Belated Birthday Party!

After being with my parents for several days, we met up with Gran C and Papa (Alan's parents) and they had a surprise birthday party for Cameron...3 years old! We were still jet-lagging, but Cameron managed to stay awake (how can you not have fun at a pool party) and enjoy some friends (mostly our friends and their kids) and family.


Enjoying yummy cake with Safari animal theme.








Cameron, Alan, and Papa all enjoying Cameron's new Handy Manny tools and car

Visit with Grandma and Granddad

Grandma and Granddad picked us up from the airport in Atlanta and we got to spend some time with them at a nearby lake.










Cameron feeding the ducks.








Picking apples off a tree. We even washed and ate them.

Holidays

Thanksgiving!

We have had wonderful time with family for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanksgiving we spent in Americus, Georgia on the "farm" (an hunting lodge that some family own) with Alan's extended family. Cameron had a blast with his Papa and lots of cousins. It was so wonderful to be on the preserve and out of the city for a little while. We are blessed with a large, sweet family. It was my first time to spend Thanksgiving with them and Cameron had lots of "firsts" as well...first time to see a hog cooked, first time to see deer skinned, first time to ride on a hay wagon and first time to ride on an ATV. We stayed in an old hotel, but spent most of our time on the farm, hanging out, playing outside, and eating!

Of course we stopped by Auburn on our way to Georgia! Cameron drove his tri-cycle around campus :)



He loves his tri-cycle!


















Cameron got hold of the steering, yes, I was a little scared.








Christmas!

We went to a Christmas parade. It was cold, but they had free hot chocolate for us and during the parade they threw candy and beads to all the kids. Lots of fun vehicles for Cameron to look at, even though we left early. Alan had to miss it because he had a migraine :(




For Christmas we were in Norfolk, VA with my sister-in-law and kids while my brother was deployed (Navy). We wish he could have been there, but we enjoyed being together for Christmas the first time ever and Cameron got to play with more cousins. My parents drove up from North Carolina and it was a sweet time celebrating the Lord as a big family. Sean (6 years old) taught Cameron some bible verses and he was really kind to share his toys. Karen and I had fun late night talks, we all went on walks together and enjoyed watching "White Christmas" which is Alan's favorite Christmas movie. It is becoming a Christmas tradition with us.

We all went to the Christmas Eve service at church and the kids did pretty well. Amazingly, they went to bed pretty quickly when we got back and were looking forward to Christmas day! It is so fun to have cousins near the same age to play with. They are such a blessing.

Back in America

I can't remember the last time I updated our blog. There are so many things I can write about, but I will just give you some highlights from the past several months in the next several blogs (hopefully it won't take me months to do!)

Overall the transition has been really good back to life in America and full of lots of "firsts" for Cameron. We have some wonderful memories with friends and family here. Right now I feel like I am just waiting for our baby girl to come, but also trying to spend good quality time with Cameron as I know our little world will soon change when Laura Cate (named after both grandmothers) arrives (due March 25).

Cameron loves riding in the car, which has been such a huge blessing since we have been traveling a lot. He loves to be on the road and watch the other cars and trucks go by. He still loves trains and has been blessed to be able to play on some (see picture above).