There's No Place Like Roam

We just returned from our trip to Beaufort, SC where we were able to see Nate (Jocelyn's hubby) graduate Marine boot camp at Parris Island . Nate was glad to see his family and we are excited to have them move to Pensacola in February. MUCH closer than Pennsylvania! We were glad to see brother-in-law John as well! It was cold and rainy, but we were able to do a little sight-seeing while we were there. Beaufort and the nearby islands were full of gorgeous historical homes and I LOVED the oak trees full of spanish moss. We will definitely go back to the low-country some time when its warm! We hit Savannah on the way home and were aiming to hit Paula Deen's restaurant, The Lady and Sons , but they were booked for the entire day, 15 minutes after they opened! Maybe next time.

Well, its finally happened. Thanks to big cousin Collin, Carter has discovered the magic of video games. No, we haven't deprived him from electronics for the first 5 years of his life, but we stuck with strictly educational, pre-school aged systems. Jason's niece Jocelyn, and her sons Collin & Delsin spent a few days with Grandma Jackie & Grandpa Jim this week. Collin brought his Nintendo Wii & his Playstation Portable (or PSP) with him this week. The graphics are awesome, they are easy to use and the games have fun filled activities like "crashing cops" and burping contests! Whats not to love!?! Carter (and even Hunter) took to it like pros. Collin waited on the boys to get out of school all day and as soon as my boys walked in the door, they headed straight for the games. We couldn't even get them to eat dinner. Carter completely ignored me when I told him we had to go. I can see now what I have to look forward to! Carter had recently saved up for hi...

Today the boys and I went to the park around the corner. They had a good time on the playground, and before we left, I suggested we take a hike on the nature trail. The trail said it was one mile and we had a good time walking through the woods. About halfway, Hunter was ready to turn back, but Carter wanted to go ALL the way. We went up an extremely steep hill. At the top the gravel turned to leaves. We followed what we thought was the trail until we came to a dead end. We could either go back, or slide down the pine straw of what was about a 60 foot "hill". I was already exhausted from carrying Hunter, so we slid. We were then only approximately 50 yards from our starting point, however, I didn't see that there was a fence until we reached the bottom. There was NO WAY I was hauling the boys back up that MOUNTAIN! I climbed the fence and went ahead to make sure we could get out. There was a way, so I got the boys, we climbed into a dry creek and I shoved them through a h...

Hunter (3) informed me this week that Shia is his girlfriend. (Shia is his former nanny's grandaughter. They have grown up together since they were two months old.) He hasn't seen Shia in months, so I wondered why this was on his mind. I ask him how he knew that she was his girlfriend. He said, "When she gives me a hug, she makes my eyes turn into hearts!" For a moment I thought I had a future poet on my hands. I ask him if he had heard someone say that before and Carter answered me first. He informed me that on the cartoon Spongebob Squarepants Mr. Krabs eyes turn into hearts when he meets Ms. Puff for the first time. OF COURSE! Mrs. Puff: You're a very sweet man, Mr. Krabs. [She kisses Mr. Krabs on the cheek, and his eyes curve into a heart shape.]

I thought for 2008 I would try to add blogging to my never ending to-do list. I think this year will be a big one for the McKinney Clan & I have been wanting to document the day-to-day activities of our boys. Goodness knows I can't remember anything if I don't write it down! Jason and I don't usually make New Year's Resolutions, and this year is no different. However, we have been tinkering with some "future plans" for a while and I think this may be the year that we take some action! For those of you that really know us, when we start thinking, somebody is bound to get hurt! ;-) So, hang on tight and we will see where this year takes us!