.....

Hope is wearing antennae-she was an insect in one of the songs they sang. She also got her certificate. Congrats, Hope! Time for kindergarten!

Busy spring so far...

2009-04-13T21:35:00.012-04:00

We have had lots going on lately-trip to GA, a new addition, and Easter! Today wraps up a 10 day spring break! It has been so much fun and just has us wanting the summer to be here now. We were able to go to Georgia and visit some friends and family. Hope and Hunter had a great time playing with Kaiser and Sarah Grace, while I got to reconnect with two of my best friends, Renee and Brooke. We also were able to spend the night with Grandma and visit with our dear neighbors, the Kemps.

Hunter, Kaiser and Hope have a good laugh! Hunter, Sarah Grace and Hope play in SG's playroom. It was so cute!

The three of us were so lucky to get to travel and visit, while Craig was at home, hard at work with his buddy, Paul, building our new addition. What is it? A deck! It is so spacious and already we are spending lots of time on it...and it is not completely done yet. We can't wait for all the fun times that are going to be had on the deck!

The starting of the deck...it is just about done now, but I don't have updated pics yet. I will get some soon!

Hope and I had a special treat on Friday. We had a "girls date" to go and see Hannah Montana, the movie. We got there super early and ate tons of popcorn. While we were waiting through all the previews, Hope kept asking...is it starting yet? Is it starting yet? And when it finally started, her face lit up and I don't think she could have smiled any harder. It was such a "mommy moment" for me. And the bonus is that the movie was actually pretty good.

Hope is holding the movie tickets-we printed them off on line. Hope and mom pose for a picture before they head out to the movie.

To top off the past week....Easter was this past Sunday! It was wonderful! On Saturday, Grandma and Papasan came up for a WONDERFUL Easter meal cooked by Craig, and so exciting egg dying! I am not sure who had more fun dying eggs...the kids or the adults. On Sunday we went to church (ahhh.....so refreshing and such an awesome place to spend Sundays) and then Uncle Todd took us out to lunch before we had our annual Easter egg hunt. The kids were super excited about their Easter baskets and then filling them with eggs they found on the hunt.

Hope and Papsan color eggs; Hope and Hunter look through the baskets quickly before we head out to church; Hope finds an egg in a tree; Uncle Todd helps Hunter find an egg.

Darn..he got away!

2009-03-17T09:35:00.005-04:00

Yesterday Hope came up with the concept that we just HAD to make a trap to catch the leprechaun that was coming on St. Patty's day. Well...Craig and Hope worked on it-making a box trap and then creating some "bait" (a colored pot of gold). The trap was set up to fall on him when he tried to steal the gold. When we got up this morning, our trap had fallen on something. Hope was afraid to look under the trap, so I lifted the edge and she saw that there was NOT a leprechaun under there, but some of his gold and treats he left.

Hope has had a few theories of what he did while he was in the house: "he must have gotten trapped and left his goodies when he snuck out the back of the trap-but he didn't get our gold; I found a pink feather in the playroom and a cowboy hat in Hunter's room and my lip stick in the living room-he must have played dress up during the night!" What an imagination our little girl has...Happy St. Patty's day!

Here is Hope and Craig setting the trap.

The bait to lure him in...

Oh man! No leprechaun, but we got his treats!

Sunny days are here again!

2009-03-08T16:28:00.012-04:00

So...this time last week we were anticipating snow and this week...we are wearing shorts! What a change in the weather-but no matter what, we love the time outside. Yesterday the kids, their friend, Katie, and mom went to the park. It was such a beautiful, warm day! It was lots of fun and we enjoyed the fresh air. Today we were able to go to the lake. Hope did her first "real" fishing (aka she practiced casting), Craig got to throw out a few, Hunter practiced driving the boat, and mom enjoyed the ride and the sunshine. It was windy, but the sunshine was soothing! Here are a few pics of this wonderful weekend!

a few more pics from the next day of snow...

2009-03-05T14:31:00.007-05:00

We were able to play in the snow the following morning with daddy! We made a snowman and then rode around Clemson to see how the beautiful snow blanketed the town. We were wishing we had a sled and have decided that it will be a purchase that we will make this spring-when they go on sale. We had a blast building the snowman and throwing snowballs!

March=snow?!

2009-03-02T09:07:00.009-05:00

We had a winter blast come into the Upstate on March 1st. It seemed at first that Clemson was the only one not getting snow, but low and behold...the snow came! It started falling and within an hour or so we were at an inch to inch and a half. It was so beautiful and the excitement in our house was at an all time high! Hope couldn't wait to go and play in it, and Hunter kept looking out the window saying "now" (with the long 'o' as in snow, not as in the word now). He was so little the last time we had snow, he was in the stroller. We finally made it outside-and this was in the beginning of the snow-sure enough it snowed for hours after we played outside, but it got pretty dark outside. Anyway, Hope took off playing and Hunter was not so sure of this stuff falling on him. Seriously, I have never seen such a hard steady snowfall-even in PA (it was just always there when we woke up). Once we showed him how to catch the flakes in his hand, he really liked it. We had to have quick feet because Hope kept throwing snowballs at us! Needless to say, it was a great evening and this morning it is still pretty out there-a winter wonderland AND a snow day, so no school!

one crazy weekend in Feb.

2009-02-26T06:57:00.010-05:00

This past weekend was as I like to call it, "one crazy weekend"We are still catching up on sleep. On Friday, our friends, Chris and, came into town and we really enjoyed visiting with them, being that we don't get to see them that often. On Saturday, my brother Eddie and his crew arrived (his girlfriend, Rachel, and her kids) to celebrate Hope's 5th birthday with us. It was great to meet those that Eddie is always talking about. He seems pretty happy...even up in "mtn. life". It was good to have some catch up time with him.

On Sunday, we had friends and family over to celebrate Hope's birthday. Bless her, for our friends are her friends, thus there were 20 something adults and 1 little girl her age and 1 little girl Hunter's age. I am sure this will be changing by next year. We are so thankful to have such wonderful friends and family that love our children as much as we do! Thank you to all of you who were able to make it....Hope said that it was the best birthday ever (of course)! We also celebrated our Papasan's birthday. Both our kids have pretty much stolen birthdays from other relatives-Hope and Papasan are both in Feb and Hunter and Uncle Todd's are both May 17th. I am glad both these men are willing to share their birthdays with my kids! We took a family picture at Hope's birthday for mom-she was sick and unable to make the drive up. I am not sure why we didn't get Todd in there...we should have and I am sorry we left him out (maybe because he is so skinny we didn't see him...hehe). Here are some other photos from the party. That's right...I'm 5!(below) Hannah "Hope" Montanna

Hunter sporting the Hannah Montanna hat...

family update

2009-02-19T06:37:00.003-05:00

a little update on the Walters' lives:
Life is going very well at this time. We are in the process of planning Hope's 5th birthday party. Hard to believe that she is about to be 5! What?! It's funny though, because at times, she seems so much older (her vocabulary is quite extensive) and then at times, she seems younger (she is a bit emotional-ugh). Needless to say, she is super excited about her "Hannah Montanna Pajama Party". The irony is that the guest list is basically adults-and they are all wearing their pjs (even my Papasan). There will be a lot of friends and family in town this weekend and we are so excited to them all. It has been too long.
Hunter is doing well. He is such a 'boy'. Nothing scares him-he climbs, jumps (attempts to do this), runs/falls/runs/falls, slides, swings, etc. Besides showing no fear the boy is a clown. He will do anything for a laugh (I can see trouble with this in the future). He cracks himself up, along with the rest of us. His language is starting to get better (I have been a bit nervous about delays). He is doing well at repeating words (or sounds for him) for objects-I laugh as I think of our trip to walmart the other day. He would run up to a t-shirt and yell "dora" or "man" (high pitched sequels of excitement)-with 'man' being Hannah Montanna. Think Hope has an influence on him?!
Craig and I are great. We went to a Celebrate Your Marriage conference, at our church, a couple of weekends ago and we really enjoyed it. It was very light hearted and full of lots of laughter. Work keeps us busy, along with the gym. We are both still trying to get somewhat into shape and that is requiring daily trips to the gym. I think we both secretly enjoy the work out, shhh! The other thing that we have gotten into is facebook. So...look us up and friend us, you will find us on there. I have liked finding old youth group, high school and college friends. It is so neat to get in touch with them and see where their journey's have led them.
OK, well, that's all for now-I will get some pics posted of the Hannah Montanna PJ party next week or so.

yes..we are alive...just busy!

2009-01-23T15:19:00.016-05:00

Well, we have survived the first couple weeks of 2009. Thanks for being patient with me updating our blog. I just had to get somewhat settled after the holidays and being on the road before I could take the time to sit down and write about the fun times we have had.

This is the whole clan at the Scheffler Christmas.
We had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed watching the kids Christmas morning. Hope was all into the gift opening; Hunter just didn’t really seem to care-he wanted whatever Hope had gotten. Uncle Todd joined us for the festivities then we all had a delicious Christmas lunch. We knew we were going to Louisiana to visit Grandaddy and Nonna and were so excited we decided to leave that night and surprise them by arriving early. We got to Louisiana about 6 hours earlier than they expected. It was so good to be there and the kids were great on the 14 hour trip! We had so many adventures while there-horseback riding (which Hope loved). Making cookies with Grandaddy, going to this cool place called jump-n-jive and chuckie cheese.

It was such a wonderful trip, we were sad to leave. On the way back we stopped at a new BPS (oh, did I mention that on the way there we stopped at a BPS, as well?) Hope and I decided to make the BPS stop an adventure –I can’t wait to scrapbook that! We stayed the night in Alabama and then went to Grandmas to have a late Christmas. It was such a nice visit and we were glad we were able to spend some time there.

Well, besides my annual scrapbook weekend in the mtns (in which I got a record 56 pages completed), life is calming down.

We are glad to have some warmer spring weather upon so we can spend time outside. The kids are ready to ride their new toys they got from Santa!

Thanks for visiting our blog, be sure to leave comments!

we are home

2009-01-05T20:51:00.003-05:00

We are back home and trying to get things back the way they should be. I have lots of things to post-our trip to Grandaddy and Nonna's, horseback riding, making cookies, Jump-n-jive, Chuckie Cheese, Scheffler Christmas, Hunter and chocolate cake, visit with Grandma...and oh the pics! Look for details in the future!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T17:26:00.009-05:00

We have really enjoyed the Christmas spirit this year! Our tree stays lit all day, Christmas music is playing through out the house-or Hope is singing songs, we rode around and looked at Christmas lights, planning for Christmas dinner is in the works, we have spent special time with friends and family, and of course....we have made cookies! This was the first year Hope really got into the decorating-she was very meticulous (at times you couldn't see the cookies because of the decorations on top of them). Hunter loved shaking the red and green sprinkles...over and over and over and over and you get the picture. Fun traditions and memories were made at our home this year!

I feel like I need to share these pics: this is what goes on during "down time" at our house. Hunter is just starting to get into coloring (let our walls show his talent) and Hope enjoys the computer. The best part of this picture of Craig and Dutch is Hunter in the background-he had put Craig's hat on all by himself and looks pretty proud of himself!

We hope that you all are making your own traditions and wonderful memories! Merry Christmas from the Walters' family!

I LOVE this time of year!

2008-12-21T17:56:00.023-05:00

What a wonderful December we have had! There are so many things to share...and of course pictures! We got the house decorated, the tree up, and have attended a couple of Christmas parties and even a wedding. Wow! We sure have been busy. Here are some of the highlights so far:

*school is out, so we are having great family time!

*we went to camp Christmas and were able to catch up with old friends; at the wedding-which was awesome-the Clemson tiger showed up at the reception

*we had the "Scheffler Christmas" (my dad's side of the family-this is the one time of year we see that side of the family) and my dad and Jennifer drove from Louisiana and surprised us!

*at Foothills Community Church this morning, the band ROCKED it! It looked like they were having so much fun! I love our church!

*I love the feelings I get in my heart this time of year!

*only 6 more days and we get to visit Grandaddy and Nonna!

Love this time of year!

2008-12-04T19:00:00.009-05:00

I love this time of year! We have so many things to be thankful for and are blessed with. For thanksgiving we went to Georgia and had one of the best thanksgivings ever. The kids did great and we were so pleased. We have decorated for Christmas, went to the Clemson Christmas parade (where we saw Santa!) and we even have seen snow flurries! YEAH! This time of year always touches my heart and makes me thankful for my family, and yes, restored relationships.

This turkey was AMAZING! Doesn't it look like a picture from a magazine?

Hope ringing to bell to let everyone know that dinner was ready! Yummy!Hunter was ready.

Grandma and the grandkids.Three generations...We took so many of these, getting 4 people to look at one camera was tough!

what's a cootie?

2008-11-20T06:41:00.002-05:00

I get a phone call at work yesterday from Craig telling me it is time for ME to have THE TALK with HER. What?! Hope got off the bus giggling and ran up the driveway giggling and Craig asked her why she was giggling so much, what was so funny. And she said it....

" I was trying to KISS this BOY on the bus".

WHAT?! I am sure Craig had a slight heart attack just then, and when he could feel it beating again, he started with the questioning. Hope would answer in her 4 year manner, thus what was Craig to do but to call me? He proceeds to tell me why he is calling and I say, let me talk to her. After small talk of how was school? was it fun? how was the bus ride? was it fun? what is this about you trying to kiss a boy? She just giggled...I could feel her smile over the phone. She thought it was hilarious. At times, when you ask Hope questions, she tends to shut down and pull the "I don't know" card. Well, this time she just talked away. Basically the scoop is that she and another girl were trying to kiss this "bigger" boy (which could be a kindergartner being that Hope is only 4) on the belly. "but don't worry, mommy, his shirt was down"....umm, whew...thank goodness for that! I listen and then tell her how special her kisses are and how she doesn't need to share them with anyone except those she loves and cares about. When I got home from work we talked about it again, we talked about how boys were yucky and that you could get cootie's from them. What's a cootie look like? Like germs. Of course, she informed me that Daddy and Hunter don't have them and she could kiss them all she wanted. When going to bed Hope tells me, mom, you don't have to tell me not to kiss boys, daddy already did it and I know that now. I just smiled and said good and got my own kiss from her. OH....ALL IN THE LIFE OF A 4 YEAR OLD!

family, tea party, and girls night!

2008-11-16T16:00:00.012-05:00

Things have been fun around here lately. We had family pictures done at a park and we were so lucky...PEAK time for the beautiful fall colors! We can't wait to get these pictures in our hands! Craig has done a good bit of hunting and has gotten quite a few deer, we are so thankful that he provides meat for the family. It was Clemson's homecoming this weekend, and we were able to spend time with family-so glad that Aunt Melissa was able to join Uncle Larry for the trip. As always, it is fun catching up with her. Friday night we had a "girls night"-once Hunter went to bed, of course. Not sure who had more fun, Hope or Jess...we do know that we need to have another one.

Here is a Hopeism for today (sorry I have not been posting them, but there are SO many)-we were watching a show on HGTV and it was a room fixer upper one. I did not like the "new" room, and Hope did. She was said, you don't like it mom? I told her not so much, with my lip curved up in the "eww"way. She said, well, you know what? I like it so much that when I grow up and get big, I am going to go and find that house (with her hands pointing to the tv) and buy it and live in it and it will look just like that. And ended that statement with an assuring nod of her head. Oh how she makes me smile!

Here are some pictures of girls night, a tea party, random kid shots and one that Hope took of Craig and me (well, one of four that made the cut).

Halloween fun!

2008-11-01T12:56:00.005-04:00

We had such a good time trick or treating on Friday night! We went trick or treating in downtown Clemson and then over to Jessica's house. Hope knew what she wanted to be for months. It was just finding a "butterfly princess outfit" for her. Hunter was a different story. He is in this phase of grunting and pointing all the time. Craig suggested that he be a caveman. I said, ok, but you are in charge of the outfit. Craig took the challenge head on. He did a fantastic job making (yes, he made this-sewing and all) Hunter's costume-head to toe. I have to admit that I was VERY impressed with him.

It took forever for us to get a picture of the two of them together, but finally, we did it: our beautiful butterfly princess and caveman!

Our butterfly princess (who left her wings inside the house).
Our caveman walking downtown Clemson.

Pumpkins, the park, and cookies

2008-10-27T20:32:00.014-04:00

This weekend we went on the search for the perfect pumpkin. Hope and Hunter enjoyed running around the pumpkins, we took pictures, and then left. That's right-OUR pumpkin was not there. The search continues...to the one and only Clemson Ingles. We walked in and right there, staring us in the face was THE one. Hope and Hunter both touched it and labeled it our pumpkin. We had a good time carving it-well, Craig did most of the work. Hope drew the face and both of the kids pulled out the "icky stuff" for one grab and that was it. Pretty much Craig did the rest...including the 2nd pumpkin. The kids were watching It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and Craig got inspired-tada...a snoopy pumpkin!

On Saturday it was such a beautiful day, the kids, Jess and I went to the park. Good times were had by all. Here are some pics of the kids and one of them and Jess.

Hope made Halloween cookies for her class party. We cut out pumpkin and circle shapes and decorated them with special Halloween sprinkles. As bad as we wanted to test one...we didn't, we needed them all to go to her class. Ok, ok...so..the adults might have tested one later on in the evening.

it's been awhile...

2008-10-19T20:12:00.009-04:00

I am so sorry it has been awhile. Things have been busy around these parts. Let's see...Hope LOVES pre-k and riding the bus! Hunter is a wild man- running everywhere, chasing the dogs, giving Hope a run for her money with the toys in the playroom, he even got out of his crib today (heard the thud and ran into his room and he was standing there, looking into his crib). As for Craig...hunting season is upon us-so watch out Bambi, we are needing some meat for the table. I am still loving my new job...so, when is it not a new job? As I promised, here are some pictures from Hope's first day of pre-k.

This past weekend, the kids sat out front and cheered on the tigers along with the cars that were lined up to go to the game. Where we live, cars tend to get backed up in front of our house when going to the Clemson games. The kids waved and clapped and shook pompoms as people waved to them as they passed. Grandma, whose house we live in, used to sit out in the front yard, cheer on the tigers and watch the traffic pass on game days, too...we are just living on the tradition.

Here are just a couple of pics that made us smile. Hunter and Hope have a blast when taking a bath together. They laugh, splash and my floor gets soaked every time! The second one is the other night when Hope fell asleep reading in our bed...she is a cutie and reminds me of me when I was a child, I just couldn't read enough. The best part is the book she is reading (God Thinks You're Wonderful, Mom).

football, guns and family-what a combo!

2008-09-29T18:20:00.008-04:00

What a fun weekend-even if it was a sad weekend in college football (I mean, the tigers AND the dawgs lost). Craig and I were able to go to the game and we had sweet 50 yard line seats. It was my first game in 10 years. Even though we lost, we had a good time having an "us" day. It was so much fun!

We also got to spend some time with the family that came into town. It was so good to see Larry, Eric, Sandy and Grant. It was our first time meeting Grant-he and Hunter are 3 months apart. The kids were getting used to each other, though there is plenty of time for that. Just think what next football season is going to be like! I am so glad that the kids will get to grow up together!

Here is Hunter, Hope and Grant-getting a pic of the three of them was a challenge!

Craig spent the other afternoon trying to take back our yard from our furry little "friends". You can't go out into our yard or on our driveway with out a nut falling on a vehicle, chair, you...anything. It is like we are being bombed. Well, Craig had enough (even the next door neighbor wants him to "take care of the situation") and he was ready to take our yard back. Of course the whole family is watching and Hope wanted to shoot the gun. Me, being me, ran into the house to grab the camera. Here are some of shots (no pun intended) from the afternoon-and no, our furry friends were not frightened at all. They are still taking over our yard and driveway!

Look out Annie Oakley!

He is GOOD!!!

2008-09-25T06:33:00.006-04:00

Well, friends, He is good. Yes He is! Let me tell you what is going on around here. OK, so Craig has been watching Hunter and keeping Patrick (our Autistic buddy) either all day (8:30-5:30) or in the evenings (5:00-9:00). Patrick has been the income that paid for Hope to go to Pre-k. Well, we were told on Friday that Patrick would be moving into a group home-GREAT for him (all of his therapist have been working on this for years) and his life, but not so much for us-financially. So, after Craig and I talked about it, on Tuesday morning we turned in a letter stating that Hope would finish out this month and then would not be returning. That's right...I am trusting Craig to teach her (haha), and yes, I started doing lesson plans and a visual schedule for them to follow. OK, so I am a bit anal. The point is-Tuesday afternoon, while I was doing observations and consultations at Clemson Ele, the pre-k teacher walked by me and stopped when she saw me. She told me that a student was moving Friday and there would be an opening for Hope to start in the Clemson Ele pre-k program (public school, thus free) on Tuesday! I was covered with chill bumps! Hope has been on the waiting list for this program for a couple of months. He is so good! He takes care of us! We are all so excited. I will update soon with pictures of her first day on the "big school bus".

Sunny Days

2008-09-19T19:25:00.007-04:00

Today was such a beautiful day! It was sunny, cool with a slight breeze and I got to wrap up my Friday at home, rather than going into the office. It was great! I am really enjoying my new job. I was able to have lunch with team testosterone and then Craig and I were able to spend some QT together before he went hunting. Hunter and I picked Hope up early and had a surprise dinner at "Old McDonald's". When we got home, we had some fun time outside...soccer, swinging, and riding cars/big wheels. We are wrapping up our afternoon of fun with a movie and popcorn-after cleaning, of course (and yes, Hope said that last part...she is so my daughter!) Here are some shots of the outdoor fun.

tigers, dawgs, anniversary

2008-09-15T06:55:00.004-04:00

What a weekend! The tigers won, the dawgs won, and Craig and I celebrated 6 years together. On Sat, Uncle Todd came and watched the kids so that I could meet some friends and Craig downtown to watch some college football. I saw an older lady, I mean-she was older, probably in her late 60's, wearing a t-shirt that said "Real women love college football". That made me laugh-I LOVE it! I hope that is me when I get to that age.

Of course, while downtown, we were able to share that time with friends-some hanging out, some popping by after the game (from which I hear was stinking hot), and some just showing up for the GA game. Thank goodness for a tiger win...don't recall anyone talking trash about Tommy on Sat. For those of you who don't know, I think it would fun to be a Bowden (could you imagine Christmas or Thanksgiving?), and that started way back when Terry coached at Auburn, Tommy has just been a nice addition. Just on the heels of a tiger win comes... a GA win! Yahoo! The dawgs beat USC and it was such a sweet win to watch with our friend Trey. Trey is one of those, you know...ultimate gamecock fans. I must say, he is loyal-crazy, but loyal. Anyway, last year I talked smack and somehow USC pulled out a win against GA. Well, not THIS year, baby! Ha! It was fun to have fellowship, and yes, people watch during football Saturday.

Another bonus for Clemson football is visitors to the house. This is the one time of year we are guaranteed to see family. Uncle Larry, Jason and Nina came down for the game. It was so much fun to catch up with them. Uncle "airy", as Hope kept calling him, stayed Friday night. Hope was pumped he was "having a sleep over" because she got to sleep with us. She wanted him to stay on Sat night, too. We can't wait until we get to see Melissa, Eric, Sandy, and Grant before football season is over!

Yesterday was 6 years for us. This was one of those times we were wishing we had more family around. Our typical sources were either tapped out or busy, so...come on kids, we are going out for an anniversary dinner. Actually, they did fine and Craig got the steak he had been wanting. On the way back Hope and Hunter were screaming in the back (not crying, just being loud and since Hunter doesn't really talk, screams are what we get) and Craig and I just smiled. Neither one of us ever thought that 6 years ago-at the CUOL (Clemson University Outdoor Lab) getting married in the middle of a hurricane, that we would be in a vehicle with 2 kids screaming and giggling. Six years seem so long ago, yet it seems just like yesterday. Thank you Craig for 2 wonderful children and 6 years of marriage-I love you more today than 6 years ago and that love is growing daily.

friends, guitars, etc.

2008-09-07T18:27:00.009-04:00

I apologize for it being so long between blogs. So much has been going on-Clemson losing, and then WINNING, Hunter having a sinus infection (and allergic reaction to meds), but still playing the guitar, Hope full of Hope-isms, a trip to Georgia to see family for a memorial for a friend who is now with the Savior, and visits from good friends!

We had a visit from my best friend Renee and her son Kaiser (Hope's future hubby) this weekend. It has been a long time since we had been able to see each other. It was a visit needed and thoroughly enjoyed by adults and children. One of those where it seems like it was just last weekend we were all together. We are so glad that they were able to come and visit and we can't wait for the next visit!

Hope and Kaiser before church.

Hunter was not feeling up to par, and after a trip to Dr. Dale, he was diagnosed with a sinus infection. After he received his shot and then broke out in a rash within 10 minutes, he was given benedryl and officially marked as allergic to the "ceph" meds. We questioned this in February when he was on omniceph for ear infections and kept a rash then. Nothing definite then about allergies, but this confirms it. Dale says we will test it again in a couple of years. The following day, Hunter was back to himself, however, he was drooling an excessive amount, so we took his shirt off. When he came into the living room playing his guitar (ok, so it is Hope's, but he likes it) without his shirt, I knew I had to snap a picture of it. Classic.

Hunter and his guitar.

Hope-isms:

Someone said to Hope, we sure are going to miss Sara (our friend that had recently passed away) and Hope says, I am not because she is in heaven with Jesus and we will see her when we are there.
Hope has decided that for her 7th birthday (yes, she plans WAY ahead) that she wants a "Go Bulldog" party. This did not go over well with her daddy. Thus, we have had multiple conversations about liking the Tigers and the Bulldogs (but we have to like the tigers a little bit more living in Clemson and all). Besides the fact that dad refuses to come to a UGA birthday party-however, it would make mom's GA family proud. Hope said she wanted Mark Richt to come to the party (oh yeah, baby!) and Craig said he would consider attending if he was there. I gotta get started on that!
Hope refused to play with a little boy at school because he was wearing a gamecock t-shirt. Again, there was the "talk" about you don't have to like what he is wearing, but you should still be his friend.
Hope's thing to do at night, once Hunter has been put into his crib, is to go into his room and read 1-2 books to him and then sing him a song. It is so sweet. She is very motherly with her little brother, covering him up before turning out the light and closing the door.

Tornado hits Clemson

2008-08-28T21:56:00.002-04:00

What an experience we had on Tuesday afternoon. A tornado hit Clemson Tuesday afternoon. I was in Clemson Elementary during the height of the storm. Craig got called into the fire department, so he took Hunter to the neighbor's house. After the tornado passed, I finished up the meeting I had started and then I got word the tornado went through down town. That was all I needed to hear...Hope's pre-school is at Clemson First Baptist-downtown Clemson. I called and took off to get her. I figured if there was any danger, Craig would have gotten her instead of going to the fire dept. It wasn't that I could get her into a safer place (because the basement of that church was probably the safest place in ALL of Clemson!), but I just wanted to be near her. When I got there and saw the damage and the streets along the back side of the building blocked off, it hit home how close the tornado was to her (within half a block). The kids were fine and their usual giddy selves when I got to the basement to get Hope.
Hope was full of questions about the tornado-how does it get in the sky, what makes is spin, does it have a heart for Jesus to live in, when will it be back, how and why did it knock those trees down, etc. You could only imagine her questions. We went and got Uncle Todd, took him home, picked up Hunter and hung out at the house. No more bad weather, just rain. If you go onto this web site, scroll down on the right side to most clicked and click on photos from Tuesday's Tornadoes: www.wyff4.com

Hope-isms

2008-08-22T22:27:00.026-04:00

Hope-isms over the past week:

I think I am getting Hunter's cold because his old teacher, Mrs. Barbara, asked me to give him a hug and a kiss for her and I did. So, she is why I have my cold.
Mom, you look so pretty I might want to kiss and hug you and I just love you so much!

Craig is volunteer firefighting again and he brought home all his gear the other night. Hope was so excited, she tried on his stuff. She thought it was "so awesome" that her daddy was a firefighter. But, she says she wants to keep it a secret. When walking out the door the next morning, Hope looked up at Craig and said, "Daddy, where's your firetruck?"-we all know that it was supposed to be sitting in the driveway.

Leaving Jessica's house tonight, Hope looks up at her and says, "Now, Jess, you call us if you need anything" and that little 4 year old (going on 12) tone. It was too funny. The second part of that story is that Hope and I were about 1 mile from Jessica's house and Hope says, "Mom, I think Jess is needing us right about now." Apparently she has that sixth sense with Jess.

Last weekend we were able to visit with some friends who drove up from Georgia. Little Noah is not much younger than Hunter. Fun times were had at the park, BBQ, and of course Brusters! Yummy! We enjoyed spending that nice summer night with Ben, Lee, Noah, Kristin and Dave! Here are some pics of the crew:

Hunter at Hunter's Store

Noah and Hunter enjoyed the swings.

Hope is scaling the rock wall...

Girls (Kristin and Lee) doing their thing..chatting/swinging Noah...

And the boys (Dave, Ben and Craig) doing theirs...

Hope and Mom on the playground.

Craig, Hunter and Hope swinging at the house.

Hope-isms

2008-08-17T09:29:00.008-04:00

I wanted to provide a couple of "Hope-isms" for the week:

Not really thinking about it being student move in this weekend, yesterday we made the HUGE mistake of going to Walmart to get Hope's school supplies. As we were sitting on the ramp-in line-to turn for Walmart, I was like, this is going to be a disaster. Hope asked why I said that and I told her to look at all the cars and people, it was going to be super busy. She was like, "But Mommy, maybe all these people are from the yard sale last week and wanted to find you to thank you for giving them all that stuff." How could I not laugh and smile as we entered into the crazy world of Walmart?
Hope informed us that when she is 5 or 7 she was going to jump off the board and not make a splash in the water (in lieu of the Olympics)
Ever wonder why you itch after a mosquito bite? Well, the all-knowing Hope says it is when they are rubbing their noses on you.

Ready for Flipball

2008-08-13T21:53:00.003-04:00

Tonight was Hope's openhouse. I can't believe she is in 4 year old pre-k! She is very excited and so are we. We are still hoping that she will make it into the public pre-k program, but that is not looking too good these days. My new job is going well. It was slow the first week, but now the teachers are back and the students start next week. It is picking up and I am sure it won't be long and I will be swamped. I am trying to get around and visit the schools so I can meet the teachers and vice versa, and we can put a face to a name. Craig and Hunter have had some really good Team Testosterone time. Hunter is using his sign language, along with grunts to request food/drink/whatever he wants.That boy takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'! He has a black eye as of today. He trips and falls, bumps his head, cries and keeps on going.
Guess what is just around the corner? CLEMSON football!! Oh...and I surely can't leave out GA football (they ARE ranked 1st for Pete's sake). Craig will not like the fact that I even put GA in this blog. Either way, we are ready for some football, or "flipball" as Hope calls it. We love to watch the game and cheer on the tigers (and dawgs...hehe). We also love the fact that family tends to come into town for games and we get to catch up. YEAH!!!!

We've got 4 down...4 down...

2008-08-10T10:26:00.004-04:00

The yard sale...whoa! Well, first off we weren't sure if we were going to make it. Thursday Hunter came down with a stomach virus, and then Friday night Hope got it and Sat early morning (well, middle of the night Friday) Craig and I got it. We had VERY little sleep, we were sick and didn't know how we were going to do this yard sale. Hope finally fell asleep around 4am, and we got up around 5 to start setting up for the yard sale. We had to take breaks because the virus was attacking the both of us. People were at the house before 7am-we were supposed to start at 7:30! Crazy! Through LOTS of prayer and many breaks, we survived the yard sale. We could barely clean up, throwing stuff in the garage until we are able to organize it. The entire family crashed for hours. Having a household of 4 and all 4 having a stomach virus is not easy. Thank goodness for good friends helping us out! We think we will have another yard sale -someday, but it will be awhile until we are ready. Everyone seems to be slowly getting over this virus and back to themselves. Only time will tell...

Why isn't McDonald's WW friendly?

2008-08-08T09:13:00.002-04:00

So I have started my new job and I think it is going to be a fun year. There are lots of opportunities out there and I am looking forward to doing the best I can to serve the students and teachers of Pickens County. We are busy getting ready for our yard sale tomorrow. I will have to let you know how this goes-being my first one ever. Hope finished up Bible school last night. I was told that she sits in the front and when they ask a question, she raises her hand and yells God and Jesus for the answer-every time! Too funny! Being that she is four, some great things come out of her mouth. So, I was thinking of doing Hope-isims weekly so we can share what things she says that cracks us up. For instance, she was informing Craig and I that reading to children is very important and why don't we do it like we used to. Yeah, she called us out for slacking off (guess we better get back on that). She also wants to know why McDonald's isn't Weight Watchers friendly...we all do, honey. Time to get busy...

a staple closes its doors

2008-08-05T22:25:00.003-04:00

What a busy couple of days...and it is not about to slow down! We have been trying to get ready for this yard sale on Sat, and at the same time, we started moving stuff into my new office. I start my new job tomorrow. I am excited, yet nervous. Anyway, boxes are going to the office, being emptied and then brought back home and filled with stuff for the yard sale. Hope started attending Vacation Bible School tonight. She came out of school begging to go. So, we signed her up and she will go the rest of the week. She was so excited when she got home! She loved it! We all went to the gym tonight (minus Hope, of course)-trying to bust up on it, being accountability day is just 3 days away. Yesterday Craig worked us out hard, so today was just cardio...my legs still hurt! Nah...they are sore, but a good sore. Big news here in the heart of Clemson. They are closing the Astro. What?! I know! For those of you who don't know, the Astro is a movie theater in downtown Clemson that used to charge $1.00 for a movie, and then it went from $1.50 to $2.00. Anyway, it was a staple in Clemson and today they put up a sign that said, "thank you and goodbye"! They are closing the doors on Thursday. Man.... (shaking of the head), so sad. And don't you know that Craig is there RIGHT NOW watching Indiana Jones :)

It is here!!!

2008-08-03T08:34:00.004-04:00

We have been anticipating the opening and switch into our new building at Foothills. Hope has asked every Sunday, since the frame of the building has been up, "when are we going to go into the new building?". Well, last week the time came and she was SO excited. Yesterday she asked if we were still going to get to go into the new building because it is so much fun. I asked her why we go to church and she said "because God loves, we want to learn about God, we love God and it is so much fun because of the playground". I need to mention that there is a state of the art indoor, mac-daddy playground in the kids area. McDonald's could only wish to have something like this! One entire wall is glass, so we can watch her run around an play before church begins. When we talked about going today she was like, "Yippee! I am gonna have more fun at church than you!", we smiled at her and challenged her, saying we have a good bit of fun ourselves. Here is a picture from last Sunday in front of the new building.

Brady Bunch lives on...

2008-08-01T22:37:00.002-04:00

As a Brady Bunch fan growing up...TBS every afternoon at 4:00, I had to giggle when Hope brought out the Brady Bunch movie and asked if she could watch it. So, we watched it...and then the Brady Bunch Sequel-haha! Hope and Hunter danced away to "keep on, keep on, keep on movin'..." Gotta love those crazy movies. Craig worked me out in the gym last night and I am so sore! He said I needed to "walk it out" today. So a Jessica and I went to the gym for some time on the treadmill and now I am even MORE sore! When will I ever learn? Gotta get some sleep, Craig is headed to Buck-a-rama tomorrow and it is Bible Study for me and then the kids and I are going through stuff for our yard sale next weekend. Fun times...

A look on the inside...

2008-07-31T22:16:00.006-04:00

As we start our entrance into the world of blogging, we wanted to post a few pictures to let you see how much the kids are growing and who we are as a family.

Here is Hope (4 years old) at Myrtle Beach in July. She LOVES the beach!

Here is Hunter (13 months) enjoying his time at Myrtle Beach!

The Walters' Family

Craig, Erica, Hope and Hunter