blaise turns 8

14 friends playing basketball, soccer and football.  Basketball at age 8 equals no dribbling and lots of running in circles.  Soccer went fairly well and football lots of picking up the ball to pick up the ball .  ..you get the idea.  Really it didn't matter, everyone had a great time.

botany bay

Pure bliss.  That's the only way to describe Botany Bay Plantation.  I could have spent hours there taking photos, running on the beach, climbing the trees . . . .   The 4,630-acre plantation on Edisto Island was a gift from the Margaret Pepper family. It was given to the state in 1977 by Mr. Pepper, but was only able to be used after his wife passed away so she would have the opportunity to continue her years on the land she loved, as per her husband's request.  In July 2008, the land - now a Wildlife Management Area operated by South Carolina's Department of Natural Resources - was made open to the public.

more cousin time

Blaise is fascinated with cars and come on what isn't to be curious about when you see this vehicle pull in?  It comes equipped with a siren and light on top too!

 

We spent time at Uncle Greg and Aunt Betsy's property.  Chickens at the house, secret passages into bedrooms, corn to lift to turn into grits, mills to check on, machinery to climb on and pretend to drive and big chairs to lounge in.  What a fantastic place for 2 boys!

cousins in sc

Where the weather was warm we gathered.  Sillies abound as cousins collide in a world of wonderful.  Time flew by far too fast but memories never fade.  Thankfulness abounds.

Cars, hide n seek, birthday cake, ride big bikes, puzzles, funny times . . . and so much more!

I had the pleasure (since I have a very nice boss) of taking in Blaise's birthday treat during the school day and enjoying him celebrating his birthday with his classmates.  Gavin and Nick helped take a piece of the cookie cake to the secretaries (and then he got to pick out erasers and pencils) and one to Ambrose.  I love the simplicity of the kids enjoying a homemade treat and being so thankful and excited!

skiing at brantling

Obviously it has been a different kind of winter.  A very different one while we watch the weather and assume that skiing will be cancelled this weekend because it has been so warm.  Did I mention that it is only February 7?  No snow in our back yard yet we were still able to go skiing yesterday .  .amazing!  You can see by the photos of the j bar just how much snow there isn't.  Incredible for February!