Oyster Reef

Doug and his partner, Irv have been working on a new service for their business where they establish or re-establish oyster reefs in front of people's (waterfront!)homes. They experimented in front of the cottage and the results were amazing! The area above that is on the left and looks green is actually all oysters under seaweed. I remember not too long ago when it was nothing but mud. And old broken glass bottles. Incredible!

Here's what the oysters look like up close.

Oyster farmers in training.

What little girl smiles while holding seaweed??? Mine does!

Oh good...we can finally start making our own sushi.

Virginia Beach

Nielson mulling over the new surf/swim regulations.

Ellie's treasure of the day..mermaid purses!

My cute little Hud...on the brink of disaster as always.

Mount Trashmore...but not the one in Evanston!

Having a ball rolling down the hill.

Hudson rolled so fast he knocked his boots off!

Connor pondering the meaning of life from atop Mount Trashmore

Ellie's new high tops. Her pride and joy.

A momentary instance of sibling helpfulness

What a great day!

Hat

I love this hat. Just had to say it and show it.

I Saw Three Kids on Christmas Day

On Christmas afternoon, we headed down to the water to attempt to take a family picture. Afterwards, it was playtime!

Christmas

We had a quiet (mostly) relaxing Virginia Christmas this year, which was nice. Unfortunately I didn't get too many good Christmas morning shots...still figuring out this new camera! Here's a few.

Washington DC Temple at Christmastime

Georgia McMinn Cousins!

Trenton and Cami (along with their parents) came to see us for a few days on their way up to Delaware for Christmas. We all had a great time. We all went out to dinner at Carolina Barbeque, where everything is either stewed, fried or unrecognizable. For some reason, everybody loved it but me. The kids loved it because there's a soft serve ice cream machine. Doug, Connor, and Steve loved it because it's all you can eat. Amanda and I tolerated it becasue they had hush puppies. After that, we headed down to Bass Pro Shops. Bass Pro Shops? Yep, it entertains the kids and wears em right out. Nuff said. Doug and Steve took the kids to the Festival of Lights in Newport News and Amanda and I headed to Wal-Mart for some groceries. Who says we don't know how to live it up?

Trent and Ellie

Nielson, Cami and Huddy.

Nielson did have a plate, I promise. He threw it on the floor!

Connor and Nielson at the beloved barbeque joint.

Cami and Daddy Steve

Hudson trying to figure out why the combination of melted butter and chocolate syrup is not coming off his hand.

Who cares? I got ice cream!

Test drving the ATVS at Bass Pro Shops

Taking a five second break. Literally. That's all it was.

Ellie showing off the fish tank.

The kids with Cami and Aunt Amanda.

Can you say DISTURBING????? They have a whole Santa's Village and the target shooting booth is in it! Do my kids want to see Santa? Oh No! They want to shoot guns. Pink guns. Yikes.

Trenton and Hudson at church. So cute!